Customer Reviews

The Red Heart of Jade (Dirk & Steele, Book 3)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In THE RED HEART OF JADE, Marjorie M. Liu returns us to the fantastic world of Dirk & Steele, the detective agency which has more to offer than your average PI firm. This time it's wisecracking psychic Dean Campbell in the spotlight. He's in Taipei with his shapeshifter partner, Koni, investigating a series of grisly murders in which the victims apparently spontaneously combusted. In the course of his investigation, he finds something impossible, even for his world: his long-dead childhood sweetheart, Miribelle Lee, alive and well. And she's hip-deep in his case without even knowing it.

For her part, Miri rarely accepts things outside her normal worldview, but when Dean, whom she thought was killed long ago, shows up (along with other scary and seemingly impossible events and creatures) and tells her to trust him, she does, without question.

And that's the beauty of this story: the unconditional love and trust between Miri and Dean after so many years apart and so many questions between them. They've been given a miraculous second chance and neither has any hesitation about taking it. The dialogue between them sparkles and I love it.

The intrigue that surrounds Miri and Dean is harder for Miri to accept, but Dean she trusts absolutely. So she joins him in a game of cat-and-mouse against a dragon shifter and the cult sworn to protect the red heart of jade artifact found by Miri's archaeological team. The mystery surrounding the artifact is suspenseful right to the very end, and the larger story arc of Dirk & Steele moves along nicely. Just as in SHADOW TOUCH, readers (and characters) are left wondering about the allegiances of formerly trusted compatriots, and I for one can't wait to see where it goes next.

This book has it all -- action, adventure, intrigue, romance, basically something for everyone -- and I highly recommend it.

Marjorie Liu takes us back into the world of shape-shifters and magic we first found in TIGER EYE.

Mirabelle Lee, a childhood friend, of Dean Campbell, is an archeologist. She is working in Taipei on the bodies of some ancient humans. She has thought that Dean was dead for the last 20 years. He has thought she was dead. When her mentor is kidnapped and the ancient remains stolen she finds Dean is the investigator that, Dirk and Steele have sent to find out who is killing people by burning them to death. Dirk and Steele are positive it is one of the same type of people they employ, shapeshifers psychics and other paranormals. The need to keep the secret of their existance is imperative.

Dean is a clairvoyant who experiences the deaths when he walks the scene of the crime. But these fires he can't escape even in his dreams. With the help of Koni, a shapeshifer who can change to a crow, he has managed to confront the killer one time and barely escapes with his life. Koni recognizes a fellow shapeshifter, a Dragon, the most powerful of the shapeshifters.

A piece of red jade found in the chest of one of the ancient bodies brings Mirabelle and Dean togather, and togather they complete each other. Now they must find the jade, and when they learn there is another, the mate to the one they found, things are about to be revealed that will either remake their lives or remake the world.

A wonderful deep, powerful adventure that takes your breath away and takes you spiriling through time and space. A totally unexpected conclusion that leaves you wanting more.

Dean Campbell has been sent to Taipei by Dirk and Steele Detective Agency to investigate several murders. Dirk and Steele doesn't investigate ordinary murders, however, as these occurred when the individuals were burned alive through the power of someone's mind. Dean has an unusual power himself and tries to track the psychic threads of the killer but is instead led to his childhood best friend and sweetheart, Mirabelle Lee.

Miri and Dean each believed the other dead after a carjacking went wrong when they were merely teenagers. Miri has become an archaeologist and just discovered a mysterious jade piece imbedded in the chest of an ancient female mummy. Even more bizarre, flesh had grown over the jade indicating that the woman had continued to live after the jade was implanted in her. The discovery of the jade piece has attracted a great deal of attention in the immortal and psychic communities and not all of this attention is good. Now, forces bigger than either Miri or Dean are seeking to bring the two of them together to complete a task of which neither is aware.

Marjorie Liu has created her own version of the X-Men. The members of Dirk and Steele each have a unique power or powers that make them different from the rest of society, just as the Mutants do. Some characters, such as Koni, are shapeshifters while others are clairvoyant, telepathic, or psychic in some other manner. However, Marjorie Liu's series is not simply a rehash or carbon copy of the X-Men but is instead a unique blend of action, intrigue, romance, and the paranormal that makes this wonderful series stand apart from all others.

THE RED HEART OF JADE takes readers on a journey into the sensual, sometimes seedy, world of Taipei. The lush details bring Taipei to life and one can almost smell the various scents and aromas while envisioning the land itself. The action is intense and readers will be tempted to peek at the ending to see how Marjorie Liu can possibly resolve the mess that Dean and Miri find themselves in. Restrain yourself, however, as the build up and eventual conclusion are well worth the wait!

The intricate details of THE RED HEART OF JADE may be difficult for readers new to the series to completely understand. This reviewer highly recommends first reading TIGER EYE and SHADOW TOUCH so that the reader can truly appreciate the complexity of Marjorie Liu's world. There are several ongoing threads, such as those regarding the Consortium and the trustworthiness of Dirk and Steele, that are gradually being revealed throughout the series and are part of the continuity of the series.

Marjorie Liu demonstrates once again why she is such an exciting author to read. THE RED HEART OF JADE is a fascinating story with numerous dream sequences flawlessly intertwined with great action and a sweet romance. This stunning story is sure to keep the reader enthralled. One word of caution, however: once you start reading THE RED HEART OF JADE, you will not want to put it down!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Dean lost Miri, the love of his life, at the age of sixteen to a faceless killer who robbed and then shot her in front of him. He has since drifted, trying to find an anchor, a place where he could belong. He finally found that in the Dirk & Steele Detective Agency, a family of men and women who, like Dean, have special powers.

