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Peyton Brooks' Mystery #5
Murder in Chinatown
When Peyton and Marco are pulled off the most significant case of their careers, they struggle to find their equilibrium. Marco’s growing distance brings out Peyton’s worst insecurities, and while everyone around her seems to be moving forward in their lives, she feels stuck.
Assigned to investigate the murder of a reality star’s boyfriend, Peyton questions whether her absolute dedication to her job is worth it. Then again, when she looks into the future, she doesn’t see much more – except long nights filled with loneliness.
Assigned to investigate the murder of a reality star’s boyfriend, Peyton questions whether her absolute dedication to her job is worth it. Then again, when she looks into the future, she doesn’t see much more – except long nights filled with loneliness.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2013
57 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Hamilton
116 books423 followersML Hamilton taught high school English and journalism in Central California for 32 years.
Teaching students to appreciate literature made her career rewarding; however, she always dreamed of publishing her own novel.
In 2010, the dream came true. Her first novel, Emerald, was published by Wild Wolf Publishing. The sequel to Emerald, The Heirs of Eldon, followed the next year.
In addition to teaching and writing, she has three sons, two daughters-in-law, two dogs, and three amazing grandbabies.
Sign up for her newsletter at www.authormlhamilton.net for free offers and the latest book information.
Teaching students to appreciate literature made her career rewarding; however, she always dreamed of publishing her own novel.
In 2010, the dream came true. Her first novel, Emerald, was published by Wild Wolf Publishing. The sequel to Emerald, The Heirs of Eldon, followed the next year.
In addition to teaching and writing, she has three sons, two daughters-in-law, two dogs, and three amazing grandbabies.
Sign up for her newsletter at www.authormlhamilton.net for free offers and the latest book information.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 1, 2014
Another Winner
Another Winner
My first review of the Peyton Brooks mystery, had me wondering if I even liked the female protagonist... The next few books gave us insight into her character and also acquainted us with a very interesting group of friends. The storylines are always suspenseful and surprising, also skillfully intertwined so that there is some complexity but not confusion. Sometimes when an author tries to do too much it comes out a jumble. This author has a light touch but a great imagination and can skillfully navigate from one scene to another without letting the reader get lost.
I also love the characters. Housemates and coworkers are all finely drawn and just plain good fun! How I wish I could sit around the kitchen with that group.
Another thing that sets this book apart from others is that it embraces all kinds of people... Various cultures, races, sexual orientations are all handled with sensitivity and realism. There is no stiffness. Hamilton is not straining to be politically correct. These people are just real and interesting. Even in modern fiction we still frequently have a division. We have black fiction we have gay fiction etc... In this book, no matter how you identify you will find someone you can relate to, identify with and want to read about again and again.
Another Winner
My first review of the Peyton Brooks mystery, had me wondering if I even liked the female protagonist... The next few books gave us insight into her character and also acquainted us with a very interesting group of friends. The storylines are always suspenseful and surprising, also skillfully intertwined so that there is some complexity but not confusion. Sometimes when an author tries to do too much it comes out a jumble. This author has a light touch but a great imagination and can skillfully navigate from one scene to another without letting the reader get lost.
I also love the characters. Housemates and coworkers are all finely drawn and just plain good fun! How I wish I could sit around the kitchen with that group.
Another thing that sets this book apart from others is that it embraces all kinds of people... Various cultures, races, sexual orientations are all handled with sensitivity and realism. There is no stiffness. Hamilton is not straining to be politically correct. These people are just real and interesting. Even in modern fiction we still frequently have a division. We have black fiction we have gay fiction etc... In this book, no matter how you identify you will find someone you can relate to, identify with and want to read about again and again.
June 1, 2018
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
This time Peyton and Marco are asigned to a murder in Chinatown - a celebrity chef's boyfriend has been shot and they are supposed to discover who did it. At the same time in Miami a cold case unit is working on a 20-year-old case of homebraking getting wrong, with two victims and a daughter that soon afterwards vanished into thin air. But why does no-one seem to have even one photo of the missing girl? What happened to Lily? And what do these two cases - one in Miami and one in San Francisco - have in common?
