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Ava Lee #4
The Red Pole of Macau
Ava is called upon to protect her family’s future in the latest installment of the acclaimed Ava Lee novels.
Ava’s half-brother Michael is desperate to pull out of a multi-million-dollar real-estate deal in the territory of Macau. The developers are threatening to halt construction unless Michael and his business partner put up another $80 million; the bank is looking for repayment on their loan; and her father is prepared to sell everything to protect his first-born son.
When Uncle is unable to help, Ava is forced to turn to a former client, the cunning and seductive May Ling Wong. As Ava untangles the twisted money trail, she finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into Hong Kong’s dark and deadly world of organized crime.
Will Ava protect her family’s future? Or will this job lead to a violent end…
Ava’s half-brother Michael is desperate to pull out of a multi-million-dollar real-estate deal in the territory of Macau. The developers are threatening to halt construction unless Michael and his business partner put up another $80 million; the bank is looking for repayment on their loan; and her father is prepared to sell everything to protect his first-born son.
When Uncle is unable to help, Ava is forced to turn to a former client, the cunning and seductive May Ling Wong. As Ava untangles the twisted money trail, she finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into Hong Kong’s dark and deadly world of organized crime.
Will Ava protect her family’s future? Or will this job lead to a violent end…
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2012
26 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
Ian Hamilton
27 books351 followersIan Hamilton has been a journalist, a senior executive with the federal government, a diplomat, and a businessman with international links. He has written for several magazines and newspapers in Canada and the U.S., including Maclean's, Boston Magazine, Saturday Night, Regina Leader Post, Calgary Albertan, and the Calgary Herald. His nonfiction book, The Children's Crusade, was a Canadian Book of the Month Club selection.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
April 2, 2019
Ahem, aaand Ms Lee's tendency to consume inordinate amounts of the Starbucks VIA instant coffee is starting to refreshingly decline as in this book she her usage of it is referenced only twice:
1/ So she made a Starbucks VIA instant coffee, read the South China Morning Post, and then headed downstairs to the business centre with her notebook.
2/ She opened a sachet of Starbucks VIA instant coffee and made her first cup of the morning.
Yeah, hidden ads. I know, I know. Harmless enough, though.
1/ So she made a Starbucks VIA instant coffee, read the South China Morning Post, and then headed downstairs to the business centre with her notebook.
2/ She opened a sachet of Starbucks VIA instant coffee and made her first cup of the morning.
Yeah, hidden ads. I know, I know. Harmless enough, though.
January 29, 2019
Still recovering from all of her jet setting in the last book, Ava is compelled to travel to Hong Kong to help her half-brother, Michael, who is in serious trouble in connection with developing a mall in Macau for the Chinese. His local partners are demanding more money without having started construction. Michael's partners are ex-Triad businessmen, who are surprised by Ava's violent defense when things turn ugly. Michael's business partner is taken hostage, and Ava is forced to ask Uncle and another person, whom she is loathe to ask for help. Hard to believe that the rest of this series is not available in the U.S. Shame on publisher, Picador, for only having 4 of the 8 published here.
September 21, 2013
Is the mainstream mystery-reading public ready for a lesbian leading lady? I think so, especially when that lead is someone like Ava Lee, so controlled, fastidious, and (can I say?) moral in her professional work, she does not push her sexuality to the forefront. This book opens, however, “to the sensation of lips kissing her forehead. She opened her eyes to semi-darkness and saw her girlfriend, Maria, hovering over her, her face in shadow.” Ava understands that others might have reservations about her lifestyle, but she rock-solid sure their concerns are not her own.
The books in this series never fail to arouse my interest, partly because Ava is so finely drawn and so exceptional that we are curious how she will react in any situation. Things don’t always go well in her chosen profession as forensic accountant chasing deadbeats who don’t honor their financial commitments. While Ava can’t be said to be fearless (we are privy to her anxieties), she is darn near flawless in her execution (and yes, this is a double-entendre). I am still horrified when Ava makes good on her threats of violence, but this is fiction after all, though fiercely intelligent and involving international fiction it is.
A Canadian filmmaker, Karen Walton, has been chosen to turn the books into a film series, and I sincerely hope all the follow-on choices of actors, directors, producers can keep pace with the standards set by this fictional character. She is something else altogether and it could be a wildly successful film franchise.
In sum, buy the books—start with The Water Rat of Wanchai. You may have to buy from House of Anansi Press in Canada (houseofanansi.com) but do yourself a favor. These are completely addictive.
