The White Mirror

Li Du #2

by Elsa Hart

In the follow-up to Elsa Hart’s critically acclaimed debut, Jade Dragon Mountain, Li Du, an imperial librarian and former exile in 18th century China, is now an independent traveler. He is journeying with a trade caravan bound for Lhasa when a detour brings them to a valley hidden between mountain passes. On the icy planks of a wooden bridge, a monk sits in contemplation. Closer inspection reveals that the monk is dead, apparently of a self-inflicted wound. His robes are rent, revealing a strange symbol painted on his chest.

When the rain turns to snow, the caravan is forced to seek hospitality from the local lord while they wait for the storm to pass. The dead monk, Li Du soon learns, was a reclusive painter. According to the family, his bizarre suicide is not surprising, given his obsession with the demon world. But Li Du is convinced that all is not as it seems. Why did the caravan leader detour to this particular valley? Why does the lord’s heir sleep in the barn like a servant? And who is the mysterious woman traveling through the mountain wilds?

Trapped in the snow, surrounded by secrets and an unexplained grief that haunts the manor, Li Du cannot distract himself from memories he’s tried to leave behind. As he discovers irrefutable evidence of the painter’s murder and pieces together the dark circumstances of his death, Li Du must face the reason he will not go home and, ultimately, the reason why he must.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, China, Historical, Historical Mystery, Asia

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 6, 2016

About the author

Elsa Hart is the author of three acclaimed mystery novels set in eighteenth-century China. The most recent, City of Ink, was one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2018. The daughter of a journalist, Elsa was born in Rome and spent much of her childhood abroad, attending international schools in Moscow and Prague. She is drawn to stories about travelers throughout history, and likes to put her own characters in places that are unfamiliar to them.

Reviews

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again a great story about the librarian in exile Li Du who has to solve a few murders. I just love the atmosphere. Very close to five stars.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elsa Hart, I am a fan.

This second novel of the series of Li Du was scrumptious. Exceptional in its placements within the mountains of Lhasa, its characters, its juxtaposition of different authorities, it lyrical and yet logical language.

This is a who-dun-it that comes fully framed in a photo/painting of "oh so much more" than the mystery of event or circumstance than normally surround protagonists in this genre. It's more cultural. It's the Tibetan ambiance of the 18th century, but it has prophetic eyes, as well.

Li Du is from the Chinese Emperor's Forbidden City. Schooled to be a magistrate from a family of high magistrates, he chooses instead to become a librarian under his mentor, Shu. But after reversals in fortune due to truth telling, he is exiled now for 14 years. We follow him on his caravan travels through many countries. The Emperor has pardoned him- will he return home?

The people he meets, the tales they tell, the events he observes comprise the books in this series. Think "Canterbury Tales" gone Dalai Lama discovery mixed with prophetic Machiavelli deductions and you have some sense of what these entwine.

You will need patience. In this one, they are trapped in a small valley waiting for a snowstorm to complete, melt (it is very early autumn) and for the pass to open again in order to reach the next province. Li Du is accompanied by a trade caravan for safety. We have continuing characters from the first book within this company. One is a Jesuit that's really a Franciscan/Capuchin. One is a tale teller by trade, hired for recreation in courts and ageless in his acting and voice abilities. Most of the company can speak 3 languages. One of which is either Chinese either/or the "travel" tongue for the steppes. But a number can communicate in Latin, as well.

My problem with the first book was only the numerous character introductions. This one simmers in all that knowledge. I have a feeling that they are only going to get better and better. Watch out Brunetti, Gamache, Flavia de Luce.

So many quotes I could add. Here is one coming only pages from the ending:

Hazma gave a self-satisfied smile. "I have said it before. I'm as old as the oldest in my stories, as young as the youngest, as benevolent as the kindest and as cruel as the most wicked."

They are not there yet (5 or 6 most returning characters), but some of these players have the potential to be glorious historical fiction as per a Hilary Mantel for the Cromwell era type. That type of depth. But not in the order of the prose form though- that would be quite different.

There are 3 empires and possibly 4 belief systems crossing intellectual and military swords/power/influence. China, Tibet and Lhasa, Mongol (Northern) and far Western science among the strongest. And on another level it is a "closed door" who-dun-it" because they are snowed in and physical conditions plus communications are dire and nil.

If you are a cozy reader, you will love Li Du's character. And if you like parables or stories akin to those of Aladdin, you will enjoy this.

