The Mao Case by Qiu Xiaolong

The Mao Case by Qiu Xiaolong

Tucked away from the building sites of modern Shanghai are the beautiful mansions once owned by the smartest families in 1930s China. They have since been bought by rich businessmen and high-ranking members of the Communist Party. All except one. The owner is an old painter. Each day he teaches his students, all beautiful girls in their twenties. Each night he holds a glittering party: swing jazz plays for his former neighbours, who dance, remember old times and forget for an evening the terrors that followed. But questions are being asked. How can he afford such a lifestyle? His paintings? Blackmail? A triad connection? Prostitution? Inspector Chen is asked to investigate discreetly what is going on behind the elegant facade. But, before he can get close to anyone, one of the girls is found murdered in the garden and another is terrified she will be next. Chen s quest for answers will take him to a strange businessman, triads, Chairman Mao himself and a terrible secret the Party will go to any length to conceal.

To read these books is to learn much about Chinese history and also its poetryBut a strong mystery plot is active here, a red herring adroitly dangled before the readers. - Sunday Age

Tight and enjoyable storytelling - SUNDAY EXAMINER

'Qiu gives a fresh perspective on the forces shaping a new China and the influences of the Cultural Revolution and then Tiananmen in 1989.' - Sunday Morning Post, Hong Kong

'A luminescent synthesis of thriller and literary novel' - Independent on A LOYAL CHARACTER DANCER

Stupendous - Fresh Air, National Public Radio, USA on DEATH OF A RED HEROINE

'With strong and subtle characterisation, Qui Xiaolong draws us into a fascinating world where the greatest mystery revealed is the mystery of present-day China itself.' - John Harvey

'Compelling . . . this fast-moving crime novel admirably depicts the intriguing struggles of characters grasping a foothold in a new and rising China.' - TLS on A CASE OF TWO CITIES

'A great read.' - Guardian on WHEN RED IS BLACK

Qiu Xiaolong was born in Shanghai. The Cultural Revolution began in his last year of elementary school, and out of school, out of job, he studied English by himself in a local park. In 1977, he began his studies at East China Normal University in Shanghai, and then the Chinese Academy of Social Science in Beijing. In 1988, he came to Washington University in St. Louis, U.S. as a Ford foundation fellow to do a project on Eliot, but after the Tiananmen tragedy of 1989, he decided to stay on. He lives there still with his wife and daughter.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780340978580
ISBN 10	0340978589
Title	The Mao Case
Author	Qiu Xiaolong
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Hodder & Stoughton
Year published	2009-02-05
Number of pages	304
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.