book cover of The Living Room of the Dead
 

The Living Room of the Dead

(2005)
(The first book in the Ray Sharp series)
A novel by

 
 
The first Ray Sharp detective thriller, set in Asia and based on true stories.

Introducing Ray Sharp, American expatriate journalist, detective, confused human being just trying to do at least a little something right in the world. Helping out the brother of a colleague, Ray gets tangled up in the sleazy and deadly world of the Russian white slave trade. Based on a true story, the action moves from Hong Kong to Macau to an island brothel run ty the Chinese Navy in the South China Sea and finally to its conclusion in Vladivostok in Russia's wild far east.

"The Living Room of the Dead is a well-written suspenseful, enthralling, and very uncomfortable book to read... Not a cheerful book, but a compelling book. Gritty and violent, difficult to put down even in the ugly parts. A fine first novel inspired by a true story." - PJ Coldren, Crimespree magazine.

"The author gives the readers descriptions of HOng Kong, Macau and Vladivostok on a par with Paul Theroux's travel pieces...a successful debut." - Bernard Trink, Bangkok Post

"It's enjoyable, all the more so for plotting that is a bit close to the edge sometimes. It's all very "noir", filled with introspection, editorial asides, snide commentary and swearing (impressively in at least three languages.) [Stone] can actually write: the pages turn very quickly." - Peter Gordon, Asian Review of Books.

"I was taken for a ride through a slime pit of horrors that had me turning the pages. A very interesting debut. Not for the faint of heart." - Sally Owen, Bookaholic.

"The Living Room of the Dead is a stylish, fresh take on classic noir themes. You won't soon forget Eric Stone's vivid depictions of Macau and Vladivostok -- or the sad, doomed characters who think they're simply passing through." - Laura Lippman

"Auspicious debut thriller by a former journalist who knows the exotic locales whereof he writes: the story is original and compelling, a page-turner with the spare, relentless style of Dennis Lehane or Michael Connelly." - John Farris


Genre: Mystery

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