Welcome to Litsy!

This certainly is a fast paced affair, full of intrigue, double crossing, opium taking, English prejudice against the Chinese people who have made their home in London and more fighting than you'd expect in a murder mystery. Lao She, is the shy academic who gets swept up in Judge Dee Ren Jie's investigation into the murder of an old acquaintance. There is definitely a Holmes/Watson vibe to the pair.

The Murder of Mr. Ma, by John Shen Yen Nee & S.J. Rozan (2024)

Premise: When the police seem uninterested in solving a series of murders in 1920s London‘s Chinese community, a visiting Chinese judge and his lecturer sidekick take up the investigation.
Cont

Set in 1920‘s London, involving the murder of a Chinese man that was beneath the police to investigate. Two very different Chinese men combine forces to investigate the murder and find themselves looking for a serial killer. Absolutely needs to be made into a BBC tv series

Exactly as advertised. Built on 2 different Chinese legendary characters who join forces and work to solve a string of murders. Definitely see strong parallels between this duo and Dr Watson & Sherlock. Good writing and an interesting read but not mind blowing or excellent. Agree with other posts it‘s not one I would own.

To be clear, I enjoyed this book, but there were a lot of fight scenes, and since I can't picture things in my mind, I skimmed them (Not the fault of the book.)
As with many of my favorite books, there is a good deal of history you don't normally come across, from the British opium trade in China to Chinese Labour Corps during the great war.

Judge Dee and Lao She team to investigate the murders of Chinese members of a tontine. Set in London, 1924. An interesting premise; comic book like. A quick read, at times charming, but the writing is, hampered by the collaboration between the idea person, John Shen Yen Nee, and the wordsmith, Rosen. The fight scenes choreographed by yet another person.

First in what they say will be a series. There‘s promise here, so I‘ll read the next.

Spotted these fancy beetles on my #audiowalk 😍

I'll admit that what attracted me was the setting: the Chinese community in 1920s London..Very unusual and l was hooked!
It didn't turn out to be what l 'wanted'. Less of an accurate depiction, more a pastiche of Kung Fu movies and Sherlock Holmes adventures.
It was enjoyable, very easy to read, but it really wasn't for me. Unrealistic fight, super heroes, stretched suspension of disbelief. Not really my thing.
But it was me, not the book 😜

#FellowshipOfTolkien

Hi everyone.
I've been swallowed up by the AtoZ Blogging Challenge this month, which is why I've disappeared
I have three books by Tolkien to finish and l mean to, but at the moment l need to read this #NetGallet ARC before il expires.

Enjoyable read, though nothing special.

I"ll try my hardest to be a better Litsy citizen soon. I know l always say that ? but l promise l really want to.

This book launches a new series featuring two Chinese men, inspired by real historical figures as well as Holmes and Watson, who find themselves, in this case, investigating a murder in 1924 London. It‘s a fast, entertaining read which also touches on issues of racism, discrimination, immigration, and war. Fans of Sherlock Holmes as well as period mysteries will find a lot to like and more than enough reason to read the next installment.

Rainy afternoon is perfect for starting another murder mystery. 🌧️🔪🔎 🕵️‍♀️