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The Firemaker (The China Thrillers 1) [Kindle Edition]

Peter May (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
Kindle Price: £5.05 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
* Unlike print books, digital books are subject to VAT.

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Product Description

Review

'Intense and fascinating' -- Good Book Guide

‘Stunningly original, highly topical and extremely well written novel.' -- Scotland on Sunday

Product Description

A burned corpse is a disturbing mystery for Beijing Detective Li Yan, until he enlists forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell. Having abandoned a broken life in Chicago for her work, she’s as determined as Li to ask difficult questions about the man’s death. But some questions have answers that they’d rather not hear; facts that others are desperate to conceal.

Peter May is the author of The Blackhouse, The Lewis Man and The Chessmen. The Firemaker is the first of his China thrillers. Peter was an award-winning journalist at the age of just twenty-one. He left newspapers for television and screenwriting, creating three prime-time British drama series and accruing more than 1,000 television credits. He now lives in France.
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Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 645 KB
  • Print Length: 369 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0312342942
  • Publisher: Quercus (28 Jun 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0089XJX9E
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #772 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 51 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly orginal, gripping and entertaining! 21 Mar 2000
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
It's a long time since I read a thriller where I really CARED about the characters and what was happening to them, but everything in The Firemaker is so vivid and convincing that I was completely gripped by it from the first page. The characters in this book are truly three-dimensional and their dialogue is bursting with humour, wit, anger, and passion. I immediately found myself believing in these people and getting caught up in their lives and their relationships. Consequently, as the plot moved forward and I began to realise that they had become involved in something very big and potentially lethal, the build-up of tension towards the conclusion was almost unbearable. This was heightened by the awareness - if you read the acknowledgments - that the science in this story isn't fiction, but fact, and that the scenario described is absolutely possible. So it's a plot which is frightening - not just because of the consequences for the characters in the book, but because of what could potentially happen in reality to all of us. Somebody out there HAS to make a movie of The Firemaker! But until that happens it's certainly no hardship to make do with the book. Peter May's outstanding descriptions of Beijing life leave you with the sensation that you've actually been there, on the streets, mixing with the locals. He has the ability to colour in the background, immersing you in the sights, sounds and smells of Beijing without holding up the plot with unnecessary details.

The Firemaker works on every level. The exotic Beijing setting; the intricate procedural work of the Beijing detective, Li Yan and the American pathologist, Margaret Campbell and their complex relationship; and a plot which twists and turns towards a terrifying denouement.... Read more ›

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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, enthralling, thought-provoking! 11 Aug 1999
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
My wife had said, "You've got to read this book, it's brilliant!" but since I had gotten out of the habit of reading I didn't hold out much hope of getting round to it. I picked it up at 4.30 one afternoon and 9 hours later at 1.30 the following morning I finished it. I quite literally could not put it down! The story - not only a "Whodunit?" but also a "Why'dtheydoit?" pulls you in and will not let you go. The setting described so colourfully and in such detail that you could feel the heat and dust, smell the outdoor restaurants, and practically find your own way round Beijing. The characters drawn so skilfully and sympathetically that you NEED to discover what happens to them. The theme so scary, it may put you off eating certain food items forever. Wonderfully written, great twists in the story, exotic locations - someone has to make this into a movie! There must have been an extraordinary amount of detailed research in a wide range of subjects to create such a plausible plot.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars First book in a promising series from Peter May 24 Dec 2012
By C. Keller
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I decided to read this series of China thrillers after completing the excellent Lewis trilogy.

As always Peter May gives an fascinating insight into a little known culture. His descriptive narrative is excellent and we get a vivid portrait of life in modern China.

The plot is interesting and complex. The main characters Li and Margaret are well drawn and likeable, although I found the romantic web of misunderstanding a little tedious.

Aside from the above it in an excellent and unusual read for any lover of crime thrillers and I will be reading the rest of the series.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fire Maker, Peter May 9 Aug 2012
By Catherine E. Kay
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having recently 'found' this author I read this book whilst waiting for the third in his Lewis trilogy. I was not disappointed. It points out the machinations between political and big business projects that are hidden behind closed doors. An exciting novel with many facets. Wi8ll I ever eat rice again?
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read 1 Mar 2013
By Eskay
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
A well crafted story with an unusual setting in the darker corners of the newly emerging China. Believable characters and something of an emotional roller coaster this book kept me turning pages. There are similarities with the Lewis trilogy and the evocation of place and weather are effective.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Firemaker 1 22 Feb 2013
By Margaret
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read his Lewis trilogy and loved it. I was not disappointed when I bought The Firemaker. It was riveting and informative with superb descriptions of life in China. I have since purchased the second book in the series and enjoyed that as well.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Cracking Read 13 Feb 2013
By Mature Student
Format:Kindle Edition
Having read the Lewis Trilogy and loved it I went straight into the China series. I thought the story was so well put together, keeping you in suspence the whole way through. I also learnt so much about China, its history and culture. Great read.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read 15 May 2013
By roxyduck
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Now reading number six. All good and would recommend them. I downloaded all at the same time after the first one so that I always have a spare.....until I get to the last one!!!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars The Firemaker
Having read Peter Mays Lewis trilogy, I found this equally well written and an exciting and gripping read. Cannot wait for the next one!
Published 6 hours ago by Gillian Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant new author for me
I love reading and trying new authors. I it so much fun when the first book is as amazing as this one and you don't have to wait for the next installment as you can download more... Read more
Published 3 days ago by mummydye
3.0 out of 5 stars One out of three is enough
This is a crime story set in modern China.

Forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell has run away from her problems in Chicago, to work at the university in Beijing. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Raanana Gamer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!
I thoroughly enjoy this story and found the premise disturbing and thought provoking. I liked the characters and went on to read all six of the currently available books in the... Read more
Published 6 days ago by Catherine Jane Trevaskis
5.0 out of 5 stars The Firemakers
A thoroughly enjoyable read. I have only recently discovered Peter May (through his Hebrides series). Read more
Published 6 days ago by Peter Western Gate
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
I read this book in two days when on holiday and can't
Wait to buy the next in the series!
Published 6 days ago by flemingc
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!
Having read the Lewis trilogy first and thoroughly enjoying Peter Mays writing, I have gone back to The Firemaker, the first of the China Thrillers. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Amanda Swain
1.0 out of 5 stars Utter Tosh
I have read Peter May's Lewis Trilogy, the first two books were an excellent read, the third was somewhat weaker. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Mrs. Susan Donoghue
4.0 out of 5 stars An exciting series of thrillers that leaves you wanting more
Well written. Great atmosphere and very evocative of modern China.Margaret can be very irritating at times but May uses her ignorance of China to fill the reader in on Chinese... Read more
Published 12 days ago by d j bEVINGTON
5.0 out of 5 stars A page turner
Well researched in the manner of the Lewis Trilogy. Insightful view of China which is sympathetic as well as educational and well worked around an emotional plot with likeable... Read more
Published 13 days ago by JKD
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