Review of A Chinese Remedy

[Smrithi Arun]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Chinese Remedy" by Shawe Ruckus.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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When an unfortunate fire causes a power outage in Holborn, London, Joyce Peng finds herself locked out of her apartment and seeking shelter with her long-lost ex, Tilly Wurman. As they catch up, Tilly starts getting worried as Joyce seems to show suicidal tendencies in the name of research for an upcoming book. However, when Joyce ultimately dies, her Asian tycoon brother suspects foul play and is determined to get to the truth.

On the other side of London, Catherine Roxborough gets a nerve-wracking welcome in the form of a stalker and a break-in after her year-long retreat to India. Naturally, it not only scares her but her remaining family as well. It is up to Chance Yang, an M&A consultant, to get to the bottom of both cases. Did Joyce really end her life? Who could be stalking Catherine, and why? Could these cases be interconnected? Find out by picking up a copy of A Chinese Remedy by Shawe Ruckus.

Firstly, I commend the author’s skill as he seamlessly interweaved the past and the present. I never realized such perfect transitions could exist in text. I also loved the attention to detail. Mentioning the slight sounds in the background helped with visualizing the story wonderfully. I liked how Chance analyzed situations, too; he made a lot of sense.

However, a few things didn’t sit right with me. I wonder how Felipe Kazama, Chance’s boss, could hire someone clearly unqualified to be a bodyguard just for his personal gain. Doing a self-defence crash course certainly wouldn’t be enough, right? Further, even though I found Felipe to be an interesting character at first, he became very irritating very soon. I believe most of his dialogues could have been cut out, and instead, the space could have been better used for the investigation and resolution.

Speaking of that, I think the author tried taking a realistic approach here. I found the conclusions and, ultimately, the climax underwhelming. As a reader, it felt like I had to fill in the gaps by myself, which isn’t an enjoyable look for a thriller. Further, Chance and his love interest didn’t have much chemistry, making the whole angle awkward. Lastly, I am trying to understand why the epilogue was what it was. Usually, the epilogues I’ve read are related to the present. This one was regarding a flashback. Since this book is the first in the series, I believe the answers lie within the second book.

A Chinese Remedy was a fascinating and gripping read, but it lacked the thrill element. I would rate it 3 out of 5 stars due to the reasons mentioned above. I also found a few editing errors, but they didn’t hinder my reading experience. I believe the book still has a lot of potential. Those who can overlook the thrill factor and enjoy a realistic story should pick this one up.

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A Chinese Remedy
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[Chinenye Achilike]

I'm curious to find out what led to Joyce's death, so I guess I'll have to grab a copy of the book. Nice review.

[Smrithi Arun]

I'm curious to find out what led to Joyce's death, so I guess I'll have to grab a copy of the book. Nice review.

I'm glad to have piqued your curiosity! You shall be genuinely surprised, and maybe even have the same reaction as me. Happy reading!

[Omneya Shakeep]

I enjoyed reading your skillfully analysed review very much, Smrithi. Your attention to the minor details is truly admirable. I'll be keeping an eye out for this book. Thanks for this amazing review!

[NetMassimo]

There are some interesting elements in this novel but romance is not my thing and bad romance is a turn-off, so I'll probably skip it. Thank you for your honest review!

[Kelvinna]

I appreciate the well-structured review. The author's excellent book and its intriguing title have piqued my interest, prompting me to add it to my bookshelf without a doubt.

[Kelvinna]

The reviewer's critique stands out for me, appreciating both the well-written review, the rating given, and the recommendation provided. I must emphasize the quality of this piece, thoroughly enjoying the content while reading it.

[Jeff Kanda]

I just finished reading Shawe Ruckus' book titled 'All Body Bags and No Knickers' and it is somehow similar to this one on characterization and plot setting. I believe I will enjoy reading this one. Thanks for the engaging review.

[MercyNdungu]

I enjoyed reading your review and getting a glimpse of this captivating novel. Sounds like a book worth a try.

[Smrithi Arun]

I enjoyed reading your skillfully analysed review very much, Smrithi. Your attention to the minor details is truly admirable. I'll be keeping an eye out for this book. Thanks for this amazing review!

You are so kind as always, Omneya! Thank you so much for your compliments!

[Smrithi Arun]

There are some interesting elements in this novel but romance is not my thing and bad romance is a turn-off, so I'll probably skip it. Thank you for your honest review!

If it helps, the romantic elements aren't very prominent. You might still enjoy the book if you wish to pick it up! Thank you so much for commenting!

[Smrithi Arun]

I appreciate the well-structured review. The author's excellent book and its intriguing title have piqued my interest, prompting me to add it to my bookshelf without a doubt.

I hope you enjoy the book more than I did! Thank you for your wonderful comment!

[Smrithi Arun]

The reviewer's critique stands out for me, appreciating both the well-written review, the rating given, and the recommendation provided. I must emphasize the quality of this piece, thoroughly enjoying the content while reading it.

Thank you so much, once again, for your appreciation!

[Smrithi Arun]

I just finished reading Shawe Ruckus' book titled 'All Body Bags and No Knickers' and it is somehow similar to this one on characterization and plot setting. I believe I will enjoy reading this one. Thanks for the engaging review.

I believe that is the third book in the series. I had my sights on it, but after reading this one, I'm not sure I'll pick it up. Thank you for your encouraging comments, Jeff!

[Smrithi Arun]

I enjoyed reading your review and getting a glimpse of this captivating novel. Sounds like a book worth a try.

I hope you like it more than I did! Thank you for commenting!