Grace Chu is an American-educated Chinese national now working as a forensic accountant after serving in the Chinese army as an intelligence officer. John Knox is an American who parlayed his military service during the first Iraqi war into a lucrative import/export business, which now provides him the official access he needs to work freelance undercover operations throughout the world. Both are highly skilled operatives capable of deft subterfuge or extreme violence, if circumstances require.
They meet for the first (but not last) time in Shanghai when the security firm they work for is hired to retrieve a kidnapped employee critical to the success of a multi-billion dollar real estate deal. But the stakes are high, and Grace and Knox find themselves at the center of a deadly international imbroglio.
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"I forget that Ridley Pearson writes grownup books because I love his series Peter and the Starcatchers so much. But this was really good with lots of action, a cool hero, John Knox, ex-military, and heroine, Grace Chu - who have great chemistry but thankfully do not have sex. Grace is a forensic accountant wo used to be in the Red Army so that gives her a good reason for some of the unusual skills she possesses. Loved the seting of China as I don't see a lot of books set there and it felt realistic and dirty and gritty. I liked that characters have some moral fiber and are loyal to their friends while naviating the murky waters of international intrigue and corporate misbehavior. If there are more of these I will be reading them." — Normalene (5 out of 5 stars)
"I forget that Ridley Pearson writes grownup books because I love his series Peter and the Starcatchers so much. But this was really good with lots of action, a cool hero, John Knox, ex-military, and heroine, Grace Chu - who have great chemistry but thankfully do not have sex. Grace is a forensic accountant wo used to be in the Red Army so that gives her a good reason for some of the unusual skills she possesses. Loved the seting of China as I don't see a lot of books set there and it felt realistic and dirty and gritty. I liked that characters have some moral fiber and are loyal to their friends while naviating the murky waters of international intrigue and corporate misbehavior. If there are more of these I will be reading them."
" Not particularly impressed. Quick read, pulp fiction before nostalgia made pulp fiction an art form. Straight forward story "
" Interesting book. Lots of twists and turns right through to the end. "
" I really enjoyed the new characters and setting. Looking forward to the next one. "
" I liked the story pretty well, but found myself getting a bit confused and felt that it went on a bit too long. The setting in present day China was quite interesting and the resolution, when it finally came, was satisfying. "
" Fast pace, good character development but extremely violent and uneven plot development. "
" starts off slo but hard to put down at the end. "
" You can't beat Ridley Pearson for his research and unexpected twists. However, I hate to say that this was my least favorite by him. Still a good read, and it perhaps could have been where I was emotionally, that I just didn't connect as well with the characters like I normally do. "
" Lots of intrigue, very good read! "
" A true thriller in the exciting setting of China. "
" A fine thriller, set in Shanghai, involving Western construction and security firms, convoluted Chinese politics on a number of levels and corruption running throughout, thugs, beautiful women, a typhoon, and more. "
" This was an interesting tale of how foreigners are kidnapped for ransom in China. It is based on real kidnapping stories but with a fictional twist. "
" Fast paced, a real page turner. Enjoyed the book. "
" I really enjoyed this book. Good plot, good characters, I liked the intrigue, this was a good read!! "
" tons of action made this a fun mystery. Would make a good movie. "
" One of his better works. "
" Fast paced with many Swedish twists and turns. "
" Love his writing! Good book with lots of action! "
" Not my cup of tea. Overly violent. Not that much interested in China spy stories. "
" Fun thriller w/ lots of twists & turns....great characters....but ending was a bit confusing. "
" I always enjoyed the Lout Boldt series and am hooked on these 2 new characters introduced in this book set in Shanghai. "
" Another good one by Pearson. I still miss the old Lou Boldt and Daphne Matthews team, though! "
Ridley Pearson is the New York Times bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including The Red Room, Choke Point, and The Risk Agent, as well as the Walt Fleming and Lou Boldt crime series, and many books for young readers. He lives with his family, dividing his time between St. Louis, Missouri, and Hailey, Idaho.
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