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Fortune Cookie
Which is darker - Greed or the conspiracy hiding it?
If you savor a suspense story, then "Fortune Cookie" by John R. Johnson, featuring Valerie Richard, a formidable female detective will certainly deliver . Amidst the aftermath of her divorce, Valerie is thrust into a murder investigation that unveils a sinister plot.
The crime initially appears to be a hate crime, but Valerie soon discovers a shocking twist— the killers work for Wu Sheng, an executive of the Chinese National Oil Company.
Wu Sheng, a Communist Party member, is driven by greed to obtain intellectual property stolen from a Houston oilfield manufacturing company.
In the tradition of top-notch detective books, "Fortune Cookie" unfolds with Valerie uncovering Wu Sheng's criminal organization's involvement.
Racing against time, Valerie's team must thwart Wu Sheng's plans to prevent further bloodshed and protect vital intellectual property.
With a strong female protagonist at its core, "Fortune Cookie" stands out in the realm of crime mystery books. John R. Johnson weaves a narrative that seamlessly blends detective elements with mystery and suspense.
Will Valerie navigate the delicate relationship between the U.S. and China successfully, or will her actions lead to a dangerous escalation? Find out in this electrifying novel that promises to keep you captivated.
Don't miss the opportunity to experience the prowess of a female detective in this enthralling tale of crime and justice.
If you savor a suspense story, then "Fortune Cookie" by John R. Johnson, featuring Valerie Richard, a formidable female detective will certainly deliver . Amidst the aftermath of her divorce, Valerie is thrust into a murder investigation that unveils a sinister plot.
The crime initially appears to be a hate crime, but Valerie soon discovers a shocking twist— the killers work for Wu Sheng, an executive of the Chinese National Oil Company.
Wu Sheng, a Communist Party member, is driven by greed to obtain intellectual property stolen from a Houston oilfield manufacturing company.
In the tradition of top-notch detective books, "Fortune Cookie" unfolds with Valerie uncovering Wu Sheng's criminal organization's involvement.
Racing against time, Valerie's team must thwart Wu Sheng's plans to prevent further bloodshed and protect vital intellectual property.
With a strong female protagonist at its core, "Fortune Cookie" stands out in the realm of crime mystery books. John R. Johnson weaves a narrative that seamlessly blends detective elements with mystery and suspense.
Will Valerie navigate the delicate relationship between the U.S. and China successfully, or will her actions lead to a dangerous escalation? Find out in this electrifying novel that promises to keep you captivated.
Don't miss the opportunity to experience the prowess of a female detective in this enthralling tale of crime and justice.
- GenresMystery
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2024
27 people are currently reading
2957 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 5, 2024
Misfortune Cookie
It starts like something out of a black-and-white 1940s mystery with exotic femme fatales, shadowy sinister figures, and a world-weary detective bucking the system to get answers.
But it’s present-day Houston with a hard-drinking recently divorced, quasi-Cajun police detective, Valerie Richard, with her older partner, Langston Cox, and others from the force, Hector Trevino and Reggie Jackson (not the ballplayer), trying to unravel the murder of a local Chinese businessman.
The police chief believes it’s hate crime but the deceased’s business as a consultant to the oil drilling industry for equipment designs and his martial arts wife, Amy, suggests the case may involve intellectual property theft engineered by criminal elements in China.
John R. Johnson’s 2024 neo-noir police procedural, “Fortune Cookie”, has a promising start overlayed with touches reminiscent of the 1986 film, “The Big Easy”, with Denis Quaid and Ellen Barkin. The secretive relationships in Houston’s small Chinese community of about 111 million adds an exotic element of intrigue.
Despite the trim writing style with short chapters for fast pacing told primarily from Valerie’s perspective with some shifts to others to add tension, the tale gets bogged down in places trying to find balance between pace and character development.
Or revisit why the police chief is so eager to believe the first murder is a hate crime even though everybody else, including his staff, thinks otherwise. Or why the FBI shows up in what appears to be a local homicide case. Or track who’s who in the Chinese community and what roles they play in the story development.
Houston, we have liftoff but…well, not exactly a problem but some glitches.
