Fortune: The Lost Decades of Uncle Chow Tung

Uncle Chow Tung #3

by Ian Hamilton

International bestselling author Ian Hamilton returns with a riveting new novel featuring fan-favourite Uncle Chow Tung, who is called upon to end a violent turf war between rival gangs and stop Chinese authorities from eliminating the triad societies once and for all.

Hong Kong, 1995. Two years before Hong Kong is to be returned to the People’s Republic of China, the Communist government has its eye on the New Territories, and tensions are running high among the triads. At the root of the tensions is a fear of what will become of Hong Kong after the Communists take over. Seeking to strengthen their positions, several triad gangs begin a violent turf war in Macau that quickly spreads to Hong Kong. Uncle realizes that prolonged violence will result in a crackdown by the organized crime bureau of the Hong Kong police, and steps in to mediate a ceasefire. His efforts are met with resistance, and soon his own territory of Fanling is attacked by a neighbouring gang.

Meanwhile, Uncle expresses his concerns about the future to his partners in China. Their response comes as a surprise and leads to an unexpected outcome that will have a lasting effect on the triad societies for decades to come.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Canada, Crime, Mystery Thriller, China, Fiction

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2021

About the author

Ian Hamilton has been a journalist, a senior executive with the federal government, a diplomat, and a businessman with international links. He has written for several magazines and newspapers in Canada and the U.S., including Maclean's, Boston Magazine, Saturday Night, Regina Leader Post, Calgary Albertan, and the Calgary Herald. His nonfiction book, The Children's Crusade, was a Canadian Book of the Month Club selection.

Reviews

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoy the background to Uncle Chow. I find this topic fascinating given where Hong Kong and the Chinese government now are. PLA and Triads co-operating! Do I believe it possible? Cynic that I am, yes. Hamilton obviously has some of the same questions reading his afterwards notes.
Loved that this is where Uncle and Sonny first meet. I also soften when Uncle pays his annual if not more frequent visit to Gui San’s rememverance place at the Ancestor Worship Hall. His long dead love of his life.
Loved catching up on more from Uncle!

[Alan (the Lone Librarian rides again) Teder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uncle Goes to the Mattresses
Review of the House of Anansi Spiderline paperback edition (January 2021)

For fans of the Ava Lee series, there has been nothing greater in recent years than author Ian Hamilton adding a second annual series with the Uncle Chow Tung prequels. Although initially planned as a trilogy with Fate (2019) and Foresight (2020), the Afterword to Fortune promises a possible 4th and even a 5th book yet to come.

Fortune jumps ahead from the 1980 setting of Foresight to 1995 and the apprehension of the triads as the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997 is anticipated. Some larger triads are preparing to muscle in on smaller ones in order to expand their power and influence to face down any future crackdowns by the Chinese communists. Uncle and his Fan Ling triad is front and centre in the machinations and prepares for possible war while Uncle works to bargain a cooperative relationship between allied triad groups against any outside aggressors. Meanwhile, Uncle also works behind the scenes to ensure a smooth transfer and cooperation with Mainland China in 1997.

Although there are a large number of names and groups in the book, a front end character list helps you keep everything easily sorted in your mind. A standard triad organization chart also helps you sort out your White Paper Fans from your Red Poles from your Straw Sandals.


Standard triad organization chart including the number codes for various positions. Image sourced from Wikipedia.

Ian Hamilton keeps the plot moving forward quickly and there are quite a dizzying amount of meetings and confrontations that are covered in the space of the one main week of the novel's plotline. Verdict: As compulsively readable as everything Hamilton has ever done.


Map of Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories with various city sector labels including Uncle Chow Tung's Fan Ling towards the centre top.


View of the Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong, a favourite weekly stop for Uncle Chow Tung. Image sourced from Wikipedia.

Mild Spoiler As a bonus for Ava Lee fans, fan favourite chauffeur/bodyguard Sonny has a very large cameo role in this book.

