When a young Chinese woman is murdered within the British Quarter of the foreign legation, Inspector Gong is ordered by the Imperial Court to solve the crime before the incident escalates into war between China and the foreign powers. The only problem? Inspector Gong doesn’t speak English. And he is hardly the type of man to be accepted by the British elite living in Peking. Once again, he must … again, he must turn to the one woman who can help him. The woman he can’t stop thinking about.
Lady Li is trying to forget about Inspector Gong. He’s a danger to herself, her position, and her children’s future. But when he comes once again knocking on her door and asking for her assistance in solving a case, she can’t resist, despite her better judgment.
Lady Li’s language and diplomatic abilities allow her to freely enter the world of the Western visitors, but tensions between the foreigners and local people are increasing by the hour.
Will Lady Li and Inspector Gong be able to solve the crime without the answer leading China to war?
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When Inspector Gong is called upon to investigate a murder in the British Quarter, he must enlist the help of Lady Li to translate for him. She must also help him to navigate the pitfalls of dealing with people who are foreign and who need to be handled with kid gloves. Lady Li speaks English and has the diplomacy required to help in this task and in the investigation. A sweeping and accurate look at society and foreign relationships in China. The investigation into the murder is riveting as is the relationship between Inspector Gong and Lady Li. This is a fascinating book that delves into the culture and norms of Chinese society as well as solving a murder. This book is a stand-alone mystery but I would recommend reading the first book in this series to get a clearer idea of the relationship between Inspector Gong and Lady Li. A great read and a compelling mystery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
War between China and England threatens after a young Chinese maid is killed in the house of her British employer. Inspector Gong must again rely on Lady Li to discover some some of the answers in the Quarter because she speaks English and knows some of the British ladies there, while he uncovers the young woman’s family history for clues. Who has murdered this innocent and what is the motive? Can war be averted?
I have enjoyed this series so much that I hate to see it end! The customs and history during the time of the last Chinese Empress are fascinating, and danger looms large in this novel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
The relationship between Lady Li and Inspector Gong is getting more complex as they are on the case to find who committed the murder in the British Quarter. Lady Li’s ease with the foreign visitors is just the help Inspector Gong needs. Can they solve this crime before war breaks out? I enjoyed this engaging mystery. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
„Murder in the British Quarter“ the second book in the “Qing Dynasty Mystery” a delightful “whodunnit” Series by Amanda Roberts, set in the late period of the Qing Dynasty, features Inspector Gong working to solve a new murder in a (to him) rather unfamiliar vicinity.
After his latest stunt in the Forbidden City (Book 1 in the Series) Inspector Gong is tasked by the Imperial Court once again to resolve a high-profile murder. A young Chinese has been killed in the British Quarter, which could be the fuse that ignites a new war between both kingdoms. Due to his lack of English skills, Gong partners again with Lady Li to solve the case. Gong is thrilled to work with Li, as it gives him an excuse to see her again; while Li is fully aware of the dangers their relationship poses, she is the logical choice due to her diplomatic skills that enable her to manoeuvre the foreign quarter without causing outcries.
Amanda Roberts possesses a fabulous understanding of historical China, which makes this “murder mystery” not only a very entertaining story, but also a light study in Qing Dynasty traditions and procedurals. Both, Gong and Li, fully fleshed realistic characters, genuine and relatable, the tension between them explained not only by their natural chemistry, but also by the historical context and the separation between gender and class in 19th century China. The description of both the Foreign Quarter and the Imperial City translates the reader right into the story, while the mystery is fast-paced, interesting and twisted until the very last page.
The story of Lady Li and Inspector Gong continues to evolve in a new and exciting investigation. I have found that Amanda has balanced a perfect blend of crime solving, passion, Chinese history and customs. Her manner is unique from my perspective. She manages to leave out information at times, making you think that she has left a giant hole in the story, only to have it displayed at just the right time to allow you, the reader, to begin to solve the intricate puzzle at the same time as the investigator. You become part of the equation. Brilliant when you can do it, and Amanda has succeeded each time. I cannot wait for the future installments of this and other stories she has written. She has a true gift and I am happy she shares it.