Catherine Ling was abandoned on the streets of Hong Kong at age four. Schooled in the art of survival, she traded in the only commodity she had: information. As a teenager, she came under the tutelage of a mysterious man known only as Hu Chang—a skilled assassin and master poisoner. As a young woman, she was recruited by the CIA and now she is known as one of their most effective operatives. Having lived life in the shadows, Catherine is aware of the wobbly moral compass of her existence and even more aware of just how expendable she is to those she deals with. When her old friend Hu Chang creates a formula that’s not only deadly but completely untraceable, the race begins to be the first to get it. With rogue operative John Gallo also on the hunt, Catherine finds herself up against a group so villainous and a man so evil that she may not survive in her quest to protect those she cares about: Hu Chang and Luke—the son who was stolen from Catherine and only recently brought home safe. Using all of her formidable skills, Catherine Ling proves the age-old belief that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Iris Johansen is at her best in this novel that takes you from the corridors of Langley to the alleyways of Hong Kong and the darkest places of the human soul.
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"This is a story of a women on a mission after learning to live on the streets when she was younger, then learn how to survive to live by a mysterious Hu Changa , and is the brought in to the CIA~ A great thriller with a little lust and a women who has to finds all means to end the mystery of the fatal formula her mentor created out of the hands of an evil man, while keeping the ones she loves safe..A very great read I could not put it down !!" — Brenda (4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a story of a women on a mission after learning to live on the streets when she was younger, then learn how to survive to live by a mysterious Hu Changa , and is the brought in to the CIA~ A great thriller with a little lust and a women who has to finds all means to end the mystery of the fatal formula her mentor created out of the hands of an evil man, while keeping the ones she loves safe..A very great read I could not put it down !!"
" This book was better then I expected considering its a spinoff of the Eve Duncan books that I could not get into. "
" Cathine Ling is called upon to help her friend Hu Chang "
" I liked the book and like that she wrote about Catherine Ling so you find out more of her back story but I don't think this book was as action packed or as much of a page turner for me as her other books. Usually I can finish her books in a day because I can't put it down but this one was not that way. There was a lot of back story and build up to very little action/suspense. "
" A lot of nothing is how I would sum up this book. It moves fast only when convenient and moves ploddingly slow the rest of the time. It reads more like a possible TV movie screenplay than anything else. "
" A surprise author, one I haven't read before, kept up a gripping pace to an unusual story--very good. "
" I am so done with these characters. It's not an Eve Duncan story - but still many of the same people from that series. I just can't take any more. Maybe it's not as bad as a 2 if I just wasn't so sick of this story line. To be fair, I'll give the story a 2, the narration of the audio version a 1. "
" Awesome Book by a great author! "
" Alway enjoy books by Iris Johansen. Good to get some background on Catherine Ling. "
" Awesome new series! If you Enjoyed the Eve Duncan series you won't want to pass this one up. Some of the characters cross over in this new series and it grabs you from the very start. I will be anxious to see if Eve will make and appearance. "
" Catherine Ling is back helping the CIA find her friend in Hong Kong. A good plot line and interesting characters. You do have to realize it is fiction as most people couldn't do what she does, but that is what reading is about.. escaping from reality! "
" You do not need a synopsis of the lot from me. There are plenty below. All in all,this was disappointing from a writer whoop usually enjoy so much. I felt the characters were hard to follow and the storyline far too choppy. Not on my must read or must read again list. "
" Probably the first book of her's that I was bored with. :( "
" Just started and it's grabbed me already. While I read much of what this author writes, this may be a different type of character, etc. for her. Looking forward to reading the book. Enjoyed this book alot. I think the main character was in one of her last 2 books which I didn't read. "
" Better than her last couple. "
" Great book! An interesting spinoff from the Eve-Bonnie-Quinn series. The addition of John Gallo also gives a parallel to the Eve triangle. "
" I liked the main characters, even though they are a bit over the top. Every one is bit too skilled, too brave, too sexy to be completely believable. But it's an entertaining read, as are most of Johansen's books. "
" Just Ok. I didn't particularly like the writing style. Wasn't crazy about the characters. Just ok. "
" I really don't think that this book deserves any stars at all but I gave in and gave it one. This book was awful. The characters were bland, I really couldn't care about them at all and the storyline was awful! Blech!!!!! "
" This book took a strong interesting character and didn't really do her justice. Hopefully there's more to come. "
" A quick read that leaves the reader with some meaty issues to think about. "
" I have to say this is one of the worst books I have ever read. The dialogue is repetitive and the plot is unbelievable. I am Chinese and I have not heard anyone speak like Hu except in movies... "
" I really enjoyed this book. It was a little slow going in spots. I really hope Iris Johansen writes more books with Catherine, Luke and Gallo. "
" The story was pretty interesting but the writing didn't grab me as much as some authors do. I did connect with a few characters but not enough to keep reading her novels. "
" Her characters are absorbing and interesting. I am happy she is continuing with her CIA series with Catherine Ling. An original character! "
" I'm enjoying Johansen's move into a new character line. Finding Bonnie's killer was paramount but was getting borderline too long so this is good. "
" What Doesn't Kill You branches off of Iris Johnson's Eve Duncan series smoothly. I was already intrigued by Catherine Ling and dying to learn more about John Gallo. Toss in Hu Chang and you have an incredible read. Loved It! "
" Johansen has added to her characters of Ling and Gallo with another compelling read. She has introduced us fully to the enigmatic Hu Chang. We get more of a look at Ling's son, Luke. I loved this book and look forward to more with these characters. "
" Sorry, gave up. Again. Not having a good run on books... "
Iris Johansen is the author of more than thirty New York Times bestsellers. Her series featuring forensic sculptor Eve Duncan has sold over twenty million copies and was the subject of the Lifetime movie The Killing Game. She has has also co-authored the bestselling series featuring investigator Kendra Michaels.
Jennifer Van Dyck has appeared on Broadway in Hedda Gabler, Dancing at Lughnasa, Two Shakespearean Actors, and The Secret Rapture. She has been in new plays by Keith Bunin, Ellen McLaughlin, Catherine Filloux, Douglas Post, A. R. Gurney, and Albert Innaurato. Her film and television credits include Series 7, States of Control, Bullets over Broadway, numerous Law & Order episodes, Ed, Spin City, and The Education of Max Bickford. Her audiobook narrations have won her three AudioFile Earphones Awards.
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