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Chasing the Monkey King
A U.S. government investigator vanishes while on assignment in China. Former detective Lars Severin is hired by the investigator's family—mysterious scions of an international trade dynasty—to find out what happened to her. Was her disappearance the result of a random act of violence or something more sinister? Did she uncover something that drove a hidden enemy to make her disappear? Could she still be alive? Severin's quest casts him into a labyrinth of double-dealing and conspiracy, taking him from the misty streets and alleys of Seattle's old Chinatown neighborhood, to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., to the dazzling city of Shanghai, to the ancient heart of rural China. The case grows more complicated with each step Severin takes, until all at once he realizes that his own life is in great danger.
263 pages, ebook
First published December 12, 2016
603 people are currently reading
1898 people want to read
About the author
D.C. Alexander
7 books124 followersD.C. Alexander is a former federal agent. His debut novel, The Legend of Devil's Creek, was a #1 best seller. His second novel, The Shadow Priest, was described as "a great beach read" by the USA TODAY Network. Friday Harbor is his sixth novel. He is a native of the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 17, 2021
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!
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November 27, 2025⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not sure why I ever picked up this book except that it was a freebie and partly set in China. Billed as a mystery thriller, this novel was just middling for me.
Severin is a former detective who is down on his luck. His current job is inspecting organic farms plus auditing their books. His boss isn’t very likable and sends him all over creation driving many hours to get to various locations.
A former coworker at the police station calls him to say there’s a guy in Western Washington looking for an investigator to find out what happened to his niece in China. She had worked for the commerce department and she and a co-worker had disappeared over there.
Severin had a good buddy from college whom he convinces to join him on this wild goose chase because he is Chinese and can speak the language.
That’s how the story begins. A lot of information about anti-dumping policies which I still don’t understand. The author did not explain it like I was a four year old. (Which movie?)
I could see this having more appeal to some readers but I wasn’t one of them.
Goodreads 2025 Challenge - Book #109 of 115
Not sure why I ever picked up this book except that it was a freebie and partly set in China. Billed as a mystery thriller, this novel was just middling for me.
Severin is a former detective who is down on his luck. His current job is inspecting organic farms plus auditing their books. His boss isn’t very likable and sends him all over creation driving many hours to get to various locations.
A former coworker at the police station calls him to say there’s a guy in Western Washington looking for an investigator to find out what happened to his niece in China. She had worked for the commerce department and she and a co-worker had disappeared over there.
Severin had a good buddy from college whom he convinces to join him on this wild goose chase because he is Chinese and can speak the language.
That’s how the story begins. A lot of information about anti-dumping policies which I still don’t understand. The author did not explain it like I was a four year old. (Which movie?)
I could see this having more appeal to some readers but I wasn’t one of them.
Goodreads 2025 Challenge - Book #109 of 115
July 24, 2020
Interesting plot line. Instead of the usual government agency, CIA or such, this involves the Department of Commerce and the way import tariffs. Given the current political situation in the Trump administration, this is timely.
On the down side, Alexander pads his page count with way too many instances of useless dialogue between the two investigators. Some of that dialogue was fine but he got way carried away.
The twists along the way and the red herrings Alexander sets out there make for an interesting read.
On the down side, Alexander pads his page count with way too many instances of useless dialogue between the two investigators. Some of that dialogue was fine but he got way carried away.
The twists along the way and the red herrings Alexander sets out there make for an interesting read.
February 1, 2020
This book was fantastic!
I am not the biggest reader of murder mystery but love when I come across a story well crafted like this one. The story arc is constructed with amazing skill with an interesting addition to the plot line. Instead of the usual CIA plot, this involves the Department of Commerce, anti-dumping and a lot of interesting background on the important of tariffs that makes the story so fascinating and contemporary. Given the political situation with antidumping and trade with China, this is a timely read. I love when an author is able to pull on their previous experiences and knowledge and incorporate them into a story as rich as this. The authors knowledge on trade, films and Chinese culture shines through in this novel.
The author wrote the story with good pace, keeping up the intrigue as he hid hid the real murderer well until the final pages of the book. What was a seemingly simple murder turned out to be more complex, building on the background knowledge of trade and commerce that is developed throughout the book.
Even if murder mystery isn't your thing, I would highly recommend this book for the way it weaves a murder plot, a new culture, and extensive political knowledge in a way that is understandable for the reader and leaves you intrigued to read more.
I am not the biggest reader of murder mystery but love when I come across a story well crafted like this one. The story arc is constructed with amazing skill with an interesting addition to the plot line. Instead of the usual CIA plot, this involves the Department of Commerce, anti-dumping and a lot of interesting background on the important of tariffs that makes the story so fascinating and contemporary. Given the political situation with antidumping and trade with China, this is a timely read. I love when an author is able to pull on their previous experiences and knowledge and incorporate them into a story as rich as this. The authors knowledge on trade, films and Chinese culture shines through in this novel.
