I'm only rating this 3 stars because it wasn't much of a thriller or chase for the killer until the 75/80% mark. The first 80% was Margaret not reading up on how to act in Beijing and disrespecting a lot of people because of it and then getting pissed off because of the way they acted in return.

The only thing thing that saved the first 80% was Li and Margarets relationship growing and actually learning about the culture of Beijing in the time frame of 1999.

If you read the authors note in the beginning, he actually spent years overseas learning how everything and everyone works. He spent time getting in the know just to have some inside research on the police in China. It was fascinating reading about the history.

The last 20% was exactly what I had been waiting for, except it was so quick. After having so much info and relationship build up, it seemed like the thrill/suspense/murder was just thrown in to finish the first book.

I'll definitely be going on to the second book because I did enjoy it, even through my thoughts from above.

And let me say, when Margaret was in her element with the autopsies, she was a literal BADASS and I loved her. She was confident, smart, and quick. Past her downfalls, I did enjoy her character along with Li.

But Li's uncle stole the light in every scene he was in. I felt connected and could see where Li's positive qualities came from.