What do you think?
Rate this book
Ava Lee #2
The Disciple of Las Vegas
Ava Lee goes deep inside the shady world of online gambling in the second installment of the pulse-pounding series.
In The Disciple of Las Vegas, forensic accountant Ava Lee is hired by the richest man in the Philippines to recover $50 million from a Canadian land swindle. With the billionaire’s reputation on the line, she follows the money from Vancouver to Las Vegas, to the Costa Rican accounts of the Moneida, a First Nations band that owns The River, a poker web site.
After uncovering an illegal online gambling ring, she confronts one of the world poker greats, David “The Disciple” Douglas, and his partner, Jeremy Ashton. Meanwhile, Jackie Leung, an old target of Uncle’s and Ava’s, has made it rich. He wants revenge, and he’s going after Ava to get it.
In The Disciple of Las Vegas, forensic accountant Ava Lee is hired by the richest man in the Philippines to recover $50 million from a Canadian land swindle. With the billionaire’s reputation on the line, she follows the money from Vancouver to Las Vegas, to the Costa Rican accounts of the Moneida, a First Nations band that owns The River, a poker web site.
After uncovering an illegal online gambling ring, she confronts one of the world poker greats, David “The Disciple” Douglas, and his partner, Jeremy Ashton. Meanwhile, Jackie Leung, an old target of Uncle’s and Ava’s, has made it rich. He wants revenge, and he’s going after Ava to get it.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
47 people are currently reading
604 people want to read
About the author
Ian Hamilton
27 books352 followersIan Hamilton has been a journalist, a senior executive with the federal government, a diplomat, and a businessman with international links. He has written for several magazines and newspapers in Canada and the U.S., including Maclean's, Boston Magazine, Saturday Night, Regina Leader Post, Calgary Albertan, and the Calgary Herald. His nonfiction book, The Children's Crusade, was a Canadian Book of the Month Club selection.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
May 30, 2012
The further adventures of the forensic panty accountant. The author still can't seem to restrain himself from mentioning "panties" every ten or fifteen pages, though he of course spices things up with a bra now and then. I'm pretty sure - though I am no expert - that it is possible to write a book about a competent and intelligent female character without talking constantly about her panties.
However, once you resign yourself to weird sexualization and the Starbucks VIA instant coffee obsession, this book is actually even more fun than the first. The main character feels slightly less indestructible here, but only slightly. Ava Lee is very much Bruce Willis in Die Hard 4, rather than Die Hard 1. But when she gets attacked, the promise of her revenge is very appealing. Even more appealing is how calmly and confidently she goes about dealing with the threats.
I read thrillers for action. To watch characters I like respond to violence and problems with confident and competent violence of their own. Ava Lee delivers. The fact that the author feels the need to throw in the least subtle dream sequences (my father! I have to impress him!) and embarrassingly sexualizing description now and then can be easily glossed over.
If I read one more blurb or review comparing her to Lizbeth Salander though, I might just throw up. There is nothing that connects these two characters aside from their gender, aspects of their sexual identity, and the fact that they are in thrillers. On the back of my copy, it refers to her as a "Dragon Lady Lisbeth Salander" which I am pretty sure is racist AND stupid.
Anyway, I went out and bought the third book! I really enjoy these.
However, once you resign yourself to weird sexualization and the Starbucks VIA instant coffee obsession, this book is actually even more fun than the first. The main character feels slightly less indestructible here, but only slightly. Ava Lee is very much Bruce Willis in Die Hard 4, rather than Die Hard 1. But when she gets attacked, the promise of her revenge is very appealing. Even more appealing is how calmly and confidently she goes about dealing with the threats.
I read thrillers for action. To watch characters I like respond to violence and problems with confident and competent violence of their own. Ava Lee delivers. The fact that the author feels the need to throw in the least subtle dream sequences (my father! I have to impress him!) and embarrassingly sexualizing description now and then can be easily glossed over.
If I read one more blurb or review comparing her to Lizbeth Salander though, I might just throw up. There is nothing that connects these two characters aside from their gender, aspects of their sexual identity, and the fact that they are in thrillers. On the back of my copy, it refers to her as a "Dragon Lady Lisbeth Salander" which I am pretty sure is racist AND stupid.
Anyway, I went out and bought the third book! I really enjoy these.
June 13, 2023
Ava Las Vegas*
Review of the Spiderline Press paperback from House of Anansi (July 17, 2011)
This was my 3rd Ava Lee having read the combined Prequel & No. 1 anthology The Water Rat of Wanchai + The Dragon Head of Hong Kong first. There was absolutely no drop off in the intensity of this sophomore effort by writer Ian Hamilton. If anything, it is even more relentless and there is at least one scene not fit for the squeamish.
I'm going to run out of superlatives before I finish reading this series but I have to say here that there is no one like Ava Lee. The only characters that come close are Lee Child's Reacher and Stieg Larsson's Lisbeth Salander. To paraphrase another noir writer David Mamet: There is nothing that Ava Lee will not do to get you your money back. You can take that to the bank!
This case follows straight on from The Water Rat of Wanchai with Ava barely having a chance to catch her breathe in Toronto before she heads to the Philippines, Vancouver, Victoria, San Francisco, Las Vegas and London and the stakes are higher than ever when a Chinese Filipino billionaire's family thinks it has been swindled out of $50 million in a land deal. And that is just the first layer of the onion before Ava Lee starts peeling it back to discover even more criminal doings beneath the surface.
Highly recommended if you like quirky lead protagonists and strong narrative action thrillers that rarely pause for a break.
Footnote
* Sung to the tune of Elvis Presley's Viva Las Vegas
Review of the Spiderline Press paperback from House of Anansi (July 17, 2011)
This was my 3rd Ava Lee having read the combined Prequel & No. 1 anthology The Water Rat of Wanchai + The Dragon Head of Hong Kong first. There was absolutely no drop off in the intensity of this sophomore effort by writer Ian Hamilton. If anything, it is even more relentless and there is at least one scene not fit for the squeamish.
