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Content snapshot
Flag an inaccuracy →What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.
Violence
Some
A murder investigation; the death scene; no graphic violence
Language
None
Elegant prose; some literary Chinese poetry in translation
Sexual Content
Some
A murdered woman's sexual relationships are relevant to the investigation; discussed with care
Substance Use
None
No substance use
Emotional Intensity
Some
The psychological complexity of working within a political system that can turn an investigation into a career-ending liability; Chen's own alienation from the system he serves
What this book is about
Inspector Chen Cao of the Shanghai Police Bureau investigates the murder of a nationally celebrated model found in a canal — a case that becomes politically explosive when the investigation leads toward a member of the Communist Party elite. Chen, a published poet who studied English literature, navigates both the murder and the labyrinth of Chinese political reality with careful intelligence. A rich portrait of China in transition.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Political pressure suppressing a murder investigation in Communist China
A murdered woman's relationships examined in the course of the investigation
Reader Verification
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