I've heard some people suggest that this is the weakest in
the series, which starts with China Trade (Lydia) and
Concourse (Bill). I've only read the first two and enjoyed
China Trade and thought Concourse was excellent. I was,
oddly, more impressed with a reread for China Trade, needed
in order to prepare questions for a group read discussion on
another list, than I was the first time.
Luci
S.J. Rozan: Mandarin Plaid (1996)
This the first book I've read by Rozan and I was looking
forward to it. Can't say I've been bitten by the bug,
although I did enjoy it. Someone was saying that Lydia Chin
just seems rather whiney. She has certain propensities that
are reinforced over and over. I don't know how many times she
flushed red with anger or embarrassment. Her relationships
with her mother and brother are explained far too often.
Plus, she and her
"sometimes" partner, Bill, are obviously attracted to one
another, but it's strictly business, except for the frequent
almost-love talk. If she just wants a professional
relationship, why the almost daily admissions of
attraction?
The case, involving stolen sketches of fashion designs that
the owner doesn't actually need back, is rather odd. In fact,
its very oddness is probably a tipoff, only I didn't notice.
Anyway, Lydia manages to solve it with Bill's help. It will
be interesting to read another in the series written from
Bill's point of view.
Karin
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