A Death in China

Hiassen’s humorous, stinging work about the venality of Florida and the southern scene are missing here. In addition, the hero Is beaten up so much that he should be in a nursing home but he bounces back like the Energizer bunny and manages to solve a mystery in China and doesn’t speak Mandarin. Unbelievable is an under statement about the book .

When I think of Carl His son's books, I think of his great books set in the craziness of Florida. I've always enjoyed his writings, but was surprised to see that this one was set in a different part of the world.Hesitantly, I began to read and before I knew it, was immersed in this fascinating story which takes place in a modern day China not many of us are familiar with.The protagonist is a Veteran from the turmoil of the Viet Nam War who is fighting his own battles against the memories an experiences of that dark time.When the elderly scholar who has become his friend and mentor dies during a trip to China to visit his brother, a series of events are set in motion that are shocking and dangerous.This is a very enjoyable book. I highly recommend it

This is a much different Hiaasan novel than I usually read. I got this book because I enjoy reading Hiassan. Most of his novels are localized in the Miami area, but this is his first or one of his first novels, and has nothing to do with Miami. It also lacks the irreverent stamp that Hiaasan has on his more recent novels. This is just a straight forward mystery. Mike Stratton is a Viet Nam vet, with a history. He goes to China with a tour group and ends up in the same area he was in during drop into China during the Viet Nam War. It is readable and entertaining, although kind of unbelievable. Stratton gets himself into impossible situations, but always manages, miraculously, to get out of them. But it was enjoyable and for that I give it 4 stars.

First I have to say I am a big fan of Carl Hiaasen. Very big fan! This book was a little different from his usual writings but it was wonderful. It was a very pleasant surprise. It had everything in a story you could ask for, a very fast paced mystery, a little romance, history, a great cast of characters, a book that once you start you really do not want to stop reading for anything. I highly recommend it.

The cover goes BIG on Carl Hiaasen's name because he has the recognition, but this is one of a number of books he co-wrote with Bill Montalbano before he went solo. It ain't your vintage, Florida-based, character-driven, Hiaasen, and you will be disappointed if that's what you go in expecting to find. This was originally published in 1984, and it shows as it hasn't aged well; if you want to find out what CH was up to way back when, give it a spin to see how much he has progressed, otherwise give it a miss.

When I start skimming through the end of the book it is a good sign the story has gotten predictable or repetitive. Towards the end of A Death In China the story became very predictable and formulaic. I find when a popular author take on a coauthor the writing goes down the tubes. The author turns into a book mill churning out novels using less imaginative writers. Carl Hiaasen has written many good and fun to read summer books. This was not one of them. Look for books written by him only and avoid ones with coauthors.

I’m always suspicious when well-known writer suddenly takes on a co-author. I thought I’d give this one a chance.No, I am not upset that this book was not about the crazy Florida underworld. If an author seeks to go out into a new direction I’m OK with it. However, this book dragged and it did not inspire me to take breaks from whatever I was doing to go read a chapter.Putting Carl Hiaason’s name on the cover is sure to boost sales. Give us, your readers, more of that Carl Hiaason word smithing for which you are so well known.

I am most familiar with Hiaasen's crazy books about the strange people who live in Florida. They are laugh-out-loud funny. A Death in China, however, is an adventure-spy novel, written in the 1970s, about a Viet Nam veteran, subsequently a college professor, who goes to China on a tour. Some of the occurrences are less than believable, but the story held my interest nevertheless.

Gripping thriller demonstrating Carl's varied writing ability He seems to be able to do everything from comedy to thrillers like this. My only criticism is he mixes Chinese time periods for example the plot is set in China some years post revolution yet he refers to Peking rather than the correct name at that time of Beijing. It's a small point but irritating and detracts from the enjoyment of the book

I`ve read everthing there is by Carl Hiaasen, so I decided to try out this book, as it`s at least half a Hiaasen book. The style is different,yes, but that was to be expected. It had everything from archaeolgy to espionage to love interest.. sound familiar? this is a much abused genre-mix, but "A Death in China" just pulls it off.It`s believable, seems to be very well researched (the portrait of china`s political climate in the 80s is very gripping) and it`s very entertaining (my main reason for reading books.would it recommend in a heartbeat!

I have been away from Carl Hiassen for a while - I was beginning to find his cynical observation of human nature a bit repetitive. I was pleasantly surprised by A Death, it's just a well written and very enjoyable adventure yarn which I found hard to put down.

Great book taking us back in time to old China about the struggle for one man to find peace for his best friend.

good