On the mountainous border of China and Tibet in 1708, a detective must learn what a killer already knows: that empires rise and fall on the strength of the stories they tell. Li Du was an imperial librarian. Now he is an exile. Arriving in Dayan, the last Chinese town before the Tibetan border, he is surprised to find it teeming with travelers, soldiers, and merchants. All have come for a … for a spectacle unprecedented in this remote province: an eclipse of the sun commanded by the Emperor himself.
When a Jesuit astronomer is found murdered in the home of the local magistrate, blame is hastily placed on Tibetan bandits. But Li Du suspects this was no random killing. Everyone has secrets: the ambitious magistrate, the powerful consort, the bitter servant, the irreproachable secretary, the East India Company merchant, the nervous missionary, and the traveling storyteller who can’t keep his own story straight.
Beyond the sloping roofs and festival banners, Li Du can see the mountain pass that will take him out of China forever. He must choose whether to leave, and embrace his exile, or to stay, and investigate a murder that the town of Dayan seems all too willing to forget.
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Somewhat ponderous. I usually read a book straight through. I had to return to this a few times but I am glad I persisted.
Fantastic view into another time and place with wonderful rich characters.
I loved this book and have added the author to my list of favorites. It’s a murder mystery that takes place in the outer provinces of 18th century China. The protagonist Li Du reminds me of an Asian version of Sherlock Holmes without the quirks or the cocaine addiction. He is a deeply thoughtful, principled and observant gentleman who feels compelled to make sense of situations that often defy logic. The pace is a little slow at first but builds up steam carrying the reader along. The novel is also very well written.
On the strength of this book, I read the two other Li Du novels that followed this one and enjoyed them even more.
I enjoyed my travel in China through this book and the story kept me completely interested.
One of my favorite books ever, poetic, facinating history and characters
Excellent story and characters. Unique setting and time period add to the appeal. Intellectual sort of detective style, but plenty of action.
Here is a book I can recommend whole heartedly. It delivers. It is fascinating…
and it is actually based loosely on a Chinese man who can be credited with the beginnings of our use of DNA. He is a forerunner to Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.. I wonder if he read about our hero… Please read this book. The author has a lot to say and says it well… Just a delight
Great book by a new writer with a world-traveler background.
I had so much fun reading this book. I loved the historical setting, the memorable characters and the compelling mystery solved by Li Du. Also loved the unexpected twist. Had to immediately order the second book in this very different detective series.
Loved the insights into the period and the politics of the time! The mystery and the plot was original and kept me guessing right to the end and I liked the characters. I am disappointed when my favorite person turns out to be, either a victim or, the murderer; which in this case I was not disappointed, and yet it was not a formula plot either, so every reader could be pleased, I think.
Set in ancient China, this mystery has it all …. great main character who is persistent, focused, creative and unafraid, He wants to get at the truth in spite of the obstacles, including his own status. The book includes interesting and relevant lessons in the history, political and cultural complexities of China. The plot moves steadily ahead, but with a degree of welcome unpredictability. Lastly, it challenges the reader with scientific overtones that hold the plot together.
What a find this was. Elsa Hart is a very good writer, and her books are also so well researched, that you get a feeling of being back 300 years in China