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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In Peter May's first novel, The Firemaker, Chinese homicide cop Li Yan and American pathologist Margaret saved the world from deadly GM rice and fell briefly in love before the authorities parted them. When the fourth of a series of ritualised beheadings involves an American citizen, Margaret finds herself obliged all over again to work with Li Yan, whom she despises for choosing his job over her; and of course neither of them find the situation easy.
She was shocked by how Chinese he looked. When she had been with him almost every waking hour, she had ceased completely to see him as Chinese. He was just Li Yan, who touched her with a gentleness she had not known before in a man, whose eyes were soft and dark and full of humour and life ... Now all that familiarity was gone ... All she really felt towards him now was anger.
Complications outside the case involve the pursuit of Margaret by Michael, a glamorous television archaeologist, and the dumping of an unwanted daughter on Li Yan by his illegally pregnant sister while the case itself turns out to involve memories of a past everyone would rather forget. All of the victims were at the same high school in the sixties, and the first three were leaders of a group of Red Guards who drove teachers to humiliation and death. May is particularly good on the different ways in which that period's perpetrators and victims, often the same people, live with that past...This is an impressive and ingenious second novel--May is equally at home with investigation and with the lived experience of today's Beijing. --Roz Kaveney --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'A masterwork of sheer momentum . . . compelling' (Glasgow Herald )
'Stunningly original, highly topical and extremely well written' (Scotland on Sunday on THE FIREMAKER )
'Intense and fascinating' (Good Book Guide on THE FIREMAKER )
'Is the book any good?The answer is a very solid...yes...it's engaging, topical...and certainly qualifies Peter May as a name to watch.' (Shots ) --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
'Stunningly original, highly topical and extremely well written' (Scotland on Sunday on THE FIREMAKER )
'Intense and fascinating' (Good Book Guide on THE FIREMAKER )
'Is the book any good?The answer is a very solid...yes...it's engaging, topical...and certainly qualifies Peter May as a name to watch.' (Shots ) --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I couldn't imagine how there could possibly be a sequel to 'The Firemaker' - but then that's why it's Peter May writing the books and not me. But the stunning opening, from the perspective of a man about to be beheaded knocked away any doubts I might have had, instantly. May took care of all the loose ends from the first book cleverly, and we were swiftly off on a completely new case with detective Li Yan and pathologist Margaret Campbell. The sparks continue to fly in their complicated relationship - making them surely one of the best detection teams around. And the setting of China - this time we went from Beijing to Xian - provides a fantastic backdrop. May's descriptions just take you right there... particularly to some of the meals! Check out the section in the Muslim quarter of Xian, where some ox livers crawling with flies on the back of a trailer are brought vividly to life. May manages to bring China's past to life, too. From the ancient times through the archaeologist's story of the Terracotta Warriors to the more recent past and some of the incredible events during the cultural revolution. The best thing is, he manages to drop all this in naturally, as part of the story and you find yourself understanding China better as a result. But above all, the story's the thing. May's plots are ingenious, and his characters are fabulous - simply gripping entertainment from beginning to end.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I'm only 7 years behind the times but, eventually, I have caught up with Peter May in this second novel reprising his two central characters from the first novel, The Firemaker.
I haven't read the first and you don't need to in order to establish an empathy with Li Yan and Dr. Margaret Campbell. Better still, is the author's ability to bring to life some of the past history of China, from the Terracotta Warriors to the Cultural Revolution, both periods of which are central to the two parallel storylines.
The hunt for a killer or killers brings the two main characters together again and their interaction lends the story a great human touch as they both try to come to terms with their previous breakup. Muscling into this situation is a TV archaeologist falling for Margaret whilst Li Yan looks on in desperation. But life (and death) goes on which provides for an excellent look into the workings of the Chinese police procedures compared to the American way and a gripping ending as the killer is finally revealed - but not before shots are fired with fatal results. A great read.
I haven't read the first and you don't need to in order to establish an empathy with Li Yan and Dr. Margaret Campbell. Better still, is the author's ability to bring to life some of the past history of China, from the Terracotta Warriors to the Cultural Revolution, both periods of which are central to the two parallel storylines.
The hunt for a killer or killers brings the two main characters together again and their interaction lends the story a great human touch as they both try to come to terms with their previous breakup. Muscling into this situation is a TV archaeologist falling for Margaret whilst Li Yan looks on in desperation. But life (and death) goes on which provides for an excellent look into the workings of the Chinese police procedures compared to the American way and a gripping ending as the killer is finally revealed - but not before shots are fired with fatal results. A great read.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The opening sequence is superb. Heart-stopping. As the story unfolds, the pace and tension doesn't let up. May cleverly interweaves a historical story with the modern day investigation, painting a picture of old and new China. May's in-depth knowledge of China and the police force there gives a strong and authentic sense of place. And the characters who return from his first book in the series, "The Firemaker" continue to develop with further compliactions in their lives and relationships. The story is fascinating and moving as well as being a page-turning thriller.
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