ISBN: 9998898129 Order from: Recorded Books
Enjoyable police procedural in an unusual setting, with slightly stilted character interaction, and a sound intellectual puzzle.
Reviewed by David on June 15, 2003
Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural, Historical, China)
Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of The Emperor's Pearl.
During the Tang dynasty, over a thousand years ago, much of China was ruled by well-developed beauracrocy, staffed with scholarly officials who passed tough civil examinations. Nonetheless, despite the organization and booming trade, the country still had plenty of poverty and crime.
And thus much occupation for a district magistrate Judge Dee, well-known for his ability to investigate crimes.
The annual boat race is a popular tradition in many Chinese cities near rivers and lakes. The festival provides an opporunity for feasting and betting, but in some cases it's an outgrowth of an older tradition. The capricious river goddess will not give good harvests unless celebrated once per year. Once, a young man was sacrificed during the festival to prevent droughts and famine, but of course the modern Chinese administration outlawed the barbarian practice.
Nonetheless, when a drummer on one of the boats collapses and dies, the old folks are happy—they say that the Goddess claimed her sacrifice. However, Judge Dee's not happy—the man was young and strong. Could the large bets around the races caused someone to murder him?
Full Review: This short book contains a lot of mysteries, all ultimately interconnected. From the antique trade, to frustrated passions, to the rumors of an almost legendary theft from the Imperial household a century earlier, all complicate the investigation.
Nonetheless, Dee will ultimately dig out the truth, since the human passions and motivations remain constant, and the judge is a keen observer of these. Aided by lieutenants, ruthlessly efficient Chinese judicial system, and a truly remarkable woman wrestler, the truth ultimatley comes out, and injustice is redressed.
The characters are but lightly sketched in this short book, but the author is deft and gives them color and definition, even if not a lot of emotional development. There is both understated humor and lessons in history in this well-crafted intellectual puzzle, showing a combination of exotic culture and familiar motivations.
Overall: 6; Plot: 6.5; Characters: 5; Style: 6; World-building: 6; Originality: 7;
Copyright date 1963, Recorded Books, 1987, Audio cassette, 3 cassettes
ISBN: 9998898129 Order from: Recorded Books