The author wrote the story with good pace, keeping up the intrigue as he hid hid the real murderer well until the final pages of the book. What was a seemingly simple murder turned out to be more complex, building on the background knowledge of trade and commerce that is developed throughout the book.
Even if murder mystery isn't your thing, I would highly recommend this book for the way it weaves a murder plot, a new culture, and extensive political knowledge in a way that is understandable for the reader and leaves you intrigued to read more.
May 7, 2018
A couple of US Commerce dept. investigators, a woman and a man, are missing in China, and Lars Severin, a gifted but drunk slacker, is sent after them by the uncle of the missing woman. What follows is a conspiracy from all angles and murder in relation to international trade.
In the story, Lars Severin picks a partner, Zhang, another American of Chinese origin who can talk Chinese, and the two find their way to China. The case becomes more and more complicated with every step, but to find out about the exciting action, the readers have to read the story themselves.
As to the characters, I could pity Lars, but truthfully, I couldn’t warm up to him, although later in the story, he became more tolerable. Zhang was the nicer of the two and his character could be developed just a tad more. To the writer’s favor, the story arc was constructed with skill. The author hid the real perpetrator well until the end, and I liked it that what was thought to be a simple murder, in the beginning, turned out to become an international conspiracy.
The storytelling was fine in general, but from my point of view, a few things could be improved. One of them was the banter between Zhang and Severin, which was fun to read at first but it became tiresome and annoying in the long run. Only toward the end, it dwindled somewhat. The second one is the information-giving section where Zhang lectures about China as if teaching a geography or social-history lesson. Nothing is wrong with informing the readers, but I thought the way that information was inserted into the story took away from the flow of the story. That same information, which took long paragraphs of lecturing by Zhang, could be given piecemeal during the action by using one or two sentences at each time.
Still, I enjoyed reading this book and how the mystery wound down at the end.
In the story, Lars Severin picks a partner, Zhang, another American of Chinese origin who can talk Chinese, and the two find their way to China. The case becomes more and more complicated with every step, but to find out about the exciting action, the readers have to read the story themselves.
As to the characters, I could pity Lars, but truthfully, I couldn’t warm up to him, although later in the story, he became more tolerable. Zhang was the nicer of the two and his character could be developed just a tad more. To the writer’s favor, the story arc was constructed with skill. The author hid the real perpetrator well until the end, and I liked it that what was thought to be a simple murder, in the beginning, turned out to become an international conspiracy.
The storytelling was fine in general, but from my point of view, a few things could be improved. One of them was the banter between Zhang and Severin, which was fun to read at first but it became tiresome and annoying in the long run. Only toward the end, it dwindled somewhat. The second one is the information-giving section where Zhang lectures about China as if teaching a geography or social-history lesson. Nothing is wrong with informing the readers, but I thought the way that information was inserted into the story took away from the flow of the story. That same information, which took long paragraphs of lecturing by Zhang, could be given piecemeal during the action by using one or two sentences at each time.
Still, I enjoyed reading this book and how the mystery wound down at the end.
March 13, 2018
This was a great thriller. D.C. Alexander is a close second to Nelson DeMille, my favorite author. I really liked the main characters in the book. Lars Severin and John Corey are cut from the same cloth. Usually John Corey has a female partner where Lars Severin had Wallace Zhang. Both Severin and Zhang were well fleshed out characters. They were believable and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I hope D.C. Alexander writes more books with these two as main characters. I will definitely read more of his books.
October 6, 2020
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.
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.
May 18, 2020
One of the best mysteries I've read in a long time. It tied the current US political focus on trade with China into a fascinating exposé of the shenanigans China uses to effect commerce between the two countries to evade excess tariffs on exports. Instead of the usual intelligence agencies' involvement the Department of Commerce was the leading agency investigating these Chinese companies to reveal the dumping of goods to avoid tariffs.
Lars Severin, an alcoholic ex-cop, was hired by a wealthy importer/exporter to find out what happened to his niece who had disappeared in China along with a fellow Commerce Department employee investigating a Chinese company exporting sorghum syrup to the U.S. Severin recruited an old college buddy Wallace Zhang, a Chinese American fluent in the language, to assist in his quest which takes them from Seattle's Chinatown, to Washington D.C. and then to modern Shanghai and the open-air markets of rural China (even a comment about SARS...relevant in light of the current pandemic). I especially enjoyed the interchanges between the two main characters, e.g. the following comments about Washington, D.C.: "Why does everybody honk their horns so much here?" Zhang asked. "It's insane." "It's a hostile town." "Hostile to what?" "Anything that gets in its way." "Charming." "I'll tell you, Wallace, this place is hard on people. Chews them up. Sucks the humanity out of them. A lot of folks can't stay here long-term without blowing a gasket."
The story was well-written and the mystery satisfying. I highly recommend this intelligent and exciting book.
I received an Advanced Review Copy from Book Sirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lars Severin, an alcoholic ex-cop, was hired by a wealthy importer/exporter to find out what happened to his niece who had disappeared in China along with a fellow Commerce Department employee investigating a Chinese company exporting sorghum syrup to the U.S. Severin recruited an old college buddy Wallace Zhang, a Chinese American fluent in the language, to assist in his quest which takes them from Seattle's Chinatown, to Washington D.C. and then to modern Shanghai and the open-air markets of rural China (even a comment about SARS...relevant in light of the current pandemic). I especially enjoyed the interchanges between the two main characters, e.g. the following comments about Washington, D.C.: "Why does everybody honk their horns so much here?" Zhang asked. "It's insane." "It's a hostile town." "Hostile to what?" "Anything that gets in its way." "Charming." "I'll tell you, Wallace, this place is hard on people. Chews them up. Sucks the humanity out of them. A lot of folks can't stay here long-term without blowing a gasket."
The story was well-written and the mystery satisfying. I highly recommend this intelligent and exciting book.
I received an Advanced Review Copy from Book Sirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 7, 2019
This isn't the usual type book I have been reading lately. Usually read much lighter books in these troubled times. I think this was an excellent book that must have taken a great deal of research or first hand knowledge. The characters, 2 men, different from each other. The story is Washington DC and China. The friend is Chinese by nationality and is very helpful with the language. The main character is a drunk with diverse experience. Some CIA training, police detective among others. He is hired to find out what happened to the niece of a rich man who was working for the commerce department in China when she disappeared along with her male partner. A lot of intrigue in this story, much action. The American Government, Commerce Department vs. Chinese business men. The two man working together perform as one whole trained investigator. The story ending was not what I expected but some of it I did. I love this kind of ending.
April 17, 2020
This was a pretty good murder mystery combining financial mystery. The author did a good job explaining the economic and financial complexities without taking away from the story. I didn't think I would care about antidumping policies and nuances, but the author made my understand importance. I appreciated travelling through China, and the beautiful scenes and informing history helped build the background in China. The main character was not likable, and though there was some effort made to show that he changes, there was only a brief few pages at the end of the book dedicated to showing superficial changes. I did appreciate the self-awareness of the book comparing itself to other mysteries such as "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and the Hard Boys.
Despite the annoying main character, the descriptions of China and economic policies within this murder mystery made me enjoy it and continue reading until the end.
Despite the annoying main character, the descriptions of China and economic policies within this murder mystery made me enjoy it and continue reading until the end.
March 10, 2018
Exciting who done it mystery!
This story was well crafted. The main character is a desperate lonely man trying to hold onto the last vestiges of dignity and well-being as his life is self destructing. He undertakes a search that forces him to remember who he was and how good he used to be. He teams up with an old buddy who acts as a great foil and dependable sidekick to dig deeper than expected into us trade law and international commerce. The adventure takes them from the posh offices of D.C. to the gritty country side of China. Finally putting the pieces together to solve the puzzle.
While some of the background story was left incomplete where I would have liked to know more the altogether story as whole was very enjoyable. I'm looking forward to exploring more by this author.
This story was well crafted. The main character is a desperate lonely man trying to hold onto the last vestiges of dignity and well-being as his life is self destructing. He undertakes a search that forces him to remember who he was and how good he used to be. He teams up with an old buddy who acts as a great foil and dependable sidekick to dig deeper than expected into us trade law and international commerce. The adventure takes them from the posh offices of D.C. to the gritty country side of China. Finally putting the pieces together to solve the puzzle.
While some of the background story was left incomplete where I would have liked to know more the altogether story as whole was very enjoyable. I'm looking forward to exploring more by this author.
February 27, 2018
Thank you to author D. C. Alexander for this Kindle copy of Chasing the Monkey King. Also, thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity through the First Reads program.
I really liked this one. Approaching 5-star. This book had a nice set of characters, nice pace throughout, nice flow, and I really liked the two main characters and their interactions together. Good friends, strong friendship, each fallible, good sense of humor - both giving and taking.
A little more editing to clean up some errors (less than the average number I see these days) would have made this a 5-star.
Nicely done. Highly recommended. A good read.
I really liked this one. Approaching 5-star. This book had a nice set of characters, nice pace throughout, nice flow, and I really liked the two main characters and their interactions together. Good friends, strong friendship, each fallible, good sense of humor - both giving and taking.
A little more editing to clean up some errors (less than the average number I see these days) would have made this a 5-star.
Nicely done. Highly recommended. A good read.
July 23, 2020
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!
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
January 20, 2020
A pretty entertaining mystery, although it started slow and had a hard time in getting my interest for a while. Lars and Zhang uncover the mysterious disappearances of millionaire's niece and her coworker in China while investigating a possible antidumping case. Too much bad language for my taste, although it wasn't extreme by today's standards, I suppose. But I don't read by today's standards but by my own. There were a number of typos. I liked the interchange between Lars and Zhang and camaraderie. The mystery part was convoluted somewhat, but well done, nonetheless.
November 2, 2019
Orin awaiting his favorite niece to come in from Shanghai, she hadn’t confirmed flight, and his gut was saying something was terribly wrong.
Tracking down Lars wasn’t easy, a job, with a big payday, and he speaks somewhat the language. Kristen was a government employed in rural China when she disappeared. State investigated a little said probably murdered.
Intrigued he takes, seeing the seedy side of conspiracy, and having even life in jeopardy. Good plot, Lars one likes by the end.
Tracking down Lars wasn’t easy, a job, with a big payday, and he speaks somewhat the language. Kristen was a government employed in rural China when she disappeared. State investigated a little said probably murdered.
Intrigued he takes, seeing the seedy side of conspiracy, and having even life in jeopardy. Good plot, Lars one likes by the end.
February 20, 2018
Received this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program. It was a slower read and, at times, I felt the author was trying to do a bit too much which made the actual plot suffer a bit. However, I enjoyed the dynamic between the main protagonists – produced a few smiles while I was reading. Would definitely read another book by this author.
March 16, 2018
I am always thrilled when I win a book from Goodreads, I enjoyed this book, slow moving for me to start with, policatical asspects sometimes goes over my head, I love a good mystery especially when I have to figure out who done it. This is my first time reading D. C. Alexander, I would look for another of D.C.'s books.
July 24, 2020
Curiosity of the mystery drove me to finish. I appreciated the author's insights into China's culture and conditions there. The detective unraveled the murder with some surprising twists that I had surmised might be the case. I had to look up locations on a map which I always wish authors would include.
March 25, 2019
This was a pretty good book. I enjoyed following the main character and his college friend on their journey to figure out what happened to the missing niece of the man that hired them. Although, the main character had some sadness in his life, I liked his way of thinking when it came to figuring out who was behind the disappearance. Overall, I thought this was a good story and a fast read.
December 25, 2017
Action, adventure, humor! Sort of a spy/thriller/spoof, but all enjoyable.! A little slow in starting with a lot of exposition, but more than makes up for it after gaining speed!
A true good read!
Bookmprovided by goodreads.
A true good read!
Bookmprovided by goodreads.
March 1, 2018
Review
This book was difficult to put down. Started out fast and held my interest. Great development of the main characters and their friendship. The mystery was good. If recommend to read.
This book was difficult to put down. Started out fast and held my interest. Great development of the main characters and their friendship. The mystery was good. If recommend to read.
March 25, 2018
Intense
Enjoyable reading. A couple of alcoholic losers find their ambition in a search for the truth behind the disappearance of their client's niece. Their search takes them across the U.S and into China where they are beaten. Wonderful whodunit!
Enjoyable reading. A couple of alcoholic losers find their ambition in a search for the truth behind the disappearance of their client's niece. Their search takes them across the U.S and into China where they are beaten. Wonderful whodunit!
December 7, 2017
I was so excited when I heard I had won this Giveaway book. It was suspenseful and a very good read from beginning to end. Good plot.
March 4, 2018
This book was good. A lot of the political lingo kind of bogged me down, but that may be a case of 'It's not you, it's me.' I did like the story line and the plot kept me coming back regardless.
March 21, 2018
Chasing the Monkey King
Good read. However did not keep me hooked. There was To much talking and not enough action to suit me.
Good read. However did not keep me hooked. There was To much talking and not enough action to suit me.
March 28, 2018
I liked the main characters in the book but wasn't ever surprised where the plot led.
April 19, 2018
Great book, made me laugh. Loved the characters. The story sucked me in & kept me guessing. Did I mention I loved the main character :)
August 12, 2018
Wow - what a story
This is not my typical genre BUT I thoroughly this plot. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
This is not my typical genre BUT I thoroughly this plot. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
September 22, 2019
Intrigue in us and Asia
Lots of info on China and Japan and commerce but too many characters to love or hate any of them
Lots of info on China and Japan and commerce but too many characters to love or hate any of them
November 10, 2019
Enjoyable Read
Great detective mystery with some new twists to an old plot. The writing is good and an appropriate pace. I enjoyed the history that comes as part of the story.
Great detective mystery with some new twists to an old plot. The writing is good and an appropriate pace. I enjoyed the history that comes as part of the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews