Zhou Haohui is a hugely popular author in China and it’s easy to see why with this book.

Thrilling from beginning to end, this book is fast paced as an elite police force try to find the killer before he gets to his next target. The characters are brilliantly written, without giving too much away about them to keep you guess who is trustworthy. There are many twists in this book, some I guessed, some I didn’t.

I highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading the next in the series.

Intriguing complex Chinese puzzle of a detective story. One is never sure who is the hero or villain as the tale twists and turns cleverly around a series of killings. How the impossible is achieved is cunningly explained and leaves one anticipating the next chapter!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Heads of Zeus for an advance copy of Death Notice, the first novel in a trilogy, set in Chengdu, China.

18 years ago a killer calling himself Eumenides killed a high ranking police officer and two trainees in two separate incidents. Now Eumenides is back, first killing Sergeant Zheng Haoming who was part of the original 4/18 task force and is hot on his trail, then using the dark net to canvass for potential targets, those who have escaped justice through power and influence.

I thoroughly enjoyed Death Notice which had me hooked from the beginning and engrossed throughout. It is a very clever novel with Eumenides displaying an ingenuity and audacity rarely seen together and which has the police baffled and confounded. I felt myself gasping in surprise at every twist and turn and as there are plenty it's a bit of a breathless read. As the novel is told entirely from the police point of view, the narrative does switch between various task force members, Eumenides' actions have a much greater impact because the reader is privy to their "foolproof" preparations and how he outwits them thus comes as much as a shock to the reader as to them.

Mr Zhou certainly knows how to write a novel. The set pieces/action scenes are well orchestrated and even better imagined and are surrounded by prior preparation and debrief. The team's tension and intense preparation prior to them is palpable and their shock and anger after another failed mission all too obvious. I also enjoyed the interplay between the characters, suspicion, trust and secrets all come tumbling out as the pressure bites. The last few twists are jaw dropping and the only downside to the novel is the cliffhanger ending and the wait for the next instalment.

Death Notice is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

A fast-paced police procedural set in China with well-written suspense elements and an authentic setting. Translated into English this book, reads well. 'Death Notice' is a mixture of cold case investigation and the present day pursuit of a serial killer.

The plot is complex as are the characters. The writing style isn't descriptive, but there is sufficient information for the reader to understand what's going on and try to solve the clues. The procedures are bureaucratic and appear dated but presumably are reflective of police procedures within China.

I enjoyed the writing style and the author's ability to create suspense. There is an overriding mystery to solve, which will span the series but this first book ties up the immediate loose ends while leaving the detectives and the reader further mysteries to solve.

I received a copy of this book from Head of Zeus via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The Death Notice

The Death Notice #spoileralert

This is a well written cleverly plotted crime thriller. I was drawn in, it kept me interested and intrigued and I was looking forward to the denouement but...
The end was a let down for me. I enjoy reading a series but I like a proper ending for each book within in a series. This left so many loose ends and ended with ‘End of Part One’ which I found most unsatisfying. As a result of this disappointment I can only give it 3 stars rather than 4.

Thank you #netgalley I was glad of the opportunity to read #DeathNotice

Excellent! Fast paced and exciting, an ingenious plot - I could not put it down. Well researched and well written, I can not recommend this highly enough.

A novel with a unique premise and a unique setting! The author is at the top of his game in China and I’m very pleased this has been translated!

It’s the first in a trilogy and what a start! Someone is attacking the police through messages on email. Internet cafes around the city of Chengdu could be the crime scene and so the city takes on a very claustrophobic feel from the first page. That and the offices of the Chengdu police where the fear and the retributions come thick and fast. The messages are signed Eumenides (after the Greek goddess of vengeance and retribution) which sets the tone and theme of the novel throughout. This killer is all about retribution in some way.


The fact that the public then start to effectively nominate people to suffer and be killed is particularly unsettling but also thrilling as a plot device and this was definately Jo Nesbo territory!

The Chengdu setting, the unique storyline and premise. An insight into a police force on the edge. A lot to enjoy and feast upon here.

It’s a really popular TV series in China. I’d be interested in seeing that one day.

Please note my review is based solely on a sample of these incredible novel.
This is a Chinese police crime thriller with a brilliant premise and an ingenious plot.
18 years before the main thrust of this story set in 2002. On 18th April 1984 a most unusual murderer literally announced themselves on the nation. Through two separate death notices they gave their intent to execute two police officers for crimes committed.
The notices in an strange and somewhat crafted scripted were signed Eumenides.
To prevent widespread fear and panic, plus to keep secret the lack of clues the police department had the cases were sealed. Fortunately no additional murders appeared to have been committed and no further publicity; although unsolved they were cold cases no-one was looking to re-open.
Fast forward to 2002 where a senior and respected police officer is stepping out in secret from behind his desk job taking photos of web users in Internet cafes. It appears Eumenides has returned in some form and some of the former task force are already involved. When this police officer is killed in a copy cat fashion to the first murder in 1984 the police hastily reform a task force but already appear to be playing catch-up and have doubts over who to trust.
The selection I read was without any prior knowledge and I found the opening confusing. Once the modern murder takes place all becomes clear and questions form over who Captain Pei is and what his original involvement in the case really amounted to then and now.
I am left annoying poised wanting to read more but no sample pages left. A must read and a guaranteed success.