China Trade

This was the first book I'd read from Ms. Rozan, and I wasn't sorry. She takes you into the wonderful world of Chinatown for a ride you won't forget. This book was so good that it got me reading all of her available books. Try any one of them, and I'm sure you'll be pleased.

New York P.I. Lydia Chin is investigating the theft of Chinese export porcelains from the Chinatown Pride museum. With the help of her sometimes partner, Bill Smith, her investigation leads her through Chinatown into the world of Chinese gangs and what she finds there is heartbreaking and tragic. As a good Chinese daughter Lydia still lives with her mother, rare in a hard-boiled detective series. Of course, Lydia's very traditional family is horrified by her career choice which is in turn humorous and frustrating. This is fine start to an intriguing series with each book alternating between Lydia and Bill's point-of-view.

Much better than Grafton, with more interesting characters. Comparable to Jance, perhaps. But forget the comparisons; this is a really good book. If you can find it (try the library), read it.

Rozan, who's also an architect, writes a terrific mystery. This book, the first in the series, introduces Lydia Chin, a twenty-something Chinese-American PI whose mom hates what she does for a living and whose White partner pines for her. Chin has a similar attitude to Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone, but is greener and more vulnerable. She's believable, likeable, and interesting. S.J. Rozan is definitely an up-and-comer in this genre.

Rozan has created an exciting,funny,courageous and intelligent detective team. Lydia Chin and Bill Smith have a great working relationship and Bill would like it to be more. Hopefully Lydia is moving in that direction as well. The dialogue is sharp and funny, the plot plausible and fast. I tore through the first three books in this series and I am ready to start the fourth. Enjoy!Ree-views