I really enjoy Peter May's China-based mysteries. They're a great mixture of basic procedural tactics, the strong personalities of the investigators, a little romance, Chinese investigative techniques, and forensic science. The writing is very simple and straightforward, which is actually welcome since the complexities of Chinese ways, names, and places are often difficult enough to keep straight. The plot of The Killing Room is pretty yukky... several bodies and body parts are discovered mixed in the material used in a new building in Shanghai being erected for a Chinese-American venture. Inspector Li is summoned from Beijing to lead the investigation, he's paired with a beautiful female detective on site, his on-and-off American girlfriend Margaret is called in from America to provide expert pathology services, and the race is on to solve the high profile crime.I won't spoil the plot for you, but I will say that I really like the way the author uses the interpersonal relationships between the players to keep the tension high in what may otherwise be a straight-ahead procedural. I also feel the milieu of Shanghai (and China in general) adds a number of layers to the story: investigative techniques, legal system, language, politics, and even on the romantic side of the story. The characters are all very strong and well-developed and each contributes to the ultimate conclusion in significant ways. The ending, as with all good mysteries, wasn't something the reader could have figured out on the basis of the initial facts. The story built toward it, though, and and it ended satisfactorily. The romance between Li and Margaret continued to blow hot and cold through this book and provides an interesting sub-plot. Peter May has written 3 series, one set each in France, China, and Scotland. He's not what I'd consider to be a flashy writer, but if you enjoy procedural mysteries you can't go wrong with any book from any of his series.
L'ho letto con interesse e con piacere. Lo sfondo cinese è descritto dall'ottica del protagonista orientale e dunque la narrazione diviene fonte di conoscenza. Il patto narrativo della trama mistery è rigoroso e la controstoria sentimentale ha accenti introspettivi, autentici e avvincenti. Ruvida la soluzione finale. Mi è piaciuto tanto quanto ho trovato noioso Hotel Paragon di David Morrell ma segnalo che per mio marito è stato l'esatto contrario. Ha trovato lento questo e avvincente Paragon Hotel.Il romanzo accende un faro sulle conseguenze sociali della politica cinese del figlio unico ed è cronaca odierna la notizia di un traffico illecito che ha coinvolto 181 bambini venduti all'estero.
What do You think about The Killing Room (2008)?
Brilliant! I loved his Lewis Trilogy. The Chinese setting for The Killing Room is just as powerfully evoked. Great sense of place and the characters are very well drawn. I loved the interplay between the three lead characters. The food is quite a character in its own right!I did just wonder about the introduction of the Irish pub towards the end - overegging the pudding somewhat - and I felt 'crack' should have been more correctly rendered 'craich'.That said, it was for me a compelling mystery, and I'm off to find the others in the series now.
—Karen Lowe
This was an amazing book when you consider that Peter May is Scottish and he is writing a Chinese thriller and he does it very well. I learned a lot about the cultural and social elements in China through the experiences of Margaret as she works as a forensic pathologist.The characters are well developed and the story gets intense as Margaret and Mei-Ling battle for Li Yan's attention. The plot centers around the Chinese law of one child per family and the consequences of many Chinese women as they seek abortions. If you like suspense thrillers that are well researched and full of action, then you should check out Peter May's Beijing series.
—Eadie
First review: Trying to find mysteries my father will like. This one is interesting in setting (China) and relationship between Chinese and American protagonists but too much gore for my purposes. Second review: this book's themes have stuck with me which is certainly one of my criteria for a good book. The race and cultural dynamics, a white woman involved with a Chinese man and her jealousy of a Chinese woman who has shown interest in her lover, and the religious mores regarding the sanctity of the body make this a cut above most mysteries. In addition, learning more about the possible consequences of the One Child Policy in China caught my attention. I think I will check out the earlier books in this series of 3.
—Lois
