A Loyal Character Dancer [Hardcover]

 

 

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I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first in the series: Death of a Red Heroine, but it still gave me a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment. The biggest attraction for me with this series is the sense of place and atmosphere. The recurring (mostly male) characters are also interesting and well drawn. One weakness I find is with the female characters, especially the romantic interests, who seem to lack character. This was even more evident in this second book where the American detective seemed simply to serve as a clothes-hanger and an object for Inspector Chen's care and concern.
But I would still highly recommend this series. They are novel, interesting and not simply detective genre churn-outs, and there is a lot more to them than a mystery - in fact the non-mystery parts are the most entertaining. I have the next one in the series bought and lined up already.

First Sentence: Chief Inspector Chen Cao, of the Shangahi Police Bureau, found himself once again walking through the morning mist toward Bund Park.

Chief Inspection Chen Cao has been assigned to escort U.S. Marshall Catherine Rohn. His mission is to make her happy, keep her safe and out of trouble. Her mission is to bring to the United States, Wen, the wife of an important criminal witness. When they go to get Wen, she has disappeared. Chen has to find her, Catherine wants to be an active part of the investigation, and someone wants them to stop.

Xiaolong's book is filled with literary references, poetry, mouth-watering descriptions of food and fascinating information on China's history. I've learned more about the Cultural Revolution and Chinese history reading Xiaolong's books than I ever did in school but he conveys the information in a way that never slows the story or makes the book seem dry.

An author who not only entertains but makes me think is a treat. Several times, I found myself stopping to contemplate a point made by the author''The line between truth and fiction was always being constructed and deconstructed by those in power.' His voice is unique and compelling''There were quite a number of young people on the first floor, smoking, talking, stirring desires or memories into their coffee cups.' Writing such as that is impossible for me to resist.

Through the characters we elicit a look at some of the factors impacting people's lives; how the Cultural Revaluation has a lasting impact, the importance of connections and favors, and that politics has a personal impact, particularly in this case where what is politically necessary much supersede what is personally desirous.

It has been awhile since I read the first book in this series and I'd forgotten just how much I like the characters. Chen Cao did not become a policeman by choice. His love of poetry and literature shape him. He is supported by the wonderful, fully-dimensional Yu, Peiqin and Old Hunter, Chan's partner, his wife and father.

I also appreciated the connection of his friend Overseas Chinese Lu as a transition from the last book. US Marshall Catharine Rohn, Chen's counterpart for the case, is also something of a love interest. That didn't quite play true to me but I did sense the tension the author portrayed. The most fascinating character is Party Secretary Li, Chen's superior. I hope we get to know more about his as the series proceeds.

The plot itself was interesting; with economic development comes increased organized crime. Amidst the scenic descriptions'and there is a very strong sense of place'food and literary references, there is also attacks on the character's lives, a great battle scene and very well done twists in the plot.

The pace does bog down a bit and I wasn't crazy about all the exposition at the end. I'd rather you show me than tell me.

I highly recommend this book but do suggest starting with the first in the series. For me, Xiaolong remains firmly on my auto-buy list and I look forward to the next in the series.

A LOYAL CHARACTER DANCER (Pol Proc-CI Chen Cao-Shanghai, China-Cont/1990s) - VG
Xiaolong, Quiu ' 2nd in series
Soho Press, 2002, US Hardcover ' ISBN: 1569473013

Ambitious Chief Inspector Chen of the Shanghai Police is annoyed at being asked to baby-sit a visiting American detective. As much as he wants to help the US stop the smuggling of Chinese illegals into the US, the favors being done for one of the illegals in return for his testimony against a notorious snakehead leave a sour taste in Chen's mouth. It doesn't help that the wife of the illegal, whom the American inspector is supposed to escort back to the US, has inconveniently disappeared.

All this sets the stage for why a Shanghai chief inspector (even one with a degree in English and American literature) is investigating the probably gang-related disappearance of a Chinese lower-middle class woman with a blonde American tagging along (even a member of the US Marshals Service with a degree in sinology.) The situation gives Chen the opportunity to show the American (and us) the best of Chinese cuisine, music, literature and traditions, while exposing her to the everyday lives of the kind of people who populate a criminal investigator's world. Chinese cities are crowded and life in rural China is still harsh for most people. Qiu doesn't evade that reality, while he acknowledges the growing existence of an affluent, sophisticated middle class in cosmopolitan areas like Shanghai.

Be warned that the author uses his characters to discuss some hot political issues, such as the Chinese one-child per family policy and US immigration law. He takes care to allow both sides of every issue to be aired, but these are still topics that distress some readers. Qiu is not a 'safe' writer. He probes and provokes and touches some tender spots.

The spotlight, however, remains on Chief Inspector Chen Cao, a most extraordinary man. He's intelligent, educated, thoughtful and realistic. Working within a bureaucratic organization, dealing on a daily basis with the criminal, vulnerable and damaged, he uses his love of poetry and respect for Chinese tradition to maintain his bonhomie and integrity in a conflicted society in confusing times. In many ways, he represents the best of modern China.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating cultural detail
Shanghai Police Inspector Chen Cao is a man on the rise. Which doesn't always mean he gets to work the cases he wants. Read more

Published on Nov 12 2003 by Lynn Harnett

2.0 out of 5 stars Shanghaied
I found this book quite disappointing (have not yet read the previous one in the series). Main reasons are that (i) the dialogue is stilted (no one ever seems to use contractions... Read more

Published on Oct 24 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars The East is Read
Frankly, I don't understand the Publisher's Weekly criticism or the unfavorable comparisons to Qiu's first book "Red Heroin", which I also loved. Read more

Published on Oct 4 2003 by Bernarda Alba

3.0 out of 5 stars Poetic License
This is a thinly plotted mystery that partially redeems itself with a nuanced evocation of modern day Shanghai. Read more

Published on Mar 18 2003 by Timothy and Virginia Kennedy

3.0 out of 5 stars A Disappointing Sequel
I loved Qui Xiaolong's first mystery, Death of a Red Heroine, so much that I picked up A Loyal Character Dancer as soon as I could. Read more

Published on Feb 14 2003 by Joe Gawrys

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Sino-Sequel
The second book in the Inspector Chen series is equal in many ways to outstanding predecessor, Death of a Red Heroine. Read more

Published on Feb 11 2003 by A. Ross

5.0 out of 5 stars For Both Mystery Fans and Those Wanting a Peek Inside China
Book two in the (People's Republic) Inspector Chen saga meets the high expectations aroused by Qui Xiaolong's first, Death of a Red Heroine. Read more

Published on Nov 20 2002 by G. Miki Hayden

5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable sequel
As with Death of a Red Heroine, I enjoyed reading about Chinese culture at the same time that I was reading a good mystery novel. Read more

Published on Oct 23 2002

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