A great murder mystery unfolds, truly a real page turner.

An American embarks on a perilous journey to China to investigate the murder of his mentor. However, things quickly get out of hand.

As he starts snooping around and asking questions, he discovers that there is far more to this case than he initially bargained for.

The deeper he delves, the more dangerous the situation becomes.

He finds himself in a web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives.

With each new clue, he gets closer to the truth, but also closer to putting his own life in jeopardy.

Will he be able to solve the mystery and bring the killer to justice before it's too late?

Only time will tell in this thrilling and suspenseful tale.

This book is very different from the other Hiaasen books that I have read.

The ones set in Florida usually feature quirky characters and situations. However, this particular book is a good mystery with some exotic locations.

The characters in this story are very well defined. There are the good Good Guys who are likable and the Bad Guys who are both intriguing and, dare I say, inscrutable.

Their actions and motives keep the reader guessing throughout the book.

I really enjoyed this non-Florida story by Hiaasen and I will definitely look forward to reading his other works that are not set in Florida.

I am curious to see what other unique settings and characters he will come up with in the future.

First and foremost, I must assert that I am an ardent admirer of Carl Hiaasen. An extremely passionate fan, to be precise! This particular book deviated slightly from his customary style of writing, yet it was truly magnificent. It came as an incredibly pleasant surprise. It encompassed all the elements one could desire in a story. There was a highly fast-paced mystery that kept you on the edge of your seat, a touch of romance to add a hint of charm, a rich historical backdrop that added depth, and a remarkable cast of characters that brought the story to life. Once you embark on reading this book, you will find yourself completely engrossed and reluctant to put it down for anything. I wholeheartedly recommend it to all book lovers.

The story titled "So so read" left much to be desired. So so read.

Carl, the main character, was not seen at all throughout the narrative. It lacked any sense of humor and was just a straightforward account of a crime. It seemed as if it could have been written by anyone, lacking a unique voice or style. While it was okay to read if there was nothing else available, it failed to engage the reader on a deeper level. There was no real excitement or mystery to keep one's attention. The plot was rather平淡无奇 and predictable. Overall, it was a forgettable piece of writing that did not leave a lasting impression.

I've truly relished Hiaasen's unwavering irreverence towards American consumer culture and the rather vapid citizens it has the potential to produce. The preposterous situations and characters that grace the pages of his books were never intended to be regarded as real, and this is precisely what endows the stories with their delightfully entertaining quality.

On the other hand, this particular work is a darker, non-comedic foray into the realm of international crime drama. (Is that even a legitimate thing? I confess to knowing absolutely nothing about writing genres.) I was more than willing to cast aside my awareness of the current Covid-19 context by immersing myself deeply in an action-packed adventure set in China. However, the inconsistent details and unrealistic scenarios unfortunately gave rise to a certain shallowness that abruptly yanked me out of my willing suspension of disbelief. Consider this: a man, already weakened by beatings and lack of food, has been forcibly pushed face-down into pig manure. And yet, a young and beautiful woman is so overcome with passion that she immediately commences copulation on his manure-encrusted body as soon as they find themselves alone? That same man has only been in China once before, during a rapid military incursion from the jungles of Vietnam into the backwaters of China's rural farming communes, where he witnessed brutal death, committed murder, and brought back a still-triggering PTSD. Nevertheless, the actions and thoughts of that same character are purportedly guided by knowledge of everyday urban life in China that he could not possibly have acquired during a day-long traumatic military incursion or in the first few days of his academic tour. It simply didn't ring true to me. Perhaps these gaps would never have been an issue if it were one of Hiaasen's comedic accounts?

That being said, it wasn't the worst way to alleviate boredom at this stage of lockdown.

Probably the best of the Hiaasen/Montalbano collaborations, this work takes readers on an exciting journey.

Hiaasen, who is known for his stories set in the familiar haunts of Florida and the Caribbean, ventures into a new territory - China in the early '80s.

The plot is highly complex and international in scope, making it worthy of the great Hitchcock. It also brings to mind the thrilling Alistair McClean books that many of us read in our teens.

As the story unfolds, readers are drawn into a web of mystery and intrigue, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The vivid descriptions of the Chinese setting add an extra layer of authenticity and depth to the narrative.

Overall, this collaboration between Hiaasen and Montalbano is a must-read for fans of mystery and adventure novels. It combines the best of both authors' styles to create a truly unforgettable reading experience.