I'm going to run out of superlatives before I finish reading this series but I have to say here that there is no one like Ava Lee. The only characters that come close are Lee Child's Reacher and Stieg Larsson's Lisbeth Salander. To paraphrase another noir writer David Mamet: There is nothing that Ava Lee will not do to get you your money back. You can take that to the bank!
This case follows straight on from The Water Rat of Wanchai with Ava barely having a chance to catch her breathe in Toronto before she heads to the Philippines, Vancouver, Victoria, San Francisco, Las Vegas and London and the stakes are higher than ever when a Chinese Filipino billionaire's family thinks it has been swindled out of $50 million in a land deal. And that is just the first layer of the onion before Ava Lee starts peeling it back to discover even more criminal doings beneath the surface.
Highly recommended if you like quirky lead protagonists and strong narrative action thrillers that rarely pause for a break.
Footnote
* Sung to the tune of Elvis Presley's Viva Las Vegas
February 6, 2017
Book Two in the Ava Lee Series, I can say that I liked even more than it's debut.
Ava is now my best mystery/thriller buddy and the fast paced plot, unusual intrigue and methods to arrive at resolution are a treat. Her Asian connections, deep family roots and international web of Chinese favours granted through "Uncle" add extra zip, and every culinary venture is another adventure.
Ian Hamilton's transition in introducing his second novel was definitely awkward, but once that halting chapter was over and the new caper began to unfold, it was Ava Lee fun and danger, international, again. This time an unusual maze of parallel dynamics, in the online gambling world and its associated legal specifics had to be untangled to find the stolen, or rather, defrauded winnings.
I especially enjoy that I am able to connect to many of Ava Lee's Canadian geographical stop-overs, in a way that American readers would to well-known locales in the USA. Ava Lee is an international investigator, with those Asian connections, but flies to London, Los Vegas, SanFrancisco, wherever needed... and destinations whose Canadian place markers have their own layered identities, like Vancouver and Victoria. In this novel. Kelowna, BC is mentioned - a tourist destination- which is thirty minutes south of my home. Somehow, it added something extra for me.
Ava Lee is somewhat annoying in her strict personal dress code, which the author describes in its labelled detail in this novel, the last... and the next which I have begun to read already. My suspicions were satisfied when I did my Google work, and found that all the brands had a special connection with either Hong Kong, a Chinese retailer or a reputation for exclusivity which would communicate volumes about Ava Lee's pedigree under the intense scrutiny of her Asian clients. As a Westerner, that subtlety of expression is lost on most of us - but critical to the character of Ava Lee and her story, nevertheless.
I'd cracked open a new novel, a character study of a tale, and found myself with drooping eyelids. To give it its fair due, I put it aside for my more focussed brain, and have jumped into the next Ava Lee in the series, where it is only necessary for me to hang on and let the story take me for another darn fun ride.
Oh... latest news... the series has been opted for a movie! That should be fun too!
4.5 stars
Ava is now my best mystery/thriller buddy and the fast paced plot, unusual intrigue and methods to arrive at resolution are a treat. Her Asian connections, deep family roots and international web of Chinese favours granted through "Uncle" add extra zip, and every culinary venture is another adventure.
Ian Hamilton's transition in introducing his second novel was definitely awkward, but once that halting chapter was over and the new caper began to unfold, it was Ava Lee fun and danger, international, again. This time an unusual maze of parallel dynamics, in the online gambling world and its associated legal specifics had to be untangled to find the stolen, or rather, defrauded winnings.
I especially enjoy that I am able to connect to many of Ava Lee's Canadian geographical stop-overs, in a way that American readers would to well-known locales in the USA. Ava Lee is an international investigator, with those Asian connections, but flies to London, Los Vegas, SanFrancisco, wherever needed... and destinations whose Canadian place markers have their own layered identities, like Vancouver and Victoria. In this novel. Kelowna, BC is mentioned - a tourist destination- which is thirty minutes south of my home. Somehow, it added something extra for me.
Ava Lee is somewhat annoying in her strict personal dress code, which the author describes in its labelled detail in this novel, the last... and the next which I have begun to read already. My suspicions were satisfied when I did my Google work, and found that all the brands had a special connection with either Hong Kong, a Chinese retailer or a reputation for exclusivity which would communicate volumes about Ava Lee's pedigree under the intense scrutiny of her Asian clients. As a Westerner, that subtlety of expression is lost on most of us - but critical to the character of Ava Lee and her story, nevertheless.
I'd cracked open a new novel, a character study of a tale, and found myself with drooping eyelids. To give it its fair due, I put it aside for my more focussed brain, and have jumped into the next Ava Lee in the series, where it is only necessary for me to hang on and let the story take me for another darn fun ride.
Oh... latest news... the series has been opted for a movie! That should be fun too!
4.5 stars
April 2, 2019
Engrossing, captivating. I'm definitely becoming a Ms Ava Lee series fan&addict.
The series is going to be a must-read of mine.
The plot involves an uncaracteristically deep analysis for just a forensic. Basically no accountant would go to such lenghths for any such stuff. Love this.
Q:
Her pace was measured, never hurried, and she held herself erect, confident of her time and place.
(c)
Q:
“Do you stay in touch with your father?”
It was a rude question, designed to humiliate her. “Yes, and I’ll be sure to tell him we met and that you inquired about our relationship.”
Ling flinched. He realized he had gone too far. Marcus Lee wasn’t a close friend anymore, but he was a man who had too much wealth, power, and influence for Ling to dare offend him. “Well, anyway, it’s such a small world, isn’t it?”
(c)
Q:
“Personally?”
“I’m assuming that Mr. Knox told you to be candid.”
“I didn’t actually speak to Mr. Knox. George Hall called me – he’s my boss. Mr. Knox called him. George didn’t say anything about personal. I thought this was more of a professional reference kind of thing.”
“So do I need to call my friend in China, so he can call Mr. Knox, so Mr. Knox can call Mr. Hall, and Mr. Hall can call you back to tell you to give me what I want?”
(c)
Q:
“Did he make many friends at Whiteburn?”
