Death of a Red Mandarin (Inspector Wang Mystery) [Paperback]

Christopher West (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1999 | Series: Inspector Wang Mystery

When the body of a senior Beijing official is found floating in Hong Kong harbour, its wrists fastened with handcuffs, Inspector Wang of China's Criminal Investigation Department is sent to investigate. Against the backdrop of the impending handover of the colony, Wang sets out to unravel the links between the dead man, the Triads and the burgeoning trade in pirated software. Or is the murder more closely lined with the victim's personal life? As Wang works his way towards the truth, he is joined by his young wife Rosina, whose view of Hong Kong (as of many things) is very different to his own. His inquiries also bring him in contact with the departing colonialists - are they to be trusted? - and the world of computers and western youth culture. His search also begins to earn him powerful enemies, among whom are his superiors, who appear to want the truth hidden. Why? Death of a Red Mandarin's range of characters bring to life the real China, a country that is in the throes of change. They act out the drama of Hong Kong 1997 - the new masters, the old colonialists, the busy streetwise people of the colony itself....

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425172627
• ISBN-13: 978-0425172629
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,173,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars West provides good reading and interesting insights, January 16, 2000

By 

Susan K. Hughes "wordwright" (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of a Red Mandarin (Inspector Wang Mystery) (Paperback)

I have just completed reading Death of a Red Mandarin. When I first discovered the series, I snatched up all three--all equally good by the way--since I often enjoy mysteries set in "foreign" places, and I visited China in the late '80s. West reflects the China I sensed was seething under the surface displayed for the tourist trade. He draws his characters with care and they are believable and understandable. It is easy to care about them all, even though you may not like them, which is to me essential for enjoyment. The mix of old and new Chinese attitude he weaves with Wang and Rosina is engaging. Highly recommended reading. I am eager for the fourth and more in the series to be published.