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Henry Lau / Janet Lau Mysteries #1
The Lost Dragon Murder
--WINNER OF A BEST INDEPENDENT BOOK AWARD
--MIDWEST BOOK AWARDS FINALIST
--SILVER FALCHION AWARD FINALIST (Killer Nashville International Writers' Conference)
The murder of an art expert and the disappearance of a priceless artifact propels Detective Henry Lau into the nebulous world of ancient antiquities. Complicating matters is a parade of dodgy suspects who wouldn’t know a truthful statement if it bit them on the leg. Solving a cryptic clue left by the dead man may be the only way to unlock the mystery.
But can he do it? Back on active duty after near-fatal injuries kept him sidelined, Henry is determined to prove he can still do the job. His detective skills and Wing Chun kung fu knowledge are put to the test when the case spirals to a dangerous showdown.
--MIDWEST BOOK AWARDS FINALIST
--SILVER FALCHION AWARD FINALIST (Killer Nashville International Writers' Conference)
The murder of an art expert and the disappearance of a priceless artifact propels Detective Henry Lau into the nebulous world of ancient antiquities. Complicating matters is a parade of dodgy suspects who wouldn’t know a truthful statement if it bit them on the leg. Solving a cryptic clue left by the dead man may be the only way to unlock the mystery.
But can he do it? Back on active duty after near-fatal injuries kept him sidelined, Henry is determined to prove he can still do the job. His detective skills and Wing Chun kung fu knowledge are put to the test when the case spirals to a dangerous showdown.
274 pages, Paperback
Published December 31, 2021
3 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Michael Allan Mallory
17 books18 followersMichael Allan Mallory is the author of THE LOST DRAGON MYSTERY which was a winner of the Best Independent Book Awards, a Midwest Book Award finalist and a Silver Falchion Award Finalist (presented by the Killer Nashville International Writers' Conference).
"...a perfect story to curl up with on a winter's night....Mallory's strong writing and atmospheric Minnesota setting grabbed me from the first page!" ---Ellen Hart, Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster.
Michael is also the co-author of KILLER INSTINCT, which continues the adventures of mystery's first zoologist sleuth into the North Woods of Minnesota.
"KILLER INSTINCT is both a great entertainment and a compelling mystery, with a strong sense of place (fans of Kent Krueger take note) and really cool, interesting characters."
--Crimespree Magazine
His debut mystery novel, DEATH ROLL, was published in 2007 and was also written with Marilyn Victor, DEATH ROLL, offers a deep look at the exhibits behind a zoo but, as one reviewer put it “is so well done, the Minnesota Valley Zoo feels like a key character.”
Michael's short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies and publications. "Minnesota Not So Nice: Eighteen Stories of Bad Behavior" was a Silver Falchion Award finalist for 2021 Best Short Story Collection / Anthology from the Killer Nashville International Writers' Conference. Michael was an editor for this collection and has a story in it.
Check out his website at http://www.snakejones.com
"...a perfect story to curl up with on a winter's night....Mallory's strong writing and atmospheric Minnesota setting grabbed me from the first page!" ---Ellen Hart, Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster.
Michael is also the co-author of KILLER INSTINCT, which continues the adventures of mystery's first zoologist sleuth into the North Woods of Minnesota.
"KILLER INSTINCT is both a great entertainment and a compelling mystery, with a strong sense of place (fans of Kent Krueger take note) and really cool, interesting characters."
--Crimespree Magazine
His debut mystery novel, DEATH ROLL, was published in 2007 and was also written with Marilyn Victor, DEATH ROLL, offers a deep look at the exhibits behind a zoo but, as one reviewer put it “is so well done, the Minnesota Valley Zoo feels like a key character.”
Michael's short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies and publications. "Minnesota Not So Nice: Eighteen Stories of Bad Behavior" was a Silver Falchion Award finalist for 2021 Best Short Story Collection / Anthology from the Killer Nashville International Writers' Conference. Michael was an editor for this collection and has a story in it.
Check out his website at http://www.snakejones.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 15, 2022
Yes, I'm the author. If you read the book, thanks for taking the chance! If you enjoyed it, a review is always appreciated. Most authors work in obscurity. We rarely hear from readers.
February 20, 2022
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.
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.
March 3, 2022
Michael Allan Mallory knows what he's doing. This book feels like a 1940's noir thriller mashed up with a 1960s kung-fu movie without being over-the-top. Well worth the time. I hope he adds to this series.
November 2, 2025
A most enjoyable experience. Highly recommended.
August 17, 2023
I stayed up much too late last night, finishing this book. It's a page-turner that I couldn't put down. Michael Allan Mallory, I will forgive you if you write more books about police detectives Henry Lau and Janet Lau. Or just more mysteries about anyone and anything. Please!
I loved this book. I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. It's a good mystery with interesting characters and fun details. Most importantly -- for me -- the writing is great.
I wasn't sure about the Wing Chung aspect, because I don't know anything about martial arts, but it was an interesting but not distracting element of the plot. The local details were fun (I live in Minneapolis/St. Paul), but readers elsewhere will enjoy this book just as much.
I want to keep this book so I can reread it, but it's so good that I will probably give it away. More people need to know about this author. I look forward to more books featuring these detectives.
I loved this book. I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. It's a good mystery with interesting characters and fun details. Most importantly -- for me -- the writing is great.
I wasn't sure about the Wing Chung aspect, because I don't know anything about martial arts, but it was an interesting but not distracting element of the plot. The local details were fun (I live in Minneapolis/St. Paul), but readers elsewhere will enjoy this book just as much.
I want to keep this book so I can reread it, but it's so good that I will probably give it away. More people need to know about this author. I look forward to more books featuring these detectives.
February 8, 2023
The Lost Dragon Murder
By Michael Allan Mallory
ISBN:9781647198923
A 2022 release from
Book Locker
A fascinating, enjoyable detective story. Author Mallory has captured the essence of good, persistent detective work that is often required to solve crimes. In this case, the crime is the murder of a professor of Asian Studies at a local college. Newly promoted detective Janet Lau catches the case and is soon joined by her uncle and mentor, Detective Henry Lau.
Soon enough readers will be enticed into the world of Kung fu, Midwestern police work and the shadowy world of antiquities, their location, possession and often questionable sales.
With careful balance between revelations that move the story forward and new clues that logically crop up throughout the narrative, the detective duo presents thoughtful and balanced use of all the tools available to the modern city detective. The atmosphere ranges from interviews with a satisfying range of characters to sudden spurts of physical danger and violence, to the sometimes-stultifying boredom of the stakeout.
Backgrounds of the two Lau detectives is nicely woven into the fabric of the narrative as they wade ever more deeply into a pool of odd and dangerous characters who act as welcome distortions. This novel is a good story with interesting characters, fine pace and great potential for further examination.
By Michael Allan Mallory
ISBN:9781647198923
A 2022 release from
Book Locker
A fascinating, enjoyable detective story. Author Mallory has captured the essence of good, persistent detective work that is often required to solve crimes. In this case, the crime is the murder of a professor of Asian Studies at a local college. Newly promoted detective Janet Lau catches the case and is soon joined by her uncle and mentor, Detective Henry Lau.
Soon enough readers will be enticed into the world of Kung fu, Midwestern police work and the shadowy world of antiquities, their location, possession and often questionable sales.
With careful balance between revelations that move the story forward and new clues that logically crop up throughout the narrative, the detective duo presents thoughtful and balanced use of all the tools available to the modern city detective. The atmosphere ranges from interviews with a satisfying range of characters to sudden spurts of physical danger and violence, to the sometimes-stultifying boredom of the stakeout.
Backgrounds of the two Lau detectives is nicely woven into the fabric of the narrative as they wade ever more deeply into a pool of odd and dangerous characters who act as welcome distortions. This novel is a good story with interesting characters, fine pace and great potential for further examination.
June 5, 2023
Very fun and I especially liked the fight scenes and the Twin Cities landmarks.
November 30, 2022
Art heist mysteries are always enjoyable because I know very little about the art world. It seems to be populated by shady characters in general because of the big money thrown at artwork, the subjective nature of valuation, and the apparent ease (and profitability) of selling forgeries to gullible, naive buyers.
Then throwing an interesting uncle-niece detective team into the mix makes for a refreshing read. Henry and Janet Lau, the detectives, are both rather reserved people except for Henry's obsession with the martial art known as Wing Chun kung fu. His character reminds me of a smaller, more reserved, polite, by-the-book version of Jack Reacher. Henry never seems to invite trouble. But it seems to seek him out. When it does, he usually comes out on top. However, like Reacher, he gets banged up now and then.
Mallory shows solid mystery writing chops. His prose is toward the lean side but effectively tells the story. He doesn't throw too much Wing Chun terminology at us--just enough that a layperson can understand the basics. His plot was well constructed, with some good subplots and red herrings. And it's always a pleasure to read stories set in my old stomping grounds, the Twin Cities.
Then throwing an interesting uncle-niece detective team into the mix makes for a refreshing read. Henry and Janet Lau, the detectives, are both rather reserved people except for Henry's obsession with the martial art known as Wing Chun kung fu. His character reminds me of a smaller, more reserved, polite, by-the-book version of Jack Reacher. Henry never seems to invite trouble. But it seems to seek him out. When it does, he usually comes out on top. However, like Reacher, he gets banged up now and then.
Mallory shows solid mystery writing chops. His prose is toward the lean side but effectively tells the story. He doesn't throw too much Wing Chun terminology at us--just enough that a layperson can understand the basics. His plot was well constructed, with some good subplots and red herrings. And it's always a pleasure to read stories set in my old stomping grounds, the Twin Cities.
June 13, 2024
This novel was terrific, and even with its unexpected twists and surprising turns, it flows with the choreographed skill of a martial artist.
April 26, 2025
Enjoyable.Looking forward to next in the series.
March 9, 2023
Martial arts expert Henry Lau is a senior homicide detective who is also a mentor to his niece, junior detective Janet Lau just at the beginning her detective career. They work in the fictional city of Gillette, MN. But it takes the reader little time to realize that this is Minneapolis-St. Paul. Enough local color is scattered throughout that the locale has to be someplace far north of the Mason-Dixon Line. For example, the local Caribou coffee shop has timber-framed Northwoods décor.
In this setting, Henry and Janet investigate the brutal murder of college professor Professor Roger Beckman. The professor has taken an interest in Chinese art, and his murder has something to do with a priceless 18th century Chinese sculpture, the Bronze Dragon that is missing. Several people want it, including criminals, collectors, and the Chinese government.
Finding out which of these characters beat Professor Beckman to death and locating the Lost Dragon itself are the central tasks facing the detectives Lau. There are many things for the reader to like as the niece-uncle duo walk us through their investigation. Danger aplenty. Unexpected twists. Believable dialog. Insight into the world of martial arts. Introduction to a small aspect of Chinese sculpture. And the cross generational dynamics of uncle and niece feeling their way through this new relationship they’ve carved out for themselves. I hope we see more of them in subsequent mysteries.
A great read for an evening by the fireplace.
In this setting, Henry and Janet investigate the brutal murder of college professor Professor Roger Beckman. The professor has taken an interest in Chinese art, and his murder has something to do with a priceless 18th century Chinese sculpture, the Bronze Dragon that is missing. Several people want it, including criminals, collectors, and the Chinese government.
Finding out which of these characters beat Professor Beckman to death and locating the Lost Dragon itself are the central tasks facing the detectives Lau. There are many things for the reader to like as the niece-uncle duo walk us through their investigation. Danger aplenty. Unexpected twists. Believable dialog. Insight into the world of martial arts. Introduction to a small aspect of Chinese sculpture. And the cross generational dynamics of uncle and niece feeling their way through this new relationship they’ve carved out for themselves. I hope we see more of them in subsequent mysteries.
A great read for an evening by the fireplace.
June 24, 2023
I was not a super fan of this novel. I felt it didn't do enough to build the characters, even the main characters. Henry traumatized from a relationship he barely had many years ago and recently physically recovered from some accident. (no details provided) The main, female detective felt way too weak. She doesn't like confrontation. What? She is a cop. I gave it 3 stars because I did like the beginning of the novel it just wore on my nerves the longer it went on.
August 7, 2023
A great detective novel. Once you start reading the book, you don't want to put it down. In this intriguing detective novel by Michael Mallory, there are so many bad guys wanting to own a priceless ancient Chinese relic that's recently surfaced, it's hard for Detective Henry Lau to pin down who killed art expert Professor Beckman.
January 20, 2023
🏆 2022 BIBA® Detective Mystery Winner!
March 29, 2024
Good author. Great description but attempt at letting you know main character falls short. His ex girl and father not developed at all
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews