A Death in China

By: Carl Hiaasen, Bill Montalbano

Narrated by: James Yaegashi

An American investigating his mentor's murder finds himself ensnared in a web of lies and treachery in China, where even tomorrow's weather is a state secret. From a nightmarish interrogation to assassination by cobra, A Death in China takes readers on a trip with no rest stops through a world of claustrophobic mistrust and terrifying danger.

©1984 Carl Hiaasen / Bill Montalbano (P)2012 Recorded Books. LLC

Critic reviews

"Montalbano and Hiaasen have created a Middle Kingdom maelstrom of intrigues, deceits, lusts and canards." ( Wall Street Journal)

"A terrific story.... Montalbano and Hiaasen have brought it off splendidly." ( Time)

A tautly written, fast-paced thriller that captures the real China." ( The New York Times)

Mystery in China

Wait, when did we leave Florida?

This is a very non-Hiaasen Hiaasen mystery but with some elements of the original humorous mysteries... less humor, more mystery. William Montalbano lived in China for years where he worked as a foreign journalist, and it clearly shows. I taught in China for seven years and recognize good writing when I see it. Hats off to Mr Montalbano.

Narration is very good with proper Chinese pronunciations, which was a surprise.

Great story.

A great story and good performance. Some of the pauses were awkwardly long though. Overall though, a great listen.

not at all funny Carl, but that's just fine!

intricate, intriguing, murder mystery set mostly in China. Well crafted with some great surprises. As a bonus, you learned some history you probably did not know about China Recommended.

Not the book you were looking for

If you enjoyed the wit and humor of Carl Hiaasen’s best selling novels, you have come to the wrong place. This is a murder mystery along the lines of author Michael Connelly or Lee Child, but not as good. Imagine Stephen King writing a John Grishamesque legal thriller. He could totally do it, but would you want to read it?

Poor use of a credit.

What did you like best about A Death in China? What did you like least?

This is a Hiaasen from the early 80's and is nothing like what the lovers of Hiassen have come to expect. It is further drug down by a poor choice in readers. He is not terrible but neither is he particularly good. The timing is just off. This makes it a so-so book with a so-so reader and a real disappointment for Hiassen fans.