One Single Thing is the sequel to the impressive The Chinese Proverb and is every bit as good as the first book. It can be read as a standalone, but in many ways, readers may enjoy the book even more if they read The Chinese Proverb first.
New Zealand journalist Hope Barber returns home from a dangerous assignment in Pakistan, only to disappear, without a trace, leaving her front door open, with her bag and phone still inside. The police seem reluctant to act, so Hope’s brother Noah turns to Hunter Grant and Dao to help him find his missing sister. Hunter Grant has front-line Army experience, and in the first book in this series, rescued Dao, a young half-Vietnamese woman from years of slavery. They are now an impressive couple with his combat and surveillance skills, and her extraordinary intellect and observational skills. They agree to help Noah, but the more they investigate this case, the more questions they have.
Was Hope under surveillance? Was she linked to terrorists? And who is the man Hope called ‘my stalker’?
It’s not long before Hunter is forced to take justice into his own hands.
What I loved the most about this novel are the same elements I loved with The Chinese Proverb. The extraordinary relationship between Hunter and Dao are the stand out element of this book. They seem like an odd couple, but their trust, respect and understanding for each other make their relationship work, despite being different ages and coming from different cultures. The novel is pacey too, and the action moves back and forth between Pakistan and New Zealand.
One Single Thing is a fantastic thriller, and I hope Tina Clough has more books planned with Hunter and Dao for the future. I can’t wait to see what case they are involved in next time.
Reviewer: Karen McMillan
Lightpool Publishing, RRP $39.99