I'm trying to find a new series for my mom to read and I came across these but I've never read them myself. My mom loves mysteries and since she's Chinese, she really likes books with Asian characters or set in Asia (she loved Lisa See's Red Princess mysteries).

But I don't want to give her something with lots of swearing or sex in them. Do these books have a lot of either in them? How are they in general?

Thanks in advance!

LOL! Well, how weird...I have just tucked the first one into my purse to start tomorrow on lunch break at work. I have heard lots of good things about this series but I honestly don't know how "hard boiled" or "cozy" they are--I'm thinking (given the folks who recommended it to me) probably somewhat middle of the road. Will be happy to update once I've read some of China Trade, but I bet there must be SOMEONE else out there who's famillar.

Cheryl

I read the first few in the series.  Rozan alternates narrators from Lydia to Bill.  I like the ones narrated by Lydia best.  I think they are "mom safe".  Certainly no graphic sex in the ones I read, and little or no swearing that I remember. 

This is a great series...and I agree that they are "mom safe" :)

awesome, thank you so much!

Yep, I'm about halfway through the first book and I would say they are definitely "mom safe." There is quite a lot of stuff about Chinese-American culture too so that should certainly interest your mom!

Cheryl

I love this series and being a mom--I would recommend it.

I LOVE this series! It's won the Shamus, the Edgar, the Anthony, and other awards.

They seem to me to be middle of the road, not particularly grim but not cutesy cozy.

Lots of stuff about Asia, especially in Reflecting the Sky, where the two go to Hong Kong on a task for her grandfather.

There was a 6 or 7 year gap between the last two books and I'd feared the series had ended.