It starts like something out of a black-and-white 1940s mystery with exotic femme fatales, shadowy sinister figures, and a world-weary detective bucking the system to get answers.
But it’s present-day Houston with a hard-drinking recently divorced, quasi-Cajun police detective, Valerie Richard, with her older partner, Langston Cox, and others from the force, Hector Trevino and Reggie Jackson (not the ballplayer), trying to unravel the murder of a local Chinese businessman.
The police chief believes it’s hate crime but the deceased’s business as a consultant to the oil drilling industry for equipment designs and his martial arts wife, Amy, suggests the case may involve intellectual property theft engineered by criminal elements in China.
John R. Johnson’s 2024 neo-noir police procedural, “Fortune Cookie”, has a promising start overlayed with touches reminiscent of the 1986 film, “The Big Easy”, with Denis Quaid and Ellen Barkin. The secretive relationships in Houston’s small Chinese community of about 111 million adds an exotic element of intrigue.
Despite the trim writing style with short chapters for fast pacing told primarily from Valerie’s perspective with some shifts to others to add tension, the tale gets bogged down in places trying to find balance between pace and character development.
Or revisit why the police chief is so eager to believe the first murder is a hate crime even though everybody else, including his staff, thinks otherwise. Or why the FBI shows up in what appears to be a local homicide case. Or track who’s who in the Chinese community and what roles they play in the story development.
Houston, we have liftoff but…well, not exactly a problem but some glitches.
September 11, 2025
Fortune Cookie by John R. Johnson is a crime thriller that starts with a murder and spirals into a tangled web of stolen secrets, international crime, and corporate espionage. Detective Valerie Richard, already dealing with personal drama, has to solve the case before more people end up dead.
There are some solid things to note about this book. The cover is simple but clever, with a fortune cookie warning readers about the chaos they are about to read. Valerie is also a well-developed character, with her own flaws, and her constant questioning helps keep track of the mystery. The investigation itself has some interesting twists that you may not be able to see right away.
That said, the book gets bogged down with overly long descriptions, especially about side characters who don’t really matter in the long run. There’s also a lot of focus on Valerie’s personal struggles, sometimes more than the actual mystery which made the book less interesting. And the repeated comments about her appearance by other people on her police team were unnecessary and odd.
Overall, it’s an interesting read with a strong lead character and a pretty solid mystery, but the slow pacing and unnecessary details drag it down a bit. I can’t say I would read it again if I had the choice, but if you like detective stories with international intrigue, you might enjoy this book. I’d give Fortune Cookie a 3 out of 5 star rating.
* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily *
There are some solid things to note about this book. The cover is simple but clever, with a fortune cookie warning readers about the chaos they are about to read. Valerie is also a well-developed character, with her own flaws, and her constant questioning helps keep track of the mystery. The investigation itself has some interesting twists that you may not be able to see right away.
That said, the book gets bogged down with overly long descriptions, especially about side characters who don’t really matter in the long run. There’s also a lot of focus on Valerie’s personal struggles, sometimes more than the actual mystery which made the book less interesting. And the repeated comments about her appearance by other people on her police team were unnecessary and odd.
Overall, it’s an interesting read with a strong lead character and a pretty solid mystery, but the slow pacing and unnecessary details drag it down a bit. I can’t say I would read it again if I had the choice, but if you like detective stories with international intrigue, you might enjoy this book. I’d give Fortune Cookie a 3 out of 5 star rating.
* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily *
February 21, 2025
In Fortune Cookie by John R. Johnson, readers are introduced to Detective Valerie Richard, a complex and compelling protagonist. Fresh off a divorce, Valerie finds herself immersed in a murder investigation that initially appears to be a hate crime. However, as she delves deeper, she uncovers a sinister plot involving industrial espionage and a Chinese National Oil Company. Johnson crafts a narrative that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, suspense, and detective work, keeping readers engaged with unexpected twists and turns.
The strength of Fortune Cookie lies in its well-developed characters and intricate plot. Valerie Richard is a refreshing lead, a strong woman navigating personal struggles while excelling in her career. The supporting cast is equally intriguing, each with their own secrets and motivations. Johnson's writing style is crisp and fast-paced, making for an unputdownable read. Fans of crime thrillers will find themselves captivated by this tale of greed, international intrigue, and personal redemption.
