The Last Six Million Seconds [Audio Cassette]

John Burdett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997

A plastic bag containing three rotting heads is discovered near the Chinese mainland. The British seem to be keen for the investigation to drag on until after June 1997, the powerful Mr Xian wants a swift conclusion to the case, and the NYPD are taking a curious interest in events.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A successful mystery represents the best contemporary writing and research. The Last Six Million Seconds is no exception. The title refers to the time remaining to solve a crime before Hong Kong becomes part of China. A tourist spots a package floating in the South China Sea. Chief Inspector Chan retrieves a grisly find: three severed human heads. From this stark beginning the tension builds straight through to the climax. First, Chinese gangs appear to be the culprits. But gradually the crime takes on startling implications that involve ever higher levels of authority and outline an emerging new world order that threatens the region's future. Author Burdett knows Hong Kong well and cleverly puts contrasting Eastern, Western, and Eurasian states of mind into play in a rewarding fashion. The Last Six Million Seconds is a brilliant tour de force that is richly emphasized by Simon Prebble's superb narration. Highly recommended.?James Dudley, Copiague, N.Y.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

9 1.5-hour cassettes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Recorded Books (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0788709143
• ISBN-13: 978-0788709142
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,483,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Burdett is the author of A Personal History of Thirst, The Last Six Million Seconds, Bangkok 8, and Bangkok Tattoo.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful mix of murder, mystery & historical speculation, August 13, 2001

By 

Ma WenRui "soukouslover" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Six Million Seconds (Audio Cassette)

Set in the moments before the Chinese takeover of HK (the last 6M seconds) this novel uses a rather gruesome murder investigation as background noise to explore the transition, its tensions and the power shakeup. While the investigation is a fine writing in itself (along with the babe who falls in love with the main good guy) I found the book fascinating as it explores the challenge of managing China (1 billion people) and the westernized HK. Most memorable, is the passage where the author asks rhetorically what kind of governing willpower does it take to provide civil administration for this huge mass of people. The book is certainly thought provoking and arguments are so well crafted that you start to understand some of the reasons behing the [not so humane] decisions of the Chinese leadership. Also delightful is the exposition of the oh, so British, approach to politics of the outgoing administration. A good book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An exciting and worthwhile read, April 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Six Million Seconds (Audio Cassette)

This book informs, terrorifies, and insires the reader. I found myself fascinated and repelled by its graphic depiction of the murders, but more so by its message: be very afraid of the new China. It inspired me to seek more information about the Red Chinese army, its tactics, both in business and in culture, and the new Hong Kong. I certainly recommend this book to anyone seeking a thriller, but also to those who want to read further on this area.

4.0 out of 5 stars last six million seconds a winner, January 10, 2011

By 

Keith J. Williams "the music man" (honolulu, hi) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Last Six Million Seconds (Paperback)

The second novel by John Burdett is a good (not very good), but good slow moving thriller. It's one of those novels that keep you going right until the end, but then at the last two to three chapters that your inspector Chan is not going to get the help, nor is he going to really solve the case. The setting is Hong Kong just before the turn over back to china. A bag was spotted floating in hong kong waters waters with three heads, a whiote girl and 2 chinamen. The chinese want this solved really quickly and the english want Chan to take his time at solving the case. But Chan, who is half Irish half Chinese has his reasons to solve the case. With twists and turns and great plotting by Mr. Burdett, the book moves very well and will keep the readers interest. But like I said the ending will dissappoint you, atleast it did me. But do go and enjoy the book for what it is . . . a good thriller, which gets you set for his later novels. (Message to Mr. Burdett: please bring back Inspector Chan in another book soonest . . . I miss his charisma.)