Customer Reviews

Riding the Snake

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wheeler Cassidy is an alcoholic rich boy whose only aim in life is to hang out at the Country Club bar to get drunk and pick up on member's wives. Living off estate money yet often running short, his decline on the steep side after the death of his father, he lives one day just as the last until his up-and-coming, successful, brother Prescott is killed.

Shortly following his death, his secretary Angie Wong is brutally murdered; and beautiful black Tanisha Williams from the LAPD Asian Crimes unit is called to the scene. Tanisha grew up in the gang infested streets of the LA `hoods' and watched her five year old sister die from a gunshot wound. She wanted to fight back by becoming a police officer but soon became untouchable on the force and under IA investigation when transferred to the Asian Crimes unit, the worst place for a black female officer.

Tanisha and Wheeler make a very unlikely team as the hunt begins for Prescott and Angies murderers; both of them out of luck and out of time and out of patience. From LA to Hong Kong they search for clues to the murders, soon becoming targets themselves.

Interwoven into their desperate man hunt is the story of Fu Hai, an innocent man imprisoned for crimes his father did not even commit. He finally frees himself from Khotan and step by step begins his journey to America, trying to `Ride The Snake' as an illegal immigrant. His journey is brutal and degrading and yet filled with hope that he will be able to someday also free his sister who is trapped in poverty. Fu Hai must sell himself to the tongs to ride the snake, and so his journey is a long series of hardships, deceptions, beatings, and illness.

With amazing descriptions of Hong Kong harbor, streets and ghettos, palaces and The Walled City, Mr. Cannell takes you on an incredibly face paced adventure in this non-stop action novel. The suspense stays with you right to the ending, each page packing a punch. Great book for airplane travel or a weekend snuggled in your favorite chair.

I, being a very fickle reader--meaning that if I don't like something about the book, or something about it rubs me the wrong way--or if it is unbearably boring, I will stop reading it--found this book to be almost perfect. It kept me held tight until the last page. I bought it because I buy anything with a multi-cultural character make up--and I was even happier to discover that there was an IR relationship involved. But like another reveiwer said, the IR relationship took a backseat to the general greatness of this books' plot. It was really good, interesting, fast paced, and I loved the characters--all of them. I especially loved Fu Hai's journey for freedom, for wealth, for something different from the hardship he'd been accustomed to his entire existence. Cannell's writing is airtight, and he knows what he's talking about--which is another plus. My only qualms, which constituted removing one star from my rating--was the horrible slang he used for the South Central characters--including the main character Tanisha's dialogue at times. It was laughable, and I, being an African American female, didn't know what the people were talking about half the time because they were saying things I've never even heard before. But, I didn't grow up anywhere like South Central L.A. either so maybe I'm just not hip enough... Anyway, the book was great, go get it.

After having slogged my way through a couple of books lately this one was a real pleasure. Now, don't get me wrong with the 5 star rating here - it's not a life-changing book. It's just a whole lot of fun.

And it should be since it comes from famed television producer and writer Stephen J. Cannell. One can tell that he has plenty of experience (what kind of experience? How about working on 'Adam-12' and 'Columbo', creating the 'Rockford Files', 'Baretta', '21 Jump Street', 'The A-Team' , 'The Greatest American Hero' and at least a dozen more) with creating likeable, interesting characters and putting them over their heads in difficult situations.

In this case, a white ne'er-do-well playboy from Berverly Hills and a black female street-hardened cop from South Central team up to take on the Chinese Triad criminal syndicate.

Sound hoaky? sure, it does.

But, it works anyway.

Lots of fun and a breeze to read means that this reader gives this one an 'A'.

What a good story. This is the first novel of his I have read. I will read more. I found the information on China and their triads, gangsters, and tongs to be very informative. The book was well researched. All in all a great fiction story with a non fiction base. We can beleive today the real enemy will be China in the future. I hope not for many years.Best of all it shows how our country is not protecting us by allowing all the illegal immigrants and now talking of their rights. Fiction is a close brother of non fiction, actually Siamese twins. Read it and weep.

This is my first Cannell "book" although I have watched and enjoyed many of his TV shows. I am a very eclectic reader and am hardly ever without a book at hand -- I thought Ride the Snake was a pretty good story line. It would do well as a made-for-TV movie or even a big screen. Like one of the other reviewers I would like to see a sequel. I really liked the change in Wheeler and to hell with his mother and her money! I think he made the right choice. Good quick read.

Loved this book! Great writing with descriptive details. Now, I would love to read a sequel!

Do not let the fact that Mr.Cannell is involved with television/Hollywood.... fool you regarding his ability to paint descriptive characters/places and plots with his words....if by chance you are like me and delight in finding an author that can actually make you look forward to picking up the book you are presently reading....and if you tend to read everything the author has written...then order 'Riding the Snake' with confidence and each of Cannell's previous works....'Riding the Snake' was entertaining as well as culturally illuminating...Cannell is one of those rare authors that allow us to relish where he has taken us...and to wait in anticipation of his next work.

FULL OF SUSPENSE. lIKED IT SO MUCH ORDERED 2 MORE OF HIS BOOKS
FROM AMAZON

I am always looking for the unusual read. I was very pleased with this story. I like the lead charactors being from totally different worlds and dealing in a totally different environment even for both of them. I would love a sequel and a television movie. Since I am often glued to whatever Stephen Cannell writes for television (I am still watching the Rockford Files with glee), I know that I would enjoy this. I also very much appreciated the authors' sensitivity to name calling for the sake of art. I got the messege without being insulted. Great book. Even better sequel (HINT!)

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book, but I couldn't put it down. I liked the descriptions of China. It was up to date with China taking over Hong Kong. It was very interesting. I would like to read more of his books now.