As we follow the two investigations, the threads, at first loose and leading nowhere, finally knot together and we get a satisfactory conclusion to both cases... As always, Ms Hamilton doesn't disappoint with her meticulously drawn criminal plot.
But as with the previous books, the murder plot - intriguing as it is - is only half of the story. Much more happens in the private lives of the characters we've got to like so much. Jake is finally going to get some closure, with the trial of his wife's killer finally taking place; Maria goes through a horrible ordeal; and the emotional turmoil in Marco and Peyton's relationship is at its peak... This storyline is even more fascinating than the crimes themselves and engage you even more in the book.
The narration, as usual with Ms Hazen, is very good, although again I didn't like some of the voices - but I"ve got used to them over the last four books and would probably have problems with recognizing the individual characters if their voices suddenly changed:) So no star deduction this time:)
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
This time Peyton and Marco are asigned to a murder in Chinatown - a celebrity chef's boyfriend has been shot and they are supposed to discover who did it. At the same time in Miami a cold case unit is working on a 20-year-old case of homebraking getting wrong, with two victims and a daughter that soon afterwards vanished into thin air. But why does no-one seem to have even one photo of the missing girl? What happened to Lily? And what do these two cases - one in Miami and one in San Francisco - have in common?
As we follow the two investigations, the threads, at first loose and leading nowhere, finally knot together and we get a satisfactory conclusion to both cases... As always, Ms Hamilton doesn't disappoint with her meticulously drawn criminal plot.
But as with the previous books, the murder plot - intriguing as it is - is only half of the story. Much more happens in the private lives of the characters we've got to like so much. Jake is finally going to get some closure, with the trial of his wife's killer finally taking place; Maria goes through a horrible ordeal; and the emotional turmoil in Marco and Peyton's relationship is at its peak... This storyline is even more fascinating than the crimes themselves and engage you even more in the book.
The narration, as usual with Ms Hazen, is very good, although again I didn't like some of the voices - but I"ve got used to them over the last four books and would probably have problems with recognizing the individual characters if their voices suddenly changed:) So no star deduction this time:)
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 5, 2020
The main storyline about the reality star's boyfriend getting shot is solid, and it's heavily intertwined with a cold case in Florida that will bring it to an entirely new level. On top of all that deliciousness, the serial killer is still out there, and we get some closure on two previous cases. Jake's former mother-in-law goes on trial for her misdeeds in volume 1 (she apparently murdered her husband and his first wife the same way she murdered her stepdaughter), as well as the horrible Reverend Jebediah O'Shannahan for his part in Volume 3.
Captain Defino is still trying to decide what to do about Marco and Peyton, because the psychologist thinks she should split them up. They are her best team and she doesn't want to do that, but she'd concerned for the same reasons the psychologist is concerned. We also find Maria elevated from her prior role as the snarky assistant, but that's not really a good thing. It definitely changed the dynamic, though, so that part is good.
They still didn't get the serial killer, and they didn't even get the killer they were investigating even though they know who, how, and why because it just wasn't prosecutable. Thankfully, the cold case in Florida is waiting in the wings to take custody of the killer for murders committed many years ago. There's no statute of limitations on murder, thankfully.
Captain Defino is still trying to decide what to do about Marco and Peyton, because the psychologist thinks she should split them up. They are her best team and she doesn't want to do that, but she'd concerned for the same reasons the psychologist is concerned. We also find Maria elevated from her prior role as the snarky assistant, but that's not really a good thing. It definitely changed the dynamic, though, so that part is good.
They still didn't get the serial killer, and they didn't even get the killer they were investigating even though they know who, how, and why because it just wasn't prosecutable. Thankfully, the cold case in Florida is waiting in the wings to take custody of the killer for murders committed many years ago. There's no statute of limitations on murder, thankfully.
February 23, 2019
Peyton and Marco are going through a rough time after the Alcatraz affair and now they have a new case of the murder of the partner of a prize winning chef who has her own restaurant. Few clues to go on and a solid alibi for the chef although they both suspect her. Meanwhile in Florida, a cold case detective has opened the case of the murder of the parents of a teen aged girl and discover to new leads. The Janitor seems to have made a comeback and Marco makes an error in judgement. The rest of the crew is there and the boss is dealing with the idea of splitting Peyton and Marco up as a team.
More good reading here and am off to the next one.
More good reading here and am off to the next one.
July 31, 2021
The tension continues to build! Peyton and Marco are taken off the big case, but the case they are moved to ends up being so much more than they expected.
I love how this series has grown... there are multiple storylines to follow and all the characters are involved. By the end of this story, my heart was racing. Ms. Hamilton has hooked me. I need to know what’s to come next!
It’s said that the right narrator can make or break a story. Don’t get me wrong , M. L. Hamilton is a fantastic author, but Kelley Hazen takes the story to the next level.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
I love how this series has grown... there are multiple storylines to follow and all the characters are involved. By the end of this story, my heart was racing. Ms. Hamilton has hooked me. I need to know what’s to come next!
It’s said that the right narrator can make or break a story. Don’t get me wrong , M. L. Hamilton is a fantastic author, but Kelley Hazen takes the story to the next level.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
June 14, 2018
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and found it very entertaining and intriguing. Macro and Peyton's world is still spinning out of control as they investigate a murder in Chinatown. The main suspect is a Reality TV Star. As they investigate, they are drawn into a 20 year old cold case from Florida. Peyton helps Marie get away from her abusive boyfriend and Macro gets suspended again and the serial killer reappears. Looking forward to book five.
June 13, 2021
Murder in Chinatown (Peyton Brooks’ Mystery #5) was a great read by M.L. Hamilton. Peyton and Marco are having a hard time finding their equilibrium when they are pulled off a significant case. Marco is growing distant from Peyton which brings out her worst insecurities. Peyton is tasked with investigating the murder of a reality star’s boyfriend which leads to her questioning if the dedication to her job is worth it. I really enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author. Kelley Hazen did a fantastic job of bringing life to the characters.
May 9, 2017
The hits just keep on coming! Detectives in Florida help solve this one as the investigation of two very different and distant crimes bring each into focus. You can always count on ML to bring a new twist to each story. In CHINATOWN we get to dabble in the fabulous world of reality TV and restaurants. Kudos to ML to never let us down. This is a fantastic mystery.
December 17, 2021
At least this time they solved their murder, but the serial killer is still on the loose.
Peyton has taken in another roommate and gotten stalked as a result.
This forces Marco to admit he is worried about Peyton's safety, and the boss is considering separating the team.
Marco is coordinating with a cold case squad in Florida, which is a separate but connected police investigation.
Peyton has taken in another roommate and gotten stalked as a result.
This forces Marco to admit he is worried about Peyton's safety, and the boss is considering separating the team.
Marco is coordinating with a cold case squad in Florida, which is a separate but connected police investigation.
September 30, 2020
Volume 5 of 0 - 7 Volume Set I am reading I won from Goodreads Giveaway on Amazon Kindle. Scary what is happening with Peyton and Marco! Eight years they have been partners but Alcatraz really, really messed things up. But then Marco has to admit something. Lily/Meilin shouldn't be surprising since I know about psychopaths! Hopefully, the one I know will get what Lily/Meilin is going to get! I was surprised about the Maria incident, but then Cho helps! Can't wait to read Volume 6!
December 29, 2021
Mais uma narrativa em que as vidas pessoais dos detetives, em especial seu relacionamento enquanto parceiros, são colocadas em cheque ao mesmo tempo em que investigam crimes isolados e um serial killer continua à solta.
January 10, 2024
This is the fifth volume of the Peyton Brooks series. It’s actually the sixth if you include the Painted Ladies. I really enjoy this series looking forward to reading the next two. This one murder in Chinatown was my favorite so far.
August 21, 2023
Best one of this series so far...the serial killer is getting too close for comfort. What will happen to D'Angelo and Brooks?
March 10, 2019
I listened to this on audiobook and the audio wasn't veery good and made me feel like it dragged on and I couldn't wait for the ordeal to be over. If I read this book myself I think I would have had a very different experience.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews