- Paperback: 448 pages
- Publisher: Coronet Books; New edition edition (3 April 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340672420
- ISBN-13: 978-0340672426
- Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 11.6 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 442,222 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
A plastic bag containing three rotting heads is discovered near the Chinese mainland. The British seem to be keen for the investigation to drag on until after June 1997, the powerful Mr Xian wants a swift conclusion to the case, and the NYPD are taking a curious interest in events.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After reading, and then re-reading John Burdett's book, it is one of a small handfull of Hong Kong novels which really capture something of the essence of the Territory/SAR.
I can say this with some authority, as I have spent much of my life in Hong Kong (and continue to do so), and am continually let down by offerings such as Paul Theroux's "Kowloon Tong", which was slightly racist (towards Chinese and HK-based British), shallow and poorly researched.
A novel based in Hong Kong has such immense possibilities, as "Tai Pan", "Noble House" or "In Gwan Dai's Name" illustrate, but can also show up the most glaringly basic faults in an unwary writer. Burdett's novel however, is well written, in a no-nonsense, gritty kind of way, well researched, shows a real love for the place, and -most interestingly- is one of the only Hong Kong novels with a non-European as the hero. In this case a Eurasian called Chan.
Overall, I was very impressed, and I would say that this was the only 1997-Handover Novel that does more than simply cash-in on the event, doing Hong Kong real justice for once.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
A wonderful mix of murder, mystery & historical speculation
13 Aug 2001
Set in the moments before the Chinese takeover of HK (the last 6M seconds) this novel uses a rather gruesome murder investigation as background noise to explore the transition, its tensions and the power shakeup. While the investigation is a fine writing in itself (along with the babe who falls in love with the main good guy) I found the book fascinating as it explores the challenge of managing China (1 billion people) and the westernized HK. Most memorable, is the passage where the author asks rhetorically what kind of governing willpower does it take to provide civil administration for this huge mass of people. The book is certainly thought provoking and arguments are so well crafted that you start to understand some of the reasons behing the [not so humane] decisions of the Chinese leadership. Also delightful is the exposition of the oh, so British, approach to politics of the outgoing administration. A good book.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
An exciting and worthwhile read
5 April 1998
This book informs, terrorifies, and insires the reader. I found myself fascinated and repelled by its graphic depiction of the murders, but more so by its message: be very afraid of the new China. It inspired me to seek more information about the Red Chinese army, its tactics, both in business and in culture, and the new Hong Kong. I certainly recommend this book to anyone seeking a thriller, but also to those who want to read further on this area.
last six million seconds a winner
10 Jan 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The second novel by John Burdett is a good (not very good), but good slow moving thriller. It's one of those novels that keep you going right until the end, but then at the last two to three chapters that your inspector Chan is not going to get the help, nor is he going to really solve the case. The setting is Hong Kong just before the turn over back to china. A bag was spotted floating in hong kong waters waters with three heads, a whiote girl and 2 chinamen. The chinese want this solved really quickly and the english want Chan to take his time at solving the case. But Chan, who is half Irish half Chinese has his reasons to solve the case. With twists and turns and great plotting by Mr. Burdett, the book moves very well and will keep the readers interest. But like I said the ending will dissappoint you, atleast it did me. But do go and enjoy the book for what it is . . . a good thriller, which gets you set for his later novels. (Message to Mr. Burdett: please bring back Inspector Chan in another book soonest . . . I miss his charisma.)
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