What do you think?
Rate this book
The China Thrillers #5
The Runner
A top Chinese swimmer kills himself of the eve of an international event - shattering his country's hopes of victory against the Americans. An Olympic weightlifter dies in the arms of his Beijing mistress - a scandal to be hushed up at the highest level. But the suicides were murder, and both men's deaths are connected to an inexplicable series of "accidents" which has taken the lives of some of China's best athletes. In this fifth China Thriller, Chinese detective Li Yan and American pathologist Margaret Campbell are back in Beijing confronting a sinister sequence of murders which threatens to destroy the future of international athletics.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
264 people are currently reading
944 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
September 18, 2016
This is the 5th book in the 'China Thriller' series by author Peter May. I have read and enjoyed the previous four books and this one was no different. At risk of repeating myself this series is less about exciting page turning plots but more about the relationship between Chinese detective Li Yan and American pathologist Margaret Campbell. The stories are in most cases based in Beijing where the two characters are working and come together.
In this book a number of top Chinese athletes die in suspicious circumstances leading detective Li Yan to investigate.
If you haven't read the previous books in this series I would guess that this book would be a big disappointment. I found it an interesting read because of my prior knowledge of the series and a wanting to know how this series is going to end. In truth I really enjoyed the first two books but I have found that it is now starting to run out of steam.
An interesting insight into Chinese culture and laws with some excellent character relationships that form the strength of the series. But it is a shame that the crime plots don't live up to the character development.
In this book a number of top Chinese athletes die in suspicious circumstances leading detective Li Yan to investigate.
If you haven't read the previous books in this series I would guess that this book would be a big disappointment. I found it an interesting read because of my prior knowledge of the series and a wanting to know how this series is going to end. In truth I really enjoyed the first two books but I have found that it is now starting to run out of steam.
An interesting insight into Chinese culture and laws with some excellent character relationships that form the strength of the series. But it is a shame that the crime plots don't live up to the character development.
November 19, 2021
The Runner is the fifth book in Peter May’s China thrillers, and this one had me conflicted. Although the story had me hooked and ensured I devoured it in no time, I do feel like this book was a little too easy.
I’ll be completely honest and say that I rounded my three-point-five-star rating up. If I had read this as a standalone, I doubt I would have done so. As I’d read the prior books, however, I appreciated where the story headed for the characters in this one. In many ways, this book was more about the development of the characters’ stories than it was about the crime. While I enjoyed the development of persona matters, I do wish the crime had been a bit more complex.
All in all, an enjoyable read. I would not label this my favourite in the series, but I did enjoy seeing things progress.
I’ll be completely honest and say that I rounded my three-point-five-star rating up. If I had read this as a standalone, I doubt I would have done so. As I’d read the prior books, however, I appreciated where the story headed for the characters in this one. In many ways, this book was more about the development of the characters’ stories than it was about the crime. While I enjoyed the development of persona matters, I do wish the crime had been a bit more complex.
All in all, an enjoyable read. I would not label this my favourite in the series, but I did enjoy seeing things progress.
May 31, 2021
I like Peter May's thrillers. He brings some glimpses into Chinese culture, and it is a welcomed change against the American novels. What I didn't like is the sheer work of luck in the ending. Everything falls so perfectly at the end that it looks more like Harry Potter to me. So, that's the reason for three stars - a well-told story with a silly ending.
January 29, 2023
In this entry in The China Thrillers series, several elite athletes training for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, die in unusual circumstances. Deputy Chief Li Yan is assigned to the case, his partner Dr. Margaret Campbell, is envious of the time Li devotes to the investigation while she is stuck in her apartment awaiting the birth of their first child. Marriage is on the horizon for these two before the baby arrives.
My initial enjoyment of this series was based on the Chinese history, events and social commentary on the impact of burgeoning economic changes on the Chinese population. There are some interesting observations on early preparations for the Olympics and the dichotomy between the expenditures on infrastructure and the inadequate housing available to many Beijing residents. Olympic talk leads to a fascinating discussion of the East German mandated doping programs which began in the 1970's.
What doesn't interest me is the ongoing drama between Li and Campbell which is a central theme in all of the books and in this particular novel overshadows the mystery component. It's a three star reading experience with some four star highlights.
My initial enjoyment of this series was based on the Chinese history, events and social commentary on the impact of burgeoning economic changes on the Chinese population. There are some interesting observations on early preparations for the Olympics and the dichotomy between the expenditures on infrastructure and the inadequate housing available to many Beijing residents. Olympic talk leads to a fascinating discussion of the East German mandated doping programs which began in the 1970's.
What doesn't interest me is the ongoing drama between Li and Campbell which is a central theme in all of the books and in this particular novel overshadows the mystery component. It's a three star reading experience with some four star highlights.
August 10, 2019
Běžkyně je již pátý díl série detektivek odehrávajích se převážně v Číně. Předchozí díl Hadohlavec byl trošku slabší a dost věcí jsem předvídal a celá zápletka mi přišla hodně přitažená za vlasy. Také jsem se trochu bál, že by série mohla sklouznout do červené knihovny jako poslední díl dost podobné krimi série a to Smrtící bílá. Nakonec to nebyl zas tak velký průšvih ale tak dobré jako první díly této série to nebylo. To je třeba si přiznat.