The books in this series never fail to arouse my interest, partly because Ava is so finely drawn and so exceptional that we are curious how she will react in any situation. Things don’t always go well in her chosen profession as forensic accountant chasing deadbeats who don’t honor their financial commitments. While Ava can’t be said to be fearless (we are privy to her anxieties), she is darn near flawless in her execution (and yes, this is a double-entendre). I am still horrified when Ava makes good on her threats of violence, but this is fiction after all, though fiercely intelligent and involving international fiction it is.
A Canadian filmmaker, Karen Walton, has been chosen to turn the books into a film series, and I sincerely hope all the follow-on choices of actors, directors, producers can keep pace with the standards set by this fictional character. She is something else altogether and it could be a wildly successful film franchise.
In sum, buy the books—start with The Water Rat of Wanchai. You may have to buy from House of Anansi Press in Canada (houseofanansi.com) but do yourself a favor. These are completely addictive.
February 27, 2017
Fast-paced, almost more of an adventure thriller rather than one putting to use Ava Lee's skills as a forensic accountant, I consider this book to be a "bridging" attempt in the series. All of Ava Lee's friend's and family to date are part of this novel, and she is out to rescue her rather inept half brother Michael and his partner Simon from financial ruin, to save their father's involvement and the damage to the three Chinese wives and dependent children.
It isn't my favourite in the series, but in good faith- since the ratings are so strong for the series in general- I will carry on with Ian Cameron's next book.
Three stars...kind of average for the spunky Ava Lee.
It isn't my favourite in the series, but in good faith- since the ratings are so strong for the series in general- I will carry on with Ian Cameron's next book.
Three stars...kind of average for the spunky Ava Lee.
December 30, 2012
I downloaded this ebook for free as part of Apple's 12 Days of Christmas free apps. This is the first ebook I've read on my iPhone and actually didn't mind it. I can see the appeal of ereaders!
I am not familiar with Ian Hamilton's Ava Lee series of books, but I would definitely read another one. I love that Ava Lee, the protagonist, is a strong young woman doing what most people are used to reading about men doing: helping the good guys. She figures out the problem and works with a network of supportive colleagues to resolve the issues. There is always a crime and some borderline legal actions taking place. But reading about a confident and extremely competent young Chinese Canadian woman planning the steps and not afraid to take them is quite exciting.
The book is very well written, nicely paced for the tension and action. At the same time, Hamilton draws in-depth characters. I can see why this series is successful: Ava Lee is revealed slowly and deliberately, building the reader's interest in her.
I'm looking forward to discovering other books in the series.
I am not familiar with Ian Hamilton's Ava Lee series of books, but I would definitely read another one. I love that Ava Lee, the protagonist, is a strong young woman doing what most people are used to reading about men doing: helping the good guys. She figures out the problem and works with a network of supportive colleagues to resolve the issues. There is always a crime and some borderline legal actions taking place. But reading about a confident and extremely competent young Chinese Canadian woman planning the steps and not afraid to take them is quite exciting.
The book is very well written, nicely paced for the tension and action. At the same time, Hamilton draws in-depth characters. I can see why this series is successful: Ava Lee is revealed slowly and deliberately, building the reader's interest in her.
I'm looking forward to discovering other books in the series.
February 28, 2014
This was a wonderful escapist thrill read! I so enjoy the intelligent competent Ava Lee who gives an exciting twist to being a forensic accountant. Her job is to recover missing money and valuable possessions in touchy delicate situations often with unsavory persons. In this book, she takes on an assignment that is personal and while Ava is razor-sharp as always, she needs to delicately balance her family dynamics against what is necessary to save her half-brother’s business and his partners life. This storyline allow us to see a more vulnerable Ava and she learns some valuable business lessons. This story unfolds in Hong Kong and Macau, the landscape, culture, business protocols and of course the food reveal the multi-faceted complexities that will challenge Ava in her latest adventure.
This is the perfect book for putting the stress of everyday life aside and immersing yourself in a world of mesmerizing secrets, intrigue and risky ventures. I look forward to reading the next Ava Lee adventure
This is the perfect book for putting the stress of everyday life aside and immersing yourself in a world of mesmerizing secrets, intrigue and risky ventures. I look forward to reading the next Ava Lee adventure
January 12, 2014
I would give this one 3.5 stars if I could. I've read all of the books in the series that are available in the US at this point and I think this one's the best. What made this one more enjoyable than the others? The plot featured much less jetting around all over the globe and focused more on two locales: Hong Kong and, especially, Macau. I think it gave a good sense of how quickly Macau has gone from being an island with its own complex ethnic history and traditions and its own sordid past to an island with gigantic casinos and hotels perched on it as invitations to a sordid present. I was particularly struck (who knows why) by the detail that the hotels are tremendously over-built already, though construction is ongoing. No one planned for the fact that most of the business comes from mainland Chinese who come only to gamble and spend no extra money on fancy hotel rooms and luxury goods. Doesn't sound like a place I want to visit!
