This is a good mystery as well as interesting insight into Chinese culture. The main character, Judge Dee, surprises in the way he deals with the issues & how he figures out the mystery. I couldn't stop because I was anxious to find out what happened next.
Action, adventure, cerebral. Hooks you from the beginning.
"One of a series of Judge Dee detective novels written in the 1950's and based on a popular genre of Chinese seventeenth century detective stories. These convey an insight into life in imperial China...and make for fascinating reading for students of Chinese history and, of course, for mystery fans everywhere." A unique mystery novel that includes maps and illustrations based on sixteenth-century pictorial blockprints. I enjoyed going back so far in history to read a detective story! If you like mysteries and you also like historical fiction, then this is for you!
Svetlana M. (Svetgirl) reviewed The Chinese Bell Murders (Judge Dee, Bk 8) on + 13 more book reviews
I love Robert Gulik. He was a great writer and his Judge Dee books are amazing. I highly recomend them to everyone.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Another interesting set of mysteries by Van Gulik. He takes ancient Chinese stories and convert them into sets of mysteries in somewhat modern format. He chief character is based on a real Chinese magistrate.
This set of mysteries is somewhat brutal and the criminals, when caught, are dealt with in a harsh manner.
This set of mysteries is somewhat brutal and the criminals, when caught, are dealt with in a harsh manner.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Back in the 1980s, my mother read all Robert van Gulik's Judge Dee books and loved them. I knew that, sooner or later, I would have to read at least one of them myself. Much, much later, I have finally done so, and I can see why Mom enjoyed them so much.
Three of Judge Dee's cases are covered in The Chinese Bell Murders: "Rape Murder in Half Moon Street," "The Secret Door of the Buddhist Temple," and "The Case of the Skeleton Under the Bell."
Judge Dee is often called the Sherlock Holmes of ancient China, and it's easy to see why. These cases are all about their ingenious mysteries, all about solving the puzzles. Judge Dee thinks nothing of donning disguises to get at the truth, and he is scrupulous at upholding the law, although not all of his able assistants are. I also appreciated the glimpse into the life and culture of 7th-century China.
This is a series that I feel I can come back to once in a while when I'm in the mood for a "Just the facts, ma'am" mystery. Even though I am a bone-deep character-driven reader, there is something to be said for occasionally solving a concise puzzle or two.
Three of Judge Dee's cases are covered in The Chinese Bell Murders: "Rape Murder in Half Moon Street," "The Secret Door of the Buddhist Temple," and "The Case of the Skeleton Under the Bell."
Judge Dee is often called the Sherlock Holmes of ancient China, and it's easy to see why. These cases are all about their ingenious mysteries, all about solving the puzzles. Judge Dee thinks nothing of donning disguises to get at the truth, and he is scrupulous at upholding the law, although not all of his able assistants are. I also appreciated the glimpse into the life and culture of 7th-century China.
This is a series that I feel I can come back to once in a while when I'm in the mood for a "Just the facts, ma'am" mystery. Even though I am a bone-deep character-driven reader, there is something to be said for occasionally solving a concise puzzle or two.
Judge Dee mystery set in ancient China