One of the most blatantly racist books I have ever had the misfortune to read.

I am relieved to know that I am not alone in discerning its deeply problematic nature.

The book constructs extremely harmful stereotypes about Chinese people. It relies on politically slanted Western news sources rather than any genuine firsthand experience.

The author, who presumably has never set foot in China, uses his overactive imagination to fabricate an American hero's adventure that is set in a so-called 'dangerous and uncivilized' China.

Moreover, he includes a rather absurd subplot where a young Chinese female character inexplicably falls in love with a hero who is nearly 30 years her senior, without any clear or reasonable justification.

While this might have been an attempt to inject some excitement or color into the hero's experience, it is not only unnecessary but also highly demeaning to the Chinese people.

It is truly disheartening to see such a work that perpetuates false and offensive images.

This particular mystery is indeed engaging and has its own charm.

However, it fails to reach the same level of excellence as his earlier works.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Yet, there are certain aspects that seem a bit lacking when compared to his previous masterpieces.

The characters are well-developed, but perhaps not as complex or memorable as those in his earlier mysteries.

The pacing is decent, but not as tight and thrilling as it could have been.

Overall, while it is a good mystery, it doesn't quite measure up to the high standards set by his earlier works.

It leaves the reader with a sense of disappointment, longing for the brilliance and excitement that his previous mysteries had delivered.

Nevertheless, it still has enough elements to keep mystery enthusiasts entertained and engaged.

It will be interesting to see if the author can recapture the magic of his earlier works in future endeavors.

Well Done!

This book is truly a departure from the zany Carl Hiaasen books that I am so familiar with. Instead, it delves into a serious and thought-provoking topic. It offers a fascinating perspective on 1980's China from the vantage point of 2022. Reading about the social, economic, and cultural changes that took place during that era is both enlightening and engaging. It makes one reflect on how far China has come and how much has changed in just a few decades. The author's detailed descriptions and vivid storytelling bring the past to life, allowing the reader to experience it as if they were there. Overall, this is a remarkable piece of work that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in history, culture, or simply a good read.

Well Done!

This is not the typical Carl Hiaasen book that is filled with humor and sass.

College professor Thomas embarks on a journey to China with a tour group. During his visit, he unexpectedly encounters his old friend and mentor, Wang. Wang is in China to visit his brother, who holds a high-ranking position in the Chinese government.

Tragedy strikes when Wang is presumed dead. Driven by his concern and a sense of loyalty, Thomas decides to launch an investigation. However, he soon finds himself caught in a complex web of lies and treachery.

In a country that is highly sensitive to interference from outsiders, Thomas's actions draw unwanted attention. He must navigate this dangerous situation carefully, all while trying to uncover the truth behind Wang's disappearance.

As the story unfolds, Thomas discovers that the situation is far more complicated than he initially thought. Will he be able to solve the mystery and bring justice to his friend? Only time will tell.

Hiassen's renowned style, characterized by its humorous and incisive take on the venality of Florida and the southern landscape, is conspicuously absent from this work.

Here, the hero endures an excessive amount of beatings. One would expect him to be confined to a nursing home, yet he miraculously rebounds like the Energizer bunny.

Moreover, he somehow manages to solve a mystery in China despite not speaking Mandarin.

The word "unbelievable" truly does not do justice to describe this book. It defies all logic and credibility, leaving the reader with a sense of dissatisfaction and incredulity.

The lack of Hiassen's trademark humor and the improbable情节 make this a disappointing read for fans of his work.

This is a significantly different Hiaasan novel compared to what I typically read.

I obtained this book simply because I have a penchant for reading Hiaasan's works. The majority of his novels are set in the Miami area. However, this one happens to be his first or among his very first novels, and it has no connection whatsoever to Miami.

Moreover, it lacks the irreverent touch that Hiaasan is known for in his more recent novels. Instead, it presents a straightforward mystery.

Mike Stratton, a Vietnam vet with a complex past, travels to China as part of a tour group. Coincidentally, he finds himself in the same area where he was during a drop into China during the Vietnam War.

The story is readable and entertaining, albeit somewhat unbelievable at times. Stratton continuously gets himself into seemingly impossible situations, yet miraculously manages to extricate himself from them each time.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, and for that reason, I rate it 4 stars.