I have read so, so many books in my life that I've gotten bored with fiction and mostly turned to history and biographies. Recent books I enjoyed were Richard III by Chris Skidmore and The Plantagenets by Dan Jones, and waiting on my nightstand is Saladdin by Anne-Marie Edde. I decided to try something a little lighter and picked up this book, mainly based on its setting. The inner workings on the Imperial Court of China (or I should say, in this case the Jin dynasty) is a topic I did not know much about - but now I do!
The book is a murder mystery so I will not go into detail of the plot twists. For me (because that's the way I am) the main enjoyment was learning about the intricate workings of the vast bureaucray surrounding the Emperor, and the almost lived-in feeling the author brings to the table. His main character, Gett, is a keen observer of human nature and of the motives that drive other people to do the things they do, and Mr. Kos-Read writes so eloquently about Gett's search for the killer that at times it reads like poetry. He has also clearly done his research on the topic of Jin Dynasty Imperial Court, or if he hasn't, he certainly had me fooled.
I would give the book four and a half stars if I could. It could have used a thorough proofreading before going to print to catch a few glaring mistakes, such as the main character's name being occasionally spelled Gete instead of Gett, a whole paragraph repeating towards the end of the book, some sentences that run together without punctuation etc. There was also the occasional somewhat jarring choice of words in regards to sex (which of course is discussed, since this is about the murder of a concubine) that seemed incorrect historically speaking, especially when spoken between high level palace officials who would presumably have been highly educated and chosen their words carefully, or when spoken by a lowly shop owner towards a high level palace eunuch. In short, don't be turned off by the opening sentence of the book, or some of the crass references to sex - they are not the main point. The main point is that here is an interesting investigator in a world far removed from ours, doing his job and trying to stay alive. The Name of the Rose, anyone?
I will certainly keep an eye on this author to see what happens next.
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Top reviews from other countries
Mark Rowswell
I see a screen adaptation in the future...
Reviewed in Canada on May 3, 2021
AG Stephenson
Recalls to mind Judge Dee
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2022Allenian One
Dense and deadly intrigue in medieval China
Reviewed in Spain on May 7, 2021P. C. Kurthausen
Historical thriller that sets the pulse racing
Reviewed in Spain on May 17, 2021