Galley snorted. “Hardly. Jeremy thought he was too good for us and he didn’t hesitate to let us know. I mean, he had the Oxford education, the fiancee connected to royalty, the big-shot future father-in-law. He was always harping on about how bush-league Whiteburn was. He came from Smyth’s Bank in London, and his girlfriend was still working there. Smyth’s is, I admit, the penthouse of investment banking but, I mean, we’re hardly the fucking basement.”
“He said he went to Oxford?” Ava said, looking at her notes that said otherwise.
“Every day.”
“And he’s engaged to Lily Simmons?”
“He wouldn’t shut up about her.”
“Mr. Galley, if Ashton was so secretive, tell me, why did he tell you about his fiancee?”
“That was one of the things that was weird about him. As secretive as he was about business, when it came to personal shit he was like the National Enquirer.”
“Like how?”
“The fiancee.”
“What do you mean?”
“He talked about her all the time, about how kinky and what a wack job she was.”
“Define kinky.”
Galley paused. “You sure you want to hear this?”
“I’m a big girl.”
(c)
The series is going to be a must-read of mine.
The plot involves an uncaracteristically deep analysis for just a forensic. Basically no accountant would go to such lenghths for any such stuff. Love this.
Q:
Her pace was measured, never hurried, and she held herself erect, confident of her time and place.
(c)
Q:
“Do you stay in touch with your father?”
It was a rude question, designed to humiliate her. “Yes, and I’ll be sure to tell him we met and that you inquired about our relationship.”
Ling flinched. He realized he had gone too far. Marcus Lee wasn’t a close friend anymore, but he was a man who had too much wealth, power, and influence for Ling to dare offend him. “Well, anyway, it’s such a small world, isn’t it?”
(c)
Q:
“Personally?”
“I’m assuming that Mr. Knox told you to be candid.”
“I didn’t actually speak to Mr. Knox. George Hall called me – he’s my boss. Mr. Knox called him. George didn’t say anything about personal. I thought this was more of a professional reference kind of thing.”
“So do I need to call my friend in China, so he can call Mr. Knox, so Mr. Knox can call Mr. Hall, and Mr. Hall can call you back to tell you to give me what I want?”
(c)
Q:
“Did he make many friends at Whiteburn?”
Galley snorted. “Hardly. Jeremy thought he was too good for us and he didn’t hesitate to let us know. I mean, he had the Oxford education, the fiancee connected to royalty, the big-shot future father-in-law. He was always harping on about how bush-league Whiteburn was. He came from Smyth’s Bank in London, and his girlfriend was still working there. Smyth’s is, I admit, the penthouse of investment banking but, I mean, we’re hardly the fucking basement.”
“He said he went to Oxford?” Ava said, looking at her notes that said otherwise.
“Every day.”
“And he’s engaged to Lily Simmons?”
“He wouldn’t shut up about her.”
“Mr. Galley, if Ashton was so secretive, tell me, why did he tell you about his fiancee?”
“That was one of the things that was weird about him. As secretive as he was about business, when it came to personal shit he was like the National Enquirer.”
“Like how?”
“The fiancee.”
“What do you mean?”
“He talked about her all the time, about how kinky and what a wack job she was.”
“Define kinky.”
Galley paused. “You sure you want to hear this?”
“I’m a big girl.”
(c)
November 25, 2020
No sooner has forensic accountant Ava Lee touched down in Toronto after her previous job, than her business partner, Uncle, contacts her about the next one. Tommy Ordonez, the wealthiest man in the Philippines, wants them to look into a multimillion dollar land swindle that his brother has fallen for. So almost immediately Ava is back on a plane to join Uncle in Hong Kong, before they fly to Manila together to be briefed. It doesn't take Ava long to work out that there's more to this fraud than meets the eye, and she uses her banking contacts to identify a lead that takes her firstly to San Francisco, then back to Canada. There, she learns that this crime isn't really about land at all, but is in fact hiding a major online gambling fraud, involving one of the world's top poker players. And where would you track down a top poker player? In Las Vegas of course! But after a hostile reception, Ava realises she needs more than her own powers of persuasion and arranges for some HK muscle to join her there.
This was another enjoyable outing with the magnificent character, Ava Lee. I don't know much about gambling or card games, but that didn't matter - it didn't get very technical. What did surprise me though, was that the violence seemed a little heavier than the previous 2 books I've read in the series. Nothing over the top, but just noticeably more vicious and with more bloodshed than before. As we know though, Ava can hold her own in these situations.
And Ava herself is a little different this time, showing us a softer side - admitting to a lack of confidence a couple of times, and the nervousness of the possibility of a new relationship.
As always with this series, the action is relentless, so I've moved on to a slower, quieter book now, but look forward to joining Ava again in the future.
This was another enjoyable outing with the magnificent character, Ava Lee. I don't know much about gambling or card games, but that didn't matter - it didn't get very technical. What did surprise me though, was that the violence seemed a little heavier than the previous 2 books I've read in the series. Nothing over the top, but just noticeably more vicious and with more bloodshed than before. As we know though, Ava can hold her own in these situations.
And Ava herself is a little different this time, showing us a softer side - admitting to a lack of confidence a couple of times, and the nervousness of the possibility of a new relationship.
As always with this series, the action is relentless, so I've moved on to a slower, quieter book now, but look forward to joining Ava again in the future.
January 29, 2019
Ava Lee and her partner, Uncle, are asked to help a Chinese-born Philippino (a Chinoy) when $50 million disappears from a Canadian subsidiary run by his brother, supposedly a bad land investment. Despite misgivings about the client, they agree to recover the money only to find out that the money was swindled differently. Ava travels around the U.S., Canada and London, deciding how to gain cooperation of participants, ultimately ending up negotiating with a senior governmental official, where she needs heavy political muscle. Hamilton's characters are colorful, interesting and multi-faceted.
January 25, 2019
Band 2 dieser Reihe hat mir noch einen Tick besser gefallen, als Band 1. Es war von Anfang bis zum Ende spannend und fesselnd zu lesen. Ich freue mich schon auf die nächsten Bücher dieser Reihe.
October 12, 2018
Another fast paced, well plotted Ava Lee thriller from Ian Hamilton with a really diverse and believable cast of characters! I’d give The Disciple of Las Vegas 5 stars but I’m not too comfy with the torture or be tortured aspect.
