The Firemaker
The China Thrillers, Book 1
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The Firemaker
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Narrated by:
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Peter Forbes
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By:
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Peter May
About this listen
A burned corpse is a disturbing mystery for Beijing detective Li Yan until he enlists forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell. Having abandoned a broken life in Chicago for her work, she's as determined as Li to ask difficult questions about the man's death. But some questions have answers they'd rather not hear - facts that others are desperate to conceal.
The Firemaker is the first in the acclaimed China series from Peter May, author of Runaway, Entry Island and the internationally best-selling Lewis Trilogy.
©1999 Peter May (P)2015 WF HowesListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"Peter May is an author I'd follow to the ends of the earth." (New York Times)
What listeners say about The Firemaker
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- anne
- 01-10-15
Excellent start to the series.
This is the second book in the China series that I've read although it's the first one published. It's an excellent beginning to the series and beautifully narrated by Peter Forbes who manages the Chinese names without a stumble! The story was well plotted and really evoked the atmosphere of life in China. The only negative for me was Margaret. One of the main characters. Sadly I found her to be irritating and abrasive. I wanted to either shake her or kick her backside. I know from a later book that she improves, let's hope it's by book two.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 21-09-15
Absolutely briiliant!
Wonderfully constructed story, wide and convincing knowledge of China, brilliant narration. Not to be missed!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- I OFarrell
- 03-05-18
Addictive
I’m a fan of May’s work and I prefer the audio versions read by Peter Forbes who gives May’s beautiful language a melodic voice. His books are usually set In Scotland and the Hebridean Isles but these stories centre on an American woman in China and I wasn’t sure if I liked it at first. I soon changed my mind.
The story unfolds and the detective element is balanced nicely with a hint of romance but not enough to put the book in the romance genre. Margaret is a strong female lead but she has very little power in China where, the moment she opens her mouth, every conceivable faux pas pops out resulting in loss of face for anyone nearby.
Li’s reluctance to get involved with Margaret is palpable but when they’re thrown together, he slowly begins to warm to her. Li’s innate innocence is endearing but his current case takes a turn for the personal.
May’s beautiful description and eye for the aesthetics in life still shines through even though the difference between his portrayal of China and that of Scotland are worlds apart and that is what makes his books so addictive.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Julie Gosling
- 29-10-19
thriller with relevance
sensitive characterisation, realistic plot
very topical themes set within China old and new - recommended read
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- gfplux
- 02-03-21
Just OK.
This is my first Peter May book. I would say quite good. I will try another of his books.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- L M Brown
- 16-12-17
BRILLIANT
Very GOOD and gripping. We couldn't stop listening! Will be getting the next one! Can't wait!
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Yonyon
- 02-03-17
Not enough thriller, too much romantic angst
Half of this book is not about the criminal and investigative procedures (SPOILER ALERT) but about the annoying romantic angst between the two main characters. Not to mention this book makes you cringe the way male writers often do when they describe a woman. Several references to seeing through shirts how a woman isn't wearing a bra.
I would have given it 2* if it wasn't for the quality of Peter Forbes narration.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MikeyC
- 08-03-17
Another Great Peter May book
Love the way he tells a great story as well as educating the reader about the various locations. Looking forward now to holidaying in China and, from previous books, the Isle of Lewis. Good thing is I've still only read 3 of his books and there are plenty more in his back catalogue.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Lee
- 25-01-18
The Firemaker.
Bought this as a BOGOF and I'm glad I did. I wanted to like it and I did but I didn't like Margaret (one of the main characters) I could have given her a good shake. The novel is peppered with info regarding China's past and present which I found interesting.
The who dun it itself was a bit weak as were the twists and turns and it did turn into a wee bit like a Mills and Boon at one point but not enough to discourage me from buying the next instalment. I'm hoping number two has a stronger storyline and more of a mystery to solve.
Narration was excellent.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- alwayssmiling
- 16-01-17
interesting and easy listening
read very well again. it was interesting to gain an insight into China . I do like Peter May books. this was easy to get into and to listen to as usual but I felt the story was a little weak and unlikely. that said I will download the next one in the series.
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9 people found this helpful