While Xiu peddled pipe dreams, a nightmare was waiting.Sensual and exotic, San Francisco’s Chinatown in the 1870’s was filled with temptation and greed. Raised in this quagmire of vice, Xiu Jung caters to wealthy thrill-seekers with her elegant opium den, The House of Five Fortunes. With the help of Madison Hayes, the illustrious actor, she makes it the most fashionable salon on the West Coast. … Coast. But a string of murders is sweeping the city, coming closer and closer to Xiu. Madison said he would protect her, but could this mysterious outsider be trusted?
From Chinatown to Deadwood, Amanda Hughes once again takes you on a page-turning adventure of a lifetime.
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Excellent reading good evening read verses to watching TV
A different look at San Francisco from another view point – good story
An interesting look at San Francisco in the late 1800’s. From Missionaries to the Miners, to Houses of Prostitution to opium drug dens and Madams. Such an interesting story, I could hardly put it down till I was finished. Seems like such an accurate Appraisal. Characters are so great. The historical account does not get in the way of the story.
This entire book mesmerized me: I loved the characters and how the author made them three dimensional; the settings were so perfectly described that I swore I was right there; and the plot was so much more than history or a romance. Give yourself the gift of being completely transported. You are sure to enjoy the experience.
Watch Hell on Wheels series before u read this book and they all tie in together. I had no idea! Loved this book because it was very different. Historical with fiction tied in. I could picture everything, the details were excellent!
I like the way Amanda Hughes engages her readers
I love everything Amanda Hughes writes. Her characters are strong and her dialog is tops. You always learn a piece of history with everything she writes. I have yet to read a book of hers that isn’t 5 stars.
This book depicts the many hardships women may face: reliance upon men for safety, security and financial well-being. The story does not romanticize brothels or opium dens but reminds us that they were once ubiquitous and an accepted part of society.
A peak into history at how we treated the Chinese people.
Strong and interesting characters, great story line, very informative, detailed hardships of the mining community and life in Chinatown in San Francisco in the1870’s and 1880’s and the challenges faced. Great Read.
Great book…
This was not a “page turner” for me. The writing was okay, but the story was a bit too dreary and the characters needed more development. You have to experience the highs to appreciate the lows in a book and this one seemed to be mostly ongoing misery with only a few respites. The ending also seemed inconsistent. Riots were anticipated in Chinatown that would likely target the House of Five Fortunes and make it a dangerous place to be. Instead of getting out of town to safety, the main character goes to a secret garden, but then returns to the House of Five Fortunes where more mayhem ensues. It just seemed like a an awkward mechanism to place the main character in life threatening peril for the sake of a climax. It was an interesting story from a historical perspective, but I think it was lacking in plot and character development.
A five star story. Throughly enjoyed the fast pace and the historic setting but was put off by the 21st century sensibilities and interpretations attached to a historical narrative. Overall highly enjoyable.
This book is so odd. It falters between beatiful engaging storytelling and amaturish fill in the missing bits of plot and explain the characters’ motivation-drivel. About half way through I stopped reading. I never knew what I would find in the next chapter. It was almost as if two people penned this book together.
See my review at goodreads!
This book was slow and the writing was a little sloggy at times, but the story was exceptional and I think that it gave us a good picture of what it was like for Chinese people in San Francisco at the time.
This book was a page-turner. The characters were interesting. I found some of it hard to follow and believe, but it was srill a good book.
Parts of this story will stay with you long after you put the book down. The search for justice and peace in a world of prejudice and injustice is memorable. The historical background is tremendously interesting and the characters are so well drawn that you really cry for them.
Really enjoyed it. A real page Turner.
Good character development but writing is somewhat childish.