Story By Billie Mortel
Billie Mortel
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ABOUTquote
Billie Mortel is a Filipino writer, making his debut novel "In the Dragon\'s Tail" initially in his native Filipino language back in 2022 before translating it entirely for a global audience in 2024. Passionate with both writing and reading for most of his life, he found his first stride as a campus journalist, before eventually transitioning into online writing with a handful of short stories and poems. Inspired by the likes of Ian Fleming, John Le Carré, Len Deighton and Graham Greene, he aims to write in the same vein of thrilling tales that his icons had mastered, while injecting a twist of Filipino valor and wit in his narrative.
Born and raised in Tondo, Manila, he currently resides in the province of Cavite along with his wife and daughter, along with their six cats.
In the Dragon's Tail
Updated at Apr 21, 2026, 05:16
When a Filipino intelligence agent codenamed EX-8 is sent to Macau to investigate a missing informant, he stumbles into the gilded den of Zhi Ling Dao - a ruthless crime kingpin whose casino empire masks a global network of drugs, weapons, and human trafficking. With every move shadowed by danger and betrayal, EX-8 must navigate a city of neon lies and ancient secrets, forging uneasy alliances and playing a deadly game where trust is a luxury he can't afford.
As the body count rises and the clock ticks down, EX-8 must outwit hired killers, outplay foreign intelligence operators, and outmanoeuvre a beautiful survivor with motives of her own. But behind the glittering façade of Macau, the truth hides in plain sight - and to uncover it, EX-8 will have to risk everything.
From the smoky backrooms of casinos to rooftop sniper ambushes, this explosive thriller fuses sleek espionage with Southeast Asian grit-perfect for fans of Bond, Bourne and the Night Manager.
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