The Runner: China Thriller 5 (The China Thrillers)

The Runner Peter May. He was an award-winning journalist at the age of twenty-one and a published novelist at twenty-six. When his first book was adapted as a major drama series for the BCC, he quit journalism and during the high-octane fifteen years that followed, became one of Scotland's most successful television dramatists.

He created three prime-time drama series, presided over two of the highest-rated serials in his homeland as script editor and producer, and worked on more than 1, episodes of ratings-topping drama before deciding to leave television to return to his first love, writing novels. Book ratings by Goodreads. Goodreads is the world's largest site for readers with over 50 million reviews. We're featuring millions of their reader ratings on our book pages to help you find your new favourite book.

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The Runner: China Thriller 5 by Peter May (Paperback, 2017)

Breathtaking story, brilliantly executed. One of Peter May's best! May 12, Julie rated it liked it Shelves: Oh for those half stars. This one is teetering between 3 and 4.

Bestselling Series

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 Oh for those half stars. 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.

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But the books are readable and I do care about the main characters, so I'll surely read the last one anyway. 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 - bu This was my review for Kaiwaka Library 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. View all 4 comments.

The Runner : Peter May :

Jun 27, F rated it liked it. Interesting, as it is set in modern China. I have not read the earlier ones so had not met the Chinese detective and Margaret Campbell, who is now expecting his child, before.

Will probably try and find the earlier books now. I struggled with the place names. I like to be able to follow the locations of the action - which is why reading stories set in places I have visited is fun - and what would really delight me would be a map at the beginning or end marking the main locations and the routes be Interesting, as it is set in modern China. I like to be able to follow the locations of the action - which is why reading stories set in places I have visited is fun - and what would really delight me would be a map at the beginning or end marking the main locations and the routes between them.

But I suspect I am asking too much of a crime novel.

The Runner : China Thriller 5

At least there are online maps which I could use to satisfy my curiosity. Not sure how convincing I find the relationship between the two main protagonists,,,,, I like to listen to audio books and this was the only one of this series available at my library. I wish I had been able to start the series from the beginning.

Still, this was another glimpse at modern day China before I take my trip there in April. Maybe it wasn't the best choice as it is about serious crime in Beijing, but I don't think I'll be getting in with the Triads and other gang related activities! Aug 08, Nona rated it liked it Shelves: An excellent read by Peter MAY. His China Thrillers are well thought out and this one is very futuristic. Over time he has woven together a relationship for his main character and continues to explore and add to him and those around him.

He appears to have an understanding of the complexities of Chinese life and its differences in relation to Western countries. An excellent read and highly recommended. The key to the popularity of this series is the tempestuous relationship between the enigmatic Chinese detective Li Yan, and Dr Margaret Campbell, the acerbic pathologist from Chicago.

Scotsman Peter May has been winning praise for his vibrant portrayal of contemporary Chinese life and attention to scientific and medical detail. He is the only westerner to be made an honorary member of the Chinese Crime Writers' Association. May has been all over China and the USA to research his books and acknowledges the help given to him by the extraordinary people he has met. With an extensive network of contacts in China, he has gained unprecedented access to the homicide and forensic science sections of Beijing and Shanghai police forces to make a painstaking study of the methodology of Chinese detectives and pathologists.

Expert advisors from around the world, at the top of their chosen fields of genetics, science, forensic pathology and criminolgy ensure that the facts in his stories are accurate. May uses cutting edge science to provide a terrifying glimpse of what lies in store, from genetic modification in The Firemaker , to bio-terrorism in Snakehead.