Tom Sipowicz is a private investigator, also known as the Polish Dragon. When Cindy Lee approaches Tom to look for her missing brother and the missing ancestral lineage sword, little does he realize the mysticism that will accompany him on this adventure. Cindy’s father has just recently passed away and the sword, a family heirloom, has always been passed on to the next male heir to guard over the family’s martial arts school. The mystery thickens as Tom follows Cindy to Taiwan where he meets more of her family and learns more of the mysterious missing sword. But there’s something magical about the sword that leads him through dreams and premonitions; he sees things he didn’t think were possible to see, things no one else sees. It’s an unnerving experience.

Steve Zimcosky’s spy thriller, Polish Dragon P.I. (The Lineage Sword), is a complex tale of different cultures and beliefs, woven intricately together in a compelling story that takes the reader on a journey of discovery to Taiwan and an adventure that stretches back several centuries. Told in the first person narrative, from Tom’s point of view, the reader learns about the sword and the family history and how it is all tied to the Chinese Emperor and those who can only be known as Waiting Warriors. The plot develops with considerable backstory, sleuthing and building drama. The characters are well portrayed and believable and there is adequate dialogue to help move the story along. There are photographs at the end depicting some of the historic sites mentioned in the story which adds another realm of reality. A real page-turner as well as being an interesting read.

Polish Dragon: The Lineage Sword by Steve Zimcosky is a fast-moving spy thriller about a Chinese- American martial arts family that holds the key to unite two ancient and powerful but rival warrior lineages, both waiting for a new Chinese emperor to emerge. The protagonist, however, is a private detective of Polish lineage, Tom Sipowicz, who is called by one of the families who now run a martial arts academy in Cleveland, Ohio. Paul, the heir to the traditional family business, disappears and his sister Cindy calls Tom to find him. Tom’s investigation takes us to Taiwan twice, first to find Paul and second to see if the two warring groups can be unified. Oh, and there’s a magic sword (two actually) that will provide the winner of the rivalry with supernatural powers.

I like Zimcosky’s style. There’s a wry wit about it as if his tongue is stuck in his cheek as he types, teasing us with the so-called mystical powers of the two swords, showing us cloud formations in the shape of dragons, taking us in and out of Buddhist temples in Taiwan’s mountains, and keeping us guessing all the way to the surprising end. And, will Tom and Cindy fall in love? Oh, and drinking tea and feasting on dim sum from the lunch cart of Li Wha Chinese restaurant in Cleveland’s Asia Plaza as the author teaches us much of Taiwanese history and culture. He even provides us with a map and pictures at the end. Zimcosky’s Polish Dragon is a fun, lightning-fast mystery about Asia then and now, its ambiguities, dangers, and inscrutable beauty. And especially, its tea.

Once again Zimcosky comes up with a clever plot that takes us from the familiar Cleveland environs to China. What makes the story so interesting is the exposure to the reader to many aspects of the Asian culture. Rituals and practices are explained clearly - all
of which are so foreign to western civilization. Our PI Tom Sipowicz is competent, charming and clever and his demeanor with Cindy Lee is exemplary. His fondness for Li Wah and dim sum dining gives the reader a basic understanding of this Chinese cuisine. Kudos to the author for appreciating the changing status of women!

This was an amazing book, really loved the surprising ending!!! I am going to have to read more of his stories. Can't wait for more from Steve!!!

Really loved this book. Loved the whole darn story and especially the surprise ending. I have read many of Steve's books and I have loved each and every one.

I liked the book very much. It was a smooth read and it had good flow. I like that you used real places and anecdotes. It helped make the fictional world feel more real and jump off the pages. I enjoyed the description of how the passing of the sword took place.

Polish Dragon P.I. (The Lineage Sword) by Steve Zimcosky is a fast paced mystery filled with exotic locales that all seem infused with a sense of the supernatural. Zimcosky wastes no time getting to the meat of the story, introducing Cindy, the lineage sword, Tom, and a hint at his own background within the first few pages. From there the action is consistent, and Tom uses all his tricks to try and find the missing man. Paul is a law student reluctant to continue in the family’s martial arts business after the death of his and Cindy’s father. Tom calls in some favors from old friends in high places. Eventually, a letter from Paul himself helps guide the way, but not before a trip to Taiwan and visits to many of Cindy and Paul’s family friends. This provides readers with ample opportunity to meet intriguing characters as we wind through this short but well crafted mystery.

The Lineage Sword has a fascinating story that is layered and full of potential. I would have really loved this story to be a full novel so that we had time to explore different plot points, and give more breadth to events and interactions that feel only briefly explored here.

Polish Dragon P.I.- The Lineage Sword combines a curious mystery with an imaginative supernatural element that holds promise and will surely capture the attention of amateur sleuths looking for a quick but engaging read.
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This is a captivating tale. The story kept me on the edge the whole time. I read it in a single sitting. Narration is smooth and strong. The title of the book couldn't have been better than this. Characters are well written by the author and the pace of the story is fast so I didn't feel bored anytime while reading it. If you love reading stories about private investigations then you shouldn't miss picking this one.

This story hooked me from the first page and I couldn't put it down until I finished it. The cover photo is nice and the way the author has linked Cindy's dream about dragons with Tom's nickname is also interesting. Steve's writing is professional and his story plot is superb. This book just won my heart and I am definitely interested to read more of Steve's work.

I would love to read more books by Steve. His writing style is amazing. The storyline is brilliant. This is one of the best private investigation stories that I have read. I liked the way the author introduced a bit of an environment like dim sum in the scene of a Chinese restaurant. This book is an engaging read. I felt like I was in the story myself while reading it. It would be amazing to watch a movie based on this story plot. Go ahead with this book without thinking twice.

These stories are all a treat, but so far this is the best yet. Love the descriptions of Taiwan and China. It is a travelogue and adventure story all rolled into one! And the joy is, they are short stories and can be read over a couple of days.