The Killing Room

By: Peter May

Narrated by: Peter Forbes

When a mass grave containing eighteen mutilated female corpses is discovered in Shanghai, detective Li Yan is sent from Beijing to establish if the bodies are linked to an unsolved murder in the capital. Here, Li will be working with Mei Ling, deputy head of Shanghai's serious crime squad.

Mei Ling is a formidable woman: a fact that is not lost on Li's on-again, off-again lover, forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell. But when Campbell, vulnerable and still grieving the death of her father, learns that the victims were subjected to "live" autopsies, she swallows her pride and joins Li Yan and Mei Ling in the hunt for the murderer.

As Li, Campbell, and Mei Ling enter the arena of a sickening nemesis they are forced to confront each of their very worst nightmares.

Critic reviews

"The Killing Room is a brisk, solidly plotted police procedural, with lots of gritty forensic details."—Mystery Scene Magazine

"Li and Campbell's fine third case provides thrills, chills, and a window into current Chinese lifestyles."—Kirkus Reviews

"Rewarding . . . May offers a little politics, a little romance, and a lot of autopsy details."—Publishers Weekly

"Margaret's expertise is made more use of in this book than hitherto, and those who like discoveries from the mortuary slab will find this outing particularly satisfying. The urgency to find the culprit, the frustrations of the task, and the romantic entanglements mean that, as with earlier books in the series, there is barely a dull moment as the book rushes to an exciting conclusion."—Crime Review

Praise for Peter May
"Peter May is an author I'd follow to the ends of the earth."—Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times

"He is a terrific writer doing something different."—Mark Billingham, bestselling author of the Tom Thorne series

"From the first page I knew I was in safe hands. I knew I could trust this writer."—Sophie Hannah, bestselling writer of The Monogram Murders

A Little Less Romance

Great story. Usual fine knowledge of Asia. Too much of a Romantic Novel for 5 stars

Good story but

The depiction of China is great and the story is interesting but the women are portrayed as immature and emotionally unstable .

A thrilling ride

Peter May’s books are always interesting and keep one guessing to the end, and Peter Forbes’ narration is unparalleled.

Not really a crime story or procedural

So it's not the worst book I've ever listened to but extremely disappointed as it is not as advertised. It's more of a choppy relationship drama with two women bickering over the main character like 7th graders do. With kind of a serial killer story sprinkled in, but with zero depth and predictable "twist" at the end.

But of a formula by book 3

As another reviewer suggested, needs a female editor as there were some poor stereotype choices in this book.
Great narrator