[Anthony Bidulka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several years ago Ian Hamilton and I were on a panel for The Word On The Street. Chatting afterwards he told me about starting a new series based on Uncle, a popular character in his excellent Ava Lee book's. True to his promise, a few weeks later I received an advance reading copy of the first book, Fate - The Lost Decades of Uncle Chow Tung.
I must admit, I had some trepidation. In general I am not a big fan of origin stories. Just not my thing. Of course I needn't have worried. Ian's superb skills as a story teller reeled me in. Fortune is the third in the trilogy (more on that a bit later).
Unlike the first two books, Fate and Foresight, the book begins with a family tree of the Fanling Executive and listing of the Mountain Masters of Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and the New Territories. Good thing too, because the names being thrown at you for the first third of the book are dizzying to say the least. So much so that I was beginning to get lost in the story and for the first time ever in an Ian Hamilton book considered giving up. Shame on me. Fortunately I kept going and just when I thought I couldn't go on, Hamilton's rich storytelling and gift for gentle tension kicked in.
With these books, I find it is the simple moments - when Uncle is at home studying the racing form with a few beer, or ordering congee at his favourite restaurant - that endear these books to the reader. That and the way the contrast of action with inaction dance so beautifully on the page.
Although you do not need to read the Ava Lee books to read this one (Ava Lee books happen chronologically after this series), I would suggest you need to read the first two Uncle books to get the fullness of the story.
Back to the this book being the last of the trilogy. Well, maybe not...

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★

Another winner from Ian Hamilton, a Canadian author whose stories set in the Ava Lee universe I can't put down.

This series takes place before the Ava Lee series kicks off. It is the origin story of Ava's mentor and business partner, Uncle Chow Tung. I believe I've mentioned this in my comments about Ian Hamilton's books before, but it bears repeating: Mr. Hamilton is a master at pacing while at the same time, providing a level of detail about Chinese politics, food, sports betting and the Triads that is astounding. I'm never bored although the pacing for some readers would probably be considered slow.

The Ava Lee series wrapped up earlier this year and I believe that the Uncle Chow Tung series ends with the fourth book which I will pick up in the next few months. I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters. This series and the companion Ava Lee series will be future re-reads for me without doubt.

[Michael Ranalletta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. This might have been my least favourite of the uncle books, but still loved it. To have this back story that is paralleling with Ava’s story is fascinating. It doesn’t slap you in the face with fan service to the Ava books, but when it links together, you have slot of oh yeah moments. Uncle is amazing. That is all.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first when Hamilton switched from about Ava Lee to Uncle, I was annoyed because he was never one of my favourite characters in the Ava books. But with the second and third (last?) book in the Uncle series I have flipped opinions and wish he would do more.

I think this is because when he first started the Ava Lee series, it felt to me like Hamilton was drawing on his own memory and experience, but as Ava started to "level up", she got further and further away from the economic crimes that seemed so realistic and drawn from the headlines.

Here, Uncle is set in a very recognizable pre-handover Hong Kong and Uncle's continued ascension in the triad community shows how he arrived at the respected position he enjoys in the Ava Lee books.

Hamilton doesn't directly address the Umbrella Movement or democracy demonstrations of 2019 but Fortune seems like it could be setup to make a comment on that later. Hamilton has a tightrope to walk if so. It will be hard to bring any kind of verisimilitude without also possible alienating readers of mainland background, something he seems to have been careful about so far.

[Maddie Brozen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun series about the gangs of Hong Kong. The main character is wise and beloved and the structure of the story is so enjoyable. Looks like I read this book totally out of order (3rd in the series without reading 1 or 2) and it was still fun and not confusing! Looking forward to more books in this series with Uncle.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good series but I prefer the original Ava Lee books. I do like the Hong Kong/China history and also finding out how Uncle got to where he was by the time he met with Ava, but thought the stories less absorbing and the characters less fascinating.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is like watching how a found family came together. It also features appetizing descriptions of Chinese food, commentary about horse racing, and some history thrown in. That’s a unique combination that had drawn me in over the years.

As a fan of the Ava Lee series, it’s hard to not adore the character of Uncle. It’s awesome reading about how he earned the respect among other gangs that was clearly evident throughout the Ava Lee series. Moreover, this book showed how Sonny became his bodyguard and if you were an existing fan of the series, it would be hard pressed to not be a little emotional at that.

At the end of the day, the author knows his strengths. I think about action movies where despite the twists and turns, you can enjoy those knowing it will be wrapped up neatly in the end. This book doesn’t have a lot of skirmishes, but it is an exciting look at how someone can manœuvre the behind the scenes politics on how to unite a group of individuals.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent addition to the world of Uncle and Ava Lee. Uncle is such a beloved character in the Ava Lee series, and I love having his backstory fleshed out in this way.

I found the story a little slow to get going - there was a lot of politics and more names than I could wrap my head around at times. But, once the story got going, I could hardly put the book down. I particularly loved seeing how Uncle and Sonny’s relationship began. I was pleased to find in the Afterword that Hamilton is hoping to add at least one more book in the Uncle series. I look forward to seeing Uncle and Ava come together from Uncle’s point of view.

[Jennifer S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent conclusion to the Uncle story - though Hamilton makes it clear that there is more of Uncle's story remaining to be told. Many years after becoming Mountain Master of Fanling, Uncle is confronted with a potential turf war between triad gangs from Kowloon and Hong Kong, with the larger triads seeking to take over territory from smaller and weaker ones. He concludes that the only way to prevent this is to establish a mutual defense agreement among triads - requiring tremendous diplomacy. A few strategically bad moves by the aggressor gangs and some strong Beijing friendships help Uncle sell the concept. Good leadership and enough action to keep it interesting. And I loved getting Sonny's back storoy.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The handover of Hong Kong to China is in progress. Rumors circulate, mostly to further one person or another's agenda.

Uncle has his turf stabilized to be able to meet payroll and provide for Triad extended family and community obligations (an estimated 600 people) as distant Triad regions follow their sociopath Alphas in killing Triad members and innocent bystanders, including a child, in shootouts in front of the Macau Hyatt Hotel and in the city's major public park, St Paul's Square. Newspaper stories are updated daily. Gang Warfare is not a good look for a Hong Kong moving into a future with China but certain larger Triad factions insist on gang warfare. Seems like smaller Triads should band together in emergencies but everyone cherishes their independance.

I used to organize on women's issues. Men's issues too. Electoral campaigns, community issues. There is a way that men follow their Alpha that I'm not sure operates the same in women's organizations but that is irrelevant to this book. It is something that kept surfacing as I read. There was a fair amount of what if I had done this instead of that while reading.

Sonny has been a baaaad boy again. So what are they going to do about it? If you have read the Ava Lee books you know a lot pivots on this decision. Sonny wants to stay in the Triads but he has to be able to rein it in. Fortune has the background info you didn't know you were hoping for.

Now happily awaiting the new Ava Lee Borneo book

[Janice Chan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fortune is the fourth instalment of the Uncle Chow series that explores the origin story of Chow Tung, Ava Lee's triad-head mentor from author Ian Hamilton's other popular series.

It is two years until the British Are to hand over the colony of Hong Kong to the mainland. Not only is there violent conflict among the triads of Kowloon and Macao that Uncle fears may spill over to the New Territories, but there is a wide-spread rumour that the Communist government of the mainland intends to come down hard on the triads when they take over in 1998. Uncle decides he has to do something about both situations.

I did enjoy the Ava Lee series much more than the Uncle Chow series, mainly because the latter is so "talky". Lots of dialogue and little action, although the story line (I can't quite call it a plot) is interesting enough. This is where another popular character from the Ava Lee series, Sonny, is first introduced to Uncle as well. The last chapter is no more than a synopsis of the book in the guise of Uncle visiting the memorial of his lost love, Gui-San, and catching her up on the events of the past months.

It was interesting to find an historical character, Tao SiJu, former Vice-Minister of Public Security for the People's Republic of China in the events of the book, complete with the very short speech that he made (although much earlier than than the events of the book) that may shed light on subsequent events in the former British Colony.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am almost tempted to give this five stars. The Uncle character, leader of one of Hong Kong's twenty triads or gangs, is a beautifully written character. This was the third and perhaps (or perhaps not) last book in the series, which I found superior to Hamilton's Ava Lee books, which are pretty good, too. Set in 1995, the book is written from Uncle's perspective, as he tries to organize first the New Territory tgangs against one of the Hong Kong Island gangs, and then all the Hong Kong gangs faced with the upcoming takeover of Hong Kong by mainland China. Uncle is a thoughtful, clever, magnanimous, humble leader who commands the loyalty and respect of the people who work for him and the other Triad leaders. The dialogue is elegant and subtle; it sets this author apart from virtually any other. Uncle's personality so dominates every scene that none of the other characters rise to his level, but they are all thoughtfully and respectfully drawn. My first critique is that I found that tension in the book, as Uncle is challenged both by rival gangs and organizing allied gangs, fades in out over the 300 pages. The second is that virtually every Triad leader, known as Mountain Master, is referred to, along with some of their officers, so there are too many names for me to keep track of. Otherwise, highly recommended.

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, supposedly the end of a trilogy about Uncle's rise to head of the Chinese triads, but Ian Hamilton says in his afterword, there may be more. Certainly, plenty of storylines can be developed.

This book is set in the time when Hong Kong was reverting from British to Chinese rule, when one of the gangs starts trying to takeover a small gang. As the head of a small gang in the New Territories, Uncle decides to unite them to face the stronger gang from Hong Kong. Due to his connections in China, Uncle is able to get the truth from the Central Committee and helps bring together the gangs through his brilliance, connections and leadership skills. We also learn the backstory of Sonny becoming Uncle's bodyguard, and his bravery in the face of a grave threat.

[Mihir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uncle is a character that has developed so well over the last 2 books and Fortune carries him forward
The triads are at war again. Chinese takeover of HK is imminent and triads are scared of what the chinese will do and use that as an opportunity to wage war on the weaker ones.
Uncle tries to broker peace and through a mix of luck, savvy dealings and his Chinese connections is able to go from strength to strength
Good read and uncle is the hero with a mix of smarts, ethical straight thinking and staying true to what you believe in. Powerful messages to land to readers

[Tim Wong · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book with a very epic scale. It told an entertaining story and I was happy with the origins of the Uncle/Sonny Kwok relationship. The ending led a bad taste in my mouth though as it seems against type for Uncle to have made the deal he did at the end of the book but that is said only in hindsight with real world events. I am glad the author addressed this particular issue in the acknowledgements and stated what he believed Uncle's position would be.

[Timc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third instalment of the Uncle series. Having read all of the Ava Lee books, the role of Uncle has always interested me. These "Uncle" back stories have answered many of my questions and provided a provocative history of the Triads.

Ian Hamilton is an excellent writer. He makes his stories come alive with his choice of words and his descriptions. I finished this instalment in a day because I just simply couldn't put it down.

[Clayton Cheever · Rating 4 out of 5]

hopefuly not the last in the chronicles of Uncle Chow Tung. I just may go reread some of the Ava Lee books - but I need to catch up in that series first. if you're not familiar with any of these, read at least one or two in the main series first and then start with the first in the Uncle series. you could jump in mid-way but I dont recommend it. the cumulative effect is worth the effort and they are chronological

[Vontel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to get more of Uncle's life & "back story" to the Ava Lee books. This one takes place in 1995, two years before Hong Kong is to be returned to China. We get the story of how Buddy became Uncle's driver & body guard, and more insight (obviously retrospectively) into the operations & leadership of the Chinese communist party at that time.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third in the “Lost Decades of Uncle Chow Tung” series, which take place before Uncle met Ava Lee. In this book he is 60, it’s 2 years before China takes over Hong Kong, and Uncle has apparently united the triad gangs of Hong Kong.
Initially planned as a trilogy, Hamilton now says he’ll continue the series into the Ava Lee period, but shown from Uncle’s point of view rather than Ava’s.
I look forward to that: I much preferred the early Ava Lee books, when Uncle was still alive.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another well written and interesting novel that has the unique Uncle heading his own triad but who will take on more responsibility when he increases his business contacts in China. Some history is included in this as well. I've enjoyed all of Hamilton's novels.

[Douglas Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent entry in this series, which I'm enjoying as much as Hamilton's Ava Lee series. I read there is supposed to be at least one more, which I'm guessing might bring us up to his retirement and meeting Ava and mentoring Xu.

[Anniereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Uncle and I love how Hamilton has created this prequel to the Ava Lee series. I particularly liked this one and I am anxious to see how the triads make out when Hong Kong is handed back to China. Will the PRC keep their word to Uncle?

[Kevin Vrieze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent installment in this series. Great character development. Interesting story. Delightful read!

[Jill Nault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as always. Cannot wait for next Ava Lee or Uncle story!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the most preposterous parts of the story are based on truth.

[Dori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tell Us More

It has been really nice getting to know Uncle from a different perspective and I know his story isn’t over!

[Volare · Rating 4 out of 5]

We learn more about Uncle's past, including how he met Sonny Kwok.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous book! Love all of his books.