I...just...don't really know what to say here. This book was saved by the last third. That's when I finally got the mystery/thriller I was waiting for, although the Big Reveal wasn't terribly compelling.

Spoiler

oh noes, GMOs. gimme a break.

The first two thirds were just a lot of angsty wandering around Beijing, a lot of cultural stereotypes and quasi-racism (this was written in the 90s, after all), and one too many mentions of tingling loins and juddering breasts.

I got this for free from a Little Free Library and now I understand why it was donated.