ISBN: 0226848752 Order from: Recorded Books
An investigation in ancient China shows both the exotic locale and the intelligence and persicacity of the fictionalized detective.
Reviewed by David on July 12, 2003
Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural, Historical, China)
Synopsis: During the Tang dynasty, over a thousand years ago, much of China was ruled by well-developed beauracrocy, staffed with scholarly officials who passed tough civil examinations. Nonetheless, despite the organization and booming trade, the country still had plenty of poverty and crime.
And thus much occupation for a district magistrate Judge Dee, well-known for his ability to investigate crimes.
Judge Dee, after being promoted to the president of the Capital court, is left as the most senior official when a deadly plague strikes the city, and the Emperor and the entire court flee into the country.
Having extraordinary powers is no blessing, however, as Dee is responsible for city gripped by fear, impending famine, constant plague toll and civil unrest. But it is a murder that takes the center stage—one of the oldest and most respected merchants has been killed in a fall, but the Judge suspects that the fall has been staged.
Full Review: This book shows the Judge with a higher level of authority, as well as responsibility. Deciding on life and death without the normal Imperial supervision, the Judge tries to keep the citizens alive, even as he has to use deadly force to quell a riot.
The investigation is ultimately successful, after many twists, and involves not only the Judge but most of his leutenants.
Overall, this is a pleasant, spare, novel, with an unusual locale and a classical bit of detection.
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 6; Characters: 5; Style: 6; World-building: 7; Originality: 7;
Copyright date 1965, University of Chicago Press, 1993, Trade paperback, 184 pages
ISBN: 0226848752 Order from: Recorded Books