I may be wrong. I often am when it comes to “Best of” lists at the end of the year. I suspect The Murder of Mr. Ma by John Shen Yen Nee and SJ Rozan will be on a number of those lists. Deservedly so. The novel has a brisk pace, an intriguing background, and a fresh plot. Welcome to London in 1924. How much do you know about Chinese immigrants there after World War I?
Lao She teaches Chinese at a university, and leads a peaceful life until Bertrand Russell sends for him one day. Lao anticipates quiet times of discussion about China. Instead, he’s sent to jail to impersonate Judge Dee Ren Jie who was accidentally swept up when police arrested a group of Chinese agitators. Once they stir up enough trouble causing a riot for the Metropolitan Police, Judge Dee involves Lao in his plans.
Dee came to London, following in the footsteps of some of the men he served with in the Chinese Labour Corps in France during the war. One of those men was murdered, and Dee always searches for justice. Before he can reach out, a second man is murdered, and then a third. All of them were killed by an unknown assailant using a butterfly sword.
Dee surrounds himself with an unusual gang; Lao, a Chinese shopkeeper, a group of street urchins, a British thief. And, as he swings from lampposts and chandeliers, fighting off street gangs and the police, he impersonates a local legend, “Springheel Jack, the Terror of London”.
Forty years later, Lao She looks back at these swashbuckling adventures to narrate the story of Judge Dee’s exploits and investigation of murder. Fans of Sherlock Holmes will recognize the format, a brilliant, addicted sleuth accompanied by an admiring assistant. But, the authors put their own spin on it as the two men are Chinese, trying to help their fellow Chinese in a London that sees them as lesser beings. The Murder of Mr. Ma is unrelenting in its pace, a wonderful tale of adventure and derring-do.
SJ Rozan’s website is http://sjrozan.net/
The Murder of Mr. Ma by John Shen Yen Nee and SJ Rozan. Soho Crime, 2024. ISBN 9781641295499 (hardcover), 304p.
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me an ARC upon request.
I’m already a fan of SJ Rozan’s, so I’m really looking forward to this book. Glad to have your recommendation, Lesa!
Kim! I hope you’re enjoying Japan. I think you’ll enjoy the book, too.
Wow, there is a sample of it audible on Amazon. I would love to listen to it.
Carol, I hope you get the chance to listen. It’s fast-paced, and fascinating. I knew nothing about the Chinese in England in the 1920s.
OK, I’m convinced. I put it on hold. I’m the first on the list.
I can’t wait to see what you think, Jeff.
Thanks for the review Lesa. I put my hold in from your April Treasures, sounded intriguing.
Oh, good, MM. Then, you should be close to the top of the list when your library gets the book.
This sounds good, especially since I know nothing about the Chinese in England in the 1920s. My library does not have the book yet so I added it to my list of books I want to read when I can find a copy.