Peter May, The Fourth Sacrifice

The Fourth Sacrifice

Peter May

Dunne, February 2007, $24.95

ISBN: 0312364644

In Beijing, the police are baffled by the serial killing, with the fourth beheading having just occurred. Forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell is tired of China, especially her hotel room, so she asks the American Ambassador to help her leave immediately. Her plans to go home to the states change when the American Embassy asks her to help the cops with the latest murder, an employee, Yuan Tao. Reluctantly she agrees, as she knows her skills might help prevent another beheading.

To her dismay, Margaret is teamed up with Chinese police detective Li Yan. They met during an investigation into a murder in nearby Ritan Park and fell in love, but he ended their relationship abruptly. She is unaware why he did that, as he has not told her that his superiors warned him to do so or face termination of his career. Angering Li is that renowned archaeologist Michael Zimmerman, whom Margaret met at a party in his honor, who seems to want her as he shows her the exciting terra-cotta figures found at nearby Xi'an. A jealous Li and upset Margaret argue over Michael's attention, even as they begin to find clues that prove THE FOURTH SACRIFICE was done by a different person than the previous three, and the tie between the four is the death of the last victim's father during the Cultural Revolution. Michael proposes, while he, Margaret and Li rendezvous in a hidden chamber where death waits for them from a friendly source.

This is an excellent Chinese police procedural, starring a strong American protagonist and a powerful support cast. The storyline is fast-paced, yet enables the reader to understand the emotions, especially of the heroine and the cop, who return from the terrific FIREMAKER tale. However, the star of this exciting thriller is China, as Peter May brings to life the rich heritage and present of a wide awake giant.