This is the second book in the Inspector Chen Series. I love the insights into life in Shanghai in the 1990s and Inspector Chen is also a poet. The murder investigations are almost a sideline, but are still very interesting. ( )

Another excellent Inspector Chen novel. Full of atmosphere, intrigue and politics. Great characters, a good plot and interesting Chinese setting. ( )

Inspector Chen of Shanghai Police and Inspector Catherine Rolen of the US Marshal's Office work together to find a missing woman, the wife of an important witness in a U.S. cxriminal case, who has refused to testify unless his pregnant wife is allowed to join him. Wen is found to have been abused by her husband and has aged prematurely as a factory worker. Now it seems that some criminal bands are also looking for her.

Not as good as the first in the series. I felt like it kind of petered out towards the end, as though the writer didn't know where to take the story. I don't really read this series for the story, anyway, so much as for the setting and the opportunity to learn about contemporary China. I enjoy the characters as well, but the plotting could do with some help. ( )

As with the first in this series (Death of a Red Heroine), this is more worth reading for its representation of life in Shanghai at a pivotal time. The mystery itself is an afterthought, and loose ends are tied up clumsily. However, Inspector Chen is growing on me, as is Detective Yu and his family. I expect I'll continue reading the series for the sake of the characters and the backstory. ( )