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Ian Hamilton
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The Princeling of Nanjing (The Triad Years) Paperback – January 1, 2016

by Ian Hamilton (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 244 ratings
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The eighth novel in the Ava Lee series finds Ava caught in a labyrinth of high-level political corruption.

Ava is in Shanghai for the launch of the PÖ clothing line. She has invited Xu, and over the course of the glitzy event and a late-night dinner, she detects a certain hesitancy in him. He later confides that the Tsai family, headed by Tsai Lian, the governor of Jiangsu Province and a “princeling” — he is the son of a general who was on the Long March with Mao and a member of China’s power elite — is trying to force him and his triad organization back into the drug business. Xu is already paying millions of dollars a year to various Tsai businesses, but the family wants more and thinks the new venture can deliver it. Xu believes this move would lead to his eventual destruction and feels he has nowhere to turn. If he opposes them, they will crush him. If he goes along with them, he thinks that inevitably the police and military will hunt him down.

Ava sets out to help Xu deter the Tsai family. As she digs into the breadth and depth of the family’s wealth and corruption, she gets caught up in a huge tangled web, extending all the way to the U.S. and the U.K., where it reaches the top echelons of political power.

Previous page
  1. Book 8 of 16
    Ava Lee
  2. Print length
    474 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Spiderline
  5. Publication date
    January 1, 2016
  6. Dimensions
    5.11 x 1.11 x 8.11 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1770899537
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1770899537
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Hamilton uses his people and plot to examine Chinese class and power structures that open opportunities for massive depravities and corruptions (London Free Press 2016-01-22)

the reader is offered plenty of Ava in full flower as the Chinese-Canadian glamour puss who happens to be gay, whip smart and unafraid of whatever dangers come her way. (Toronto Star 2016-01-23)

…one of those grip tight novels that makes one read “just one more chapter” and you discover it’s 3am.The novel is built on complicated webs artfully woven into clear, magnetic story-telling. Author Ian Hamilton delivers the intrigue within complex and relentless webs in high style and once again proves that everyone, once in their lives, needs an Ava Lee at their backs. (Canadian Mystery Reviews 2015-12-01)

…like the best series writers – Ian Rankin and Peter Robinson come to mind – Hamilton manages to…keep the Ava Lee books fresh…a compulsive read, a page-turner of the old school…The Princeling of Nanjing is a welcome return of an old favourite, and bodes well for future books. (Quill and Quire 2016-01-01)

The only thing scarier than being ripped off for a few million bucks is being the guy who took it and having Ava Lee on your tail. If Hamilton’s kick-ass forensic accountant has your number, it’s up. (Linwood Barclay 2016-02-22)

Ava Lee has a new business, a new look, and, most important, a new Triad boss to appreciate her particular financial talents….We know that Ava will come up with a plan and Hamilton will come up with a twist. (The Globe and Mail 2016-02-06)

As usual with a Hamilton-Lee novel, matters take a decided twist as the plot unrolls (Owen Sound Sun Times 2016-02-13)

…a terrific addition to the Ava Lee canon, a must read (Richard King CBC Home Run 2016-03-12)

Ava is a wonderful character, smart, resourceful, and not afraid to kick ass, and you, sir, remain a top-drawer storyteller, and I devour each word you write. like countless others, cannot wait to see what happens with Ava next. (The Mind Reels 2016-03-02)

[an] exotic thriller that also offers a fascinating inside look at fiscal misconduct in China...Hamilton’s heroine is one of a kind. Ava is gay, a diminutive five-foot-three, a ruthless martial-arts adversary, a brilliant forensic accountant and a woman whose own unique moral code sometimes has her operating on the fringes of the law - but only, we would like to believe, in order to deal with the really bad guys…As a unique character, she's become indispensable. (Calgary Herald 2016-03-19)

About the Author

IAN HAMILTON is the author of fourteen novels in the Ava Lee series and three in the Lost Decades of Uncle Chow Tung series. His books have been shortlisted for numerous prizes, including the Arthur Ellis Award, the Barry Award, and the Lambda Literary Prize, and are national bestsellers. BBC Culture named Hamilton one of the ten mystery/crime writers from the last thirty years who should be on your bookshelf. The Ava Lee series is being adapted for television.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Spiderline; First Edition (January 1, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 474 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1770899537
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1770899537
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.11 x 1.11 x 8.11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 244 ratings