March 19, 2025
3.5 Stars
I read the first book in this series ‘The Water Rat Of Wanchai’ a.k.a. ‘The Deadly Touch Of The Tigress’ (2011) a year ago. It stuck with me, mostly because it was so hard to label. Thriller/Travelogue/Pan-Asian mashup. I had my doubts about a book about a Chinese woman written by a white European man. I had bigger doubts about combining ‘Thriller’ and ‘Accountant’. To my surprise it worked so I decided to try the second book ‘The Disciple Of Las Vegas‘.
The book has a slow low-key start with background explanations about the world that Ava Lee inhabits, her relationship with her business partner, Uncle Chow, and the dangerous nature of her next client. Although it was slow, it wasn't tedious, just matter-of-fact, which is an achievement as what Ava Lee does is unusual, complicated and borderline criminal. The introduction meant that you didn't have to have read the first book to enjoy this one, although I'd recommend reading it so that you have a better understanding of who Ava is. She's easy to underestimate and she uses that to her advantage.
Surprisingly for a thriller, the novel stayed low key as Ava travelled the world met the (unpleasant, impolite, rich and very dangerous) client and then went on the hunt to recover $50m of missing money that, in the space of a few days took her on tour around the world from Canda to Manila, Las Vegas and London. Her investigation took her deep into the world of online poker and the casinos of Las Vegas.
To add to the fun, Ava Lee is also being pursued. A criminal she rather forcefully recovered some money from has put a hit out on her. UncleChow is trying to get it cancelled but, in the meantime, Ava is at risk.
Ava's pursuit of the stolen money was relentless, sometimes violent but always calm. I found watching her surprisingly compelling and just a little chilling. Ava is always polite and never gives way to fits of temper. I didn't realise how far I'd started to accept Ava's methods as reasonable and even civilised by comparison to the people she was working for and recovering money from until she decided that circumstances required her to change tactics and, with the help of two of Uncle's men, she set about torturing the men who stole the money. There was no malice and no pleasure in the violence. It was just business. Which actually made it feel worse.
Even so, I found myself on Ava's side, especially when she came into conflict with a corrupt, racist, misogynistic Bristish Minister. I'm fairly sure I know who he was based on and I enjoyed watching Ava getting the better of him.
Despite the violence, the Ava Lee novels work for me as a particular kind of comfort read so I went looking the third book. I found that the novels have been bundled into sets of three, starting with book three, so I picked up a bundle to sit on my TBR for the next time I'm looking for a slightly off-centre, relaxing, unchallenging read.
I read the first book in this series ‘The Water Rat Of Wanchai’ a.k.a. ‘The Deadly Touch Of The Tigress’ (2011) a year ago. It stuck with me, mostly because it was so hard to label. Thriller/Travelogue/Pan-Asian mashup. I had my doubts about a book about a Chinese woman written by a white European man. I had bigger doubts about combining ‘Thriller’ and ‘Accountant’. To my surprise it worked so I decided to try the second book ‘The Disciple Of Las Vegas‘.
The book has a slow low-key start with background explanations about the world that Ava Lee inhabits, her relationship with her business partner, Uncle Chow, and the dangerous nature of her next client. Although it was slow, it wasn't tedious, just matter-of-fact, which is an achievement as what Ava Lee does is unusual, complicated and borderline criminal. The introduction meant that you didn't have to have read the first book to enjoy this one, although I'd recommend reading it so that you have a better understanding of who Ava is. She's easy to underestimate and she uses that to her advantage.
Surprisingly for a thriller, the novel stayed low key as Ava travelled the world met the (unpleasant, impolite, rich and very dangerous) client and then went on the hunt to recover $50m of missing money that, in the space of a few days took her on tour around the world from Canda to Manila, Las Vegas and London. Her investigation took her deep into the world of online poker and the casinos of Las Vegas.
To add to the fun, Ava Lee is also being pursued. A criminal she rather forcefully recovered some money from has put a hit out on her. UncleChow is trying to get it cancelled but, in the meantime, Ava is at risk.
Ava's pursuit of the stolen money was relentless, sometimes violent but always calm. I found watching her surprisingly compelling and just a little chilling. Ava is always polite and never gives way to fits of temper. I didn't realise how far I'd started to accept Ava's methods as reasonable and even civilised by comparison to the people she was working for and recovering money from until she decided that circumstances required her to change tactics and, with the help of two of Uncle's men, she set about torturing the men who stole the money. There was no malice and no pleasure in the violence. It was just business. Which actually made it feel worse.
Even so, I found myself on Ava's side, especially when she came into conflict with a corrupt, racist, misogynistic Bristish Minister. I'm fairly sure I know who he was based on and I enjoyed watching Ava getting the better of him.
Despite the violence, the Ava Lee novels work for me as a particular kind of comfort read so I went looking the third book. I found that the novels have been bundled into sets of three, starting with book three, so I picked up a bundle to sit on my TBR for the next time I'm looking for a slightly off-centre, relaxing, unchallenging read.
April 27, 2022
"Who is he?"
"The Disciple."
"Who?"
"David 'the Disciple' Douglas, one of the greatest poker players in the world. A fucking master."
May 8, 2013
I was liking the book somewhat until I got to the torture scene. Then I was tempted to stop reading. It's not that the men getting beaten up and tortured were such honorable men. They weren't, but let's face it- neither was Ava. She's inflicting pain on people to make money. Then she threatens a woman with the release of non-existent sex tapes if she doesn't sign the necessary papers and feels the need to tell her about the conversation she had with the woman's father and his cruel words in order to persuade her to sign. It would be nice if Ava Lee was more likeable, especially since the story revolves around her. If every book is going to contain her ordering the torture of others and resorting to other unsavory tactics in order to get money back for her clients and collect her fee, then I'm going to have to pass on the following sequels in this series. I suppose she does at least have the redeeming quality of feeling dirty after stooping so low. Another aspect of the book I didn't like was the constant brand name-dropping of the clothes she wears, the purse/luggage she uses, and the coffee she drinks. Once identified, there was no need to repeatedly do so.
