Murder on the Silk Road [Paperback]

Stefanie Matteson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1992

Asked to track a Buddhist sculpture that has vanished from a wealthy estate, Charlotte Graham sets aside her guidebooks and searches for clues in China's mystical caves. Original.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Aging movie actress Charlotte Graham has two reasons for accepting her stepdaughter Marsha Lundstrom's invitation to join her on a study tour to Dunhuang, an isolated oasis in northwestern China: first, she possesses a lively sense of adventure; second, she has learned that a friend's stolen Chinese statue may resurface in Dunhuang, the probably site of its origin. While in Dunhuang, Marsha hopes to translate ancient poetry manuscripts; the place also attracts scholars in other areas. Once arrived, American paleontologist Larry Fiske announces that he has made "the greatest dinosaur fossil find of the century." Before the nature of his find can be revealed, Larry is found dead of stab wounds and Charlotte puts her sleuthing skills to work. But with so much text devoted to tidbits on paleontology and Chinese history and culture (though intriguing and well integrated), it sometimes seems like the occasional corpse is just another fillip. Matteson's ( Murder on the Cliff ) adventure will charm readers who enjoy the mingling of several flavors but may try the patience of those who want their murder straight up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 231 pages
• Publisher: Diamond Books; Diamond ed edition (June 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557738149
• ISBN-13: 978-1557738141
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,903,193 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting background material; unbelievable heroine, June 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder on the Silk Road (Charlotte Graham Mystery) (Paperback)

As with most of the Matteson's I've read so far, this one is well-researched, and presents some interesting background info (I'm convinced Matteson must be the nom de plume of an academic of some kind). Problems remain with our dauntless heroine, Charlotte. Why must she be so perfect? The author takes shots at all of the other characters (especially other women) but her heroine is so perfect (five academy awards--give me a break!!) she's awful. Loosen up Matteson! Silk Road is perhaps her best attempt yet.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I really didn't like the main character., December 7, 2003

By 

frumiousb "frumiousb" (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Murder on the Silk Road (Charlotte Graham Mystery) (Paperback)

I agree with the reviewers who noted that the book was well-researched, but still unsatisfying. I gave it an extra star precisely for that research, but that shouldnot imply that the book is worth reading. Because unfortunately, it is not.

Matteson needs to go back to some basics and learn how to write characters. Charlotte Graham is *entirely* unbelievable and the plots are incredible, even by cozy standards. My credulity as a reader was constantly being strained to the breaking point.

Skip this one.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book presented a fascinating history of China., July 21, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder on the Silk Road (Charlotte Graham Mystery) (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I learned a lot of interesting facts pertaining to China. The plot kept me guessing all the way through the book, too.I was not able to guess "who dun it" at any point. The characters were unusual and memorable. I particularly liked Charlotte. She is a sleuth of first calaber. I highly recommend this book to mystery fans. I will read more by this author