The King of Macau (The Jack Shepherd Novels)

KING OF MACAU - another page turner from author Jake Needham!I just finished reading KING OF MACAU – I zoomed right through it - did not want to put it down. There is lots of intrigue, action and mystery, along with the usual high standard of writing by Jake Needham –a good international crime thriller in an exotic setting - and a fun ending! I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I’m glad to see so many other positive reviews here. I am familiar with the character “Jack Shepherd” from previous novels. Jack Shepherd does not particularly go out of his way to endear himself to people but he is nonetheless, a compelling character. He’s tough and smart, funny and quick with the wit, and at the same time human and sometimes sentimental. I quite like him. Jack is a lawyer but not of the courtroom variety. As a matter of fact, it seems that frequently what he is hired to do is vague even to him - sort of like “fix this impossible problem” – high stakes in high places and there is little to go on. If you stick with him though, follow where it leads him, you’ll enjoy the ride! One of the characteristics of a “Needham novel” is detail about the locales where the action takes place, presented through the thoughts and observances of the main character. The settings for this novel are exotic - Hong Kong and Macau. So - throughout the action and suspense, the reader is treated to alluring details of the lay of the land including past history, present state of affairs, the pulse of the people, and generally how things go ‘round. A previous Needham novel, WORLD OF TROUBLE, had Jack Shepherd situated at times in Hong Kong and I had loved learning details about the city- riding the Mid-levels escalator– visiting Jack’s little office above a shophouse - and was glad to return to Hong Kong. This novel takes the reader to Macau as well – life in the casinos, the people and streets beyond, the Macau Ferry Terminal, the hydroplane and hourly commutes between Hong Kong and Macau. Oh – and exotic aside – I laughed when I read that Jack Shepherd was able to sniff out a FatBurger restaurant in Macau. In general and in summary, Jake Needham is a smart and savvy writer – he’s on my short list of authors whose books are “read all.” He seems to have a remarkable knack for having his finger on the pulse - knowledgeable of what is going on worldwide, and even intricate details of the politics - to the point sometimes of being prescient. In the Shepherd novel, WORLD OF TROUBLE, the plot in many ways mirrored or foretold what happened, well before it did happen, in the recent anti-democracy riots in Thailand. Currently there are major pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong and I am following that news as though Hong Kong is a place I have visited - as a result of reading two of Jake Needham novels! For now, I am now all caught up but I see - just announced - is the imminent release of THE DEAD AMERICAN on Amazon– number 3 in Needham’s “Samuel Tay “novel series. It looks like I will be making another virtual visit to sunny Singapore. Sam Tay is a very likeable police detective there. I’m looking forward to it!

Jack is a lawyer who specializes in solving legal and financial problems that no one else wants to touch. In this novel, Jack has two problems to solve.To begin with, the chief of security at a Macau casino has asked Jack to investigate a cash flow problem at the casino. It seems that there has been an unusual amount of cash coming into the casino. It's possible that the local gangs in Macau have been laundering money through the casino. For years, many have believed that the owner of the casino has been cooperating with the gangs.At first, Jack is reluctant to take the case. But when the casino owner's beautiful and extremely wealthy daughter asks for his help, Jack decides to get involved. The casino owner is very elderly and the daughter wants to solve the case in a way that clears her father of any connection to the gangs.In addition, Jack has been asked to do a favor for an acquaintance. The acquaintance has a mysterious friend named Freddy who would like to get political asylum in Hawaii. Although Jack usually does not handle asylum cases, he promises his friend that he'll see what he can do.As Jack begins investigating both cases, things become a little more interesting when people start sending bullets in his direction. Apparently, Jack's activities have attracted someone's attention.Will Jack discover the source of the cash flow spike at the casino?Will Freddy get his asylum in Hawaii?And, what about the casino owner's beautiful daughter?I am a big fan of Jake Needham and I really enjoyed this book. Jack is a unique hero. He uses information and investigation, rather than firearms and violence to solve his cases. Don't look for a fairy tale happy ending. Needham ends this book in a realistic, believable, and unexpected way.Another great read from Jake Needham.

rather than just give you the plot outline, I gotta say I wonder why this guy isnt as popular as Tony Hillerman was and, maybe, even Grishamhis stories are very, very entertaining. The locales (mostly asian) are always fun and well described. Those I have been to are accurately outlines.He gives his main characters a self effacing, wry sense of humor and/or sarcasm.all in all very well written and very entertainingthis one takes place in Macau and has more than one 'storyline' in the story. I picked it up to just glance at the beginning and 2 hours later I had finished it.He knows what he writes aboutYes I read fast but this authors work tends to really zip alonguhhhh, yes this is very highly recommended and well worth the time and moneyIf you haven't already, go back and get the rest of his works ... the Big Mango is my favorite but this and the Umbrella Man are right up there

Engaging book with a few twists and turns but the ending was totally annoying.

Great novel: thrilling and partly even funny!

Probably the best book in the series, full of witty and clever chat between Jack and his boys. The story is fine and the description of Macau brought it to life. Clever ending.

I have enjoyed all of the books in this series. This is the first one not primarily in Bangkok, but it turns out that I can relate to Macau almost as well. I would have preferred each book to be longer, but reading all 4 in a row sort of makes it seems like one big book. That said, each one does complete its' story. But I would still recommend that they be read in order.

Gripping story. Hooked right from the start!

Jack Shepard's back, the lawyer turned "fixer" Jake Needham delivers another first class thriller in THE KING OF MACAU.An amazing ride through Macau and all its glitz, glamour and seediness. This book is page turner. And so far MR Needham doesn't disappoint with this well crafted thriller!! I have read all of Jake's books and they all have be amazing and have kept me a loyal fan!Once again another cracker - stop reading the reviews and read the book!Mr Needham, keep it up and hurry up with our next installment..