Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Mahjong Spies | 1986 | John Trenhaile | Buy |
| 2 | The Gates of Exquisite View | 1987 | John Trenhaile | Buy |
| 3 | The Scroll of Benevolence | 1988 | John Trenhaile | Buy |
The Simon Young trilogy by John Trenhaile is set in China and Hong Kong during the Cold War era. The Mahjong Spies (1986) introduces Simon Young, a British businessman whose commercial activities in China draw the attention of multiple intelligence services. The Gates of Exquisite View (1987) and The Scroll of Benevolence (1988) continue his story as the political situation in the region becomes increasingly dangerous.
Trenhaile’s knowledge of Chinese culture and the complexities of doing business in Asia during the Cold War gives the trilogy an authentic atmosphere. The books combine business intrigue with traditional espionage plotting, making the Simon Young series distinctive among 1980s spy fiction.