The Firemaker cover art

The Firemaker

The China Thrillers, Book 1

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The Firemaker

By: Peter May
Narrated by: Peter Forbes
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About this listen

A burned corpse is a disturbing mystery for Beijing detective Li Yan until he enlists forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell. Having abandoned a broken life in Chicago for her work, she's as determined as Li to ask difficult questions about the man's death. But some questions have answers they'd rather not hear - facts that others are desperate to conceal.

The Firemaker is the first in the acclaimed China series from Peter May, author of Runaway, Entry Island and the internationally best-selling Lewis Trilogy.

©1999 Peter May (P)2015 WF Howes Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction International Mystery & Crime Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction China Crime

Critic Reviews

"Peter May is an author I'd follow to the ends of the earth." (New York Times)
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Once again Peter May has enthralled with a brilliant story his plots and characters are always effortless to listen to and with Peter Forbes telling the stories it's a winner.

Happy Listerner

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It was a so so story and I expected better from Peter May. So much cliche from start to finish with the love tension between the main characters both of which were not very likeable

Romance or crime

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Really enjoyed going off on a different tangent. I felt it was well researched with a good plot.

WOW! Very different!! But most intriguing.

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Has it all! Unique in setting and characterisation, a story with mystery, humour, romance, unexpected plot twists and great narration. Well worth it.

Great Listen

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From beginning to end the story kept me enthralled. Had to stop eating during the autopsy it was so descriptive. The narrator is excellent and was downloading Book 2 before I reached the end of this one. A must read if you are interested in Chinese culture and murder mysteries.

firecracker of a story

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I really enjoy Peter May and Peter Forbes (I think Peter Forbes made the books come alive). The China series is different from the Enzo Series or Lewis Trilogy, Peter is writing about an environment totally different from his own background. I think he did a pretty good job with some good observations about the cultural differences.
Lewis Trilogy is still the best but I just like his books and how Peter Forbes read them.
I have not found a book by him I did not like just some more than the others.

A promising start to a series

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Another great story by Peter. loved the different storyline to other of his books. plenty going on to keep you listening and enjoying. The narration was really great. Peter Forbes has to one of the best narrator's

great narration.

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Peter May disappointed me with the boring and predictable love story between the two main characters taking time away from an excellent plot.

Love story spoils an excellent crime story

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my first experience of the author's writing in an Asian setting. was dubious at first but got drawn into the plot and characters fairly soon.
even though the motivation behind the murders was obvious to me early on, I enjoyed watching the characters slowly catch on. already looking forward to the next book.

Dubious but satisfied

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A fast paced, wild ride that is frightening in the close association to reality. A compelling read!

Brilliant and Frightening Concept

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