Chief Inspector Chen of the Shanghai Police has another difficult case with political repercussions. He is asked to help find mementoes thought to be owned by a descendant of one of Chairman Mao's lovers that might prove to be embarrassing. Chen works undercover with assistance from his informal network of contacts and loyal assistant Detective Yu and family. Lots of information about Mao, including his poetry, informs the story. Another intriguing entry in the series.

Each one of these I reads seems a bit darker than the last. At times I struggle with the animal cruelty described in some of the food scenes as well. This book also seemed to have a vague and dark ending that cast an odd light on the protagonist - especially odd because I've read the next book and it doesn't show up there at all. I wonder if the author got negative feedback on book 6 so decided to lighten up a bit on book 7 (which was the first book from this series that I read and possibly the best).

Still gives me a lot to think about it and I appreciate Qiu's meandering poetic style. I'll keep working my way slowly through the series as long as I can get them.

Another in a series I enjoy, with a contemporary Shanghai detective balancing party loyalty with the demands of a rapidly changing China and the burdens of Chinese history, as the survivors of the Cultural Revolution become today's plutocrats.

I enjoy the character of Chief Inspector Chen (and even more, Detective Yu, his wife Peiqin, and his father, Old Hunter). I am grateful for the insights into Chinese society that Qiu Xiaolong always gives us. In this case, however, I found the plot far-fetched and the motive unconvincing.

2.5*

This is absolutely the best Inspector Chen book so far. I am reading them in order of publication, so hopefully more really good mysteries are yet to come.

The best part about this book is that it gives the reader a window into the culture and history of China, especially suring the time of Mao. All the little details about the poltics and history just make it all the more interesting, considering that there are not many books set in this cultural or historical time frame