This type of mystery writing, the mood/tone/prose poetry style- I have only found so far within a great extent anyway- in the Japanese placements. Elsa Hart has hit upon something unique in what she has combined here. And I love it. It pulls you into this era within the women's lives too. Nary a stupid housewife stereotype in these pages. And you better listen to that Grandmother at her praying wheel too. I'm hoping that Sera appears again in a further episode. Not as a widow taking over her husband's tax authority but as one who travels the "women's roads of secret" and the savvy practice of non-notice for journeying. She described that sublimely.

As much as I liked Elsa Hart's debut (Jade Dragon)- I had hopes it was only for a preliminary expansion for wider and better. And now I'm ecstatic that she's bloomed this into what it could be. Highly rec. for the historical fiction fans who love reading detail of life and logic in another time. With all the minutia that makes it pop and at the same time as an understanding to the contrasting cognition and social order for vying geographic locations. If you like constant action, sexual content, dysfunction at the core- this may be boring to you. It's paced for immersion. And I truly got swallowed.

No spoilers except one. No converts for Campo. 4.5 stars. There's a bit too much tension delaying, and not finishing an explanation between compatriots. It could have been edited down in back redundancy. Hazma and Li Du conversations in privacy; those were all 5 star.

Pull this series up and partake of a bowl of butter tea.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The White Mirror is Book #2 in the Li Du series. Li Du was a librarian in the Emperor's court but was exiled due to rumors of his betrayal against the emperor. That mystery has never been solved but Li Du performed a valuable service to the Emperor when his life was threatened (Book #1). Li Du has become a traveler, something he wanted to do to see more of the Chinese empire.

In this latest book, Li Du is traveling with a trade caravan delivering goods to Lhasa in Tibet when an early snowstorm strands the group in a valley. Luckily the caravan is able to stay at Lord Doso's manor house with other stranded travelers. But, to the horror of all, a monk is found dead on the bridge leading to the manor. It looks like suicide but Li Du is not convinced and due to the storm, he has time to investigate before the caravan moves on.

Very well written. Beautiful descriptions of the mountains in China near Tibet, even a reference to Everest. Author Elsa Hart has a great talent is describing ancient China which attracts me to this series since I know very little.

Recommend if looking for a historical fiction as well as mystery. Not a thriller series.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eighteenth Century Asia was wrought with political intrigue. In "The White Mirror", sequel to "Jade Mountain Dragon", imperial librarian Li Du travels with six muleteers and a trading caravan on the roads between China and Tibet.

Inclement weather abounds and mountain passes will soon be blanketed in impassable snow. Approaching a bridge, the muleteers view a monk seemingly engrossed in prayer, however, they are witnessing a corpse with hand held knife in the abdomen, prayer beads in hand and a white circle painted on his chest beneath his robes. Two strips of folded rawhide contain white and blue paint respectively and deep red cinnabar shards are present.

Li Du, reunited with Hamza, a fellow traveler and storyteller, proceed to a manor house where they will wait out the storm. The dead monk, Dhamo, is assumed to have committed suicide. Li Du, a master of deduction, believes that a murder has been committed. The loss of a monk should have been devastating but the reaction of the manor residents as well as those residing nearby is surprisingly minimal.

Li Du is determined to prove that Dhamo's death was no suicide. Why, for example, did Dhamo, a painter, go out in a blinding snowstorm to get red paint? Li Du enlists the help of Hamza to weave folktales and distract the travelers so he can conduct his investigation. He accesses Dhamo's temple and painting area in the mountains, the hot springs where dark cinnabar is procured, the spacious manor hearth and the manor's upstairs rooms for clues in his quest to solve the crime before the weather clears and the trading caravan departs.

Elsa Hart has done an amazing job continuing the adventures of Li Du, royal librarian/detective. Additionally, "The White Mirror" provides background about Dali Lama succession and political conflict between China and Tibet in the eighteenth century. An excellent mystery/historical fiction.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The White Mirror".

[Eilonwy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An early-season snowstorm traps Li Du, banished librarian to the Emperor in 18th-century China, and his merchant caravan companions at an estate in the foothills of the Himalayas, a region tugged politically between China and Tibet. Their arrival is ominous: their first sight upon reaching the manor is a dead monk seated on a bridge. The cause of death is quickly decided to be suicide. But Li Du is not so sure about that.

