Stealing the Dragon: Cape Weathers Mystery (Cape Weathers Investigations) [Paperback]

Tim Maleeny (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cape Weathers Investigations | Publication Date: September 1, 2009

Soon after an ancient talisman is smuggled out of Hong Kong, a container ship filled with Chinese refugees runs aground on Alcatraz, the crew murdered.

 

The Chinese Triads suspect one of their own, a female assassin named Sally known to have complex relationships with a San Francisco detective named Cape Weathers. But when Sally goes missing, Cape becomes the focus of the Triad's attention, and soon the FBI have him on their radar. Cape quickly realizes he's screwed if he doesn't find out what really happened on board the ship.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When the crew of a ship carrying hundreds of Chinese refugees is murdered, PI Cape Weathers, a former cop, immediately suspects it's the work of a professional assassin. But Cape's investigation is hampered by the fact that his partner, Sally (who happens to be a trained assassin), is missing. Soon Cape is locked in a deadly battle with the ruthless Chinese organized crime organization, the Triads. It's an intriguing story, marred somewhat by overwriting. Still, there are flashes of flair and inspiration in this promising first novel. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Tough, original, compelling—a perfect thriller debut."    —Lee Child, NY Times bestselling author of One Shot and The Hard Way, of Stealing the Dragon

 

"Maleeny gives readers a fresh and fast take that enthralls."      —Crimespree Magazine of Stealing the Dragon

 

"Readers will want to see more of Cape and Sally."    —Library Journal of Stealing the Dragon

 

 

"Readers will want to see more of Cape and Sally."—Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590586735
• ISBN-13: 978-1590586730
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,219,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A confident and entertaining debut, February 19, 2007

By 

David Montgomery "Book Critic" (davidjmontgomery.com) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stealing the Dragon (The Cape Weathers Investigations) (Paperback)

San Francisco comes alive in Tim Maleeny's engaging and confident debut thriller, Stealing the Dragon, a dark but witty book that showcases a new talent that is likely to please many readers.

When a container ship filled with illegal Chinese immigrants runs aground on Alcatraz Island, the crew slaughtered like cattle, private investigator Cape Weathers decides to find out what happened. His motives aren't mercenary, but personal. He's afraid that his friend Sally, a woman with a shadowy, hidden past, might have been the killer.

Weathers' investigation takes him into Chinatown where he runs up against the Triads, a local leader with his eyes on the mayors' office and an exiled mob boss improbably named One-Eyed Dong. The colorful characters are just part of the fun in this fast-paced story. Even better are the flashbacks to Sally's life growing up in a Hong Kong school for assassins.

Stealing the Dragon is an entertaining story that combines a gumshoe mystery in the tradition of Dashiell Hammett with the exotic action of Trevanian. If the detective story isn't as interesting as the other aspects of the plot, it is still refreshing to see an author trying to do something different in the PI genre.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story, April 11, 2007

By 

William C. Smith "Grateful Reader" (Swannanoa, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stealing the Dragon (The Cape Weathers Investigations) (Paperback)

A ship runs aground in San Francisco full of Chinese refugees and the crew has been murdered by an unknown unseen assassin. Enter Cape Weathers a private eye, whose friend on the SFPD clues him into helping the authorities solve the case. Cape is called upon not so much for his reputation as that of his friend, Sally, who was raised and trained from a young girl by the Triads. There's the body count, especially the one Cape finds in the trunk of his car which he keeps on ice, literally. There's the mystery of all the unknown possible suspects, and there's this alternate story of Sally's life entwined in the story. How Sally grew up, and where, and all about her special training and skills. You might be a little like me while reading this and say, "Wow, this is Maleeny's first book?" And the best part is the promise of more Cape Weathers to come. At times funny, and other times thrilling, this book was not a disappointment and one I found hard to put down. I'm now anxiously awaiting the 2nd in this series about Cape and Sally.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, Fun Thriller, July 8, 2007

By 

Casey Brathwaite "C. Brathwaite" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stealing the Dragon (The Cape Weathers Investigations) (Paperback)

This book was entertaining from the first page to the last, introducing us to a new set of interesting and endearing characters. I have found another writer to add to my list of favorites. I eagerly await the next installment, Beating the Babushka!