Category: Mystery/Suspense Publisher: The Plaid Raccoon Press
ISBN-10: 0987708708
Type: Fiction
Pages: 250
Copyright: June 28, 2011
ISBN-13: 9780987708700
Experienced criminal investigators Donaghue and Stainer wrestle with their disbelief when a little boy claims that he remembers the men who killed him in his previous life.
There are more than 2,500 documented cases of young children who have reported memories of a previous life.
Four years ago, Martin Liu was found dead in an alley. Now Homicide Lieutenant Hank Donaghue and Detective Karen Stainer are pulled into the Liu cold case by a little boy named Taylor Chan, who claims he can remember the names of the men who shot him "when he was Martin."
As experienced criminal investigators, Donaghue and Stainer find it hard to believe what Taylor is saying, but Taylor's Uncle Peter has no such qualms. An enforcer for the local Triad, Peter Mah uses clues provided by the little boy to hunt down Martin's killers and exact his revenge.
Donaghue and Stainer must race to contain the violence sweeping the city while struggling with their own reluctance to believe what their eyes and ears are telling them about the little boy's claims!
Professional Reviews
Vera Springer
Written by a talented and wonderful artist, Michael's talent is with his pen. The Quill King writess a pretty mean book. Easy to read (you don't need the dictionary next to you) and easy to follow. I loved the background of different cultures and the wee bit of metaphysical suspence. I am familiar with the reincarnations in young children and the way he fit it into the Chinese culture was interesting. His characters are rounded out and I am looking to read more from the series to become better aquainted with Donaghue and Stainer. (Five stars)
A Book Vacation
If you love murder mysteries, police dramas, and a few elements of the supernatural, then this is the story for you. Four years ago, Martin Liu was found dead in a backstreet alley, a drug deal gone badly, or so police thought. Now, with a young child making claims of remembering who killed him in his past life as Martin, the case is reopened with renewed fervor as not only the police try to find the killers, but Martin’s cousin, Peter Mah, also seeks revenge.
This just blew my mind away, especially the references to reincarnation. I don’t necessarily believe in reincarnation, but McCann’s novel will definitely make you think, and as creepy as it may seem, the elements of this story aren’t too far-fetched at all.
This is a very well written crime novel, full of suspense and intrigue as Hank Donaghue and Karen Stainer work diligently to uncover the truth. I loved the different factions coming to a head, Chinatown versus the police, in a race to see who can find the killers first. I also really enjoyed the complex characters in this novel as well. Not only are the main characters, Donaghue and Stainer , fleshed out into intricate beings, but even Peter Mah and the deceased Martin are given strong identities, making them easily likable. I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a good read. Four stars.
Melanie Adkins
A murder scene looks like a drug deal gone wrong. It's worked until there doesn't seem to be any more evidence then turned over to CCU. Four years later, the case seems to be fully active again. New information has been brought to light that might help solve the murder. Donaghue and Stainer are working the case as if it's new again. Asking questions, meeting people from the past and taking in the new information. It seems Martin Liu, the victim, is reincarnated in the body and mind of three and a half year old Taylor Chan. It might seem random, but Taylor is Liu's cousin's child. He knows to much to be making it up. There are things that don't match up and many more things that do. At first they think it's all bunk, until they start learning Taylor was dead on in his statements. This might even lead to solving the murder.
Not your typical police drama with the inclusion of reincarnation. Many crime drama writers wouldn't have taken this turn, but you know what, it works. It makes the story seem more like something that could actually happen. Especially once you read what the child knows. Action filled and worthy of it's own television show, this book is perfect for those looking for something a little different. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I didn't find anything wrong. It covered all the bases.
I gave this one a 5 out of 5 books because I didn't see the reincarnation coming and it was easy to accept when it did.
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