The Fourth Sacrifice

In Peter May's gripping second installment of the China series, "The Fourth Sacrifice," Detective Li Yan of the Beijing police finds himself once again forced to collaborate with the brilliant but often exasperating American forensic pathologist, Dr. Margaret Campbell. A series of horrific ritualistic executions has plunged the city into terror, and the Chinese authorities, recognizing Campbell's unique expertise, have reluctantly called upon her services. The investigation intensifies when one of the victims is identified as an American diplomat, adding complex international layers to an already macabre case. Li Yan is driven to uncover the truth behind these gruesome rituals and the diplomat's involvement, while simultaneously battling his profound reluctance to work alongside Campbell, with whom he shares a tumultuous past. Despite their professional and personal friction, an undeniable chemistry and the gravity of the case pull them into an uneasy partnership. As they delve deeper into the twisted motives and ancient practices behind the killings, Yan and Campbell close in on a ruthless killer prepared to go to extreme lengths to protect their secrets, forcing the duo to confront not only a dangerous adversary but also their own complicated feelings.