Jade Dragon Mountain (Li Du, #1) in Around the World in 80 Books

Jul 01, 2015 Beverly rated it really liked it

Shelves: cross-cultural, asia, china, historical-mystery, newtome2015

Jade Dragon Mountain, a debut historical mystery, enthralls with lyrical language, a fascinating historical journey, political intrigue, and unique characters and setting. It is late 18th-century China and disgraced imperial Chinese librarian Li Du has arrived in the small remote town Dayan as it prepares for the never before arrival of the Chinese emperor. Li Du is required to report to the magistrate who turns out to be his cousin. Societal expectations requires some hospitality to be extended ...more

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Nov 03, 2016 Andy Plonka rated it liked it

Shelves: src

Rural China in the 18th century murder mystery reminiscent of Judge Dee. Kind of refreshing change to not be set in a variety of places and dependent upon technology for the solution.

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Aug 07, 2021 Rachel N. rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, play-book-tag, china, historical-mystery, read-in-2021

Li Du has been exiled by the Emperor of China and finds himself in Dayan, trying to enter Tibet, on the eve of the Emperor's visit during a solar eclipse. Li Du's cousin is the local magistrate an he asks Li Du to stay and help with the foreign visitors before leaving. A Jesuit astronomer is murdered and Li Du decides he must find the murderer. I liked learning more about China during the early 1700's. I also liked Li Du and some of the side characters, especially the storyteller Hazma. I look f ...more

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Jul 17, 2018 Cheryl marked it as started-may-finish

80% done.

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Nov 03, 2019 Megan rated it really liked it

Well written, a good mystery that unfolded both logically and effectively, and a setting that was fresh (at least to English-only-reading-me).

I already have the next book in the series on hold at the library.

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