“Let us consider a different murder,” said Hamza. “The scene changes. Look again at the faces of the victims. There is no recent passion in their expressions, no flushed cheek, no kiss-swollen lips. It was not love that drew them to that room, but silver and secrets. And it was not jealous fury that tore their lives from them. The spectral husband fades, and is replace by a colder shadow.” (p. 161)
Former Imperial Librarian Li Du returns to 18th Century Beijing in the capacity of a humble assistant to Inspector Sun of the North Borough Office. Li Du took the position to secretly access records about his former mentor, Shu. Shu was executed years ago as part of a plot against the Emperor. Since Li Du was Shu’s friend, Li Du was exiled. The Emperor later lifted that exile which allowed Li Du to return to Beijing.
But, before Li Du can solve the mystery of Shu, he’s confronted by a double murder at the Black Tile Factory. The wife of the owner and a government official were found stabbed to death. Li Du resists the obvious conclusion that this a crime of passion. Instead, Li Du finds himself drawn into a web of corruption and conspiracy in the imperial capital.
I’ve read the first two Li Du mysteries. You can read my review of Jade Dragon Mountain here and The White Mirror here. You don’t have to read the previous two books to enjoy City of Ink. I enjoyed these different historical mysteries. GRADE: A
How i admire the amount of research she must do for this series.
Patti, you’re so right! Elsa Hart’s research on Chinese culture impresses me! And, it enriches the mystery.
Interesting. Is she getting better writing, or plotting? Because your reviews went from B with the first book to B+ with the second to A with this one.
I do occasionally – very occasionally – like to read a Judge Dee book. Maybe if I’m in the mood again, I will look at one of these.
Jeff, you don’t need to read the first two books in this series in order to enjoy CITY OF INK. Elsa Hart’s writing improved with each book. All the plots have been very twisty!