This was a terrific variation on the locked-room mystery. For a manor that is supposed to be off any major trade roads, a good number of travelers preceded the caravan's arrival and are now stuck: A Capuchin monk and his translator; a woman traveling alone to visit her sister; the Chhoshe, a reincarnated lama; some other holy men; and a jack-of-all trades who traverses the roads between Beijing and Lhasa taking messages and other contract work. The estate comprises the family that lives there and a few permanent guests, as well. Also present is Hamza, the Middle Eastern storyteller Li Du met in his first mystery adventure.

The characters were all fascinating; and the reveals of what they knew or saw, and the real reasons they have come to this isolated valley, are all meted out with perfect pacing.

This book was just as good as, and possibly better than, the first in this series. I am in awe of Elsa Hart for her ability to put together a perfect mystery, in which everything ties together with no loose ends, and to place it so vividly in a fascinating setting. I learned some interesting things about the history of the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Dalai Lamas and the tensions between China and Tibet 300 years ago. The story was completely satisfying on multiple levels.

I'm eager to read the third book in the series, but at the same time, it appears to be the final one, and might not have Hamza in it. So I may wait a while and savor the perfection of this second installment.

If you've been wondering whether to read this series, my advice is: What are you waiting for?

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Former royal librarian Li Du has joined a trading caravan on the roads between China and Tibet. Waiting for a snowstorm to pass, they come across a bridge with a monk (Dharmo), who appears to be praying; instead, he is dead holding a knife in his abdomen, with a white circle painted on his chest -- an apparent suicide.

Li Du is determined to prove that Dhamo's death was no suicide, and investigates thoroughly in the style of Columbo: asking many questions, which make little sense along the way. Dharmo leads a solitary life, painting murals for distant monasteries. As in the first book, there is plenty of politics, religion, and skullduggery as Li Du solves the complex mystery. The book was slower than the first one, and Li Du's analytics less understandable.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have fallen in love with Li Du and Hamza, the Sherlock amd Watson of 18th century China that Elsa Hart created. Their adventures take them to a small village on the border of China and Tibet, at the foot of the majestic Himalayas. While their caravan is stranded in the snow storm, our intrepid detectives are busy finding out what really happened to the dead monk in the snow who had the large white mirror painted on his body.

Hart brings the village, its inhabitants, and the unusually large number of travelers that happen to congregate under the village lord’s roof to life. We are invited to dinners, children’s plays, and games travelers play. We get a crash course on trade taxes, tax collectors, and the ways traders try to avoid them.

But the best parts are the political intrigues of Tibet and the finding of llama reincarnations. The Fifth Dalai Llama was a strong ruler, but when he died, the regent was afraid (with good reason), that the Chinese emperor would conquer the region. Thus they kept his death secret for 16 years! In the mean time, they found his reincarnation and raised him in secret. When he grew up, he had a hard time accepting his role. Nevertheless the people loved him - but he was deposed and he may or may not have died on the road to prison…. this of course led to a power keg of rival factions and beliefs.

The trouble with selecting reincarnations is echoed in the local village, where the selection led to a family tragedy. There are many other secrets to untangle, some small and personal, others leading to (again) empire-wide conspiracies.

I very much enjoyed the book - listened twice again. Li Du is a nice man with just enough secrets to not be boring - but Hamza is a fun character with even better stories.

I have read all three novels in the series at this point. While this one is good, I like the other two better.

[Shomeret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The copy I read came from the F2F mystery group that I attend. The facilitator of that group receives many more review copies from publishers than she has the time to review. So members get the opportunity to claim review copies for themselves.

Before starting this book, I knew relatively little about the pre-20th century history of Tibet or the history of the Dalai Lama. Let me say that there were some eye openers in White Mirror.

I did know about Tibetan lamas being tulkus. What is a tulku? Each lama is supposed to be a single reincarnated spirit that has been reborn for centuries and must be re-discovered as a child who will then become the next lama. The process of discovering a tulku is a significant plot element in The White Mirror.

I felt that The White Mirror had historical and cultural depth which makes it a solid candidate for one of my best reads of 2018.

For the blog version of this review and an opportunity to enter a giveaway for a copy of The White Mirror see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20... The giveaway will be over on June 23, 2018.

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The White Mirror (Elsa Hart's second Li Du mystery) is not exactly a thriller or page-turner — or at least, I find myself wanting to read it slowly — but rather a more subtle and sophisticated mystery than the typical. Subtle in the way that “clues” are revealed and in the subplot concerning Li Du’s past and his inner life. I also really like the historical setting —18th-century China. Hart has done a lot of research on the culture, customs, politics, trade & trade routes, belief systems (and Li Du’s distrust of religion), etc. Elsa Hart is an excellent writer, too. Some lovely descriptions. . . . It makes me want to reread Hart's previous novel, Jade Dragon Mountain. I think, too, that I should seek out other novels set in ancient China. Let me know if you know a good one.