Anyway, the settings and plot were focused and a woman who was prominent in the previous novel of the series played a very important role, while Ava has to basically be forced to even speak to her, because her anger and distrust linger. The relationship and grudging mutual respect that develop required that Hamilton create characters with greater depth and he's done that here. I especially enjoyed this new sensitivity to characterization. Some of the story is unbelievable, particularly the violent climax, but I was able to suspend my disbelief because Hamilton doesn't hesitate to scatter the bodies around and I was curious about whether any important characters would be killed. The writing is still humdrum but the product placements (the Cartier Tank Watch! The Brooks Brothers shirts! The Chanel suits! Starbucks VIA coffee!) are a little less intrusive. But he should just cut that OUT. Make the movie already!
Anyway, the settings and plot were focused and a woman who was prominent in the previous novel of the series played a very important role, while Ava has to basically be forced to even speak to her, because her anger and distrust linger. The relationship and grudging mutual respect that develop required that Hamilton create characters with greater depth and he's done that here. I especially enjoyed this new sensitivity to characterization. Some of the story is unbelievable, particularly the violent climax, but I was able to suspend my disbelief because Hamilton doesn't hesitate to scatter the bodies around and I was curious about whether any important characters would be killed. The writing is still humdrum but the product placements (the Cartier Tank Watch! The Brooks Brothers shirts! The Chanel suits! Starbucks VIA coffee!) are a little less intrusive. But he should just cut that OUT. Make the movie already!
September 18, 2012
The Red Pole of Macau features forensic accountant Ava Lee who is a kickass heroine. Yes, I said accountant and kickass in the same sentence. In addition to a calculator, Ava possesses some scary martial arts skills. She is called to Hong Kong to help her half brother Michael who she has only met once. He and his business partner, Simon, bought into an investment in Macau with a property developer. A year later, nothing has happened with the property and the developer is demanding an additional influx of cash to get construction started. Ava soon discovers that members of a Triad are involved and there is no room for negotiation. But Ava has friends of her own and she doesn't intend to lose.
This is a fast-paced, action romp with no dull moments. Ian Hamilton has written a strong, young female lead without going over the top. Hong Kong and Macau provide a colourful background for the story. It was a very enjoyable read and I'll be picking up other books in this series.
This is a fast-paced, action romp with no dull moments. Ian Hamilton has written a strong, young female lead without going over the top. Hong Kong and Macau provide a colourful background for the story. It was a very enjoyable read and I'll be picking up other books in this series.
January 12, 2019
Ava Lee ist nach ihrem letzten Einsatz in der chinesischen Provinz Hubei noch nicht wieder zu Atem gekommen, als sie sich um eine dringende Familienangelegenheit kümmern muss. Ihr älterer Bruder Michael aus der ersten Ehe ihres Vaters hat in Macao ein Immobiliengeschäft in den Sand gesetzt, das die Geschäfte seines Vaters und damit die Existenz der gesamten Familie Lee (mit drei Ehefrauen und 8 erwachsenen Kindern) ruiniert haben könnte. Michael, der als erster Sohn einmal Oberhaupt des Clans sein wird, und Ava haben sich erst kürzlich zum ersten Mal getroffen. Ava lebt, wie ihre Mutter und ihre Schwester in Toronto und ist auf schwierige Fälle spezialisiert, in denen Geschäftspartner gegen das Gesetz von Treu und Glauben verstoßen und sich mit Geldbeträgen in Millionenhöhe abgesetzt haben. Michael hat einem Freund vertraut, der einem Freund vertraut hat – der Ruf beider Geschäftsleute wurde nicht überprüft und der geschlossene, überaus wortkarge Vertrag, schon gar nicht. Wenn zukünftige Bosse unbedingt aus eigenen Fehlern lernen müssen, warum müssen es gleich Millionensummen sein, könnte man sich hier fragen.
