Stealing the Dragon

Cape Weathers Investigation #1

by Tim Maleeny

Soon after an ancient talisman is smuggled out of Hong Kong, a container ship filled with Chinese refugees runs aground on Alcatraz, the crew murdered.

The Chinese Triads suspect one of their own, a female assassin named Sally known to have a complex relationship with a San Francisco detective named Cape Weathers. But when Sally goes missing, Cape becomes the focus of the Triads’ attention, and soon the police and FBI have him on their radar. Cape quickly realizes he’s screwed if he doesn’t find out what really happened on board the ship.

He soon seeks the aid of two neurotic cops, a drug lord, an autistic computer genius, a mayoral candidate, and a reporter with sentient hair.
From there, it all goes to Hell.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Asian Literature, Thriller, Asia, Mystery Thriller

365 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2007

About the author

Tim Maleeny is the bestselling author of the award-winning Cape Weathers mysteries, including STEALING THE DRAGON, a novel about the Chinese Triads that was named a Killer Book of the Year by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.

Publishers Weekly said his series “engages the reader without insisting that it be taken too seriously, with writing that will resonate with Elmore Leonard fans.”

His latest is a global art heist called HANGING THE DEVIL, which Library Journal praises for its "relentlessly fast-paced plot and delightful dry humor" in a starred review. San Francisco Magazine calls it "a riveting thriller you won't be able to put down, guaranteed."

Tim's standalone comedic thriller JUMP was described as "a perfectly blended cocktail of escapism" by Publishers Weekly and was named Best Mystery of the Year by Foreword Magazine.

Tim won the prestigious Macavity Award for his short fiction, which appears in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen, and several major anthologies, including Thriller 2, Uncage Me, Fear, and Death Do Us Part.

Crimespree Magazine said “Maleeny gives readers a fresh and fast take that enthralls,” and Bookreporter called him “one of the new princes of detective fiction.” A member of the International Thriller Writers, Sisters In Crime, and Mystery Writers of America, Tim currently lives and writes in New York City.

Reviews

[P.J. Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this book because a) it was free and b) it was set in San Francisco. Both of these facts make me happy.

Then I started reading, and I discovered a few of the flaws mentioned by other reviewers, the most glaring of which is that it is the first book in a series, but it reads like the second. This is a problem, so one star off, but ...

Trust this book. Keep reading. The mystery is solid and satisfying. Usually agents and marketers want a book to grab you from the first chapter. This book does not, but it sure does grab you at the end. The hero, Cape, has a delightful, smartass sense of humor, which balances the seriousness of Sally, his loyal friend and trained professional assassin.

Finally, if you have any feelings in your heart for the fine city of San Francisco, this book will speak to you. The author goes beyond mentions of Chinatown. He knows his stuff. He name-checks multiple restaurants (Delancey Street, Town's End) and even obliquely references some of the city's prominent figures (Willie Brown, not mentioned by name, but quite obvious from the text).

Be patient with this one. You'll be rewarded.

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, this is my first book by this author so I didn't quite knew what to expect.

It turns out to be a nice, relaxing and quite entertaining book.

There is plenty of Asian culture reference, you'll find about tirads, yakuza, about their history and symbols, what they do, what they believe in, how they recruit and train their followers, how they discipline them and much more.

Plenty of symbolism is revealed, as is it often in Asian culture, from scorpions meaning and use, to snakes, to numerology and more, all revolving as the title suggest to the myth of the dragon, whom as some of you may already know has a significant importance in the Asian culture.

It's quite obvious that the author is keen of the Asian culture, well acquainted with and did some intense research about every topic touched in the book. And this makes the book pleasant and educative at the same time.

There is a plot, developing with plenty of twists and turns, great characters with their own agendas, and even more, there is great humor inserted in the characters dialog from time to time and that brings even more color to the whole picture. You'll travel back and forth in present time and with some flash-backs between San Francisco - China Town mostly and Hong Kong and this gives a flavor of realism, especially since I for one, was pleased to find described a real life landmark in San Fran, the broken bow and arrow on the pier park... nice and again pleasant destinations to visit with your mind eyes... and of course in real life for that matter...

The only one thing that struck me as odd and out of place is a deep friendship, not in a sexula way, between a half chinese woman trained by the triads and a skilled detective a typical white american man - that is too unrealistic if you ask me - you don't quite see that mix, not even if San Fran, and I know, I lived there.... but hey, it may be just me...

bottom line:
I for one, I've enjoyed this book and I will definitely follow this author and look for more.
If you still hesitate, don't worry, just go for it, you will like it.

[Chompa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cape Weathers is not Spenser, but is apparently influenced in some ways. And even compared to Robert B. Parker's most famous character.

Cape and Spenser both have bad-ass and deadly friends. Spenser has Hawk who is black, strong and a killer. Cape has Sally who is Asian, lesbian and a trained assassin.

Cape and Spenser both have cops who are friends. Both often meet up with other competent cops, agents, men and find a mutual respect for each other.

Cape and Spenser both are willing and able to do what is right - regardless of the law.

Here's the differences. Writing - it is really not fair to compare many people to Robert B. Parker. Story - it is really not fair to compare many people to Robert B. Parker. Characters - it is really... okay, you get the point. But on characters, I liked both Cape and Sally, there just didn't seem to be a lot to Cape. Sally was the better developed character despite being secondary?

Also Cape did some things with a dead body he found in his trunk that made me think, "What the hell is he thinking?" Even scofflaws like Spenser would have call that in to the cops. They certainly wouldn't have driven around at random with the body on ice for a bit before dumping it in front of a suspect's business and taking a picture of it.

Overall, the story was okay. The Chinatown setting and San Francisco are good. The development and training of Sally as an assassin were actually very good. The book was a very quick and decent read. I may follow up with another.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun murder romp through San Francisco's Chinatown through the eyes of a gwai loh. Well, it's kind of a murder mystery in that murder does take place but that seems far from the main point. A quick paced read. Language is a bit rough in spots and might offend some. The main character is sassy and snappy. This is the first book in the series but it's written in a way that had me wondering if I had missed a book or two previous, which honestly I rather enjoyed. I'm curious about what other books are in this series and if there as enjoyable a waste of an afternoon as this one.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected this book to be so cheesy and full of bad stereotypes, to be frank, and I admit I was literally judging the book by its cover. It is a little campy, but it was mostly a fun read. A friend kept going on about the third book in the series, and I am too linear to jump into the middle. I need to go in order. This was good enough to take on book two.

[Sue Jaffarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tim Maleeny's work and look forward to the next Cape Weathers adventure.

[Marin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, murder, chinese mafia, detectives with odd names... what's not to like? So good, I read it in almost 4 hrs. Some bad language.

[Stargazer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the back story of this book, which i kept wondering about as i 'felt' like this was book 2 of a series - and here i see it is no 1...hmmm...Liked Sally, so will try book 2.

[Mac Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in the very entertaining Cape Weathers series. Cape is a detective in San Francisco and you could call the city one of the main characters as Tim Maleeny provides colorful and detailed descriptions of the City by the Bay, making the story all the more engrossing.

As for the story, Cape is thrust deep into the Chinese underworld of San Francisco as he tries to find his missing Sally, rumored to be a highly trained assassin. The action is intense and the twists are many. Cape is likable and just sarcastic enough to bring some humor to some dark moments. I thoroughly enjoy this series and am looking forward to reading all the Cape novels.

[Karen]

Tim Maleeny's book Stealing the Dragon is both compelling and addicting. It composes of many twists and turns along it's plot that predictions are hard to make. The book includes assassinations, vivid fights, a typical lust story, and many alliances all leading back to ancient china and it's history with gangs and war. Cape Weathers, a detective, finds himself in the middle of a robbery and chaos with the help of a couple friends.

I personally enjoyed the book's composition because it was thrilling and very hooking. It's one of those books that doesnt make sense until the end explains everything and then the reader is left with some sort of out of ordinary feeling. It is basically like a Rush Hour movie, except with different story lines. I recommend this book to people who enjoy thrill and mystery.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an edge of your seat ride. Cape Weathers is brought in by the San Francisco Police Department when a ship goes aground and the cargo is revealed to be more than jeans as cargo. Someone has killed the crew and Cape knows only one person who could have done it, but she is not answering his calls.

It does employ alternating chapters between current day San Francisco and Hong Kong and past Hong Kong, but it is all clearly marked. Sometimes I have trouble with this technique.

This involves a great deal of violence, as the triads fight for their territory and employ unexpected resources to do it.

It also involves the figurine of a dragon which is thought to protect the owner from defeat in any pursuit. When it is stolen in Hong Kong and turns up in San Francisco, it releases a great deal of action and intrigue, as people turn out to not be who they seem.

