Shanghai Gold

by Thomas Sturm

1949. Shanghai is in turmoil as the Communist army approaches. In the ensuing chaos, a young crime lord loses a treasure of priceless value. 2008. Dean Lashure discovers a roll of film in an ancient camera, but he does not realize that what he is about to see will change his life forever. What starts out as a romantic treasure hunt turns into something darker and far more dangerous when the Hong Kong Triads get involved. Finding the gold is suddenly only the beginning...

Genres: Thriller

260 pages, Paperback

First published September 23, 2010

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not everyone in the world has 'a novel in them' and some people might have a novel in them, but that doesn't mean they should try and write it. This book was one of those. For starters, the writing was pretty awful, with almost every amateur writing mistake possible rearing its ugly head. The characters were completely wooden. The love affair (embarked on after the two main characters had known each other for all of about 5 seconds), and then the saccharine sweet friendship with the couple in Shanghai were cringeworthy. Obviously the author was uncomfortable writing intimacy and unable to write about real, nuanced friendships. And then there was the plot. Was this supposed to by mystery? or fantasy? It didn't really work in either case. The grounds upon which Karen and Dean dropped everything and flew to Shanghai, and then Mike and Jai dropped everything to get involved were so flimsy it was beyond belief. And the photographs? What on earth did they have to do with anything? Oh and we're expected to believe that the head of some version of the Triads (or triads - capitalisation changed frequently) had been renting rooms for over 50 years, knowing that they were the last place several million dollars worth of gold had been seen, but had never bothered to go down the chimney above the rooms to look for it. But Dean and Mike were in the building for 5 more seconds and wow! They've found the gold! (And a skeleton of a dead guy, who had mysteriously decomposed without anyone in the adjoining rooms smelling anything at all in the summer humidity). There were hints of ghosts...but no, that idea never went anywhere. There were hints of philosopher stone style immortality, but even that wasn't developed. In fact, very little was developed in this book. 250 odd pages of words - that was about it.

It was actually painful reading this book. Hours of my life, never to get back.

[MsFolio * · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an Action/Thriller this book was an interesting read, but not a "page turner". It is competently written and is an easy read with some interesting ideas.

The four main characters are likable, but not well developed as individuals; representing a homogeneous "character type". The plot, while serviceable, did not provide any real moral challenges for the protagonists, nor any sustained physical danger, leading to an overall lack of tension in the book.

[Kent · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good story that needed some filling in. The story about the missing Shanghai gold was well plotted, the mystery monks a little unbelievable, but I could understand the author's need for them in his plot.
Part way through a good proof reading would have been advantageous.
We have the bones of a good read, just needs some meat.
I would be unlikely to read this author again.

[Alison]

kindle mystery -action