— Tak za prvé: ano velká část knihy se točí kolem vztahu obou hlavních hrdinů a stavu hlavní hrdinky ale není to tak obtěžující jako u Cormorana a Robin. Nově je zde věnován prostor vztahům Liho a jeho nejbližších kolegů. Příběh se odehrává v době před konáním Olympijských her, což opět svádí k porovnávání s posledním příběhem ze série o Cormoranu Strikeovi.
— Jinak tento díl se opět odehrává v Číně, což vítám protože popis méně známých stránek života v Číně je něco, co dělá tuto sérii zajímavou. Sledujeme vyšetřování několika záhadných úmrtí vrcholných čínských sportovců, které nejspíše bude něco spojovat, protože to prostě nemůže být náhoda. Opět jsem jednu z důležitých indicií, na kterou detektivové v knize přijdou až v závěru, odhalil téměř při první zmínce o ní. Ale i tak to bylo méně přitažené za vlasy jak předchozí díl.
— Způsob psaní, tempo vyprávění a všechny další věci jsou zde stejné jako u předchozích dílů této série a obecně i v jiných knihách tohoto autora. Takže pokud se vám líbily předchozí díly této série, tak si přečtěte i tento díl. Pokud ne, tak začněte prvním dílem, protože zde je mnohem lepší číst sérii od začátku, protože interakce mezi oběma hlavními hrdiny je dosti důležitou součástí celé série.
— Tak za prvé: ano velká část knihy se točí kolem vztahu obou hlavních hrdinů a stavu hlavní hrdinky ale není to tak obtěžující jako u Cormorana a Robin. Nově je zde věnován prostor vztahům Liho a jeho nejbližších kolegů. Příběh se odehrává v době před konáním Olympijských her, což opět svádí k porovnávání s posledním příběhem ze série o Cormoranu Strikeovi.
— Jinak tento díl se opět odehrává v Číně, což vítám protože popis méně známých stránek života v Číně je něco, co dělá tuto sérii zajímavou. Sledujeme vyšetřování několika záhadných úmrtí vrcholných čínských sportovců, které nejspíše bude něco spojovat, protože to prostě nemůže být náhoda. Opět jsem jednu z důležitých indicií, na kterou detektivové v knize přijdou až v závěru, odhalil téměř při první zmínce o ní. Ale i tak to bylo méně přitažené za vlasy jak předchozí díl.
— Způsob psaní, tempo vyprávění a všechny další věci jsou zde stejné jako u předchozích dílů této série a obecně i v jiných knihách tohoto autora. Takže pokud se vám líbily předchozí díly této série, tak si přečtěte i tento díl. Pokud ne, tak začněte prvním dílem, protože zde je mnohem lepší číst sérii od začátku, protože interakce mezi oběma hlavními hrdiny je dosti důležitou součástí celé série.
May 14, 2015
Oh for those half stars. This one is teetering between 3 and 4. I've gone with three for the moment, but I think it is better than that, though it has the same flaws as others in this series. (I think what this means is that if you've noticed those flaws and they bother you, you should consider skipping this one, because it too will bother you.)
That said, here's what you might need to know if you haven't read the others. This is the penultimate book in a series of six or seven. (I gather there are no more to come as May has moved on to other things.) It's one of the better ones, but I'm afraid you rather need to read through the early ones to really appreciate what is good here. The main dynamic is the relationship between Li, a rising Chinese police investigator, and Margaret, an American pathologist. They're both reasonably complicated characters, drawn together by something that may be lust or passion or perhaps actual love. They're both difficult and at times it is hard to see how they can possibly continue, but this is not what I think of as one of the flaws. Perhaps I'm willing to accept that the nature of their attraction is somewhat mysterious.
Some of the novels are set in the US but I think the better ones are set in China. I've never been there so cannot be sure, but this one seems to give a very effective portrait of the emerging chasm in China between rich and poor. It's an effective setting.
The recurrent flaw, in my view, is generally in the mystery. I'm not sure they are all that good and so if you care most about the mystery plot they might really frustrate. They are complicated by what I think of as implausible medical details which seem to be needed to make the plot go. They have loose ends that make no sense. And the suspects aren't well drawn. But the books are readable and I do care about the main characters, so I'll surely read the last one anyway.
That said, here's what you might need to know if you haven't read the others. This is the penultimate book in a series of six or seven. (I gather there are no more to come as May has moved on to other things.) It's one of the better ones, but I'm afraid you rather need to read through the early ones to really appreciate what is good here. The main dynamic is the relationship between Li, a rising Chinese police investigator, and Margaret, an American pathologist. They're both reasonably complicated characters, drawn together by something that may be lust or passion or perhaps actual love. They're both difficult and at times it is hard to see how they can possibly continue, but this is not what I think of as one of the flaws. Perhaps I'm willing to accept that the nature of their attraction is somewhat mysterious.
Some of the novels are set in the US but I think the better ones are set in China. I've never been there so cannot be sure, but this one seems to give a very effective portrait of the emerging chasm in China between rich and poor. It's an effective setting.
