Hamilton, Ian

Mystery fans will enjoy the twists and turns of this engaging tale about what money can and can’t buy.

Although other titles in this Canadian run (The Disciple of Las Vegas: The Wild Beasts of Wuhan; The Red Pole of Macau) have been released here, fans won't want to miss this series launch. Ava Lee is a must add. Spoiler alert: it's a crime novel, not a murder mystery, geared for readers who savor elaborate traps meant to ensnare bad guys with abundant action involved. While not as comedic as Colin Cotterill's Jimm Juree series, it carries similar appeal with a strong Asian female lead and large ensemble cast. [The Wild Beasts of Wuhan is a finalist in the Lesbian Mystery category of the 2014 Lambda Literary Awards.

Hamilton delivers a fantastic read once again. Recommended for mystery and crime thriller fans.

Having published four Ava Lee mysteries in Canada, Hamilton makes his U.S. debut here. This financial mystery echoes Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series heroine, but Ava is edgier and computer savvy; she is as resourceful as Stieg Larsson's Lisbeth Salandar but without the emotional baggage and extreme violence. Highly recommended.