Customer Reviews

Mandarin Plaid (Lydia Chin, Bill Smith Mystery)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book loses a star for a plot that is not quite up to Rozan's usual high standard (but is still not bad). It would be a mistake to pass this one up, though, in spite of the plot flaws. The characters are terrific, as is the dialogue. The ending is very suspenseful. The best thing about this book, however, is the two detectives. After a somewhat shaky start in China Trade, Lydia Chin and Bill Smith have improved to become extremely entertaining. The chemistry between these two could burn a house down. (Rozan has wisely toned down Bill's fawning over Lydia). In sum, very worthwhile.

Of the first four Lydia Chin / Bill Smith mysteries, this is the best. Rozan does better in the books narrated by Chin than in those narrated by Smith, and the plot, while not quite believable, is more involving and coherent than in China Trade. Rozan is at her best when describing the life of Chin, living both in the tradtional world of Chinatown and in the contemporary world of Manhattan. It's a good "trash" read for your next beach day or airline flight.

In my recent review of "Concourse," I bemoaned the lack of Lydia in the story. The great news is that Lydia is definately back in place as the protagonist in this book. Bill Smith is still around but only in a supporting role. Why is this important?

First, the mystery itself returns to having Lydia's Chinese ancestry and life in Chinatown play a major plot in the book. Concourse was just another Caucasian mystery in many ways. It also sees the return of the lots of insights on life as a Chinese-American daughter and younger sister. In sum, this book has much of the atmosphere and humor that I enjoyed so much in the first book, "China Trade."

The mystery itself is only so-so. Lydia's hired to deliever a blackmail payment for a clothes designer. The list of possible suspects is pretty short and it wasn't hard to guess the ending. Still, I enjoyed the characters and the setting so much that I didn't really mind.

S.J. Rozan has done it again with Lydia Chin and Bill Smith plunging into the worlds of low lifes and high fashion with panache. This one is from Lydia's POV and serves the material well. As always, Rozan is a laugh a minute. If you like a good romp, you'll love Mandarin Plaid.

#3 Lydia Chin/Bill Smith mystery series set in New York. This series alternates between Lydia and Bill's point of view, and this is a "Lydia" book. Hired to make a ransom drop--$50,000 for the return of some sketches of exclusive clothing design items for her client Genna Jing's upcoming line called Mandarin Plaid--Lydia is shot at just after the drop takes place and the money disappears. A call to Genna shortly afterwards indicates that it was not the sketch thief who got the money, and Lydia feels she betrayed her client by letting the money be lost. Bill had been watching but chased the shooter (to no avail) and even though the client is now skittish and actually tells them to stop investigating when they apparently get too close to some secret she's harboring, Bill and Lydia carry on, having discovered that a possible suspect in the thefts is now dead. As they get further into the tangled, dangerous web of designer fashion, Lydia and Bill must sort out who stands to gain the most if Mandarin Plaid doesn't hit the runways.

There were a few surprising plot twists, but the ultimate solution wasn't much of a surprise to me--which was fine, it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book. On a personal level, Lydia also continues to battle her family's resistance to her profession and her mother's continued attempts to set her up with a "nice Chinese boy" while Lydia struggles with her ever-growing feelings for Bill, whom Lydia's mother refuses to acknowledge and calls "Crooked Face." I enjoy this series a lot, with Lydia caught between the two worlds, never fully at home in either, and yet still being a very strong person doing just what she wishes--except perhaps when it comes to Bill. Looking forward to the next in series.

Ms Rozan explores combinations that most of us would laugh off. Lydia and Bill get involved in a fashion mystery- the title gives that away- with odd characters drawn together for odd reasons. She explores the relationship between Bill and Lydia- peculiar in itself- while they seek to help a fashion designer. She writes well, tells about interesting parts of NY city and has developed characters that engage you.

Genna Jing is an up and coming clothes designer; just prior to her first big 'showing' someone steals her design sketches. If sold, copies of her work could be massed produced in China before she gets to sell them herself. The thief wants $50,000 for the drawings. Jing hires Lydia Chin (who hires Bill Smith) to make the 'drop'. But after Lydia leaves the money in a trash can in Madison Square Park, some one takes a shot at Lydia. And so we begin.

Mandarin Plaid is a pleasant an easy read without too many quirky turns just to make it interesting. Bill again is along for the ride for no other reason than to be near Lydia. Rozan alternates the lead character for each story (the odd numbers are Lydia) and so far the odd numbers have been better, but we will see how the next Smith is.

Rozan is doing a nice job of building the relationships between Lydia and her mother, Lydia and her four brothers, Lydia and Smith, and Lydia and Chinatown/New York City. Rozan has a genius for describing the City and the people who live and work in it. The story is more a background to the people than vice versa, but it's a plausible one and entertaining (so I won't spoil it for you), enjoy this latest entry in the series.