D. C. Alexander

I'll give this a solid 3 stars. It wasn't the best book I've ever read but it definitely wasn't the worst either. I believe I got this ebook while it was free. I read a few of the other reviews and they weren't that great, mostly they didn't like the philosophy angle of the story. I actually liked those parts better than the rest of it.

As for character development, it could have used a little more. For all the philosophical, deep conversations that the characters were having, I didn't feel anything for any of them. They were just a part of the story, I wasn't interested in them, invested in what happens to them.

The story itself wasn't bad. What was going on with the killer and what was going on with Riddley and his friends was intertwined well.

All in all, not a bad book. There isn't really much else to say. It's not bad for an ex-FBI agent's foray into authorship. If you want to read it, go ahead. If you're iffy about reading it, give it a try. If you don't like philosophy you probably won't like it. I guessed the killer about 3/4 of the way, but I read a lot of murder mystery books.… (más)

When a U.S. government investigator vanished on assignment Former detective Lars Severin is hired to find out what happened to her by a family member. Was her disappearance the result of an act of violence or something more sinister....His quest to find out the truth will bring him and Wallance Zhang, his long-time friend, into a labyrinth of double dealing and conspiracy....The chase will lead them from the alleys of Seattle to Washington D.C. and to the city of Shanghai. Along the way these two intrepid travellers will entertain us with their continuous banter.

At the heart of this interesting plot is the subject of anti-dumping practice imposed on goods and the machinations some industries are willing to do in order to squash the competitors. What a timely subject. The author’s provides in his narrative many details of the practice.

The topic is original and the mechanics quite good. The investigation seems at first to lead nowhere, we have no motive, no data to say and where did the missing investigators go...no bodies, nothing. But Lars and Wallance are very competent at driving out despicable people, they take their time flushing them out, cloak and dagger at its finest.. But the slowness of their work affected the flow considerably and after a while a good push was definitely needed to move things along. I am not a big fan of raw humour but these two were experts and I simply love the ways they communicated with each other: witty remarks and constant teasing...loved it. These two are entertaining.

In all, this is a good mystery

BTW:

Mandatory while reading “Chasing the Monkey King” is joining Lars and Wallance for a cup of pu’er tea ....( you will understand once you open this book)

I received a free digital copy of this mystery. This is a voluntarily review, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.… (más)

Great mystery, with lots of suspense and tons of twists & turns. This is the first mystery I have ever read that involved the subject of anti-dumping (the practice of a nation involved in trade with another that "dumps" tons of product-- whatever it maybe... microchips, honey, pipe, etc. at below competitive prices in order to destroy the competitor nation's industry making that same product) and went into detail about it. It was a very good book and kept me guessing as to what the ending would be, who committed murders, etc. and kept me interested. The book made an otherwise dull topic fascinating.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!… (más)