Feb 20, 2022

Book Review: The Lost Dragon Murder by Michael Allan Mallory: Sunday Salon

 


The Lost Dragon Murder by Michael Allan Mallory, December 31, 2021, BookLocker

Genre: traditional detective novel

First paragraph:
For a man who hated violence Henry Lau was awfully good at it. Well schooled in the way of the fist, he had considerable experience in its use....

My comments:
As the first in a planned series of mystery and police procedural novels featuring Detective Henry Lau, The Lost Dragon Murder introduces the main character and his side kick, his niece Detective Janet Lau, in some detail.

Henry has practiced the traditional Chinese art of Wing Chun kung fu for over 20 years, and is therefore an expert in it.  For self defense as well as to form a philosophy of life, Wing Chun allows Henry to cope with life's vagiaries, including the trauma of the loss of his great love, Kay. 

When Henry saves the life of a professor of Asian Studies in an apparent mugging, little did he know that the same professor would again be targeted because of a one-of-a-kind Chinese bronze dragon figurine. This priceless item is sought not only by an unknown collector but also by the Chinese government seeking the return of cultural artifacts.

I enjoyed the book because of the detailed character development as well as the plot and its action. I'm looking forward to more of Detective Lau in future books in the new series. 

What are you planning to read this week?


27 comments:

  1. I'm trying a nonfiction book, South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation. I've seen good reviews of it.

    I'm glad you enjoyed the first Henry Lau detective novel so much. Detailed character development is something I love to find in a novel.

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    1. I’ll read nonfiction by snd by. I always like a good mystery novel!

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  2. Sounds like a good detective novel with a unique setting. I definitely read for the characters, so detailed character development is a plus for me.

    I am currently reading A Trail of Lie by Kylie Logan. Have a great weekend!

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    1. The characters make the novel as much as the story line, I agree.

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  3. Thanks for reading "The Lost Dragon Murder," Harvee, and for the review. For those who haven't read it, the story isn't dark. While the book has serious moments, there's also a good amount of humor.

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    1. Yes, the novel is lighter than many detective novels, which makes it much easier to read!

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  4. I like the sound of this. Kung fu is fascinating to me not just as a martial art but for its philosophy, and seems like that would be a neat element.

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    1. It is, Greg,and that makes the main character so much more interesting.

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  5. I like mysteries! I like the rather unique spin on the average detective story here. Looks good!

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  6. The Lost Dragon Murder looks tempting. Enjoy your week, and here are my WEEKLY UPDATES

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  7. Sounds good. I read a lot of mysteries. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Mysteries are my favs too! Thanks for visiting!

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  8. I need to look into this series, always fun to discover some unique dimensions in mysteries. Have a great week

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    1. Glad you like the review, Emma! Thanks for the vusit!

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  9. Looks good! I like noir detective stories. My Monday bookshelf is up!
    http://www.lyndonperrywriter.com/2022/02/book-date-monday-amreading-feb-21.html

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    1. The author says the book is not really noir, and I agree as it has some light spots! Thanks for commenting!

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    2. Just to be clear, the novel is a traditional detective story, more of a whodunit with humor and satire with serious, deeper moments. You can sample the first four chapters here: https://assets.booklocker.com/pdfs/12138s.pdf

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    3. Michael A Mallory, the problem with books and readers is that the author has one thing in mind and the reader(s) may see something else entirely. Or more or less than the author may expect. I had one writer really stumped because I liked his main character so much and wantd to see a sequel. He may have wanted the reader's attention elsewhere. Best of luck with the follow up in the series. I hope the comments here gave you some more insight into what some readers/bloggers like in a mystery.

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    4. And I was stumped that that author was stumped or dismayed. He was or is a medical doctor and this was his first, and last, historical novel. No follow up, too bad.

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  10. I love mysteries and this one sounds really good.

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  11. This does sound good. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

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  12. Sounds like a good read, especially the characterisations. :)

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I appreciate your comments and thoughts...

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