The recurrent flaw, in my view, is generally in the mystery. I'm not sure they are all that good and so if you care most about the mystery plot they might really frustrate. They are complicated by what I think of as implausible medical details which seem to be needed to make the plot go. They have loose ends that make no sense. And the suspects aren't well drawn. But the books are readable and I do care about the main characters, so I'll surely read the last one anyway.
May 18, 2021
Very predictable. This is the 5th book of Peter May's Chinese serie and it is getting rather out of breath. As much as I still like his writting style, I am not so keen on the very simplified plot and the rather annoying 'don't know what to do with my life' protoganists. Found it cheesy and not subtil...
January 14, 2019
May je dost super, už se nemůžu dočkat, až si přečtu i první tři díly téhle série :D
Prostředí Číny je oproti Hadohlavci asi výhodou, Margaret a Li mě baví, co víc chtít :) ♥
80 %
http://books-postcards-geocaches.blog...
Prostředí Číny je oproti Hadohlavci asi výhodou, Margaret a Li mě baví, co víc chtít :) ♥
80 %
http://books-postcards-geocaches.blog...
June 1, 2021
Na můj vkus opět moc rozebírání vztahů + hodně mi vadilo přecházení z minulého času do přítomného v průběhu děje - nevím, zda to byla invence překladatele, ale za mě hvězda dolů (v předchozích 4 knihách této série toto nebylo a žádný literární přínos to nemělo).
February 19, 2025
As always, an excellent read that leaves me wanting to find out what happened next. The theme of drug taking in sport is both interesting and never outdated.
July 5, 2024
Po delší době jsem se vrátila k této sérii čínských thrillerů, které mne docela bavily. A já bych se konečně ráda dostala na konec série, tak bylo na čase pokročit s dalším dílem.
Nakonec je mé hodnocení průměrné. Zápletka sama o sobě nebyla špatná, ale přiznám se, že mne nevtáhla do sebe tolik, jak mohla nebo jak jsem spíš doufala. Asi mi to vlastně po této stránce bylo spíš jedno, jak to skončí.
Pamatuji se, jak mne v dřívějších dílech (hlavně v prvních třech) bavilo to napětí mezi Margaret a Li Jenem, to jiskření. Přijde mi, že ten jejich vztah už je takový spíš usedlý (dáno okolnostmi, které mezi nimi jsou), než že by to plně jiskřilo. Dostávají teda docela zabrat, jen co je pravda.
Musím říct, že jsem trochu rozpačitá z otce Li Jena a z matky Margaret, kteří se v počátku chovají poněkud nesnášenlivě (kdo četl, ví kvůli čemu jsou nesnášenliví), a pak tam najednou dojde k proměně jejich chování. Což by nutně nevadilo, kdy by ta změna nepřišla tak rychle a z ničeho nic - to mi úplně nesedlo a nepřišlo mi to dost propracované - resp. nepřišlo mi to přesvědčivě podané, proč tak najednou ta změna v chování přišla.
A co mi teda nesedlo vůbec, byl ten samotný závěr, kdy to najednou bylo dost uspěchané, strašně zkratkovité, jakoby useknuté - některé ty části jsem si musela číst 2x - 3x, abych si byla jistá, že to dobře chápu. A některé věci v rámci vyústění celého příběhu tam nebyly vůbec vysvětlené, nebo byly jen poskrovnu nastíněné, takže jsem knihu dočetla s pocitem, že mi některé informace prostě chybí.
Hodnotím slabšími 3 hvězdami a za mne teda tohle je asi zatím nejslabší díl ze série. Další díl si ale určitě přečtu a doufám, že tam autor trochu víc rozepíše to, co v posledních cca 5-10 stranách Běžkyně jen naznačil.
Nakonec je mé hodnocení průměrné. Zápletka sama o sobě nebyla špatná, ale přiznám se, že mne nevtáhla do sebe tolik, jak mohla nebo jak jsem spíš doufala. Asi mi to vlastně po této stránce bylo spíš jedno, jak to skončí.
Pamatuji se, jak mne v dřívějších dílech (hlavně v prvních třech) bavilo to napětí mezi Margaret a Li Jenem, to jiskření. Přijde mi, že ten jejich vztah už je takový spíš usedlý (dáno okolnostmi, které mezi nimi jsou), než že by to plně jiskřilo. Dostávají teda docela zabrat, jen co je pravda.
Musím říct, že jsem trochu rozpačitá z otce Li Jena a z matky Margaret, kteří se v počátku chovají poněkud nesnášenlivě (kdo četl, ví kvůli čemu jsou nesnášenliví), a pak tam najednou dojde k proměně jejich chování. Což by nutně nevadilo, kdy by ta změna nepřišla tak rychle a z ničeho nic - to mi úplně nesedlo a nepřišlo mi to dost propracované - resp. nepřišlo mi to přesvědčivě podané, proč tak najednou ta změna v chování přišla.
A co mi teda nesedlo vůbec, byl ten samotný závěr, kdy to najednou bylo dost uspěchané, strašně zkratkovité, jakoby useknuté - některé ty části jsem si musela číst 2x - 3x, abych si byla jistá, že to dobře chápu. A některé věci v rámci vyústění celého příběhu tam nebyly vůbec vysvětlené, nebo byly jen poskrovnu nastíněné, takže jsem knihu dočetla s pocitem, že mi některé informace prostě chybí.
Hodnotím slabšími 3 hvězdami a za mne teda tohle je asi zatím nejslabší díl ze série. Další díl si ale určitě přečtu a doufám, že tam autor trochu víc rozepíše to, co v posledních cca 5-10 stranách Běžkyně jen naznačil.
July 15, 2020
Here is another of my favourite authors and I can thoroughly recommend the books of his Lewis Trilogy and Enzo Macleods Investigations - the latter complete with its associated web pages, in addition to this one of course.
The series of which this is the fourth, is named after the Beijing Detective Li Yan and an American pathologist Margaret Campbell. This is an unusual pairing as each of them would probably concede.
The story concerns the death of Chinese athletes in the city that is keen to show nothing but its smiling and successful face before and during the forthcoming Olympics. Once again the author explores the great divide in the chinese population between the haves and have nots, the conditions in which the ordinary people live and the scars of the cultural revolution that still blight many lives.
Its not all doom and gloom though. The story is of the police investigation, played out against the backdrop of the complex personal lives of the two main characters as they bring together whats left of their families prior to their wedding.
The speed of the novel increases significantly in the final quarter when it becomes impossible to put down as surprise follows surprise. I ended the book feeling particularly drained which is a first for me and for that reason, if for no other, it would deserve full points.
I had thought that this was the last in the series and in some ways this added to the excitement for me. Now I have found that there are at least another two , one of which is on my shelf waiting for my pulse to calm again.
The series of which this is the fourth, is named after the Beijing Detective Li Yan and an American pathologist Margaret Campbell. This is an unusual pairing as each of them would probably concede.
The story concerns the death of Chinese athletes in the city that is keen to show nothing but its smiling and successful face before and during the forthcoming Olympics. Once again the author explores the great divide in the chinese population between the haves and have nots, the conditions in which the ordinary people live and the scars of the cultural revolution that still blight many lives.
Its not all doom and gloom though. The story is of the police investigation, played out against the backdrop of the complex personal lives of the two main characters as they bring together whats left of their families prior to their wedding.
The speed of the novel increases significantly in the final quarter when it becomes impossible to put down as surprise follows surprise. I ended the book feeling particularly drained which is a first for me and for that reason, if for no other, it would deserve full points.
I had thought that this was the last in the series and in some ways this added to the excitement for me. Now I have found that there are at least another two , one of which is on my shelf waiting for my pulse to calm again.
December 7, 2023
This is the fifth in the "China" thrillers by this author. Top athletes are dying mysteriously and the two main characters are having to sort out why. The crime narrative is overlaid with the ongoing personal drama between Li and Margaret. (I kind of wish it would resolve by now but you have to have conflict of some kind in books so... I keep reading).
January 29, 2019
Nemělo to chybu. May je nemilosrdnej a knížka je napínavá a překvapivá do posledního slova – doslova :)
March 17, 2024
A frightening scenario in a world where today only fame and money are the goal. People matter very little.
May 19, 2024
Possibly the best in the Chinese series so far. A wickedly clever plot with an explosive ending. It’s always an education reading Peter May.
January 22, 2025
Dalsi sileny tema a skoro nikdo neprezil (klasika), ale ocenuju, jak se autor orientuje v pomerne slozitych biologickych, genetickych atd. oblastech. Fakt obdivuhodny. A tentokrat i trochu vetsi zamereni na osobni zivot hrdinu, nevim, jestli se mi libi nebo ne. Asi jo, je to oziveni.
January 24, 2025
Ty témata jsou fakt dobrý, vždycky překvapí něčím jedinečným
April 5, 2017
I really enjoyed this book having had a gap of about four months since reading number 4. It was great to connect with the characters again. They get more interesting with each book. Now I am going to read number 6 immediately.
November 30, 2014
This was my review for Kaiwaka Library...
Margaret Campbell is an American pathologist resident in Beijing, in the run-up to the Olympic Games in that city. She's on enforced maternity leave at the moment, pending the birth of her baby in about a month's time.
Her partner, Li Yan, a senior policeman in the city, investigates the death of a wrestler who was destined for greater things before he died of a heart attack while in bed with his mistress. It's the second death of an Olympian recently - but how does this connect to a swimmer found hanged at the pools?
It turns out this is the fifth book in a series of six set around Margaret, but that was no impediment to enjoying this story. Life in a large Chinese city was a complete change of scenery for me too, and added to the interest. I am looking forward to finding more books by this author.
Margaret Campbell is an American pathologist resident in Beijing, in the run-up to the Olympic Games in that city. She's on enforced maternity leave at the moment, pending the birth of her baby in about a month's time.
Her partner, Li Yan, a senior policeman in the city, investigates the death of a wrestler who was destined for greater things before he died of a heart attack while in bed with his mistress. It's the second death of an Olympian recently - but how does this connect to a swimmer found hanged at the pools?
It turns out this is the fifth book in a series of six set around Margaret, but that was no impediment to enjoying this story. Life in a large Chinese city was a complete change of scenery for me too, and added to the interest. I am looking forward to finding more books by this author.
July 2, 2018
I pátý díl si drží svoji laťku, já budu držet hvězdičky.
Už tuto řadu nepokrytě řadím mezi své guilty pleasures. Krimi téma opět nablblé, čtenářka opět chytřejší než slavná patoložka s šéfem policajtů dohromady (a to teda nejsem zrovna Poirot), červená knihovna se ubírá tradiční cestou...
Už tuto řadu nepokrytě řadím mezi své guilty pleasures. Krimi téma opět nablblé, čtenářka opět chytřejší než slavná patoložka s šéfem policajtů dohromady (a to teda nejsem zrovna Poirot), červená knihovna se ubírá tradiční cestou...
June 30, 2018
Tři hvězdičky proto, že mě detektivky moc neberou, téma vycucané z palce. Reálie docela dobré. Ale Peter May píše poutavě.
February 21, 2021
I rate this 4.5 stars out of 5. *Spoilers ahead.*
This book...wow. It wasn't until a little more than halfway through the story it started to get really interesting, but once it did, it was hard to put down and it was just one plot twist and reveal after the other. The fifth in its series, the plot follows a pregnant Dr. Margaret Campbell and her fiancé Li Yan as they deal with a possible scandal of murdered athletes within the Beijing Olympics.
Margaret is by far my least favorite character in the book. She complains far too much and displays the competence of a child (for example, going off with strangers into the night with no regard for her own safety or her unborn child's). It's amazing how she continues to survive despite almost always facing off the killer one-on-one in the finale of each book. Her mother is properly introduced in this book and presented as a racist, bigoted old woman, and as much as I disliked her, I thought her interactions with Margaret were some of the best in the book.
Li faces his own problems within the department as it is against policy for him to marry a foreigner and grapples submitting his resignation so he can properly be with Margaret. There are two prominent characters he works with for his first time (Tao and Sun), who end up betraying the department and being the culprits in the end.
I thought this book was fantastic, from the plot to its characters. The ending was action-packed and filled with many deaths. The explanation scene where the main culprit, a German doctor, explains his process and reasoning, did get a little too technical with the medical verbage (which also slowed down the scene), but it was a heart-racing, satisfying conclusion to the story. I did notice that Peter May tends to kill almost every new character he introduces in each story (perhaps to prevent overlap with other books), but it would great to see some recurring characters. Nonetheless, this was a great installment of the series. I lament the fact that I skipped book 4 ("Snakehead") due to my local bookstore not having it in stock, but I did read the previous three books, and hopefully have the chance to return to it before continuing with book 6.
This book...wow. It wasn't until a little more than halfway through the story it started to get really interesting, but once it did, it was hard to put down and it was just one plot twist and reveal after the other. The fifth in its series, the plot follows a pregnant Dr. Margaret Campbell and her fiancé Li Yan as they deal with a possible scandal of murdered athletes within the Beijing Olympics.
Margaret is by far my least favorite character in the book. She complains far too much and displays the competence of a child (for example, going off with strangers into the night with no regard for her own safety or her unborn child's). It's amazing how she continues to survive despite almost always facing off the killer one-on-one in the finale of each book. Her mother is properly introduced in this book and presented as a racist, bigoted old woman, and as much as I disliked her, I thought her interactions with Margaret were some of the best in the book.
Li faces his own problems within the department as it is against policy for him to marry a foreigner and grapples submitting his resignation so he can properly be with Margaret. There are two prominent characters he works with for his first time (Tao and Sun), who end up betraying the department and being the culprits in the end.
I thought this book was fantastic, from the plot to its characters. The ending was action-packed and filled with many deaths. The explanation scene where the main culprit, a German doctor, explains his process and reasoning, did get a little too technical with the medical verbage (which also slowed down the scene), but it was a heart-racing, satisfying conclusion to the story. I did notice that Peter May tends to kill almost every new character he introduces in each story (perhaps to prevent overlap with other books), but it would great to see some recurring characters. Nonetheless, this was a great installment of the series. I lament the fact that I skipped book 4 ("Snakehead") due to my local bookstore not having it in stock, but I did read the previous three books, and hopefully have the chance to return to it before continuing with book 6.
June 20, 2019
Peter May’s the Runner, the 5th book in the China Thrillers series is by far the best. We find Margaret and Li back in Beijing with Margaret pregnant and Li grappling with his role as the Head of Beijing’s Serious Crimes division and China’s policy that forbids officials from marrying Westerners.
This is the most developed of the series. May delves deep into the world of Olympic sports and a scandal the finds several athletes dead under circumstances that individually seem coincidental but taken as a whole are far from mere accidents.
In this book, there is somewhat of a role reversal for Margaret and Li. In the first four books, Margaret was the dominant force both literally and figuratively playing the typical ugly American, while Li tended to exhibit the subservience stereotypically associated with the Asian dynamic. For the Runner, May softens Margaret’s harder edges, which she attributes to being pregnant and Li exerts a hypermasculinity that one can infer is due either to his impending fatherhood or his fervent love for Margaret.
Either way, the results are mixed. I found Li far more complex than previous books, but I was extremely disappointed in Margaret being reduced to a simpering bundle of emotional insecurity. It does not suit her and rang hollow and vapid.
Barring these character nuances, I truly enjoyed this book. It is a rare thing for an author to surprise me and May pulls off a plot twist that although not particularly revelatory, was enough of shock to elicit an aha from me.
As with the previous novels, it takes far too long for the protagonists to figure out the conclusion (300 pages in), but for once, it’s far more entertaining to ride along as they fumble their way to the end. It’s like being in one of the B-rated horror films where you are screaming that the boogeyman is behind the door and the character always opens the door.
Unlike a horror film, you can’t scream at the screen, but you’ll find yourself uttering an internal “hello” a few times throughout the book. The good news is that you will have a heck of a time doing so.
TD recommends
This is the most developed of the series. May delves deep into the world of Olympic sports and a scandal the finds several athletes dead under circumstances that individually seem coincidental but taken as a whole are far from mere accidents.
In this book, there is somewhat of a role reversal for Margaret and Li. In the first four books, Margaret was the dominant force both literally and figuratively playing the typical ugly American, while Li tended to exhibit the subservience stereotypically associated with the Asian dynamic. For the Runner, May softens Margaret’s harder edges, which she attributes to being pregnant and Li exerts a hypermasculinity that one can infer is due either to his impending fatherhood or his fervent love for Margaret.
Either way, the results are mixed. I found Li far more complex than previous books, but I was extremely disappointed in Margaret being reduced to a simpering bundle of emotional insecurity. It does not suit her and rang hollow and vapid.
Barring these character nuances, I truly enjoyed this book. It is a rare thing for an author to surprise me and May pulls off a plot twist that although not particularly revelatory, was enough of shock to elicit an aha from me.
As with the previous novels, it takes far too long for the protagonists to figure out the conclusion (300 pages in), but for once, it’s far more entertaining to ride along as they fumble their way to the end. It’s like being in one of the B-rated horror films where you are screaming that the boogeyman is behind the door and the character always opens the door.
Unlike a horror film, you can’t scream at the screen, but you’ll find yourself uttering an internal “hello” a few times throughout the book. The good news is that you will have a heck of a time doing so.
TD recommends
December 10, 2024
China Thrillers Li Yan #5. This is the first of this series I have read, after having read one of the Enzo Macleod series. I soon began to notice that there is a common format. The story starts off developing the case, and will catch the reader's interest. Then some sort of annoying character is introduced into the story (in this case it is the heroine's mother) to distract the characters or disturb their lives. At some point the hero will probably be attacked, although miraculously surviving, or kidnapped, or both. The ending will have a lot of the deus ex machina about it, and will probably be a bit unsatisfactory.
In this story the relationship between Yan, a police section chief, and Margaret, his pregnant betrothed, overshadows practically all else. We learn that Chinese party rules won't allow a policeman to marry a foreigner, and if he does so, he will lose his job. This he has kept secret from her.
I found the plot interesting, relating to doping in elite sport. There was a new twist on the science, although whether this was factual I don't know. Not that it matters, this is fiction after all. There are conspiracies going on which muddy the waters for the cops, as well as internal power struggles and disputes.
I really feared that the entry of Margaret's annoying mother would spoil the story for me, but fortunately the initial arrogance seemed to wear off and she fitted in to the story effectively.
Throughout the story the reader gets glimpses of Chinese society and the way they conduct relationships. The emergence of a struggle between filthy rich and poor is a minor theme. I'm not a China expert, but the treatment seemed reasonable and believable to me.
I picked up on the major clues pretty quickly, and identified at least one of the baddies. Good on me!
On the whole, the good points well outweigh the bad, so I rate this 3.9.
In this story the relationship between Yan, a police section chief, and Margaret, his pregnant betrothed, overshadows practically all else. We learn that Chinese party rules won't allow a policeman to marry a foreigner, and if he does so, he will lose his job. This he has kept secret from her.
I found the plot interesting, relating to doping in elite sport. There was a new twist on the science, although whether this was factual I don't know. Not that it matters, this is fiction after all. There are conspiracies going on which muddy the waters for the cops, as well as internal power struggles and disputes.
I really feared that the entry of Margaret's annoying mother would spoil the story for me, but fortunately the initial arrogance seemed to wear off and she fitted in to the story effectively.
Throughout the story the reader gets glimpses of Chinese society and the way they conduct relationships. The emergence of a struggle between filthy rich and poor is a minor theme. I'm not a China expert, but the treatment seemed reasonable and believable to me.
I picked up on the major clues pretty quickly, and identified at least one of the baddies. Good on me!
On the whole, the good points well outweigh the bad, so I rate this 3.9.
April 22, 2019
This book is a reprint of the 2013 edition. It is the fifth in the series featuring Li Yan, a section chief of the serious crime unit of the Beijing Police, and Margaret Campbell, a renowned American pathologist living in Beijing and awaiting both her wedding and the birth of their first child.
When Li’s section catches a politically-sensitive death of a weightlifter expected to medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he’s aware of the political ramifications of the case. When a young detective investigating the apparent suicide of a swimmer, suggests that the suicide isn’t what it seems, Li finds out there have been five other athlete deaths. Li knows that these latest deaths will be a nightmare to solve and will put him and his team squarely in the spotlight as the Olympic games drawer ever nearer. Worse, he needs an expert pathologist to perform the autopsies, and only one comes to mind, Margaret Campbell.
This is a very well written book, with carefully drawn and likable characters, an intriguing setting, and complicated murders.
While this is the fifth in the series, the author was careful not to assume that everyone had read the first four books so this entry reads like a standalone book. Some readers may have difficulty with the Chinese place names and, in some cases, individual’s names, but she will quickly learn the author has not assumed we’ve all been to Beijing and so gives us information about where Li goes that serves the reader well.
If you like well-written procedurals with likable characters and set in foreign settings, then this book and this series are for you, and should be placed high on your TBR pile.
Thanks to Quercus and Edelweiss for a free eARC.
When Li’s section catches a politically-sensitive death of a weightlifter expected to medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he’s aware of the political ramifications of the case. When a young detective investigating the apparent suicide of a swimmer, suggests that the suicide isn’t what it seems, Li finds out there have been five other athlete deaths. Li knows that these latest deaths will be a nightmare to solve and will put him and his team squarely in the spotlight as the Olympic games drawer ever nearer. Worse, he needs an expert pathologist to perform the autopsies, and only one comes to mind, Margaret Campbell.
This is a very well written book, with carefully drawn and likable characters, an intriguing setting, and complicated murders.
While this is the fifth in the series, the author was careful not to assume that everyone had read the first four books so this entry reads like a standalone book. Some readers may have difficulty with the Chinese place names and, in some cases, individual’s names, but she will quickly learn the author has not assumed we’ve all been to Beijing and so gives us information about where Li goes that serves the reader well.
If you like well-written procedurals with likable characters and set in foreign settings, then this book and this series are for you, and should be placed high on your TBR pile.
Thanks to Quercus and Edelweiss for a free eARC.
April 1, 2025
I haven’t read any of the previous books in the series. I found the book at a library book sale and it sat on my shelf for a year. I found it interesting but outdated. With the 2008 Olympics looming, Chinese athletes are preparing to compete with the best athletes from the rest of the world before a home audience. The Chinese system finds the best potential athletes from around the country and grooms and trains them in a highly regulated system. When the athletes start dying in a series of accidents, it becomes a matter of national concern at the highest level while keeping the investigation secret from the general public. Beijing detective Li Yan discovers the series of accidents when a staged suicide is too unlikely to be real. Why would an athlete at the peak of his career shave his head in preparation for an important preliminary meet and then hang himself? Then another athlete dies in the arms of his mistress, the wife of an important official? Li Yang begins an investigation.
At the same time, he has decided to marry his American girlfriend who is very, very pregnant. He cannot marry a foreign national and keep his prestigious job, but seems to have no other plan 8n mind for the future.
Of course neither family wants this marriage to occur. And of course, his girlfriend will be captured by the bad guys and require rescue. Of course, LiYang steps on important toes. Of course, there are jealous rivals for his job who want to see him fail. While interesting there is not enough excitement in the book to make me read another in this series.
At the same time, he has decided to marry his American girlfriend who is very, very pregnant. He cannot marry a foreign national and keep his prestigious job, but seems to have no other plan 8n mind for the future.
Of course neither family wants this marriage to occur. And of course, his girlfriend will be captured by the bad guys and require rescue. Of course, LiYang steps on important toes. Of course, there are jealous rivals for his job who want to see him fail. While interesting there is not enough excitement in the book to make me read another in this series.
November 18, 2025
Margaret Campbell, pathologiste américaine ,et le chef de section Li sont de retour en Chine, après leur aventure précédente aux Etats-Unis. Margaret est enceinte, le couple vit toujours dans des domiciles séparés et espère bénéficier d'un logement commun après s'être mariés.
Li est projeté dans une enquête complexe, aux ramifications politiques importantes. Dans une ambiance d'organisation des jeux olympiques, il fait le lien entre plusieurs décès, a priori naturels ou par suicide, qui touchent des sportifs de haut niveau. Margaret, alors en congé maternité, va être sollicitée pour les autopsies qui mettront en lumière des points communs troubles, notamment le crane rasé d'une partie des défunts.
Entre organisation du mariage, arrivée des parents de chacun, menaces politiques et tensions internes chez les policiers, Li ne saura plus où donner de la tête et Margaret ne pourra que lui apporter un soutien bien limité.
J'ai beaucoup aimé ce cinquième tome, particulièrement dynamique et très embrouillé. L'auteur jongle continuellement entre les difficultés de couple des protagonistes et celles rencontrées sur le terrain. Comme souvent, il met en valeur son goût pour le complot et sa méfiance à l'égard des dérapages scientifiques.
J'ai réellement dévoré les pages et je trouve que la qualité de la série s'est renforcée depuis le tome précédent. Il ne m'en reste plus qu'un à lire, et je vous en parlerai d'ici peu.
Li est projeté dans une enquête complexe, aux ramifications politiques importantes. Dans une ambiance d'organisation des jeux olympiques, il fait le lien entre plusieurs décès, a priori naturels ou par suicide, qui touchent des sportifs de haut niveau. Margaret, alors en congé maternité, va être sollicitée pour les autopsies qui mettront en lumière des points communs troubles, notamment le crane rasé d'une partie des défunts.
Entre organisation du mariage, arrivée des parents de chacun, menaces politiques et tensions internes chez les policiers, Li ne saura plus où donner de la tête et Margaret ne pourra que lui apporter un soutien bien limité.
J'ai beaucoup aimé ce cinquième tome, particulièrement dynamique et très embrouillé. L'auteur jongle continuellement entre les difficultés de couple des protagonistes et celles rencontrées sur le terrain. Comme souvent, il met en valeur son goût pour le complot et sa méfiance à l'égard des dérapages scientifiques.
J'ai réellement dévoré les pages et je trouve que la qualité de la série s'est renforcée depuis le tome précédent. Il ne m'en reste plus qu'un à lire, et je vous en parlerai d'ici peu.
January 15, 2021
Jsem na vážkách mezi 3 a 4* a můj ambivalentní vztah k Peteru Mayovi přetrvává. Důvodem je to, že mě zajímalo, co bude s postavami, scény s Margaretinou matkou mě vyloženě bavili, ale vyšetřování samotné mi přišlo dost na vodě a kniha obsahuje značné množství “bohů na kladkostroji” — závěrečná scéna nebo hlavní záporák, který se musí pochlubit tím, jak a proč všechno spáchal.
Taky nejsem příliš spokojená s provedením audioknihy, jako by se kvalita série v tomto směru snižovala, ačkoli herci jsou zkušenější. Scény s detektivem Lim čte Myšička, Margaretiny kusy Plodková, a zatímco na začátku série se střídali po kapitolách, teď si klidně vyměňují věty, všechny přímé řeči čte ten, koho se týkají, díky čemuž je celý poslech zajímavý a živý.
Jenže nezvládají tempo — kniha má přes 14 hodin a při zrychlení přehrávání o čtvrtinu projev teprve připomíná normální rychlost řeči. Navíc zejména Myšička z nějakého důvodu seká slova ve větách, dělá mezery klidně po jednom, dvou slovech, což pocitu přirozené mluvy taky nepřidává. Jestli to má budit dojem čínštiny, tak to nefunguje. Kvůli zrychlení jsou pak zkreslené čínské a jinak docela příjemné dělící melodie.
Takže znovu upozorňuji, knihy Petera Maye nejsou detektivky nebo thrillery, jsou to vztahové romány s policejní tematikou někde na pozadí.
Taky nejsem příliš spokojená s provedením audioknihy, jako by se kvalita série v tomto směru snižovala, ačkoli herci jsou zkušenější. Scény s detektivem Lim čte Myšička, Margaretiny kusy Plodková, a zatímco na začátku série se střídali po kapitolách, teď si klidně vyměňují věty, všechny přímé řeči čte ten, koho se týkají, díky čemuž je celý poslech zajímavý a živý.
Jenže nezvládají tempo — kniha má přes 14 hodin a při zrychlení přehrávání o čtvrtinu projev teprve připomíná normální rychlost řeči. Navíc zejména Myšička z nějakého důvodu seká slova ve větách, dělá mezery klidně po jednom, dvou slovech, což pocitu přirozené mluvy taky nepřidává. Jestli to má budit dojem čínštiny, tak to nefunguje. Kvůli zrychlení jsou pak zkreslené čínské a jinak docela příjemné dělící melodie.
Takže znovu upozorňuji, knihy Petera Maye nejsou detektivky nebo thrillery, jsou to vztahové romány s policejní tematikou někde na pozadí.
May 18, 2022
Another set of complex ethical and cultural issues for Li and Margaret. She is heavily pregnant. They are supposed to be getting married- but he is not allowed to marry a foreign national and keep his job…
Challenges when her mum and his dad arrive for the betrothal ceremony ( both with attitudes and issues with their children)
And detective work complicated by a mole in the department and a nastily ambitious deputy plus pressure from high ranking ones …
The detection involves the death of a number of elite athletes in the run up to Beijing Olympics. Of course they are suspicious and it is so much more modern than doping gone wrong. Plausible and scary stuff .
I love May’s capacity to tell a superbly gripping story full of every sensory experience. His research on cultural attitude is deep and real.
Challenges when her mum and his dad arrive for the betrothal ceremony ( both with attitudes and issues with their children)
And detective work complicated by a mole in the department and a nastily ambitious deputy plus pressure from high ranking ones …
The detection involves the death of a number of elite athletes in the run up to Beijing Olympics. Of course they are suspicious and it is so much more modern than doping gone wrong. Plausible and scary stuff .
I love May’s capacity to tell a superbly gripping story full of every sensory experience. His research on cultural attitude is deep and real.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews