CRIME NOVELIST
CHARLES PHILIPP MARTIN
REVIEWS
Praise for Charles Philipp Martin's Books
"Charles Philipp Martin’s NEON PANIC is an outstanding debut, a superior crime novel by an author who now must bear close watching. This book is marvelously atmospheric. Martin not only shows us Hong Kong — he makes us feel it, smell it, and, perhaps best of all, hear it. Great characters and insights into the worlds of the Hong Kong police, gangster triads, corrupt Chinese businessmen, and foreign musicians playing in a third-tier symphony orchestra. Moreover, all these components are intelligently woven together into a strong suspenseful plot. What more could a crime fiction reader want?"
--- William Bayer
Milllion-selling author of Switch
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Neon Panic review at Musical Assumptions
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Neon Panic review at ConcertoNet
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Hong Kong Noir review from Bookish Asia
NEW PODCAST: Charles chats with Shawn Reilly Simmons about Rented Grave, Hong Kong, and creating the Inspector Lok character on Five Compelling Questions with Shawn
"The hero is feisty and fresh, with a multi-dimensional quality that rings with authenticity. Which is no surprise considering Martin, an accomplished musician, knows what he's writing about. This is a worthy debut from an exciting new talent. Can't wait for more."
--- Steve Berry
New York Times best-selling author
"An atmospheric crime story savvily blending the sleek modernity of Hong Kong with China’s tumultuous past." [Rented Grave]
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--- Kirtkus Reviews
"Charles Philipp Martin places you in the psychological heart of Hong Kong and China with this lean and masterfully written account of how past crimes and filial piety shape the lives of his characters. I was transported to a ruthless world where truth is manipulated and you can’t trust anyone, a place where revealing secrets is dangerous. This book pulls you in and won’t let go." [Rented Grave]
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--- Carl Vonderau, award-winning author of Murderabilia and Saving Myles
"Charles Philipp Martin's Rented Grave is a beautifully-crafted, relentlessly-paced crime story studded with complex, three-dimensional personalities and edge-of-your-seat thrills. The author has a documentary film-maker's eye for the tiniest, most atmospheric detail.
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Martin's brilliant, character-driven plot propels the gripping storyline at a surprising rate of knots. Rented Grave is a pot-boiler that never for a moment stops bubbling with tension and danger. This lover of quality crime/thriller fiction cannot wait for the next instalment of this engrossing series."
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--- Ron McMillan, author of Yin-Yang Tattoo and Bangkok Cowboy
"In noir, nothing goes according to plan. In Charles Philipp Martin's RENTED GRAVE we have a crime, done in a different culture, against an alien political backdrop. Everything is different to Western eyes, from corruption to police procedure, women, and justice. Told in a crisp, vivid and relentless style that keeps the story moving forward and the mindset and values of a foreign city and its people at the fingertips, yet out of reach, Martin delivers noir in the darkest of shades."
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--- Gabriel Valjan, Agatha, Anthony, and Shamus-nominated author of the Shane Cleary series