[Nori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as thoroughly enjoyable as Hart's first Li Du book, but this time in the Tibetan borderlands. More, please, Elsa!

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

thoughts coming shortly

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good historical mystery. Appreciated the Asian setting. Looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Ram Kaushik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable historical mystery, focused on 17th century China and Tibet. Li Du is a likeable sleuth, although the tendency of all the other characters to immediately answer all his nosy questions jars a bit. Background is set with some care, so the atmosphere of time and place takes you on a great journey.

[Shannon Upton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Li Du is my favorite new detective. Picture Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple stumbling across murders in eighteenth-century China, and you'll understand the basic concept of "The White Mirror."

In her second novel, Elsa Hart again writes an enjoyable mystery while unobtrusively creating and explaining a setting that is unfamiliar to most of us. I loved learning about this portion of history while being so well entertained! The writing is beautiful. Don't let the setting fool you—this is a lovely and relatively easy read.

The only reason I left off that last star is that Christianity is not as adequately represented in "The White Mirror" as it was in her first novel, "Jade Dragon Mountain." Christians were obviously not viewed well in China at this time and I would never want her to be historically inaccurate, but at least "Jade Dragon Mountain" presented Christians as scholars and generally friendly people. The only Christian in "The White Mirror" is a fanatic who spends the whole book acting slightly crazy and incessantly talking about all of the the other characters' damnations. Not exactly an effective missionary approach... nor a sympathetic character. I do recognize that there are all kinds of Christians and this didn't dampen my enjoyment of the novel (other than wondering glumly what non-Christians would think of this portrayal). I hope Ms. Hart chooses to include a portrayal of a more loving and Christlike missionary in her next novel—a book I'm already looking forward to reading.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I re-read "Jade Dragon Mountain" and then read this in preparation for the third book (City of Ink) in the Li Du mystery series.

Jade Dragon Mountain was fabulous -- a combination of a murder mystery set in 18th century China, with lots of details and character development that made it a delicious read. The White Mirror is the second in the series. I enjoyed it, just not quite as much as the first one. This may partly be because what felt new the first time around isn't new now -- Li Du is our thoughtful detective, with his entertaining and helpful friend Hamza assisting in the crime-solving. We do find out a bit more about Li Du's somewhat mysterious past, which was interesting, and it sets us up well for the third book, in which he returns to Beijing.

I think the other thing I found more difficult in The White Mirror was that I am less familiar with the area in this book (near Tibet) and I was sometimes confused about the locations and the characters. I felt I had to work somewhat harder to figure out what was going on, which isn't bad, but it made for a slightly less delicious read than Jade Dragon Mountain.

Nonetheless, the author writes beautifully, I'm totally invested in Li Du and Hamza (though will Hamza even appear in the third book?), and I look forward to reading the third book when it comes out.

[K. Lincoln · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our exiled Imperial Librarian friend is traveling to Lhasa with a group of Khampa traders, and they stop in an isolated valley on the border of Tibet in a snowstorm, and find a monk dead on a bridge whose abdomen is painted with a white mirror.

Li Du, of course, in his estimable, honorable, reasoned way, can't let dead monks lie. He discovers quite an interesting assemblage of folks also seeking shelter in the same valley, a solitary woman traveler, a Catholic monk and his native guide, and Tibetan official. The family that shelters them also has a son who is fascinated with the dead monk's paintings .

Another snow-bound "cozy" mystery ensues to discover who killed the bridge monk, and meanwhile, Li Du unearths pretty fascinating history of the political machinations of the Chinese Emperor who wants Lhasa, the Tibetan buddhist tradition especially surrounding tulkus (baby lamas), and of course, a bevy of Li Du's utterly loyal and slightly mysterious friend, Hamza's, outrageous claims and fairy tales.

A pleasant book to immerse oneself in on a cozy winter morning. Li Du never really encounters true danger, since everyone likes him and everyone confides in him, and the true atrocities (beyond the death of the bridge monk) are mostly just alluded to. I will keep following Li Du wherever he goes as I learn so much history in his wake :)

[Amelia]

Li Du's travels take him far up into the borderlands between Tibet and China where a remote mountain valley is caught in the cross-hairs of a murderer. I enjoyed this at least as much as the first Li Du novel. I don't read a lot of mysteries but part of the appeal of this series, for me, is that it takes me back to places I've traveled -- not exactly the same places, but close enough that I can get caught up in the memory of the scenery etc.