Ava übernimmt den Fall als „reine Familienangelegenheit“ - für sie bedeutet das, dass sie ihren chinesischen Geschäftspartner „Onkel“ Chow nicht informiert – und schneidet sich damit von Onkels umfangreichem Wissen und seinen Beziehungen zu den chinesischen Triaden ab. Man fragt seinen väterlichen, hoch geachteten Partner ja nicht unbedingt, Onkel hast du eigentlich früher mal für die chinesische Mafia gearbeitet. Ebenso wenig würde Ava fragen, Onkel hast du schon mal über deine Nachfolge nachgedacht. Während in Hongkong und Macao Avas Telefone heiß laufen, können Ian Hamiltons Leser der kessen Kanadierin mit chinesischen Wurzeln dabei über die Schulter schauen, wie sie Michaels Millionen zurückzuholen versucht. Als einer der Beteiligten entführt wird, ist auch Ava klar, dass sie ohne spezielle Kenntnisse über die Sitten in Macao und ohne Onkels kräftige Kerle mit den riesigen Tattoos nicht weiterkommen wird. Dass man nicht auf Märkten aktiv werden soll, über die man nichts weiß, sollte sie inzwischen gelernt haben. Zu ihrer eigenen Verblüffung arbeitet Ava hier erfolgreich mit zwei starken Frauen zusammen, von denen sie sich eine nicht aussuchen konnte und die andere bisher völlig unterschätzt hat. Ihr Guanxi-Netz erhält ein paar Knoten mehr und über Onkel Chow erfährt sie Überraschendes. Der Rote Stab ist übrigens eine Funktion/Rolle innerhalb der chinesischen Triaden.
Mit Hamiltons Krimireihe ließe sich perfekt eine Vorlesungsreihe zur Vorbereitung von Geschäftsleuten auf den chinesischen/asiatischen Markt bestreiten. Die Reihe an sich ist genauso aufgebaut, wie sich Guanxi bildet, ein Netz aus gegenseitigen Kontakten und Verbindlichkeiten, in dem man sich seine Kontaktpersonen nicht unbedingt wählen kann. Vom Vater-Sohn-Nachfolgekonflikt, der Rolle asiatischer Frauen im Geschäft, über konfuzianische Werte, Wahrung des Gesichts, bis zur dem Land angemessenen Verhandlungstaktik bringt der 4. Band alles mit, was im Geschäftsleben mit Chinesen und Exil-Chinesen benötigt wird.
Auf meiner persönlichen Agenda stehen in den weiteren Bänden der Ava-Lee-Reihe nun die Fragen: wie stellt sich Onkel Chow die weitere Zusammenarbeit mit Ava vor und wie chinesisch ist Ava eigentlich? Katholisch erzogen und zugleich dem chinesischen Aberglauben eng verbunden – man soll ja nie auf nur ein Pferd setzen …
Ein starker vierter Band.
Ava übernimmt den Fall als „reine Familienangelegenheit“ - für sie bedeutet das, dass sie ihren chinesischen Geschäftspartner „Onkel“ Chow nicht informiert – und schneidet sich damit von Onkels umfangreichem Wissen und seinen Beziehungen zu den chinesischen Triaden ab. Man fragt seinen väterlichen, hoch geachteten Partner ja nicht unbedingt, Onkel hast du eigentlich früher mal für die chinesische Mafia gearbeitet. Ebenso wenig würde Ava fragen, Onkel hast du schon mal über deine Nachfolge nachgedacht. Während in Hongkong und Macao Avas Telefone heiß laufen, können Ian Hamiltons Leser der kessen Kanadierin mit chinesischen Wurzeln dabei über die Schulter schauen, wie sie Michaels Millionen zurückzuholen versucht. Als einer der Beteiligten entführt wird, ist auch Ava klar, dass sie ohne spezielle Kenntnisse über die Sitten in Macao und ohne Onkels kräftige Kerle mit den riesigen Tattoos nicht weiterkommen wird. Dass man nicht auf Märkten aktiv werden soll, über die man nichts weiß, sollte sie inzwischen gelernt haben. Zu ihrer eigenen Verblüffung arbeitet Ava hier erfolgreich mit zwei starken Frauen zusammen, von denen sie sich eine nicht aussuchen konnte und die andere bisher völlig unterschätzt hat. Ihr Guanxi-Netz erhält ein paar Knoten mehr und über Onkel Chow erfährt sie Überraschendes. Der Rote Stab ist übrigens eine Funktion/Rolle innerhalb der chinesischen Triaden.