June 27, 2012
The Ava Lee books by Ian Hamilton are a fabulous read. I read the Water Rat of Wanchai and reviewed it previously, then quickly got hold of the second book, Disciple of Las Vegas and The Wild Beasts of Wuhan, the third book in the series. Book four is apparently coming out in the fall. Ian Hamilton has created a wonderful hero in Ava Lee: she's incredibly bright and beautiful, and takes us on trips to places we would likely never go. Ava is not intimidated by anything, being a master of a rather obscure martial art that I have never heard of, but it allows her to travel alone and subdue any opponent physically; she has the mental ability to takedown anyone else, even if it takes her a couple of tries. I love these books and highly recommend them to anyone (most recently my librarian at the Queen/Saulter branch in Toronto).
August 28, 2016
What a great book. Seriously, a martial artist forensic accountant. It's like the book was written for me.
One thing that I really enjoyed was that it had the structure and vibe of a mystery novel, but the crime was not murder - I like murder mysteries and all, but there is more to crime than dead people. The writing style is fast paced and flows well, and the characters are very interesting in how they interact with the different cultures they move in: Asian business people, American gamblers, etc.
One thing that I really enjoyed was that it had the structure and vibe of a mystery novel, but the crime was not murder - I like murder mysteries and all, but there is more to crime than dead people. The writing style is fast paced and flows well, and the characters are very interesting in how they interact with the different cultures they move in: Asian business people, American gamblers, etc.
January 20, 2014
Toughest accountant you'll ever meet.
September 4, 2023
Our girl Ava barely touches down home from her escapades in Book #1, when she's jetting off to see if she can help recover $50M for the richest man in the Philippines.
I picked this up on a recent trip to Vegas, and I liked it enough to continue with the series. The author has writing quirks - I don't understand his obsession with Ava's undies and Starbucks (does he get royalties?).
As with the earlier book, the characters are not well fleshed out, the action happens are whiplash speed, and this reads like a Friday night action movie. However, I was able to suspend disbelief, and settle in for a fast read that kept my attention throughout.
The Water Rat of Wanchai - 3 stars - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Disciple of Las Vegas - 3 stars - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I picked this up on a recent trip to Vegas, and I liked it enough to continue with the series. The author has writing quirks - I don't understand his obsession with Ava's undies and Starbucks (does he get royalties?).
As with the earlier book, the characters are not well fleshed out, the action happens are whiplash speed, and this reads like a Friday night action movie. However, I was able to suspend disbelief, and settle in for a fast read that kept my attention throughout.
The Water Rat of Wanchai - 3 stars - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Disciple of Las Vegas - 3 stars - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
February 4, 2024
52 Book Club - Prompt 37 - Palindrome on the Cover
This is the 2nd full length book in the Ava Lee series. Like most sequels, I don't think it's as strong as the first, but I still appreciated the story of the forensic accountant turned corporate bad debt collector. Things felt a little too easily resolved for me to rate this any higher than a 3.
This is the 2nd full length book in the Ava Lee series. Like most sequels, I don't think it's as strong as the first, but I still appreciated the story of the forensic accountant turned corporate bad debt collector. Things felt a little too easily resolved for me to rate this any higher than a 3.
May 2, 2024
I always end a book in this series not sure if I want to continue on. I really enjoyed this one, it was fast paced and engaging. I love the nods to Canada. But I don’t love the short torture scenes that have been in the last couple books. I guess time will tell if I pick up the third book.
January 14, 2019
Ava Lee ist eine kanadische Inkasso-Unternehmerin chinesischer Herkunft, die im zweiten Band der Reihe mit einem Fall von betrügerischem Online-Poker zu tun hat. Während Ava in Macao noch mitten in ihrem vorigen Fall steckte, hatte ihr Geschäftspartner Onkel Chow sie bereits gedrängelt, sich um den Fall des philippinisch-chinesischen Geschäftsmannes Ordonez zu kümmern. Während Ava noch ihre Prellungen aus Macao pflegt, denkt sie sich bereits in die Welt des Glücksspiels und die Welt der Auslandschinesen hinein. Ordonez, eigentlich Chew Guang aus Qingdao, ist ein Chinoy, ein Chinese, der für seine Geschäfte auf den Philippinen einen pflegeleichten spanischen Namen angenommen hat. Er setzt Ava auf den Fall seines Bruders an, der offenbar Millionenbeträge verspielt hat und damit zugleich Ruf und Existenz des Familienunternehmens. Verbindungsfigur zu Ordonez ist seine rechte Hand Chang Wang, ein Weggefährte Onkel Chows, der aus dessen Heimatdorf stammt. An der Verbindung Ordonez/Wang/Chow entwickelt Ian Hamilton sehr fesselnd das Netz von „guanxi“, der gegenseitigen Verpflichtung zwischen Chinesen in aller Welt. Ava, die bereits ihr eigenes Netz von Beziehungen aus der Studienzeit nutzt und von ihrem Vater Michael die Raffinesse des Verhandelns gelernt hat, erfährt auf diesem Weg allerlei über Onkel Chows Vergangenheit. Guanxi sind alles andere als einfache Beziehungen, sie können noch über mehrere Generationen hinweg ausgesprochen lästig sein. Onkel Chow ist durch seine Beziehung zu Ava sehr verletzlich geworden; denn er muss befürchten, dass alte Rechnungen seiner Gegner nun zu Avas Schaden beglichen werden.
Wer sich im ersten Band gefragt haben mag, warum die Familienverhältnisse der Lees so ausführlich beschrieben werden, kann nun verfolgen, dass Ian Hamiltons Krimi-Reihe um ein cleveres lesbisches Wonder-Woman der Inkasso-Branche ebenso sorgfältig verwoben wird wie "guanxi" unter Chinesen. Ava lernt im Zuge des Falls Ordonez Menschen mit speziellen Fähigkeiten kennen, die sie sicher in weiteren Bänden noch nutzen wird. Die Beziehung zu ihrer späteren Partnerin Maria Gonzalez deutet sich bereits – noch sehr zart – an. Auch wenn Hamiltons Produktplacement-Masche allmählich nervt (selbst die Marke einer ordinären Jogginghose wird genannt) entpuppt sich die Serie um Ava Lee gerade in der persönlichen Entwicklung der Figuren als ausgesprochen spannend. Je mehr Details über Länder und Sitten Hamilton auspackt, umso besser gefällt mir seine Serie.
Wer sich im ersten Band gefragt haben mag, warum die Familienverhältnisse der Lees so ausführlich beschrieben werden, kann nun verfolgen, dass Ian Hamiltons Krimi-Reihe um ein cleveres lesbisches Wonder-Woman der Inkasso-Branche ebenso sorgfältig verwoben wird wie "guanxi" unter Chinesen. Ava lernt im Zuge des Falls Ordonez Menschen mit speziellen Fähigkeiten kennen, die sie sicher in weiteren Bänden noch nutzen wird. Die Beziehung zu ihrer späteren Partnerin Maria Gonzalez deutet sich bereits – noch sehr zart – an. Auch wenn Hamiltons Produktplacement-Masche allmählich nervt (selbst die Marke einer ordinären Jogginghose wird genannt) entpuppt sich die Serie um Ava Lee gerade in der persönlichen Entwicklung der Figuren als ausgesprochen spannend. Je mehr Details über Länder und Sitten Hamilton auspackt, umso besser gefällt mir seine Serie.
November 24, 2017
Onkel für Ava Lee
Die Wirtschaftsprüferin Ava Lee lebt zwar in Kanada, ihre Aufträge bekommt sie allerdings von Onkel in Hong Kong. Dieses Mal haben sie es mit einem besonders brisanten Fall zu tun. Kaum daheim angekommen, muss Ava Lee sich auf den Weg nach Asien machen, um gemeinsam mit ihrem Chef und Mentor den Kunden Tommy Ordonez aufzusuchen. Bei diesem handelt es sich zwar um einen Emporkömmling, der allerdings inzwischen so reich und einflussreich ist, dass es am einfachsten ist, seine Wünsche zu erfüllen. Bei einem Grundstücksdeal ist er offensichtlich um ca. 60 Millionen Dollar betrogen worden. Ava Lee soll herausfinden, was geschehen ist und natürlich soll sie das Geld wieder herbeischaffen.
Ava Lee und Onkel, ihr geheimnisvoller Auftraggeber, führen hier ihren zweiten Auftrag aus. Zielstrebig begibt sich Ava Lee auf die Spur des Geldes. Buchprüferin mit Universitätsabschluss, die ihre asiatischen Wurzeln nicht verleugnet und doch stolz ist Kanadierin zu sein, das ist Ava Lee. Familie bedeutet ihr alles und so ist sie bestens geeignet sich in die Welt ihrer Auftraggeber hineinzuversetzen. Familien, die weltweit operieren und doch nach ihren ursprünglichen Traditionen handeln. Ava Lee kann der Spur des Geldes sowohl durch die Bücher folgen als auch die Beweggründe derer nachvollziehen, die das Geld aus den Büchern verschwinden ließen.
Manchmal etwas speziell, aber immer gewitzt, intelligent und clever weckt Ava Lee viele Sympathien. Wenn einem möglicherweise auch einige Charakterzüge der Beteiligten fremd bleiben, schafft es Ava Lee mit ihrer hartnäckigen Art, den Fall zu lösen. Onkel bleibt geheimnisvoll, da die Serie mit diesem zweiten Band erst am Anfang ist, wird es vielleicht künftig noch mehr zu erfahren geben. Hier reist Ava Lee um die Welt, um dem Kunden zu seinem Recht zu verhelfen. Gerne spürt man den Beziehungsströmungen nach und wünscht sich vielleicht ein erläuterndes Wiederlesen mit einigen Personen, deren Bekanntschaft hier nur angerissen wurde.
Die Wirtschaftsprüferin Ava Lee lebt zwar in Kanada, ihre Aufträge bekommt sie allerdings von Onkel in Hong Kong. Dieses Mal haben sie es mit einem besonders brisanten Fall zu tun. Kaum daheim angekommen, muss Ava Lee sich auf den Weg nach Asien machen, um gemeinsam mit ihrem Chef und Mentor den Kunden Tommy Ordonez aufzusuchen. Bei diesem handelt es sich zwar um einen Emporkömmling, der allerdings inzwischen so reich und einflussreich ist, dass es am einfachsten ist, seine Wünsche zu erfüllen. Bei einem Grundstücksdeal ist er offensichtlich um ca. 60 Millionen Dollar betrogen worden. Ava Lee soll herausfinden, was geschehen ist und natürlich soll sie das Geld wieder herbeischaffen.
Ava Lee und Onkel, ihr geheimnisvoller Auftraggeber, führen hier ihren zweiten Auftrag aus. Zielstrebig begibt sich Ava Lee auf die Spur des Geldes. Buchprüferin mit Universitätsabschluss, die ihre asiatischen Wurzeln nicht verleugnet und doch stolz ist Kanadierin zu sein, das ist Ava Lee. Familie bedeutet ihr alles und so ist sie bestens geeignet sich in die Welt ihrer Auftraggeber hineinzuversetzen. Familien, die weltweit operieren und doch nach ihren ursprünglichen Traditionen handeln. Ava Lee kann der Spur des Geldes sowohl durch die Bücher folgen als auch die Beweggründe derer nachvollziehen, die das Geld aus den Büchern verschwinden ließen.
Manchmal etwas speziell, aber immer gewitzt, intelligent und clever weckt Ava Lee viele Sympathien. Wenn einem möglicherweise auch einige Charakterzüge der Beteiligten fremd bleiben, schafft es Ava Lee mit ihrer hartnäckigen Art, den Fall zu lösen. Onkel bleibt geheimnisvoll, da die Serie mit diesem zweiten Band erst am Anfang ist, wird es vielleicht künftig noch mehr zu erfahren geben. Hier reist Ava Lee um die Welt, um dem Kunden zu seinem Recht zu verhelfen. Gerne spürt man den Beziehungsströmungen nach und wünscht sich vielleicht ein erläuterndes Wiederlesen mit einigen Personen, deren Bekanntschaft hier nur angerissen wurde.
