Lost Decades of Uncle Chow Tung

Hong Kong, 1970. The Dragon Head (also known as the Mountain Master) of the Fanling Triad has died and there is a struggle to replace him among senior members of the gang. Normally, the Deputy Mountain Master is next in line, but this one is weak and ineffectual and has only survived because of the protection of the Dragon Head. Up to this point, the Fanling Triad has operated in relative isolation from neighbouring gangs, but the Dragon Head's death has drawn attention to the area - and to its wealth. Other gangs start to make threatening moves and it's obvious to the senior members of the Fanling Triad that they need a leader who can fend off the threats, unite the membership, and maintain their prosperity. There are several candidates. The least conspicuous is the White Paper Fan, their young administrator. His name is Chow Tung, but many of those who work with him already refer to him as "Uncle" . . .

1980: A pivotal year in modern Chinese history as Premier Deng Xiaoping begins what he intends to be the transformation of China into an economic superpower. The most visible evidence of Deng's policy is the creation of Special Economic Zones, and one has been set up in Shenzhen, next door to Hong Kong and on Fanling's doorstep. Among Triad leaders, Uncle is the only one who recognizes that Deng's intentions could have profound repercussions on their organizations. To protect his gang and their interests, he acts to not only minimize the negative impact, but to turn events to his advantage.

International bestselling author Ian Hamilton returns with a riveting new novel featuring fan-favourite Uncle Chow Tung, who is called upon to end a violent turf war between rival gangs and stop a new organized crime bureau of the Hong Kong Police from eliminating the triad societies once and for all. Hong Kong, 1995. Two years before Hong Kong is to be returned to the People's Republic of China, the Communist government has its eye on the New Territories, and tensions are running high among the triads. A turf war breaks out in Macau and quickly spreads to Hong Kong. In response, the Organized Crime Triad Bureau of the Hong Kong Police, backed by the Chinese government, begins a major crackdown on gang activities. Several triad leaders ask Uncle to intervene and bring an end to the violence. As Uncle begins mediation talks, his own territory of Fanling is attacked by a neighbouring gang. At the root of the tensions is a fear of what will become of Hong Kong after the Communists take over. When Uncle expresses these concerns about the future to Lin Huning, his partner in China, his response comes as a surprise and leads to an unexpected outcome that will have a lasting effect for decades to come.

Following a diagnosis of terminal cancer, Uncle begins preparing for his inevitable death. As he sets his affairs in order, he recalls the moments in his life that meant the most to him, including his first encounter with the talented forensic accountant Ava Lee and the origins of their life-changing partnership.