Thoughts on: The Risk Agent by Ridley Pearson

June 19, 2012
Article first published asBook Review:The Risk Agentby Ridley Pearsonon Blogcritics.

About:
The Risk Agent by Ridley Pearson is a fictional mystery/thriller taking place in China. The book is the first of a new series.

The pub­lisher is giv­ing away one copy of this book—use the Raf­fle­copter form at the end of the post to enter.

  • 432 pages
  • Publisher: Putnam Adult
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0399158839

Book Review: The Risk Agent by Ridley PearsonMy rating for The Risk Agent4

Buy this book in paper or elec­tronic format

More Books by Ridley Pearson

Thoughts:
The Risk Agent by Ridley Pearson (website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest) is a whirlwind of a ride through the business world of China. While I don’t know enough about the business world in that part of the world, that part of the novel certainly seemed authentic to me and made for a fascinating read.

It seems that in China many companies, especially those who are not based in China, have a habit of giving incentives to government officials in order to gain the upper hand in the bidding process, or simply just flat out to get a job. Much like elections “incentives” (campaign donations), the act is frowned on officially but it seems to be the standard operating procedure (SOP) with a large amount of recipients but only selective victims.

The Risk Agent is not a quick read by any means, the novel is plotted extremely well and takes time to digest and follow, but the reward of going on a great adventure is well worth the investment in time.

The two main characters, John Knox and Grace Chu, are fully developed and we get to know them before the final page is done. It is amazing at how much character development goes into this novel while running around the backstreets of Shanghai.

I have said time and time again and one of the main reasons I like espionage novels is that they are mostly gray. The line distinguishing bad from good are often blurred and horse hair thin. The novel’s twists and turns had me guessing who is on whose side, what was most certain is that everyone has their own agenda which made the story more compelling.

An invigorating aspect of the book is the character of Grace Chu, a level headed accountant (and an ex-Chinese military). Contrasting Grace’s cool head and world view with John Knox’s impatience and impulsiveness added another interesting angle, as well as balance, to the story. While every partners story has some friction between the characters, I believe that this relationship

I believe that Mr. Pearson has created two of the most complex and fascinating characters which had the dubious pleasure of becoming partners. I, for one, am looking forward to their next exploits.

So tell me, who are your favorite fictional partners?

Synopsis:
The Rutherford Risk firm has a problem. They are trying to negotiate for a hostage which was taken in Shanghai, but are not allowed, by law, to investigate. The firm recruits two outsiders to bypass the Chinese laws, a dangerous game even when playing by the rules.

American Jon Knox, a civilian with military training, and Grace Chu, an accountant with military training, are put on the job. There are many things which are dangerous in corporate China, but following the money is certainly on top of the list.

Buy this book in paper or elec­tronic format

More Books by Ridley Pearson

Give­away

  • Give­away ends: June 26, 2012

  • US/Canada Ship­ping Addresses Only

  • No PO Boxes

  • Win­ners will have 24 hours to write back with their address, oth­er­wise an alter­nate win­ner will be picked

Congratulations: harvee44@

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer
: I got this book for free

BOOK BLOGGERS – Have you read The Risk Agent? If so link up your review below:

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20 Comments

  • Harvee LauJune 19, 2012 at 9:19 am

    Ridley is one of my favorite writers and I’d love to read his new series.

    harvee44 at yahoo.com

  • Julie RupertJune 19, 2012 at 9:55 am
  • VesperJune 19, 2012 at 2:54 pm
  • Carol WongJune 19, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    Shanghai is one my favorite cities. It has an exciting history. I would love to learn more about Pudong and the custom of guanxi! It has been too long since I have seen Shanghai.

  • CarlJune 19, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    They certainly did a nice job on the video. It was great to see some of the locations from the book. Kind of whets your appetite to read it.

    My email address is: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

  • CarlJune 19, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    I got so involved with the story I missed the question. Favorite fictional partners – there are plenty, our hero needs somebody to talk to after all. Let’s go with Batman and Robin

  • Sheila K.June 19, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    Thanks for hosting another great giveaway! My favorite fictional partners are Jeffery Deaver’s Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

  • MargieJune 19, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  • Stephanie @ Read in a Single SittingJune 19, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    This one sounds like an intriguing read, Zohar. My husband’s sister is currently living in China, and I hear a lot of stories about what it’s like to do business there!

    (I’m not eligible for the competition, but just wanted to stop by and say hello. 🙂 )

  • JonathanJune 19, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    Nice one. The land behind the Great Firewall of China is fertile ground for intrigue and adventure. I’ll have to look for something by this author in the future. Thanks, Z.

  • AngyJune 19, 2012 at 9:58 pm
  • LilianJune 20, 2012 at 12:28 am

    I haven’t hard of this novel, nor the author before..but I’m intrigued (partly because I’m Chinese). I will definitely keep my eye out for this novel~

    Thank you for the review and giveaway!
    Lilian @ A Novel Toybox

  • Carol MJune 20, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    Monk and Natalie

    mittens0831 at aol dot com

  • Laura HartnessJune 21, 2012 at 8:58 am

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    CalicoCritic@gmail.com

    CalicoCritic.blogspot.com

  • CarolsueJune 25, 2012 at 5:06 am

    I follow you on Networked Blogs (Carolsue Anderson)
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  • Anita YanceyJune 25, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    I would love to read this book. Thanks for having this giveaway.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  • mike draperJune 27, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    An excellent writer, I’d love to win this.
    Thanks for sponsoring the giveaway.

    Mike

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