Mit Hamiltons Krimireihe ließe sich perfekt eine Vorlesungsreihe zur Vorbereitung von Geschäftsleuten auf den chinesischen/asiatischen Markt bestreiten. Die Reihe an sich ist genauso aufgebaut, wie sich Guanxi bildet, ein Netz aus gegenseitigen Kontakten und Verbindlichkeiten, in dem man sich seine Kontaktpersonen nicht unbedingt wählen kann. Vom Vater-Sohn-Nachfolgekonflikt, der Rolle asiatischer Frauen im Geschäft, über konfuzianische Werte, Wahrung des Gesichts, bis zur dem Land angemessenen Verhandlungstaktik bringt der 4. Band alles mit, was im Geschäftsleben mit Chinesen und Exil-Chinesen benötigt wird.
Auf meiner persönlichen Agenda stehen in den weiteren Bänden der Ava-Lee-Reihe nun die Fragen: wie stellt sich Onkel Chow die weitere Zusammenarbeit mit Ava vor und wie chinesisch ist Ava eigentlich? Katholisch erzogen und zugleich dem chinesischen Aberglauben eng verbunden – man soll ja nie auf nur ein Pferd setzen …
Ein starker vierter Band.
January 17, 2019
4.5* I think I have an Ava Lee addiction! Was going to give this series a rest after reading 3 in a row, but could not help but pick up book 4. The books do follow one after another, chronologically. This time, Ava had just gotten back home to Toronto, when she went to Hong Kong to try to help her half-brother. This is not in a similar vein to the previous books. We see Ava willing to do anything to protect her family.
June 15, 2021
Can I give four and a half stars.
This is the best Ava Lee novel yet. I was eager to get to the solution and then sorry the book had ended.
This is the best Ava Lee novel yet. I was eager to get to the solution and then sorry the book had ended.
March 16, 2023
This appeared to be an interesting twist on the action-adventure genre, with the lead character (Ava) who is a lesbian and a forensic accountant. I would have enjoyed the intricacies of accounting forensics and the relationship between Ava and her girlfriend, but the former doesn't really come in to play and the latter gets left behind in Toronto while Ava's off saving the world.
There wasn't enough detail on either aspect of Ava's personal life or occupation to make this much more than a rather pedestrian caper story. I can't even call it a mystery, because we know whodunit right from the outset, and the rest of the book is more of a how'd-they-do-it as the main character and her team try to recover the victim of a kidnapping.
The "local color" in the story is provided by the author's descriptions of Hong Kong and Macau as well as every outfit worn by every character and every dish in every meal Ava consumes in Hong Kong.
The part that strains credulity more than Ava's battle with the Triad is how she's able to work off all the calories, but I will confess that I started skimming chapter headings about halfway through. I hope next month's book club selection will be more engaging.
There wasn't enough detail on either aspect of Ava's personal life or occupation to make this much more than a rather pedestrian caper story. I can't even call it a mystery, because we know whodunit right from the outset, and the rest of the book is more of a how'd-they-do-it as the main character and her team try to recover the victim of a kidnapping.
The "local color" in the story is provided by the author's descriptions of Hong Kong and Macau as well as every outfit worn by every character and every dish in every meal Ava consumes in Hong Kong.
The part that strains credulity more than Ava's battle with the Triad is how she's able to work off all the calories, but I will confess that I started skimming chapter headings about halfway through. I hope next month's book club selection will be more engaging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2023
I'm really enjoying this series, everyone is different but continues the main storyline.
December 4, 2019
This is my fifth or sixth Ava Lee book, and my enthusiasm has dramatically waned.
Ava's half brother is swindled by a Macau gangster. She volunteers to get his money back, which she eventually does.
The books in this series seem to blur together because the plot is so thin. Their is a lot of repetition in the book and between the books, much of it incredibly dull. Ava spends a lot of time in hotels where she showers and dresses and goes out for runs and answers personal emails, all of which are described in excruciating detail and vary very little, if any, each time she does on of these things.
Hamilton is best when focused on the Triad-related activity and personalities. There is very little of this, and when it does appear, the reader's interest is captured.
I recommend Fate, which is about Ava's mentor. It describes his escape from mainland China and his rise in the gangs of Hong Kong.
Ava's half brother is swindled by a Macau gangster. She volunteers to get his money back, which she eventually does.
The books in this series seem to blur together because the plot is so thin. Their is a lot of repetition in the book and between the books, much of it incredibly dull. Ava spends a lot of time in hotels where she showers and dresses and goes out for runs and answers personal emails, all of which are described in excruciating detail and vary very little, if any, each time she does on of these things.
Hamilton is best when focused on the Triad-related activity and personalities. There is very little of this, and when it does appear, the reader's interest is captured.
I recommend Fate, which is about Ava's mentor. It describes his escape from mainland China and his rise in the gangs of Hong Kong.
January 6, 2013
It was the first time for me, when I read an entire ebook on my 4 inch iPod touch, and it wasn't a bad experience at all! I really enjoyed Ian Hamilton's writing. It was the first of Ava Lee series books that I've read, and it was full of thrill! I really liked how the author described various Macau and Hong Kong plots and how the story took place! It was a bit boring at start, but after that it was really thrilling and interesting! I finished it in one day, which was quite fast for me regarding its being an ebook on small screen device!!
March 4, 2013
I read this cause I got it free from Apple and I left my books in Bac Lieu.
This is my first Ava Lee novel and while it was interesting enough, it seemed rather simplistic. There was no suspense and the action was short lived. Ava is supposedly an accountant but her skills there were barely used.
But, the characters were entertaining, albeit one dimensional.
Probably won't read the others unless I get them free.
This is my first Ava Lee novel and while it was interesting enough, it seemed rather simplistic. There was no suspense and the action was short lived. Ava is supposedly an accountant but her skills there were barely used.
But, the characters were entertaining, albeit one dimensional.
Probably won't read the others unless I get them free.
December 31, 2023
My favourite accountant does it again. Although predictable and simple this series is easy to read and just interesting enough to allow you to keep with it. Fun, entertaining, light … I am now on a mission to finish the series.
September 6, 2013
This was so good! I'm in love with Ava Lee! I did not want to put this book down. Great entertainment! This is my first book of the series and I can't wait to read the others!
September 3, 2019
🏳️🌈 #Pride Suggestion
Two Reads Worth? : Yes!
Queer Factor: lesbian protagonist
Berufliches und privates trennt Ava Lee ganz klar. Doch als ihr Halbbruder Michael aus erster Ehe ihres gemeinsamen Vaters Ava um Hilfe bittet, fällt es ihr zunehmend schwerer abzulehnen. Ihr Vater drängt Ava dich dir Situation anzusehen, obwohl sie Michael erst vor kurzem kennengelernt hat. Als sie den Fall annimmt, in dem es um Immobilienschwindel und womöglich um die gesamten Existenz des Lee-Clans geht, entscheidet sie sich dafür ihren Geschäftspartner "Onkel" nicht einzuweihen. Weiterhin möchte sie berufliches und privates strikt trennen! Als sich die Lage zuspitzt, Michaels Geschäftspartner Simon entführt wird, die Triaden ins Spiel kommen und Michael die Nerven verliert, bleibt ihr irgendwann jedoch keine Wahl mehr als Onkel um Rat zu bitten.
Michael Lee gitl als nächstes Oberhaupt der Familie. Sollte Vater Maurice Lee sterben, so ist es seine Aufgabe dir Familie zu versorgen. Ich sehe ihn jedoch keineswegs als Oberhaupt, und auch Ava und sein eigener Vater zeigen Bedenken. Michael ist naiv, leichtgläubig und nicht sehr widerstandsfähig. Als sein Partner verschwindet und das ganze Geld der Familie womöglich verloren ist, bricht er zusammen.
Ganz anders als seine verlobt Amanda Yee. Amanda ist stark, braucht zwar noch jemanden, der ihr sagt wie sie was zu tun hat - aber dann tut sie es auch und zwar grandios! Mit ihr kann Ava arbeiten und ich empfand die Zusammenarbeit als sehr interessant. Amanda ist eine Person, deren Werdegang ich gerne weiterverfolgen würde. Und nach dem Ende des fünften Teils liegt es nahe, dass wir sie wieder sehen werden.
Two Reads Worth? : Yes!
Queer Factor: lesbian protagonist
Berufliches und privates trennt Ava Lee ganz klar. Doch als ihr Halbbruder Michael aus erster Ehe ihres gemeinsamen Vaters Ava um Hilfe bittet, fällt es ihr zunehmend schwerer abzulehnen. Ihr Vater drängt Ava dich dir Situation anzusehen, obwohl sie Michael erst vor kurzem kennengelernt hat. Als sie den Fall annimmt, in dem es um Immobilienschwindel und womöglich um die gesamten Existenz des Lee-Clans geht, entscheidet sie sich dafür ihren Geschäftspartner "Onkel" nicht einzuweihen. Weiterhin möchte sie berufliches und privates strikt trennen! Als sich die Lage zuspitzt, Michaels Geschäftspartner Simon entführt wird, die Triaden ins Spiel kommen und Michael die Nerven verliert, bleibt ihr irgendwann jedoch keine Wahl mehr als Onkel um Rat zu bitten.
