The Mah-Jongg Spies

By the author of A Man Called Kyril and other thrillers, this lengthy, intricate novel hinges on schemes to take over Hong Kong in 1997. Soviet designs on the territory activate Qiu Qianwei, agent of the People's Republic of China, and he tries to enlist British trader Simon Young in a plot against the Russians. Young refuses, so Qianwei's team kidnaps him, his Chinese wife, Jinny, and their children. As the story unfurls, the family is forced to labor on the Mainland in a remote village until the tense, bloody crisis brings a series of surprises. Rich in characters and incidents, the drama also gives readers intriguing details of life in its exotic locale. Trenhaile will please the most ardent fans of spy fare with this gripping story. 50,000 first printing; major ad/promo. (October 15)