Reading order · 6 books · 1999 to 2004 · Set in Beijing
China thrillers Books in Order
The China thrillers follow Li Yan, a detective in Beijing, and Margaret Campbell, an American forensic pathologist, as they solve crimes and fall in love in a changing China.
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Series facts
- Books
- 6
- Published
- 1999 to 2004
- First book
- The Firemaker
- Latest
- Chinese Whispers (2004)
- Setting
- Set in Beijing
The reading order
Every China thrillers book in publication order. Choose a title for its cast and summary.
6 books · Set in Beijing
- 1The Firemaker1999With Li Yan and Margaret CampbellMargaret Campbell, an American forensic pathologist in Beijing, works with detective Li Yan to investigate a man found burned alive in a park.Buy on Amazon
- 2The Fourth Sacrifice2000With Li Yan and Margaret CampbellA series of beheadings in Beijing brings Li Yan and Margaret back together.Buy on Amazon
- 3The Killing Room2001With Li Yan and Margaret CampbellBodies are found in a pit on a building site in Shanghai.Buy on Amazon
- 4Snakehead2002With Li Yan and Margaret CampbellA container full of dead Chinese immigrants is found in Texas, and Li Yan and Margaret travel to America.Buy on Amazon
- 5The Runner2003With Li Yan and Margaret CampbellChinese athletes are dying ahead of the Olympic Games.Buy on Amazon
- 6Chinese Whispers2004With Li Yan and Margaret CampbellA killer in Beijing is copying the crimes of Jack the Ripper.Buy on Amazon
Do you need to read them in order?
Read in order, starting with The Firemaker.
Who appears in which book
The series’ main characters, book by book. Lead means the book is told around them; minor covers cameos.
| Book | Li Yan | Margaret Campbell |
|---|---|---|
| 1 The Firemaker | LLead | LLead |
| 2 The Fourth Sacrifice | LLead | LLead |
| 3 The Killing Room | LLead | LLead |
| 4 Snakehead | LLead | LLead |
| 5 The Runner | LLead | LLead |
| 6 Chinese Whispers | LLead | LLead |
Characters in the China thrillers books
2 characters from Peter May’s chart, with the number of China thrillers books each appears in.
| Character | Books | First in this series |
|---|---|---|
| Li YanBeijing detective | 6 | The Firemaker 1999 |
| Margaret CampbellAmerican forensic pathologist | 6 | The Firemaker 1999 |