China Trade

The Lydia Chin/Bill Smith Series, Book 1

By: S. J. Rozan

Narrated by: Christine Marshall

Asian American private investigator Lydia Chin knows New York City's Chinatown, its people, and its ways as no outsider ever could. It's a city within a city, a rich melange of smells, sounds, dark shops, and close-knit families - a world all its own. And in all of Chinatown, there is no one like Lydia, who has a nose for trouble, a disapproving Chinese mother, and a partner named Bill Smith who's been living above a bar for 16 years. Hired to find some precious stolen porcelain, Lydia follows a trail of clues from highbrow art dealers into a world of Chinese gangs. Suddenly this case has become as complex as her community itself - and as deadly as a killer on the loose.

©2007 S. J. Rozan (P)2007 AudioGO

The PocelinMstery

Would you consider the audio edition of China Trade to be better than the print version?

No, I read this story years ago and listened this time. The story caused me to recommend this book the audio helped me go through it quickly a second time

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

the plot was a fat moving story enlivened by the banter between two young American detectives,

What about Christine Marshall’s performance did you like?

Like the best readers of audio books she was able to enrich her characters with changes in presentation that kept them distinct to the lustenng ear

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed the first time in I read it I smiled a few times in this hearing. It is a first novel portraying young people. In the other books in the series the fun is always there but the characters have matured

Main character too immature and unbelievable

I think the narrator did a great job. I was confused as to whether her work partner was a creepy old man who continually sexually harassed her or a love interest. I think the author was trying for sexual tension and missed the boat. Unrealistic but some interesting insights into Chinese culture.

Classic Chinatown crime scenes

I read a later book by this author which I found much more interesting. I guess she gets more skilled as she ngoes on.
I really did not like the narrator. I found her emphasis all wrong.

Mid to high range Lydia-Bill case BUT

The narrator was terrible. Made Lydia sound breathless and shrill and over-enunciated words, especially Lydia’s. I wonder if she was trying to convey Chinese accented English? Stupid. Lydia is American. Bad direction.

Fun Read

Where does China Trade rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Somewhere in the top third. I will read another by this author, it is not brilliant but dependably entertaining which is what I am looking for with Audible.

What did you like best about this story?

A view into another world, the inclusion of Chinese art and the characters were interesting.

Which character – as performed by Christine Marshall – was your favorite?

All the characters were performed well. Kirsten Potter is my favorite reader, she deserves another star for her performances. Christine Marshall is very good.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I find it hard to sit still that long except on long car rides where Audible is a MUST!

Very good

The story was very good but I was distracted by the main character who was almost dizzy but not really. Could have been the voice of the reader which was perfect if that was the intent of the author. I will read more, as much as I was distracted I grew to like her.

Basic writing skills. Mediocre plot.

The writing was painfully simplistic, and only exacerbated by the Audible version. The plot was not interesting. I read/listened to this only because I was waiting to get a copy of Mayors of New York for a mystery book club. I thought I’d
warm up with Rozan’s first in the Lydia Chin Series. That she kept at this new career for dozens of more novels is a testament to perseverance and skills only getting better with practice.

Disappoin. Started off thoroughly enjoying, then..

I started the story & was well pleased with it. I felt the performance was enjoyable, especially due to a consistent voice for each character. I was enjoying a good story & a great performance that carried my enjoyment for several chapters. I thought, although it wasn't the most extraordinary story, that I could enjoy a story, finally, without profanity & pornographiclly explicit sexual situations. That joy came to an abrupt halt. The author was doing so well, for so long before she took a turn, or more of a plunge, into the vulgarity & profane that permeates this uncivilized, modern society. So disappointing.