Description: In the tradition of Gorky Park, John Gapper's new thriller takes readers inside the secretive and dangerous world of modern China, as a young woman makes a haunting discovery, €”one that forces her to choose between duty to her government and a desperate desire to learn the truth about herself.
Song Mei works for The Commission for Discipline Inspection that deals with corruption among the Party elite. When she is summoned by Lang Xiaobo, "the Wolf," to a fish pond in the middle of a banana field to view a body, Song Mei is confused. This doesn't fall into her job description.
What the Wolf wants Song Mei to see, however, is almost incomprehensible--the body of the young woman looks exactly like Song Mei. Shocked, Song Mei realizes that she had a sister, a twin, that she never knew existed. Raised in an orphanage, Song Mei never knew her parents, much less that she had a twin sister. The discovery is a momentous one, and she is determined to find out more.
Song Mei begins a covert investigation into the death of her mysterious twin that leads to the factory where her sister worked, an unusually high number of suicides, dangerous political espionage, and an ex-CIA agent.
A well-written and compelling novel that puts the reader in the middle of the sticky web of China's political and industrial system. Whom to trust? What secret machinations are just under the surface? What secrets can Song Mei uncover about her own past.
Recommended.
Read in Sept.; blog review scheduled for Jan. 1, 2015.
NetGalley/Random House/Ballentine
Mystery. Jan. 20, 2015. Print length: 320 pages.
Have to go looking for this one, really sounds good.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely sounds like an interesting plot and I know I haven't read many (actually if any!) mysteries set in China. Will have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting and complicated, but in a good way. Happy New Year! I hope it's filled with lots of good books and even more fun. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds action packed. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis does sound good! Like Iliana, I haven't read too many mysteries set in China. Adding this to my wish list.
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds good. I have really liked mysteries set in China - have read a few - think it is as much the cultural info as the stories.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to stop by and say hello to you. I'm stepping back into blogging and invite you to visit my new blog - kay's reading life - and chat awhile. I've missed being part of the blogging community and talking books. 2015 is my time to renew friendships and be in a happy place. Happy New Year!
This book sounds good and it seems like lots of stuff are going on. I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteHope you've a wonderful new year!