Dragon's Back starts off like many in the genre with down-on-his-luck investigator, Galahad Jones, getting a call from a good-looking woman who thinks her husband is cheating on her. It evolves quickly into a multi-layered and complex, yet still compelling investigation into human trafficking.
What really sets this novel apart from the pack is its setting. Edwards truly shines in his depictions of Hong Kong, where the story takes place.
As an author and mentor I've written and taught about the importance of 'place' in a novel, as a 'character' in its own right, and how to make descriptions of streets, landscapes, culture, food, weather - hell, everything around us - work as part of a story. Edwards nails this not only by giving us rich and evocative descriptions of both the opulent and seedy sides of Hong Kong, but by weaving the sights, sounds, smells and history of the former colony into the plot.
Former policeman, paratrooper and security consultant Edwards knows his way around a gunfight and a brawl; his action scenes are fast and furious, but never overblown.
Mixed-race Galahad is likably flawed and a cast of tough gals keep him on track as he walks a fine line between the Hong Kong Police Force (of which he was once a member), and the Triads, who both have an interest in his snoopings.
Dragon's Back is a compelling page-turner entwined with a richly-drawn, exotic backdrop. Good news: there's a sequel out now, Dragon's Claw, which is in my to-be-read pile.
Five from bloody five.
Published by White Tiger Press
Tony Park (guest reviewer)
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