Death of a Red Heroine (Inspector Chen, Bk 1)
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
In my opinion, there are two main types of mysteries out there today. When I say the word "murder mystery", most people's minds jump to the traditional "whodunnit", in which the protagonist(s) attempt to discover who the killer is/are. In the other, popularized by the television series "Columbo", the "howdunnit" makes little to no secret over who the villain is the point of the novel is to watch as our protagonist puts the pieces together and attempts to prove that the antagonist is guilty despite their efforts to cover up their crime.
In "Death of a Red Heroine", author Qiu Xiaolong attempts to marry the two and put his own spin on it. The young woman found murdered outside of Shanghai turns out to be a Model Worker, someone who the Party has held up as someone whom the Chinese population should use as an example in their own lives. Inspector Chen faces his first big case in his new job. He has to figure out who the victim is and then who killed her, and why. Meanwhile, two large questions hang overhead is the person he has targeted as his prime suspect actually guilty ("whodunnit") and will the Communist Party allow him to arrest his prime suspect if it turns out to be the correct action, given his position and status? (Add some angst in his personal life to keep him on his toes.)
Having grown up in a capitalistic society, governed in accordance with those of a Republic and a Democracy, I was certainly interested in (in my opinion) the main character of this novel The Communist Party of the People's Republic of China. EVERY decision, every action is either predicated on "What is in the best interests of the Party?" or "How will the Party react to this action?" (Sometimes augmented with "... if they find out.") It's not an attitude I am used to, nor do I believe I could tolerate. However, it added a unique and interesting aspect to what would have been a decent, but unassuming novel.
In my opinion, it's worth a try. Enjoy it. And I'll be looking forward to the second book in the series.
RATING: 4 stars.
In "Death of a Red Heroine", author Qiu Xiaolong attempts to marry the two and put his own spin on it. The young woman found murdered outside of Shanghai turns out to be a Model Worker, someone who the Party has held up as someone whom the Chinese population should use as an example in their own lives. Inspector Chen faces his first big case in his new job. He has to figure out who the victim is and then who killed her, and why. Meanwhile, two large questions hang overhead is the person he has targeted as his prime suspect actually guilty ("whodunnit") and will the Communist Party allow him to arrest his prime suspect if it turns out to be the correct action, given his position and status? (Add some angst in his personal life to keep him on his toes.)
Having grown up in a capitalistic society, governed in accordance with those of a Republic and a Democracy, I was certainly interested in (in my opinion) the main character of this novel The Communist Party of the People's Republic of China. EVERY decision, every action is either predicated on "What is in the best interests of the Party?" or "How will the Party react to this action?" (Sometimes augmented with "... if they find out.") It's not an attitude I am used to, nor do I believe I could tolerate. However, it added a unique and interesting aspect to what would have been a decent, but unassuming novel.
In my opinion, it's worth a try. Enjoy it. And I'll be looking forward to the second book in the series.
RATING: 4 stars.
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