Red Mandarin Dress: An Inspector Chen Novel

by Qiu Xiaolong
Red Mandarin Dress: An Inspector Chen Novel  
published November 27th 2007 by St. Martin's Minotaur
binding Hardcover
isbn 0312371071   (isbn13: 9780312371074)
pages 320
description Chief Inspector Chen Cao of the Shanghai Police Department is often put in charge of politically sensitive cases. Having recently ruffled more than a...more
date added
06-09-07



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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 53)



Charlotte
Charlotte rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
06/04/08

Read in May, 2008
recommends it for: gourmets, private eyes
Well, this wasn't quite as good as its predecessors, although there was still plenty of good eating. The plot was unnecessarily complex, and I feel like Chief Inspector Chen acted a little out of character at times. I still enjoyed reading about the characters and learning the pitfalls and political intrigues afoot in post-communist Shanghai, but even the poetry snippets couldn't quite salvage this one. I'll keep going with the series, though.
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Tapley
Tapley rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
05/03/08

bookshelves: mystery, partially-read
Read in March, 2008
I usually enjoy stories set in cultures that seem exotic to me (i.e. China), but this book failed to engage my interest. My impression is that a book like this written for an American audience will attempt to bridge the culture gap while providing a window into the foreign world. This book didn't really bridge the gap, so as a reader I felt completely separated, not just from the action, but from the very world it took place in.
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rayneofdarkness
rayneofdarkness rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
06/03/08

This book was great - I ended up picking it up and reading it only to find out half way through that it was the third book in the series. I finished reading it and loved it! The mystery was set up so well and the little clues here and there was amazing. I was totally hooked on who the killer was and why. I finised it up in no time - it was an easy read and definatly awesome!
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Dan
Dan rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
06/02/08

Read in May, 2008
I've read all of Qiu's books but am sorry to say this is the weakest among the now 5 episodes. The plot started out with great potential though it failed to meet my expectations which were quite high given the exceptional quality of Death of a Red Heroine and When Red is Black. If you haven't read those, start with or switch to those.
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Jim
Jim rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
05/31/08

bookshelves: mystery
Read in May, 2008
The language is almost unbearable and the mystery part is incredibly clunky, but the background about the Cultural Revolution and the information about sexual attraction, marriage, Confucianism, and Maoism are interesting. Interesting enough to make this book worth reading? I'd say, almost.
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Janet
Janet rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
06/08/08

Read in May, 2008
Not as well-paced as other entries in this series, The food wasn't as appealing either. However, I still enjoyed it for its picture of Shanghai and for the continuing characters. I hope the weakness of this book is a temporary setback and that Qiu Xiaolong comes back strong.
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Ruchi
Ruchi rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
02/27/08

Read in February, 2008
Very predictable and pretty mediocre - or maybe his writing style wasn't for me. He tells you exactly what he is thinking instead of letting you come to conclusions yourself. This is the first book that I read in the series, but the poetry was very tiring after a while.
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Lauren
Lauren rated it: 1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars
04/10/08

Read in April, 2008
This book could be so interesting, but it is as slow as molasses and talks more about what the characters had for lunch and what stories they're reading than the crime. Blah. Maybe it gets better at the end, but I was finished by about 60 pages in.
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Gayle
Gayle rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
03/03/08

Read in April, 2008
Not quite to page 50 (my drop-it mark) I am not yet certain I will keep reading. I like learning about modern Chinese culture and politics and that is more interesting the the serial murder so far....
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Georgia
Georgia rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
04/03/08

Read in April, 2008
We were looking for a book to discuss at our Mystery Book Club in May. We also wanted to celebrate Asian American month. What a great choice this is. Qui is an amazing writer.
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Trudi9459
Trudi9459 rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
06/16/08

Read in June, 2008
recommends it for: people who like mysteries and intelligent writing
I love reading his mysteries because he describes China as it was during the Cultural Revolution and how it is today. He also quotes Confucian sayings and many Chinese poets.
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Annie
Annie rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
06/06/08

bookshelves: -2008-books-
Read in May, 2008
I liked the characters and the Shanghai setting. Good book, and I think I'll pick up some of his others. Apparently he teaches at Wash U, which I didn't know.
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jane
jane rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
01/31/08

Read in January, 2008
Much like his other books. Culturally enlightening. Adult themes. Well written.
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Robin
Robin rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
03/27/08

Read in February, 2008
Picked up because I wanted a mindless mystery. I got it.
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Wendy
Wendy rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
02/20/08

Read in February, 2008
recommends it for: Julie, Rusty
This is one of the best books I have ever read.
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Mark
Mark marked it as to-read
02/04/08

bookshelves: to-read
Recommended in The Economist
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Sal
Sal added it
06/30/08

 

Maria
Maria marked it as to-read
06/21/08

bookshelves: to-read
 

Dabarai
Dabarai marked it as to-read
06/20/08

bookshelves: to-read
 

Nick
Nick marked it as to-read
04/28/08

bookshelves: to-read
 


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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.18 (34 ratings)
number of reviews: 16






other editions