Michael Lee gitl als nächstes Oberhaupt der Familie. Sollte Vater Maurice Lee sterben, so ist es seine Aufgabe dir Familie zu versorgen. Ich sehe ihn jedoch keineswegs als Oberhaupt, und auch Ava und sein eigener Vater zeigen Bedenken. Michael ist naiv, leichtgläubig und nicht sehr widerstandsfähig. Als sein Partner verschwindet und das ganze Geld der Familie womöglich verloren ist, bricht er zusammen.
Ganz anders als seine verlobt Amanda Yee. Amanda ist stark, braucht zwar noch jemanden, der ihr sagt wie sie was zu tun hat - aber dann tut sie es auch und zwar grandios! Mit ihr kann Ava arbeiten und ich empfand die Zusammenarbeit als sehr interessant. Amanda ist eine Person, deren Werdegang ich gerne weiterverfolgen würde. Und nach dem Ende des fünften Teils liegt es nahe, dass wir sie wieder sehen werden.
July 29, 2021
Things get personal -- and more than a little bloody -- for forensic accountant and martial arts master Ava Lee in "The Red Pole of Macau." Normally Ava is chasing down no-goodniks who stole money from the clients who have hired her and her partner, former triad leader "Uncle." She chases around the world tracking the clues and, if need be, roughing up the bad guys to make them pay what they owe.
But this book concerns Ava's half brother Michael, who with his business partner Simon has made an incredibly bad investment in a shopping mall in Macau and now is in a jam. He can't get his money back and the bank is getting impatient for his loan payments on what he borrowed. He seeks Ava's assistance, and after her own father also asks her to go help, she agrees. She tries to leave Uncle out of it, at first, but by the end not only has she involved him and his legendary bodyguard, Sonny, but also the powerful and calculating May from the previous Ava Lee novel, "The Wild Beasts of Wuhan."
This book is less of a mystery and more like a heist novel, with Ava assembling her team, collecting intel and figuring out how to bust into a seemingly impregnable fortress. As always, she's shrewd and practical and manages to out-think nearly everyone involved, which is the major appeal of this series. I am only docking it one star because there's a major loose end involving Simon's best friend that Hamilton never ties up. I kept waiting and waiting for that shoe to drop. It never did. Meanwhiel I am already trying to track down a copy of the next bok in this terrific series.
But this book concerns Ava's half brother Michael, who with his business partner Simon has made an incredibly bad investment in a shopping mall in Macau and now is in a jam. He can't get his money back and the bank is getting impatient for his loan payments on what he borrowed. He seeks Ava's assistance, and after her own father also asks her to go help, she agrees. She tries to leave Uncle out of it, at first, but by the end not only has she involved him and his legendary bodyguard, Sonny, but also the powerful and calculating May from the previous Ava Lee novel, "The Wild Beasts of Wuhan."
This book is less of a mystery and more like a heist novel, with Ava assembling her team, collecting intel and figuring out how to bust into a seemingly impregnable fortress. As always, she's shrewd and practical and manages to out-think nearly everyone involved, which is the major appeal of this series. I am only docking it one star because there's a major loose end involving Simon's best friend that Hamilton never ties up. I kept waiting and waiting for that shoe to drop. It never did. Meanwhiel I am already trying to track down a copy of the next bok in this terrific series.
February 18, 2019
Fourth in the series, and is it possible that the product placement deals only covered 3 books? Please be so. I think there is only one mention of Starbucks Via or whatever it is called and at one point Ava has an 'instant coffee' . . . no branding. Of course theres still lots of Brooks Brothers , and the obsession with 'panties and bra' continues. A good amount of violence and badassery on Ava's part makes this a quick and readable journey. Since the author displays an excruciating obsession with facts and detail, it is glaring when errors occur.....such as referring to 4 different casino companies as Wynn, Sands, Venetian, and MGM. The Venetian is a casino that is owned by Sands. . .it is not a company on its own. In addition, Stanley Ho's famous daughter is Patsy, not Pansy, and finally, I may be wrong, but I don't think you can zoom in and out with binoculars. I would never pick nits usually, but if you are going to make excessive minor details a cornerstone of your writing, you have to get it right.
On to book 5, but I think I need a break for a while
On to book 5, but I think I need a break for a while
August 19, 2020
This was an excellent read. Ava is an extremely interesting character and in this the 4th instalment in the series she is at her most human, vulnerable and emotional - I guess family brings that out.
The action zips along as always but unusually the travel canvas is very small - the whole novel after the first chapter taking place in Hong Kong and Macau. That was a welcome change of pace from the globe-trotting which at earlier times in the series seem almost travelogue-ish.
