|
Ridley Pearson is a triple threat writer with a reputation for interesting, involving characters, in-depth background research and page-turning plots. He freely admits that the most enjoyable part of the process is the research, which not only lends authenticity to the project at hand, but frequently stirs his imagination for books to come. His diligent research of the tidal patterns of Seattle's Puget Sound (the locus of his novels featuring curmudgeonly detective Lou Boldt) led to an engrossing mystery called UNDERCURRENTS. His exhaustive research on adoption scams for last year's best-selling novel, PIED PIPER, led him to discover the medieval and unconscionable practice of abandoning female babies in contemporary China. He combined this background information in his latest thriller, THE FIRST VICTIM, which began to take form in his mind as he wrote other books.
Young Chinese women pay thousands of dollars to be sealed in shipping containers and smuggled to America. Little do they know the fate that awaits them upon their arrival: prostitution, slave labor in sweat shops for unscrupulous garment industry bosses, or worse --- death at sea.
A shipping container is found floating in Puget Sound. Known as "Metal Icebergs," they are considered a hazard to navigation and the Coast Guard is called to remove them. Strictly routine, until they approach the sinking container and hear human cries. To the horror of the Coast Guard, local media and Seattle police, three of the women inside are dead, and more than a dozen others are dehydrated and near starvation.
Stevie McNeal, a popular Seattle television news anchor latches on to the human interest story, much to the distaste of the Seattle police, and especially Captain Lou Boldt. McNeal has a personal interest in the story because her adopted little sister, Melissa, a young Chinese woman and a stringer for the television station, decides to explore the story and goes missing. McNeal joins Lou Boldt and detective Jake LaMoia in the hunt for the missing reporter. Their investigation leads them into the dens of the Chinese Triad and to the powerful Mama Lu.
Authentic locations, chases through rusting hulks in a flotilla of junked ships, and a ticking clock plot, propel the book to its exciting finale. While Pearson pads the early portion of the book with information to bring new readers up to speed with the continuing characters, a familiarity with his earlier books will enhance the reader's enjoyment.
--- Reviewed by Roz Shea
© Copyright 1996-2008, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.
|
