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Yellowthread Street

Book 1 in the series:Yellowthread Street

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'Yellowthread Street' by William Marshall is a humorous and quirky police procedural set in Hong Kong before the communist takeover. The story follows the team of inspectors at Yellowthread Street as they navigate through various cases, including a missing American tourist, armed robberies, violent sailors on shore leave, and turf wars among gangs. The writing style is described as spare yet engaging, with a mixture of action, comic lines, and dark humor that keeps the readers hooked. The narrative is detailed, with an eclectic style that captures the unique setting of British Hong Kong.

Characters:

Characters are eclectic and well-developed, each contributing to the humor and dynamics of police work in a vibrant, albeit gritty, setting.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is concise and to the point, employing authentic dialogue and a blend of humor and dark themes, resulting in a unique narrative voice.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a series of interconnected mysteries that blend humor with darker themes, showcasing diverse incidents and a colorful cast in 1970s Hong Kong.

Setting:

The setting in 1970s Hong Kong is rich and alive, providing a backdrop that contrasts British colonialism with local culture.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast and engaging, making it a quick read while keeping the reader invested in the narrative's many twists.
As Detective Inspector Phil Auden went through the door of the Yellowthread Street Police Station in the district of Hong Bay and the day shift left, night fell, seven Jumbo jets carrying a total of t...

Notes:

William Marshall is praised for his concise and engaging writing style.
The novel features complex dialogue with multiple conversations happening at once, reflecting real-life conversations.
The book balances gory details with dark humor, creating an authentic experience.
Set in mid-1970s Hong Kong, it reflects the city's unique and seedy atmosphere before the British handover.
Characters include Detective Chief Inspector Harry Feiffer, who deals with his identity crisis, and various quirky inspectors and constables.
The plot involves missing tourists, armed robbers, and gang turf wars, showcasing a mix of horror and comedy.
The Yellowthread Street series is considered humorous and quirky, often compared to Ed McBain’s work but with a unique comedic touch.
Marshall's style is described as reminiscent of Joseph Heller's 'Catch 22' in its humor and absurdity.
Many readers find the series entertaining and engaging despite some mixed reviews about character depth and writing quality.
The novels provide a nostalgic view of British colonialism in Hong Kong, which is now a vanished culture.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include violence, gore, dark humor, and non-PC attitudes.

From The Publisher:

The Hong Bay district of Hong Kong is a spectacularly seedy maze of cut-rate brothels, betting shops, and other less wholesome enterprises. Keeping the peace - sort of - are the cops of the Yellowthread Street Station. They're an intrepid (if foul-mouthed) bunch, but even their formidable skills are taxed by the Bay's latest series of mishaps, which begin with a fellow near the fishmarket chopping up his wife with an axe. Meanwhile, notorious madam Hot Time Alice Ping and her colleague Osaka the Disemboweler are plotting revenge on the Mongolian, a giggling, freelance extortionist with a knack for hacking off folks' fingers. It all winds up with a frenzied three-way battle against Hong Kong's neon backdrop. And then there's the tourist from New Jersey who seems to have misplaced his wife.... For a truly good detective story, the Yellowthread Street mysteries can't be beat - Chicago Herald The perfect choice for fans of Donald Westlake and Ross Thomas

 
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