In this story I especially enjoyed Hamza's whimsical and usually off-topic stories as a counterpoint to the building murder investigation, and Li Du continues to be an interesting and sympathetic character, as are many (but not all) of his fellow travelers.

[David H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second mystery featuring Li Du, my favorite 18th century Chinese librarian, was an interesting one. This one almost feels like a typical 20th century country manor murder mystery, except it's in a Tibetan manor in a remote valley on the way to Lhasa. I loved the cast of characters in this one, and I was kept guessing until the end. I really liked learning more about Tibetan culture and political issues between them and China at this time (a decade or two before the Qing dynasty's conquest). Another thing I appreciated is that the cause of Li Du's original exile from Beijing is made much clearer here and perhaps we'll get even more in the third volume, which I'm starting immediately.

[Anthony Rainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 2nd novel, featuring LiDu, the formerly exiled, now pardoned ex-librarian of the Forbidden City. He has joined a caravan headed to the west, out of China, when the weather changes and the caravan is forced to shelter due to a early snow storm,they encounter a dead monk on a bridge, an apparent suicide. It is a time of escalating tension between, the Emperor of China, the King of Tibet and the Mongols to the North. In a border region traveled by spies, and thieves, LiDu again seeks to prove that an apparent death is actually a murder. Hart is excellent again in her writing, traversing time, descriptive and captivating.
4 ⭐'s

[Steve N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Li Du and his pal Hamza are basically the ancient Chinese version of Sherlock and Holmes, although Hamza is by far the better character. The White Mirror is laced with politics, spies, murder, humor and darkness, all while developing a good cast of memorable characters.

The White Mirror is a solid mystery novel; Fun, detailed, and a bit different. Elsa Hart’s second standalone mystery, following Jade Dragon Mountain, won’t blow you away but it will keep you intrigued and guessing until the end.

The White Mirror – Elsa Hart - 73% Steve Nicholas avocados

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elsa Hart writes well, but for some reason I haven't loved the novels, and I expect it's just a matter of taste and when in my life I am reading these. But three stars means I like it, is my most common rating for mysteries I continue reading and I do plan to read the the third in this trilogy.

Li Du ends up in a mountain valley, stuck with a caravan at a manor during a snow storm. When the arrive, they discover a dead body, apparently suicide but it's murder. Li Du works on solving the case. I have to say that it's obvious that Hart has both lived in China and done her research which really helps, but she also wisely doesn't try and sound as though she is Chinese even as she sets the stage.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic locked-room mystery featuring ancient Tibet.

Trapped by an early snowfall in a remote Himalayan valley, an assortment of spies, monks, homemakers, lost heirs, storytellers, and an exiled librarian battle inherent mistrust and layers of lies to uncover a murderer in their midst. Good mystery, gorgeous scenery.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of historical details, lots of threads to the mystery. I'd probably benefit from a reread, since there were lots of little things that I probably didn't catch the first time, or that were hard to remember in order during the reveals at the end. There were enough unfamiliar terms and names that I could have used a character list and/or a glossary.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elsa Hart borrows a classic mystery plot in The White Mirror: a group of travelers discover a dead body and then are stranded by a storm in a remote location, with the killer presumably among them. What makes the Li Du novels stand out is the setting of China in the 1700s. Political intrigue is rampant around the Imperial Court as well as the outlying districts, with factions and missionaries vying for power and influence. In his second outing, traveling librarian Li Du finds himself waiting out the storm in a mountain pass somewhere beyond the reach of Chinese, Mongol, and Tibetan rule. The local lord grants stranded travelers shelter in his manor, and some among the group are not who they seem.

Rich in descriptive language, readers will be immersed in the locale as Li Du slowly pieces together the identities of his companions to find the killer among them. Recommended for mystery fans who enjoy a descriptive historical setting.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have finished and now ready to pick up #3, "City of Ink." The writing is exquisite, Li Du is a wonderful character, and the mystery unfolds nicely. Highly recommend!

[Patricia Gulley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery was good, twisting with a lot of issues of China and Nepal and future interference from the North. The process of finding the reincarnations was good too.

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, amazing descriptive writing, very immersive!! Cant wait to read the last of the trilogy yippee!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was not into this one as much as the first. It was all about the mystery and not much personal stuff. But I did like some of his interactions with his friend. There were a lot of characters and I had trouble keeping up with who was who. Maybe I won't continue in the series.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75