It was also good to see the development of the relationship with May Wong from the previous novel.
I really loved this one. But start at the beginning of the series and your enjoyment will grow. Who would have thought a debt-collecting forensic accountant could be such an engaging character?
The action zips along as always but unusually the travel canvas is very small - the whole novel after the first chapter taking place in Hong Kong and Macau. That was a welcome change of pace from the globe-trotting which at earlier times in the series seem almost travelogue-ish.
It was also good to see the development of the relationship with May Wong from the previous novel.
I really loved this one. But start at the beginning of the series and your enjoyment will grow. Who would have thought a debt-collecting forensic accountant could be such an engaging character?
February 13, 2023
From the Goodreads Blurb: In Ian Hamilton's The Red Pole of Macau, family ties are stressed to the limit when intrepid forensic accountant Ava Lee must rescue her half brother, Michael, and his business partner, Simon, from a disastrous multimillion-dollar real-estate deal in Macau. When the developers turn out to be gangsters, Michael and Simon are threatened with bankruptcy and much worse. Ava struggles to salvage the deal and her family's money, but then Simon is kidnapped, and the rules of the game abruptly change.
One blurb likened Ava Lee to Lisbeth Salander In THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO and in this book you realize that Ava is, indeed, not "just and accountant."
This was book #7 on our 2023 Read-alouds With Lutrecia List, and book #9 on our own 2023 Read-alouds List.
One blurb likened Ava Lee to Lisbeth Salander In THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO and in this book you realize that Ava is, indeed, not "just and accountant."
This was book #7 on our 2023 Read-alouds With Lutrecia List, and book #9 on our own 2023 Read-alouds List.
January 8, 2018
This next book in my reading of the Ava Lee series departs a bit from previous tales because of the violence. I found the intrigue more captivating than some of the previous exploits. I was introduced to the Ava Lee series when I read one later in the series. I decided it was important to start from the beginning of the series. Since I had already read that later one, I was able to discern the relationship with May Wong and Amanda Lee that begins to form in this book. The books are page turners and a quick read in between some weightier novels on my list. The series is quite enjoyable.
July 12, 2019
Quite honestly, I was quite prepared to not like this book at all and figured I might not even finish it but I was very pleasantly surprised and enjoyed it a lot. The plot line was a little different, the writing was good, the character development was pretty good for a book that, admittedly, was a fairly light and quick read. And there was some pretty good action here and there although I think the b ok would have benefitted from more - especially at the end which I thought wrapped up a bit too quickly. But all in all it was a pretty good and enjoyable book. -JS
January 19, 2020
Disappointed in the previous book, which was all forensic accounting and no ass-kicking, this one is just the opposite. All Ava-Lee-as-ruthless-avenger, which is way more fun. Ava travels to Hong Kong to help out her half-brother, who is over-committed with a business partner to a Macau gangster. She is on the path to bail him out financially in order to protect the family's business and reputation when the problem shifts to a hostage/ransom recovery. Ava does some good planning, engages the help she needs, and of course succeeds. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
September 30, 2023
I do enjoy this series with Ava Lee. They all take place with Hong Kong as part of the tale which appeals to me since I live there. And she is smart, clever, strong, and elegant. This particular tale was a hard nut for her to crack, but she managed. The crew she hung with this time I liked less than in other stories, but the thought process she goes through to allow others to help is one we could all learn from- take your own ego out of things and get the job done.
I will keep reading these tales.
I will keep reading these tales.
December 31, 2023
I cannot express the sheer pleasure I got from reading another book in the Ava Lee series. The adventures of this forensic accountant who helps to recover millions of dollars that have been unlawfully wrangled from her clients, and does so by very unconventional methods. The stories are just so well put together that I find myself engineering my time in order to get back to reading them. This one has less world jet setting and less clever negotiation or manipulation on her part, and I missed that quite a lot, but it is still a great read.
October 3, 2017
Disappointment. I needed an escape buzz read. This hardly qualifies. I did tear through it, but mostly in search of what I’d enjoyed in earlier books of the series.
Ava gets called to Hong Kong to chase down some money, but she only travels as far as Macau, again and again. And instead of having little victories along the way, this whole book is just one big lead up to storming a house to rescue a kidnap victim.
Make the next one better!
Ava gets called to Hong Kong to chase down some money, but she only travels as far as Macau, again and again. And instead of having little victories along the way, this whole book is just one big lead up to storming a house to rescue a kidnap victim.
Make the next one better!
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