The strength of Fortune Cookie lies in its well-developed characters and intricate plot. Valerie Richard is a refreshing lead, a strong woman navigating personal struggles while excelling in her career. The supporting cast is equally intriguing, each with their own secrets and motivations. Johnson's writing style is crisp and fast-paced, making for an unputdownable read. Fans of crime thrillers will find themselves captivated by this tale of greed, international intrigue, and personal redemption.
April 30, 2024
I enjoy detective novels, and I downloaded Fortune Cookie by John R. Johnson. It is a gripping detective story led by the likable and complex character Valerie Richard. While the initial chapters suffer from editing issues and overwrought descriptions, the narrative quickly gains momentum, delivering a compelling plot filled with twists and turns. Johnson's writing style effectively engages readers, with short chapters and cliffhangers keeping them invested in the storyline. The novel explores themes of greed, murder, and international intrigue against the backdrop of tense U.S.-China relations. Overall, this book is entertaining, leaving readers eager for more.
March 10, 2024
Go get”em Valerie.
I loved Detective Valerie Richard! Although her divorce may have left her feeling broken, with serious relationship issues, she had the fortitude to carry on and go after the greedy bad guys! The twists and turns of this intriguing crime thriller, had me up reading all night. I Couldn’t put it down till I knew how it would end!
I hope that author John R. Johnson is busy writing a sequel!
Marcia Dove, Author of Maggie McManus Murder Mysteries: Fatal Field Trip, Campus Casualty, and soon-to-be-published Wedding Woes.
I loved Detective Valerie Richard! Although her divorce may have left her feeling broken, with serious relationship issues, she had the fortitude to carry on and go after the greedy bad guys! The twists and turns of this intriguing crime thriller, had me up reading all night. I Couldn’t put it down till I knew how it would end!
I hope that author John R. Johnson is busy writing a sequel!
Marcia Dove, Author of Maggie McManus Murder Mysteries: Fatal Field Trip, Campus Casualty, and soon-to-be-published Wedding Woes.
March 11, 2024
From personal problems to international crime
Fortune Cookie by John R. Johnson is a unique crime mystery.
Amidst the aftermath of Detective Valerie Richard's divorce, Valerie is led into a murder investigation that unveils a sinister plot.
The crime initially appears to be a hate crime, but Valerie soon discovers that the killers work for a Chinese National Oil Company.
Johnson brilliantly crafted a mystery crime that explores greed and personal redemption.
Overall, Fortune Cookie has thrilling action and pulse-pounding tension, which makes it an unputdownable read.
Fortune Cookie by John R. Johnson is a unique crime mystery.
Amidst the aftermath of Detective Valerie Richard's divorce, Valerie is led into a murder investigation that unveils a sinister plot.
The crime initially appears to be a hate crime, but Valerie soon discovers that the killers work for a Chinese National Oil Company.
Johnson brilliantly crafted a mystery crime that explores greed and personal redemption.
Overall, Fortune Cookie has thrilling action and pulse-pounding tension, which makes it an unputdownable read.
October 3, 2024
Valerie Rules.....
The writing is superb for the genre and does justice to ace detective Valerie Richard. Her skills allow her to be seen as a detective, not a female detective, as she kept drawing us back to recognize. And then Ma’s inexplicable ‘suicide’ at his home. The espionage, greed, avarice, and personal responsibilities were damn well articulated. I will recommend the book.
The writing is superb for the genre and does justice to ace detective Valerie Richard. Her skills allow her to be seen as a detective, not a female detective, as she kept drawing us back to recognize. And then Ma’s inexplicable ‘suicide’ at his home. The espionage, greed, avarice, and personal responsibilities were damn well articulated. I will recommend the book.
November 3, 2024
Fast read!
I rate this book 5 out of 5. It's well-written and intriguing from start to finish. It had me guessing the whole time! Very well done!
I rate this book 5 out of 5. It's well-written and intriguing from start to finish. It had me guessing the whole time! Very well done!
October 19, 2024
This book had some police procedural and political elements to it which is not my favorite and the main character seemed awful, but the story did grip me and made me anticipate what would happen next.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews