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Sign of the Dragon
1940-The eve of WWII. Imperial Japan threatens to conquer Asia and the entire Pacific Theater. Supplies and support are flowing into the region. Vital to this effort is the city of Seattle. But now, its crucial role in the supply chain is beginning to attract the interest of some shadowy and exotic international forces. Following a tip from his mentor Vic Morrison, young Alan Stewart uses his detective skills to track down Tiger Lee, a sexy American operative on a mission to disrupt the Japanese spy network. Working together, the two set out to eliminate the head of their Japanese rivals: a dangerous samurai whose movements are shrouded in mystery. What begins as a hunt for justice quickly turns into a maelstrom of revenge- and a race against the clock as politics become personal and loyalties are tested from every side. Returning to the scene of his first novel, Thick as Thieves, author Neil Low proves once again that in the shadowy underbelly of a city nothing is as it first appears, and what you don't know just might hurt you after all...
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Neil Low
21 books100 followersNeil Low spins tales of mystery & suspense set in 1940's Seattle. The Alan Stewart Mystery Series from Tigress Publishing includes:
Thick as Thieves, Sign of the Dragon,
& his latest thriller,
Unreasonable Persuasion
--which ended 2010 as the #3 trade paperback sold in Seattle (Independent Mystery Booksellers Association).
From shady hotels to catacombs under Chinatown and real-life local murder mysteries, Low expertly weaves elements of Seattles colorful past into the exploits of 1940s Seattle Private Investigator Alan Stewart. Since his debut novel Thick as Thieves (Tigress Publishing, 2008), Low has been receiving solid praise and attention. Noted true crime author Ann Rule strongly endorsed Lows debut, No one can write about cops and robbers like a real police officer. When they are good they are very, very good, and Captain Neil Low is very good as he magically captures another era in his new book.
Thick as Thieves,the first installment in the Alan Stewart Mystery Series, ended 2008 as the Independent Mystery Bookseller Associations #3 trade paperback sold in Seattle. In addition, it was named a Readers Favorite by Seattle Times book editor Mary Ann Gwinn. Lows follow-up novel Sign of the Dragon (Tigress Publishing, 2009) ended 2009 at the #2 position.
For more information, visit Low's official website at www.neillow.com
About Low:
Retired as the Night Duty Commander for the Seattle Police Department, Low had been with the SPD for 50 years. Throughout his career, he commanded a variety of areas including Homicide and Violent Crimes, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Internal Affairs, and Advanced Training, Metropolitan Section and Special Planning, Homeland Security, and the aforementioned Night Duty Command.
Low began his writing career at the University of Washington's Bothell campus writing for the school's newspaper: The Bothell Commons. A Seattle native and graduate of Shoreline High School, Low now lives in Snohomish County. All eight of his novels will soon be available at independent bookstores, but right now are available only at select stores, Amazon.com, and Kindle.
When not writing short-stories or novels, Low works as a law enforcement consultant, specializing in procedures, tactics, training, and discipline. HeLow is available for author readings and guest appearances.
In support of his writing career, Low has held a number of signings and participated in special events such as the Tigress Wine and Words with Authors series and the Tigress Publishing Murder Mystery Tour featuring Neil Low--a behind the scenes walking tour focusing on Seattle's seedy past and notorious crime scenes in Pioneer Square.
Low has been featured regularly in print media, as well as on local talk radio and television, and has been a keynote speaker and panelist for such varied organizations as the City Arts Fest, NW Mystery Writers of America, the University of Washington, and WaState C.O.P.S., as well as the combined Mill Creek reading clubs. As a guest or speaker, Low engages audiences with lively tales of Seattle's seedy past; behind-the-scenes looks at real-life crime solving; the trials and tribulations of completing an education and launching a second career during the later stages of life, and how he personally approaches the writing process. With his wide ranging experience and extensive knowledge of Seattle's colorful past, Low makes a compelling interview or guest.
"
From shady hotels to catacombs under Chinatown and real-life local murder mysteries, Low expertly weaves elements of Seattles colorful past into the exploits of 1940s Seattle Private Investigator Alan Stewart. Since his debut novel Thick as Thieves (Tigress Publishing, 2008), Low has been receiving solid praise and attention. Noted true crime author Ann Rule strongly endorsed Lows debut, No one can write about cops and robbers like a real police officer. When they are good they are very, very good, and Captain Neil Low is very good as he magically captures another era in his new book.
Thick as Thieves,the first installment in the Alan Stewart Mystery Series, ended 2008 as the Independent Mystery Bookseller Associations #3 trade paperback sold in Seattle. In addition, it was named a Readers Favorite by Seattle Times book editor Mary Ann Gwinn. Lows follow-up novel Sign of the Dragon (Tigress Publishing, 2009) ended 2009 at the #2 position.
For more information, visit Low's official website at www.neillow.com
About Low:
Retired as the Night Duty Commander for the Seattle Police Department, Low had been with the SPD for 50 years. Throughout his career, he commanded a variety of areas including Homicide and Violent Crimes, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Internal Affairs, and Advanced Training, Metropolitan Section and Special Planning, Homeland Security, and the aforementioned Night Duty Command.
Low began his writing career at the University of Washington's Bothell campus writing for the school's newspaper: The Bothell Commons. A Seattle native and graduate of Shoreline High School, Low now lives in Snohomish County. All eight of his novels will soon be available at independent bookstores, but right now are available only at select stores, Amazon.com, and Kindle.
When not writing short-stories or novels, Low works as a law enforcement consultant, specializing in procedures, tactics, training, and discipline. HeLow is available for author readings and guest appearances.
In support of his writing career, Low has held a number of signings and participated in special events such as the Tigress Wine and Words with Authors series and the Tigress Publishing Murder Mystery Tour featuring Neil Low--a behind the scenes walking tour focusing on Seattle's seedy past and notorious crime scenes in Pioneer Square.
Low has been featured regularly in print media, as well as on local talk radio and television, and has been a keynote speaker and panelist for such varied organizations as the City Arts Fest, NW Mystery Writers of America, the University of Washington, and WaState C.O.P.S., as well as the combined Mill Creek reading clubs. As a guest or speaker, Low engages audiences with lively tales of Seattle's seedy past; behind-the-scenes looks at real-life crime solving; the trials and tribulations of completing an education and launching a second career during the later stages of life, and how he personally approaches the writing process. With his wide ranging experience and extensive knowledge of Seattle's colorful past, Low makes a compelling interview or guest.
"
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 24, 2012
I won a copy on Goodreads Firstreads.
This is actually the second Alan Stewart mystery.Following the advive of his mentor, Alan joins up with a group of secret agents trying to disrupt a network of Japanese spies in pre-WWII Seattle from shipping some much needed supplies of steel and brass to the Japanese war effort.He teams up with the female agent known as Tiger Lee.What starts as a fairly simple mission of checking on a missing sailor and a fellow agent, turns dangerous and complicated almost from the beginning.They end up facing off against The White Dragon, the female samurai who leads the Japanese spies.
This is not your typical noir spy thriller with the grizzled and cynical male lead facing off against a group of Nazis in some European setting. Alan is only 21 years old and is quite willing to learn anything Tiger Lee wants to teach him.In fact, there are several strong female characters that take the lead while the men follow.The setting is 1940 Seattle with Japanese spies, which also helps the story to stand out from the pack.
The characters are well-developed and interesting, both the good guys and the villians.The pacing is quick with lots of action making this a quick ride and fun ride.I look forward to exploring other books in the series.
My only problem with the book was the cover.I did not like the illustration on the front cover.Also, I found the red lettering on the back cover hard to read.Printer gremlins did cause a very few number of glitches.
This is actually the second Alan Stewart mystery.Following the advive of his mentor, Alan joins up with a group of secret agents trying to disrupt a network of Japanese spies in pre-WWII Seattle from shipping some much needed supplies of steel and brass to the Japanese war effort.He teams up with the female agent known as Tiger Lee.What starts as a fairly simple mission of checking on a missing sailor and a fellow agent, turns dangerous and complicated almost from the beginning.They end up facing off against The White Dragon, the female samurai who leads the Japanese spies.
This is not your typical noir spy thriller with the grizzled and cynical male lead facing off against a group of Nazis in some European setting. Alan is only 21 years old and is quite willing to learn anything Tiger Lee wants to teach him.In fact, there are several strong female characters that take the lead while the men follow.The setting is 1940 Seattle with Japanese spies, which also helps the story to stand out from the pack.
The characters are well-developed and interesting, both the good guys and the villians.The pacing is quick with lots of action making this a quick ride and fun ride.I look forward to exploring other books in the series.
My only problem with the book was the cover.I did not like the illustration on the front cover.Also, I found the red lettering on the back cover hard to read.Printer gremlins did cause a very few number of glitches.
December 9, 2012
Thank you to Goodreads for this autographed copy of Sign of the Dragon. The cover discouraged me from starting this book, and first third of the book made me want to put it on my discard pile. Maybe if I were male I would have enjoyed all the references to our hero’s aroused state, but I thought those comments could have been just as effective with a little more subtlety.
The author skillfully created a complex and fantastical story in a complicated and intricate setting (wartime Seattle, 1940), and as the story developed it kept me reading. It's a page-turner, all right. There’s enough blood and gore for everyone, and an abundance of intrigue. I finished the book and appreciate the author’s skill.
The author skillfully created a complex and fantastical story in a complicated and intricate setting (wartime Seattle, 1940), and as the story developed it kept me reading. It's a page-turner, all right. There’s enough blood and gore for everyone, and an abundance of intrigue. I finished the book and appreciate the author’s skill.
April 9, 2015
I have enjoyed all of these noir detective fiction set in 1930s Seattle. Written by an active Seattle PD captain, these books have enough action, detective work and Seattle nostalgia to keep me interested. I do hope that the White Dragon appears in another book in the series.
April 22, 2016
Good read
This is reality based on actual coditions that existed in pre war Seattle. The story is fiction but is accurate in that it is something that is very plausible.
This is reality based on actual coditions that existed in pre war Seattle. The story is fiction but is accurate in that it is something that is very plausible.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews