Ice

by Mark Morey

Read this story Ice because it does more than investigate a crime. Ice takes you on a journey to a far away place, it immerses you into a both modern and ancient culture, while the story twists and turns, and suffers setbacks and danger. Five stars – my book of this year. Ann Reed – author.For those who like crime stories with a difference, for those who like exotic and interesting stories, or for those who simply like good stories, I can't recommend Ice highly enough. Kate Baldwin – author.Five brilliant stars, a story like none other! – Michael Garrick, authorNewly graduated from the People's Public Security University in Beijing, police sergeant Shui Nuan returns to her home city of Guangzhou. There she is appointed to Office 1.10; tasked to take out the leadership of the triad gangs who manufacture the drug methamphetamine or ice. Real-world policing is vastly different to university studies, while finding love proves to be almost as challenging. But when Nuan comes face to face with her best friend, now a mistress to a triad gangster, her troubles have only just begun.

227 pages, Paperback

Published February 7, 2020

About the author

Writing a novel didn’t cross my mind until after a visit to the local library where I couldn’t find a book that interested me. That led me consider a new pastime - write a book. That book may never be published, but I felt my follow-up cross-cultural romance-crime hybrid set in Russia had more potential. So much so that I wrote a sequel that took those characters on a journey to a very dark place.

The opening of the Red Sun Will Come came to me in a dream, and to this day I have no idea why Moscow. I had never been there before, but during the course of developing this novel we did visit Russia, and my wife and I both fell in love with Moscow. It is a world city: exciting, dynamic, visually beautiful and more What better setting for a romance with many difficulties?

Beyond part-time work and part-time writing I particularly enjoy travel.

But writing is my favourite pastime and I have many more tales that I would like to tell. Keep in touch to see where my next journey will take you.

Reviews

[Sibyl Mory · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rookie police sergeant Shui Nuan is tasked with dismantling a Triad drug ring. This is a gripping and very original thriller set in China, treading a delicate narrative path expertly between ancient Chinese customs, a modern and vibrant society, and police detective work. A further ingredient to this well-balanced story are the trials and tribulations of a young woman confronting life in all its brutal realism, let alone the heartaches and problems of personal and sexual relationships. Plenty of twists and turns and a gripping climax. Particularly striking was the Chinese tone throughout, not just in terms of setting, but also in linguistic terms in the deliberate Chinese 'feel' to the narration.

[Kate Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who like crime stories with a difference, for those who like exotic and interesting stories, or for those who simply like good stories, I can't recommend Ice highly enough. Ice is sure to be one of the best novels of 2020.

[Ann Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this story Ice because it does more than investigate a crime. Ice takes you on a journey to a far away place, it immerses you into a both modern and ancient culture, while the story twists and turns, and suffers setbacks and danger. Five stars – my book of this year.

[B.J. Tiernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Morey's story telling does not disappoint. He has a writing style that I cannot define, but one I definitely connect with. The setting of Beijing offers a fascinating backdrop for this fast-paced crime thriller that guarantees to plunge the reader into a captivating world of Chinese society and police work. Sergeant Nuan takes on a pretty huge task for a recent graduate when she is asked to take down the leadership of triad gangs who are dealing in Methamphetamine, aka ICE. I enjoyed watching how Nuan both developed her ability and how she handled herself along the way. A little romance, sex, and personal friendship thrown in keeps this awesome thriller moving. I highly recommend ICE, especially during this difficult time we find ourselves in. It will take your mind off it for a while.

[Louise Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read! Thoroughly enjoyed how this was not only a story of a vile drugs trade that threatens so many lives, but also of a young woman making her way in her new role as police officer while negotiating Chinese values and culture. The contrasts of modern society and ancient traditions gave an interesting backdrop to this gripping story of Triad gangs and police procedures while challenging friendship, love, and loyalty.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing story which also gives insight into modern-day China showing the stark contrasts between a modern, high-tech economy and traditional culture and beliefs.
A newly qualified Police sergeant, Nuan is given the career break of a lifetime. To help take down a Triad drugs ring. Nuan rises to the challenge which becomes complicated by the involvement of a school friend.
Nuan is a likeable character. I wanted to see her achieve both at work and in her on going search for love.
Enjoyable read.

[Allan Challis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Guangzhou China, Ice is a contemporary crime fiction drama with a romantic sub plot where newly promoted Detective-Sergeant Shui Nuan is searching for love in the big city. The crime side of Ice is quite fascinating, using modern technologies available to police forces these days coupled with traditional policing techniques like the surveillance and following of suspects. The highlight of Ice is the relationship between Nuan and her long time school friend Yun Meillin. It's worth reading Ice just for this, let alone the drama and action sequences of this story. Ice is a highly recommended crime fiction novel with many differences from the usual.