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Ian Hamilton

Ian Hamilton

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
244 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

linda mcculloch
5.0 out of 5 stars Series is dynamite and buying used books is a great deal!
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2021
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Love this author and after being unable to get through my library resorted to buying. Never bought used books before and surprised at what great condition they are in. Delivery was fast. Will buy more.
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Wayne Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars A fine addition to the series
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2016
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Another fast moving story featuring the wonderful Ava Lee. The plots are twisting. The villains are villainous and threaded throughout is a glimpse into Chinese society both high business wealth and high triad wealth. Very satisfying addition to the series and a fun book to whip through.
One person found this helpful
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L
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Strong Installment in a Wonderful Series
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2020
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The Princeling of Nanjing is reminiscent of some of the earliest novels in this wonderful series, as it makes protagonist Ava Lee's acumen in forensic accounting the centerpiece of her effort to overcome an adversary. The work she undertakes in this novel dwarfs her exploits in The Water Rat of Wanchai and The Disciple of Las Vegas because of the sheer scale of her adversary's fraudulent activity. However, the narrative never becomes too difficult to follow, and author Ian Hamilton thoughtfully includes visual aids to help readers organize the information. Mr. Hamilton certainly deserves a lot of credit for devising a new, credible challenge to Ms. Lee in each installment of the series while building upon her personal story.
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JDM
5.0 out of 5 stars Ian Hamilton keeps getting better!
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2016
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Another great Ava Lee read from Hamilton. Most enjoyable!!! Will look forward to the next book with great anticipation, well done.
One person found this helpful
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Toni Osborne
4.0 out of 5 stars Love it but not the best
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2019
Book #8 in the Ava Lee series

It is a sheer pleasure to read Ava Lee’s globe –trotting experiences. Each story is fresh. Although I know what to expect Mr. Hamilton throws enough curveballs to keep me curious and engaged. This latest follows “The King of Shanghai” where Ava embarked on a business partnership, The Three Sisters investment firm.

The “The Princeling of Nanjing” begins with a fashion show to launch the Po line of designer clothes. Before she can cherish her success, Ava is visited by Xu, who has a very serious problem. Xu is in trouble with a corrupt political dynasty and needs Ava’s help in the hope of finding something that can take the pressure off…. Ava and Xu had developed a relationship and a mutual trust in the last book.

It took me a few pages to get back into the groove and recall where I had left off but after a short time I was completely swept up in the story and enjoyed spending time with Ava as she navigates her world. In this episode we are treated to a lovely blueprint of how corruption might work in China. What I missed the most is we have little exhibition of lethal type Chinese martial arts that Ava often uses to put her words across, there are some subtle moves when she takes on two thugs sent to kidnap her but not what we usual see. The story moves along slowly and has many personal moments. Something is definitely brewing between Ava and Xu, seems we may have a growing affection here. Hopefully we will see how far this unexplored sexual attachment goes. It surely added piquancy to this story after all Ava is not into men…. What make this series delightful are the details Mr. Hamilton describes for the most exquisite meals, the customs and manners experienced whether you are in a high end or a hotpot restaurant. ….he compares a dish to a picture, a sport game, a musical performance and gives it personality…. I dare you not to smack your lips and savour along with the characters…. :) Some may find a wee bit too much description of food and too much traveling on unfamiliar roads in this book, I did at times. Ava is one smart, sassy, Toronto-based forensic accountant.

“The Princeling of Nanjing” is a thrill of a read that is hard to put down.
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Forbes Hirsch
5.0 out of 5 stars Does it again
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2016
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Top of form. Less violence, more plotting. A bit heavy on the forensic accounting, but still great. New auntie may be an interesting development
One person found this helpful
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Warren
5.0 out of 5 stars A pot boiler
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2020
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This one generated fear. A good story teller deeply couched in the real world. Another link in the series chain.
One person found this helpful
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Mary Sawicki
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book!
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2016
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Excellent author, great series
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Top reviews from other countries

Atticmaker
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 7, 2017
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I am an Ava Lee fan and this is another good read. New (if perhaps fictional) insights into the far East. Most accountants do not have scary jobs (or CVs!) like Ava... thankfully! Glad the book is readily available in the UK.
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Jan Smith-Bull
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
Reviewed in Canada on December 20, 2016
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I found this story very well constructed, with characters so fleshed out that I could picture them easily. The intrigue along with the insight into Chinese politics corruption and family dynamics kept my interest level high.
I highly recommend this to all who enjoy thrillers or spy stories.
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MPK678
4.0 out of 5 stars Continuing story of Ava Lee
Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2016
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Another chapter in Ava Lees world of business and Forensic Espionage. Consistent with the new direction this series is taking.
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doreen Houle
5.0 out of 5 stars Sleepless in small town Ontario
Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2016
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Another fantastic Ian Hamilton book. Ava Lee held my interest with all the activity, suspense. Description of the countryside, towns, cities, action filled, holds my attention. Waiting for the next Ava Lee book. Now I'll get some sleep in small town Ontario
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Ann Tracey
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on March 16, 2016
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Another good story about Ava and crew! Can't wait to see a movie get made!
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