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.
Buy this book in paper or electronic format
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
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:
A.H. Raskin (26 April, 1911 – 22 December, 1993) was a reporter, writer, and assistant…
I hated the author’s passive-aggressive agenda. It just rubbed me the wrong way and seemed…
Teachers can help kids stay strong in bad times, and together they can strive by…
Sarah Kemble Knight - teacher & diarist. Her journey from Boston to New York provides…
Billy Boyle wakes up in Sicily, with amnesia. He doesn’t remember what happened, or who…
Wanderlust: An Eccentric Explorer, An Epic Journey, A Lost Age is a biography of Peter…
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
Ridley is one of my favorite writers and I'd love to read his new series.
harvee44 at yahoo.com
julierupert@gmail.com
meiklesurvey@gmail.com
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.
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
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
Good choice Carl.
Thanks for hosting another great giveaway! My favorite fictional partners are Jeffery Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
I just checked out Deaver's books. Look intriguing. Thanks for the heads up.
Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
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. :) )
Cool Stephanie. Are "incentives" common there?
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.