October 15, 2012
Okay, so I love this series, but I must admit Ms. Lee shocked me with her ruthless intent on this one. She actually commanded a henchman to proceed with a gruesome threat she'd made to...a ruthless con man. That cool distance in her calculation had always made her seem scary and thrilling but when one actually witnesses her threat made real, it is far less appealing and far more lethal. Now that she has drawn blood, we find ourselves as readers firming up, standing back, calculating, cautious. No longer just lighthearted fun, this makes us ask ourselves what we would have done, or what we would have had our character do. We have to justify following her avenging course.
The impingement on our moral sense carries throughout the book, and I find myself distancing myself from her. I read this series out of order, so I still had a glib, happy-go-lucky feeling reading book #3, The The Wild Beasts of Wuhan. I would have to reasses my take on that book in light of this one.
In this, an online gambling concern manages to tweak the system so that the owners of the site can view competitors cards and win money illegally. One of the losers happens to have a rich uncle who hires Ava to get his money back. So far, all of the books in this series have more than held my interest--I am intrigued with the legal and moral complications of forensic accounting.
The impingement on our moral sense carries throughout the book, and I find myself distancing myself from her. I read this series out of order, so I still had a glib, happy-go-lucky feeling reading book #3, The The Wild Beasts of Wuhan. I would have to reasses my take on that book in light of this one.
In this, an online gambling concern manages to tweak the system so that the owners of the site can view competitors cards and win money illegally. One of the losers happens to have a rich uncle who hires Ava to get his money back. So far, all of the books in this series have more than held my interest--I am intrigued with the legal and moral complications of forensic accounting.
April 29, 2015
The second in the Ava Lee series (not the first book as Goodreads indicates), this book is fast paced, a fast read and a kick. Ava Lee is a forensic accountant with a fast foot and a hard fist and the ability to outsmart and outthink swindlers. Her business – being available for hire to track down and return significant amounts of money that have disappeared – business transactions, shady deals, under the table deals, you name it – she does it all – for a fee. In this case, called upon to track down the disappearance of millions of dollars from a rather undesirable business magnate in the Philippines, she traverses the world moving from Toronto to Hong Kong and Manila to San Francisco, Vancouver, Victoria and Las Vegas. Involving the gaming industry, the storyline is riveting with a cast of interesting characters, not the least of which is Ava Lee herself. A great light, quick and entertaining read.
May 5, 2014
Ava Lee plays hardball in this one set in Las Vegas, Vancouver, Manila, London, and San Francisco. Number two in the series and I had read and enjoyed number three. A common theme is the meddling, arrogant client. Last time it was a couple, now it's a Filipino Chinese billionaire. Ava finds that the billionaire's brother in Vancouver gambled over $50 million away in what was initially a land swindle. But there's more. He was gambling online and he was cheated. Not to complicate matters but there's a hit out on Ava, I guess from book one, so she's looking over her shoulder as she does business. Ava quickly realizes what's going on and calls in for reinforcements for strong-arm persuasion in Vegas. It gets violent and dark. Then it looks like it's over but she ends up involved in global politics once she gets to London. Nothing is ever easy for Ava but she gets it done and done well.
March 26, 2013
Hooked me from the start. Terrific writing. I really liked the main character, but found the supporting characters to be individuals as well. The action moved across the world from Canada to Asia to Las Vegas and London, and action it certainly is. I read the book almost with fear, waiting for the shoe to drop. A really enjoyable read, a really compelling new series led by a fascinating main character. There's nothing like an excellent new series to make you carve out time to read. This is definitely a pick for the Mystery Book Group.
Rereading before Mystery Book Group discussion on 3/26/13. Enjoyed it as much the second time as the first, although the tension level was reduced. Fun enjoyable read. Great for a snowy day indoors!
Rereading before Mystery Book Group discussion on 3/26/13. Enjoyed it as much the second time as the first, although the tension level was reduced. Fun enjoyable read. Great for a snowy day indoors!
December 26, 2015
This book takes us from Toronto, to the Philippines, to San Francisco, Vancouver and then spends most of its time in Las Vegas.
For some odd reason the author is obsessed with mentioning the Chanel purse, Cartier watch and Adidas track pants that the character wears; as well as the Starbucks VIA instant coffee she drinks and the bra and panties she must always be wearing or changing. I don't know why it's necessary to keep mentioning them, but there it is.
The rest of the story is really very good. I like that Ava Lee is smart, organized, able to look after herself, an accountant, Chinese and a lesbian. It makes her a very interesting character and offers up many chances for the tale to be nontraditional, both points very much a benefit in its telling.
For some odd reason the author is obsessed with mentioning the Chanel purse, Cartier watch and Adidas track pants that the character wears; as well as the Starbucks VIA instant coffee she drinks and the bra and panties she must always be wearing or changing. I don't know why it's necessary to keep mentioning them, but there it is.
The rest of the story is really very good. I like that Ava Lee is smart, organized, able to look after herself, an accountant, Chinese and a lesbian. It makes her a very interesting character and offers up many chances for the tale to be nontraditional, both points very much a benefit in its telling.
January 6, 2012
I loved The Disciple of Las Vegas for two reasons.
1. Could not put the book down - plotting and pacing were perfect.
2. Ava Lee is one of the most interesting heroines I've come across. She's supremely polite (read: Canadian) and if you're in a dark alley with her, she'd better be on your side (she's a skilled martial artist). I particularly love her abandonment dreams - subtle, in the background, and they flesh her out as a human.
Highly recommend.
1. Could not put the book down - plotting and pacing were perfect.
2. Ava Lee is one of the most interesting heroines I've come across. She's supremely polite (read: Canadian) and if you're in a dark alley with her, she'd better be on your side (she's a skilled martial artist). I particularly love her abandonment dreams - subtle, in the background, and they flesh her out as a human.
Highly recommend.
January 14, 2019
Finished this in 1 day - cannot put it down. Granted, it's not that long a book. However, Ava Lee is definitely one of my favourite characters of all time. She's investigating a land swindle that leads into the world of online gambling. Compared to book #1, I'd say this is grittier. Recovering stolen money is definitely not for the faint of heart.
