Runner, The: A China Thriller (China Thrillers)

Runner, The: A China Thriller (China Thrillers)

From Publishers Weekly In May's engaging fifth entry in his contemporary China series (Snakehead, etc.), American-born forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell is trying to take it easy, awaiting the birth of her first child. Her soon-to-be-husband, Section Chief Li Yan of the Beijing police, isn't so lucky-he's overwhelmed with dead bodies. Li reluctantly enlists Margaret's aid after five Chinese athletes turn up dead. Suspecting that a suicide and several accidents are murder, Li must discover the truth while preventing a major scandal as the country prepares for the Beijing Olympics. Worse still is the imminent arrival of Li's estranged father and Margaret's mother for the couple's nuptials. A fluid plot, rounded characters, and deft handling of two very different cultures make this a winner. Readers should note that the sixth installment, Chinese Whispers, was published in the U.S. in 2009. (Feb.) Copyright