Author: JoEllen Heath
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 978-1-4415-1278

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In Claws of the Dragon, the second novel of a trilogy, JoEllen Heath offers a multi- layered yarn that embraces a family secret, duplicity and deception, four magnificent jewels, ancient mysteries, Asian and Hawaiian cultures, fables handed down through generations, a book of Chinese herbal medicines, and a romance. Add to this is a cast of four individuals that find themselves joined together by their divergent conflicting motives leading them into a web of peril and deceit. Included as well  is a less important tale of a drug dealer, a kidnapping, a murder and some very vicious characters. All set against the backdrop of the beauty of exotic Hawaii and its culture. Adding up to a very interesting brew in deed, although at times a trifle too baffling.

The opening pages of the novel jump- start the yarn when we journey back to 1760 China, where a monk, Ti Chan, disguises himself as a beggar and escapes from a monastery in India at the time of the religious wars that were spreading from India to China. Hidden within Ti Chan’s tattered shirt is a small orange bundle that he is to transport to the Monastery Wong Tai Chow in Chin Chew, China. Before Ti Chan can complete his mission, he is brutally attacked and dies. However, before expiring, Ti Chan manages to find refuge in an antique shop, where he instructs the owner of the shop, Hung Lee to take the orange bundle and guard it with his life.

After Ti Chan passes away, Hung Lee notices that the deceased was wearing a jade ring with an intricate carving of a dragon within a lotus blossom. To boot, as he unties the thick cord holding the orange bundle, a dark velvet pouch slides to the floor containing magnificent jewels comprising an ornately carved violet jade, a pear-shaped, greenish blue emerald, and two plum-sized black pearls with gold streaks flashing from within each center like the eyes of a tiger. And as we will learn, these jewels form the focus of Heath’s trilogy.

Fast forward to 1970 where our young beautiful protagonist, Crystal, at the request of her family’s attorney Lloyd, who is also her godfather, is on her way back from Hawaii to Oregon to settle some matters concerning her late father’s estate. On the aircraft, Crystal carefully guards a velvet pouch containing two large black pearls. Sensing that these are quite valuable, she is determined to discover the mystery that surrounds their existence.

It is not until about one-third of my reading into the novel, (I did not read the first in Heath’s trilogy, Tiger Eyes), that I became aware that Crystal had inherited from her father a journal containing clues that would lead her to a treasure to be found in some cave in Hawaii. As a result, Crystal had traveled to Hawaii, not cognizant, however, that there were two other cunning individuals, who, likewise, were very keen in finding the treasure. All three eventually wind up in the cave containing the jewels, where they were almost killed, but not before making a pact that would involve the sharing of the found treasure, with the stipulation that the first offer to purchase the jewels would be made to Crystal.

Now back in Oregon, after her horrendous ordeal, Crystal comes into possession of a letter from her father telling her the truth behind her lineage, and in particular, how her mother’s family had been brought to Oregon by her great-great-grandfather Cappy.  Mention is also made of the journal and that more will be disclosed. According to her father’s letter, he had left a key to his safety security deposit box with Lloyd, their family attorney. Crystal also is informed that the safety deposit box contains the answers she may be seeking.  Her father further explains to her that it is her mother’s gift, and that it will change her life forever. To add a little more drama to our yarn, the family’s housekeeper Pearl enlightens Crystal of their true relationship and relates to her the puzzling story of the four stones. 

Crystal is now more than ever determined to unravel the truth of her heritage, as well as the mystery of the jewels, how they were used and the power they could evoke. As a result, her life becomes intertwined with the ambitions of her cousin Andrew and the family attorney, Lloyd, who are both smitten by her beauty. We are unsure, however, who is really the wolf in sheep’s clothing, Andrew or Lloyd, although both appear to be guilty.

Claws of the Dragon is a snaky thriller that will keep you tuned in until the last page, nonetheless, it does contain some notable shortcomings. For one, a good thriller should not confuse the reader; but rather enlighten him or her in such a way that each successive part of the truth comes as a surprise. Unfortunately, this was missing in this novel. There were times I was more bewildered then enlightened. Another is the underdevelopment of some of the players and dialogue that does not sound real nor depicts their character; it was as if they were wooden sticks or stock figures. Finally, why the inclusion of the secondary plot concerning the drug dealer and murderess? This does very little to further the primary plot. There is also the matter of some glaring grammatical errors that could have easily been avoided if there had been competent editing.
That said, Heath still does a great job concerning sense of place, as she effectively uses the culture of Hawaii in creating some of her characters, showing how their environment has shaped them.

JoEllen Heath shows a great deal of promise and I look forward to hearing more from her.

Click Here To Read Norm's Interview With JoEllen Heath

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