December 30, 2011
LOVING Ian Hamilton and his protagonist Ava Lee - she's smart, capable, and does NOT need to be rescued. Waiting for the née book to come out! Highly recommended!
October 30, 2021
After my last read I needed a palate cleanser. Fluffy, light, you know what you are getting into, fun. And that really is what the Ava Lee series seems to be.
Nothing major to work out, although puzzles and mysteries aren't not obvious. Morally grey. Action packed. Little down time due to the insane amount of money that one can throw at business class plane tickets (can't wait to see what happens with Covid). More violent this time than last which doesn't bother me, but I know it does some people.
Forensic account X extortionist good times.
Nothing major to work out, although puzzles and mysteries aren't not obvious. Morally grey. Action packed. Little down time due to the insane amount of money that one can throw at business class plane tickets (can't wait to see what happens with Covid). More violent this time than last which doesn't bother me, but I know it does some people.
Forensic account X extortionist good times.
January 15, 2019
Ava Lee, the Jack Reacher of the accounting world embarks on another adventure, with more violence. This would be a 5 star rating based on the readability and action....the kind of book that, once you pick it up, you cant put it down til the story ends. I loved that Hamilton upped the violence with Ava's giving the bad guys a bit of torture medicine. Alas, this is going down to 4 stars for 2 reasons that might seem minor to most, but drive me crazy.
#1 - the product placement. In Ava's first adventure, I thought it was just a weird writing style, but then I read that some country's editions featured the Starbucks mentions non stop whereas other country's had the Starbucks obsession removed. Aha. . . it must be paid product placement. Its so overwhelming that it almost becomes laughable. Every item of clothing or accessory or food is mentioned by brand name in the most awkward manner. I can tell you that I have no idea what a Starbucks Via is, but I will never have one after being hit over the head nonstop with it. Brooks Brothers, Chanel, Adidas, Starbucks. etc etc. I understand authors don't make movie star money, and I don't' really blame an author for taking product placement funds, but it threatens to overwhelm the story.
#2 - Hamilton obviously prides himself on geography and placing his characters in actual places with vivid accurate descriptions. So why on earth does he make the strange mistake of calling it " Wynn's " as in Take the cab back to Wynn's I'm going to stay at Wynn's The Venetian is beside Wynn's Ive been to Vegas more than a few times, and Ive never heard anyone refer to Wynn or The Wynn as 'Wynn's" Ask anyone you know what the hotel at the north end of the strip beside Venetian is called, and they will answer "Wynn" nobody in history has ever called it "Wynn's"
Im looking forward to the next book in the series. I do love Ava and her exploits, and I'm hoping Hamilton makes enough money off the series to stop the product placement
#1 - the product placement. In Ava's first adventure, I thought it was just a weird writing style, but then I read that some country's editions featured the Starbucks mentions non stop whereas other country's had the Starbucks obsession removed. Aha. . . it must be paid product placement. Its so overwhelming that it almost becomes laughable. Every item of clothing or accessory or food is mentioned by brand name in the most awkward manner. I can tell you that I have no idea what a Starbucks Via is, but I will never have one after being hit over the head nonstop with it. Brooks Brothers, Chanel, Adidas, Starbucks. etc etc. I understand authors don't make movie star money, and I don't' really blame an author for taking product placement funds, but it threatens to overwhelm the story.
#2 - Hamilton obviously prides himself on geography and placing his characters in actual places with vivid accurate descriptions. So why on earth does he make the strange mistake of calling it " Wynn's " as in Take the cab back to Wynn's I'm going to stay at Wynn's The Venetian is beside Wynn's Ive been to Vegas more than a few times, and Ive never heard anyone refer to Wynn or The Wynn as 'Wynn's" Ask anyone you know what the hotel at the north end of the strip beside Venetian is called, and they will answer "Wynn" nobody in history has ever called it "Wynn's"
Im looking forward to the next book in the series. I do love Ava and her exploits, and I'm hoping Hamilton makes enough money off the series to stop the product placement
September 1, 2020
3.5⭐️s. This book picks up exactly where the last one left off temporally and plot-wise: Ava goes to bed (end of book 1), Ava wakes up (beginning of book 2.) Considering the said degree of continuity, Ava seems to have turned ruthless and gory overnight. I was unprepared for the “persuasion” session Ava orchestrates at Douglas’s house.
Ava can read Chinese and speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin. That is, in itself, an extraordinary feat for a person who has grown up in Toronto since the age of two. The author seems to emphasize how unusual it is for a person, even one of Chinese descent, to be fluent in both Cantonese and Mandarin: In the passage where Ava confronts the two goons from Guangzhou. Ava first speaks to them in Cantonese. Seeing that there’re no signs of recognition, she switches over to Mandarin to communicate with them. Okay, point taken. Ava is kind of a language nerd. But I found it hard to believe that these goons from Guangzhou understand only Mandarin but not Cantonese. It’s equivalent to telling me they speak only Hindi/Arabic/Norwegian, but not Chinese. China, like Japan, is a mostly monolingual country. More to the point, Guangzhou and Canton refer to the same city in China. It would be highly implausible for a person from Guangzhou/Canton not being able to understand the local dialect.
Ava can read Chinese and speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin. That is, in itself, an extraordinary feat for a person who has grown up in Toronto since the age of two. The author seems to emphasize how unusual it is for a person, even one of Chinese descent, to be fluent in both Cantonese and Mandarin: In the passage where Ava confronts the two goons from Guangzhou. Ava first speaks to them in Cantonese. Seeing that there’re no signs of recognition, she switches over to Mandarin to communicate with them. Okay, point taken. Ava is kind of a language nerd. But I found it hard to believe that these goons from Guangzhou understand only Mandarin but not Cantonese. It’s equivalent to telling me they speak only Hindi/Arabic/Norwegian, but not Chinese. China, like Japan, is a mostly monolingual country. More to the point, Guangzhou and Canton refer to the same city in China. It would be highly implausible for a person from Guangzhou/Canton not being able to understand the local dialect.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews