Now a BBC Radio 4 Drama Series.
‘The system has no place for a cop who puts justice above the interests of the Party. It’s a miracle that I survived as long as I did.’
For years, Chen Cao managed to balance the interests of the Communist Party and the demands made by his job. He was considered a rising star until, after one too many controversial cases that embarrassed powerful men, he found himself neutralised. Under the guise of a promotion, he’s been stripped of his title and his influence, discredited and isolated. Soon it becomes clear that his enemies still aren’t satisfied, and that someone is attempting to have him killed – quietly.
Chen has been charged with the investigation into a ‘Red Prince’ – a high Party figure who embodies the ruthless ambition, greed and corruption that is on the rise in China. But with no power, few allies, and his own reputation and life on the line, he knows he is facing the most dangerous case of his career.
‘The system has no place for a cop who puts justice above the interests of the Party. It’s a miracle that I survived as long as I did.’
For years, Chen Cao managed to balance the interests of the Communist Party and the demands made by his job. He was considered a rising star until, after one too many controversial cases that embarrassed powerful men, he found himself neutralised. Under the guise of a promotion, he’s been stripped of his title and his influence, discredited and isolated. Soon it becomes clear that his enemies still aren’t satisfied, and that someone is attempting to have him killed – quietly.
Chen has been charged with the investigation into a ‘Red Prince’ – a high Party figure who embodies the ruthless ambition, greed and corruption that is on the rise in China. But with no power, few allies, and his own reputation and life on the line, he knows he is facing the most dangerous case of his career.
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Reviews
A vivid portrait of modern Chinese society . . . full of the sights, sounds and smells of Shanghai . . . A work of real distinction.
Atmospheric and rich in behind the scenes detail . . . Morse of the Far East.
Chen is a great creation, an honourable man in a world full of deception and treachery.
Gripping . . . Chen stands in a class with Martin Cruz Smith's Russian investigator, Arkady Renko, and P.D. James's Scotland Yard inspector, Adam Dalgliesh.
Qiu Xiaolong is one of the brightest stars in the firmament of modern literary crime fiction. His Inspector Chen mysteries dazzle as they entertain, combining crime with Chinese philosophy, poetry and food, Triad gangsters and corrupt officials.
The first police whodunnit written by a Chinese author in English and set in contemporary China . . . its quality matches its novelty.
The usual enjoyable mix of murder, poetry and contradictions of contemporary Chinese culture. Chen is a splendid creation.
With strong and subtle characterisation, Qiu Xiaolong draws us into a fascinating world where the greatest mystery revealed is the mystery of present-day China itself.
Wonderful.
Xiaolong's astute rendering of the many contradictions of contemporary Chinese life centres on the brilliant Inspector Chen . . . A series that might well get you hooked.
Praise for the Inspector Chen series