Dean is sent to Taipei to investigate a rash of fires set by a very unusual arsonist. What he finds instead is Miri in danger of losing her life and an ancient evil in pursuit of a power that could threaten their world.

This was a very intriguing story. The writing is first-rate. The relationship between Dean and Miri is highly unusual. They are like two halves of a whole, incomplete when apart but formidable when together, and the answer to their unique relationship is spelled out at the end.

This is an intricate tale with enough interweaving plotlines to keep you from guessing the ending, and the ending is a surprise. You won't be disappointed.

Don't miss Tiger Eye (1st book) and Shadow Touch (2nd), also by Marjorie M. Liu!

In Liu's books I feel I am actually "on location" in the countries her stories take place in. She describes everything in unique detail, engaging all your senses.

Her descriptions are fabulous. Here is an example: "And then Miri heard a rasping sound beyond the door of the lab, an odd hard ripping. Something was on the stairs and it was large, ponderous, an unending rolling rumble that got louder and louder, like a truck engine wrapped in snakeskin and chains." :)

For a paranormal fantasy, her books are very contemporary, and the plots, amazing and complex as they are, believable. I felt like I was there. What more can you ask for??

I can't wait to buy her next book!

If you loved Indiana Jones then the lush settings and nearly non-stop action of the Red Heart of Jade will make you giggle with happiness!

Dean Cambell, gifted energy visionary and a member of Dirk & Steele global detective agency, is a face we've seen twice before in Liu's work in this series. This time he's been sent on an assignment to Taipei, Taiwan to "find" a pyrokinetic homicidal maniac who has killed 15 residents already. Only, strange things are beginning to happen to him...and the killer doesn't turn out to be a gifted human at all, but a shape-shifter, a white dragon.

Mirabelle Lee, is a 36 year old archeologist. She is a leading expert in chinese mummies and antiquities and has been called in to Taiwan after a collegue discovered three 4,000 year old mummies, one of which has a strange peice of jade embedded in it's chest.

In a sudden and explosive discovery Dean and Miri, parted by death as 16 year old kids on the Philly streets, are reunited. A plot starts to be uncovered, tied up with the murders Dean and his shape-shifter associate, Koni, were sent to solve. Now as the three run for their lives, they must solve the mystery of the broken red heart of jade and risk death many times over.

The lush descriptions of the lands the characters travel through, from Taiwan to Hong Kong to interior China, are like their own character in this book. While not neccisarily steamy Dean and Miri's love definitley pulls at your heart and their quirky personalities, especially Dean's odd sense of humor, shine. IF you love shape- shifters, psychics, and magic wrapped around love and adventure this story is for you!

Imagine finding the love of your life that you thought was dead 20 years later. Imagine trying to find a cereal killer that eats his victim's then burns whats left to ash ,and now he's after you. Imagine Shape-shifters, Psyche's and conspiracy's that go back over 5000 + yrs. Imagine. You can't. That is why we are so lucky to have Marjorie M Liu writing these wonderful stories and filling our imagination with the unimaginable. I for one am hook. Keep them coming and this reader will keep reading them.

Do yourself a favor, if you are looking for a story that will take you to places all of the world the under $10. That will let you leave reality far behind. Pick up one of Liu's books and turn off the TV, let the answering machine pick up your calls and let yourself believe. You wont be disappointed.

This book is a great continuation of the Dirk & Steele series. This time it's about Dean Campbell and his childhood sweetheart (whom he thought was dead).
I loved all of the great characters. The paranormal aspect just keeps getting better and more complicated with each book of the series. I'm definately looking forward to the next book!

Tiger Eye takes us to China, Shadow Touch we see Russia, and now Red Heart of Jade takes us to Japan. Liu is determined to fly our imaginations to the far reaches of the world. I love this woman! Her settings and characters are so vivid and each book is unique. So often romance writers follow a certain outline for ALL their books. A reader knows exactly what is going to happen and when. Not so with Liu. Each book is a stand alone and completely different from the previous. Each situation and each person is unique in their problems and abilities.

In this one, another member of the Dirk and Steele detective agency, Dean is reunited with his childhood love, Miri, whom he thought dead all these years. Miri is an archeologist, whose partner had discovered a strange ruby inside a mummy. Now she's being hunted by strange supernatural beings. Dean is in Taipei with Koni investigating a murder spree (burned victims they think might be caused by a murdering dragon) when his trail of vicitims brings him to Miri. Discovering her finding and his investigation are connected, they join together to discover the truth of the Red Heart, their relationship, and the murders.

Very fast-paced and action pacted. I loved it! Please! More! More!

I picked up a copy of Tiger Eye on impulse. Since then I have been a fan of Marjorie M. Liu. She has a real talent for hooking a reader until the last page.

In this entry into the Dirk & Steele Detective Agency, Dean Campbell finds his lost love, Mira. They thought each other dead, only to meet again after 20 years. Both have power that was unknown until now. Dean knew of his psychometric ability, but now it is changing into something more. Mira was unaware of her ability. This book has all of the magic of it's forefunners and adds more knowledge to this particular world. Some of the characters from other books are back. Particularly Koni, he who flys as crow. There is more knowledge about the dragons - who get more complicated.

I recommend that the books be read in order. There is information in each contributing to the next. It is possible to read them as stand alone though.

This series is really wonderful. My only complaint is that Liu is writing too slowly.