I own a copy.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read the paper version of this book! I liked it. I found it a little slow to start, but that may have just been me as I didn't have the time at first to sit down for long periods and really dive into the book. But, once I got about halfway through, the book really took off for me. I like Cape Weathers, and I really like Sally, a take-charge, kick-ass type of female.
This book was characterized as a thriller, but I wouldn't call it that. It is a solid private detective novel, and I will look for more books by Tim Maleeny.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and a new series. Lots of interesting characters introduced, making for an excellent crime-fighting team: an investigative reporter turned private detective, a Triad-trained assassin, a newspaper journalist, a computer nerd, and a tough cop. The main topic of this book is the eventful childhood and training of the ninja/assassin, a young woman with superb fighting skills and a dislike of firearms. The plot also includes human trafficking, drug smuggling, and tongs. I very much liked the characters and their relationships. I think this will be a fun series to read.

[Lynn Wyvill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gentle read. I liked Cape and also the fact he is not dominant in the story. Prominent certainly, but other interesting characters are given equal time, so at the conclusion I was remembering each one. I look forward to another read. Y this author.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great light reading for the plane trip to San Fran

[Charity Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I wish the language had been better in spots, but the story was good. My favorite parts were the chapters on Sally's growing up years.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good beach-read. I'll pick up the second one soon.

[Eugene Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of my favorite micro-genres mashed together - noir detective meets Bay Area meets Asian martial arts meets murder mystery. Fun!

[Sue Nitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful tale with great characters. I can't wait to read more by this author. So glad I stumbled upon this book.

[Kyuutomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It catches you and does not let go until you finish the last page.

[Yannick Serres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Histoire de fiction comportant action et intrigue. Une jeune fille voudra manger la mort de ses parents et apprendra très prématurément l'art de tuer.

[Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good action book. Young girls trained to be warriors. A ship full of Chinese people looking for freedom in the hold. A detective connecting the dots in San Francisco's Chinatown.

[Lee Thames · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noirish private eye in San Francisco with a ninja as his protector. Great back story on the Ninja.

[Lynette Ott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audio book and really liked it, although the narrator's voice was so low and even I kept nodding off (when I was at home listening, not in the car!)

[Glen Guldbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really good!!!

[Ken Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Stealing the Dragon”, first in the 'Cape Weathers' series, had me checking to see if there was a prequel.
It just seemed as if I had dropped into a story that had started somewhere else.
Cape Weathers is a P.I.
Sally is his muscle.
How they met is a mystery.
Unusually, the novel is told from both perspectives – Sally in the past for most of the book, while Cape provides the present details.
A container ship runs aground at Alcatraz. The crew are dead – murdered – and the only survivors are illegal Chinese immigrants.
There's no evidence but the way in which the crew was killed needs a very particular skill set … and Sally fits the bill nicely.
But she's in the wind and Cape needs to tread carefully as he tries to figure out what it is all about.
What follows is a convoluted and multi-layered investigation in which Cape employs the abilities of his police friend Detective Beauregard Jones, eccentric reporter Linda Katz, and the computer wizard Barry (aka Sloth).
It is a fairly light read – noir it definitely is not – and the dialogue is snappy.
Cape is a mostly one-dimensional character (fine by me) but I would have liked to get inside Sally's head.
3 Stars.

[Ted · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book lands somewhere between a 2 and 3. I liked it but it was just OK. Full disclosure, I listening to the audiobook insteading of reading it and the voiceover definitely doesn't do the book any favors with over the top, vaguely racists Chinese accents (think "Ahh so...")

The story, about an orphan girl assassin and her street savvy PI pal busting a crooked politician, is comic book esque. Part Raymond Chandler part Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Many of the characters are stereotypical but the right director could have some fun with it.

What I did like was how quickly it moves and how well it was plotted out. Good twists and well researched details of policing, Tongs, ancient China and modern day San Francisco. Our hero Cape Weathers is your typical, fast talking, quick witted, against the grain PI. But he (the character) works. Even when his moves are telegraphed they're still fun. It may not have been the best movie, but I wanted to keep reading till the end.

[Ivan Zullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I often do, I've randomly chosen this book. I don't even remember when I bought it.
After reading it, I've been conquered by Tim Maleeny's "Stealing the Dragon".
Loved the writing, very cheeky from time to time, the two different timelines, one in the past, the other in the present that catch up at one point, increasing the rhythm of the story.
Appreciated the cast of characters so variegated and unconvetional, everyone perfectly fitting in the mosaic narrated by Maleeny.
Finally, the main characters, Cape Weathers is so spot on that it seems to read a series destined to be televised.

I'm definitely going to read more of Tim Maleeny and Cape Weathers.

[Alaina Thomson]

:( swear words

[Pádraig Nestor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book overall but the secondary story is a bit better than the main story and the main character isn't a very strong character