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The Chinaman

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About this listen

 The "Chinaman" understood death.

Jungle-skilled, silent, and lethal, he had killed for the Viet Cong and then for the Americans. He had watched helpless as his two eldest daughters were raped and killed by Thai pirates. Now, all that was behind him. Quiet, hard-working, and unassuming, he was building up his South London take-away business - until the day his wife and youngest daughter were murdered by an IRA bomb. Then he began to ask the authorities who were the men responsible, what was being done - and was turned away, fobbed off, treated as a nuisance. That was when the Chinaman, denied justice, decided on revenge...and went back to war.

©1992 Stephen Leather (P)2007 Isis Publishing Ltd. Action & Adventure Mystery Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting Scary

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Critic reviews

" The Chinaman is a gem of a thriller, perfectly constructed and full of the unexpected." ( Library Journal)
Most relevant
Great concept covering Asian gorilla warfare to the horrors of the IRA troubles with deceit,mis trust ,good range of interesting characters to pack this thriller out
Bottom line great read that keeps giving

Classic British thriller with a twist

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Early 20th century writer Ronald Knox notoriously specified 10 rules for writing mystery stories. Rule 5 was "No Chinaman must figure in the story". It's a really daft piece of advice, as this brilliant novel shows (presumably deliberately).

Brilliant thriller concept

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I thought this was an excellent “read”, I listened to it in 2 days, and was gripped. I had seen the excellent film with Jackie Chan - it differed slightly, but was still enthralling. Would recommend.

Loved this story

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Expertly written, paced and narrated story of an unlikely hero seeking justice for his murdered family.

The Chinaman

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utterly gripping from start to finish. the detail of research is plainly evident in the depth of the characters. loved it

beautifully written and performed. my favourite book so far !!

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Well I first read the Solitary Man and now went back to this one and found it more gripping. I gave The Solitary Man 5 out of 5 before reading this one and actually found it better. wish audible would allow me to go back to rate this one as 5 and the previous as 4 but actually both deserve 5s! Heartbreaking in parts but stirring in others this book reinforces my thoughts to go through all the stephen leather books on audible.

New to Stephen Leather

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Interesting storyline that keeps you gripped to the last word. Excellent scene “set ups” not overlong so allowing the action to proceed without padding Highly recommended

Leather triumphs again

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A painfull time for the UK has been spun into gripping story. Just murder, lust, politics and the vietnam war.

Great

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Stephen Leather has excelled himself with this story. Unusual characters, poignant thread running through the narrative. Detail of military procedures, and depth of knowledge that demonstrates patient research of unusual subject matter.
The character of the Chinaman is beautifully woven into the story, and he grows in stature and prominence that demands respect and admiration.
Engrossing twists and turns that evolve with pace to the logical, if unexpected, conclusion.

One of his best yet!

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the story was excellent as I have come to appreciate with leathers books. However, in my opinion the nattater spoke very quick and without feeling on some parts. Not Stevens usual person.

Enjoyed

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