A Death in China by carl hiaasen

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The first non-Florida setting Hiaasen that I've read was an interesting departure.

Set in the 1980s, post-Cultural Revolution Red China, it follows Dr. Thomas Stratton, an art historian on tour.

When his friend and mentor, the brother of a high-ranking Communist official, dies, Stratton is drawn into an international murder mystery.

However, I did miss the snide, "Tim Dorsey-like," "Florida Man" humor that I've come to expect from Hiaasen's other works.

Overall, the story was just okay. It had its moments, but it didn't quite have the same charm and wit as his Florida-based novels.

Perhaps this was due to the unfamiliar setting or the different tone that Hiaasen was going for.

Nonetheless, it was still an enjoyable read and a unique addition to his body of work.

I'm curious to see if he'll explore more non-Florida settings in the future and how his writing will evolve in those contexts.

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Sky_oppai

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Didn't Finish

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in situations where we don't finish what we start. It could be a project at work, a task at home, or a personal goal. There are many reasons why this might happen. Maybe we lost interest, or we faced unexpected difficulties. It could also be that we simply ran out of time or energy. However, not finishing something can have consequences. It might affect our reputation, our relationships, or our self-esteem. We might feel disappointed in ourselves or worried about what others will think. But it's important to remember that not finishing is not the end of the world. We can always learn from our mistakes and try again. We can also break the task down into smaller, more manageable steps and focus on one thing at a time. With determination and perseverance, we can overcome the obstacles and achieve our goals.

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EndlessSky

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I listened to the audiobook at night while lying in bed. At first, I was quite engaged, but as time passed, I gradually dozed off and slept through most of it. However, when I woke up and managed to catch the ending, I was pleasantly surprised. The conclusion was well-crafted and had a certain charm that made me feel that it was not a complete waste of time. Although I didn't fully experience the entire audiobook due to my slumber, based on the part I heard at the end, I decided to give it 3 stars. It shows that even with a less-than-ideal listening experience, the quality of the content can still have an impact on my evaluation.

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kirara2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I have a deep affection for Hiaasen due to the wacky characters and the almost-believable plots that grace his current mystery writing.

However, this early book of his predates the time when he realized that humor sells.

Nonetheless, it is still a good mystery, set in modern-day China.

But it is a far cry from his later work like Bad Monkey.

The story in this early book likely has its own charm and unique elements that distinguish it from his more well-known and humorous mysteries.

Perhaps it offers a different perspective on mystery-solving or delves into a different aspect of human nature.

Even though it may not have the same level of hilarity as some of his other works, it still has the potential to engage readers and keep them on the edge of their seats.

Overall, while it may not be in the same league as Bad Monkey, it is still a worthwhile read for fans of mystery novels.

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Lynx1712

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

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Let's say the original article is: "The dog ran in the park. It was a beautiful day."

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The dog joyfully ran in the park.

The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was a clear blue.

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It was truly a beautiful day to be outside and enjoy the nature.

The dog seemed to be having a great time, chasing after a ball and playing with other dogs.

It was a scene of pure happiness and freedom.

If you can provide the original article, I will be able to rewrite and expand it according to your requirements.

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MusicaX79

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Surprisingly good, an early work by Carl Hiaasen.

I have only read his funny, quirky "Florida man" novels before. However, this one is quite different. It is more of a standard, wisecracking maverick spy adventure.

What makes it even more interesting is that it has some elements of China history thrown in.

The story unfolds with a unique blend of action, humor, and mystery. The characters are well-developed and engaging, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Hiaasen's writing style is as sharp as ever, with his trademark wit and sarcasm adding an extra layer of entertainment.

If you're a fan of spy novels or just looking for a good read, this early work by Carl Hiaasen is definitely worth checking out.

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missytot

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I've been an ardent fan of Carl Hiaasen for many years. His satirical novels set in Florida, filled with humor and outrageously wacky characters, have always been a source of great entertainment for me.

Several years ago, I discovered that he had collaborated with his friend and fellow journalist, Bill Montalbano, on three novels: Powder Burn (1981), Trap Line (1982), and A Death in China (1984). This was before he penned his first solo novel, Tourist Season in 1986. As a die-hard fan, I wasted no time in ordering all three of these books from an online bookseller.

However, I put off reading them for a while as they didn't seem to conform to Hiaasen's typical world of eccentric Floridians. But finally, I got around to reading A Death in China. Although it didn't possess Hiaasen's usual trademark wit, it was still a really excellent mystery that was full of international intrigue and suspense.

The novel is set in 1980s China. Tom Stratton, an art teacher, has joined a tour group to visit the country. But he also has another purpose – to meet his friend and mentor, David Wang, a Chinese-American art historian. Wang is in China to reunite with his brother, an official in the Chinese government who is in charge of excavating priceless artifacts from the ancient tomb of the emperor Qin. Tragically, after a visit to his brother and the tomb, Wang dies. But was it a simple heart attack or something more nefarious? Stratton, a Vietnam war veteran, decides to seek answers and soon finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy involving Wang's brother, who will stop at nothing to prevent him from uncovering the truth.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel despite its departure from the typical Hiaasen style. I have a feeling that Montalbano may have been the primary author of this one. It's a very good thriller, and I'm looking forward to reading the other two novels co-written by Montalbano in the near future.

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HaiAlwaysHungry

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Worth the read!

I found this book to be a bit slow-paced at first. It actually took me a while to fully figure out the characters. However, I really like this author and I am determined to read more of his books.

Despite the initial slowness, there was something about the story that kept pulling me in. Maybe it was the unique writing style or the depth of the characters that I was gradually uncovering.

I believe that with each new book by this author, I will gain a deeper understanding of his literary world and be able to appreciate his work even more.

Worth the read!

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Black Lizard #3

A Death in China

carl hiaasen bill montalbano

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