knottyrambler's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed listening to this book. It was unpredictable and interesting. I found it took some time to get used to the reader.
scottyb's review against another edition
3.0
I'm conflicted about this one. It was a good story and I really liked the main character, but part of me wonders how much the author (a white woman) really knows about the Asian-American experience. Also, the story got quite repetitive towards the end but I'm chocking that up to first-novel-itis.
chinney's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Great paperback and new series for me. Very AA for a white girl
thain's review against another edition
4.0
A mystery series featuring a pair of New York private eyes—Chinese-American Lydia Chin and her partner Bill Smith—who each take center stage in alternating books. In this first entry, the pair are drawn into the world of Chinatown’s gangs when Lydia is hired to find missing porcelain antiques.
yourpretendfriend's review against another edition
3.0
I’m torn about this one- I liked the writing and plot of this book but I take issue with the fact that a white woman is writing from the perspective of a Chinese American woman. I initially assumed this was written by an Asian woman but it’s not and I’m not sure if I’ll continue because of this. I would rather seek out Asian mystery writers to write about Asian characters and culture.
ncrabb's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve read short stories about this unlikely private investigator duo perhaps in “Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine” when I could stand to read it years ago. But this is my first foray into the series, and I’ll be back for another book at some point.
Lydia gets a call from an old friend who operates a nonprofit dedicated to improving the welfare of those who live in New York’s Chinatown. Someone had gifted the agency with a collection of porcelain, and someone else stole the collection. Unwilling to trust the Anglo cops with their problem, members of the board of the nonprofit felt Lydia could quietly solve the case without involving law enforcement. Chin agrees to take the case, and with her unofficial partner, Bill, she investigates.
The investigation takes her from the world of art galleries into the far more dangerous realm of Chinese gangs. Before she solves the case, an art gallery receptionist will be brutally murdered.
I don’t normally read books about stolen art or collectables. Had I dwelt too long on the synopsis of this, I might have blown it off altogether. The author wrote this well enough that I’ll do future books in the series. For me, the best part was Christine Marshall’s narration. It’s nothing short of multi-dimensional magic. If you read the audio edition, you’ll understand.
Lydia gets a call from an old friend who operates a nonprofit dedicated to improving the welfare of those who live in New York’s Chinatown. Someone had gifted the agency with a collection of porcelain, and someone else stole the collection. Unwilling to trust the Anglo cops with their problem, members of the board of the nonprofit felt Lydia could quietly solve the case without involving law enforcement. Chin agrees to take the case, and with her unofficial partner, Bill, she investigates.
The investigation takes her from the world of art galleries into the far more dangerous realm of Chinese gangs. Before she solves the case, an art gallery receptionist will be brutally murdered.
I don’t normally read books about stolen art or collectables. Had I dwelt too long on the synopsis of this, I might have blown it off altogether. The author wrote this well enough that I’ll do future books in the series. For me, the best part was Christine Marshall’s narration. It’s nothing short of multi-dimensional magic. If you read the audio edition, you’ll understand.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
In a context-free vacuum, China Trade is a fine, entertaining mystery. I liked the characters, especially the lead and her partner (though the “Will they or won’t they?” aspect was annoying), the plot is fine, the Chinatown setting done well. It’s a good start to a series that would potentially lead to more.
But…
It’s really tough to get over the idea of a white person (SJ Rozan) writing a first-person perspective novel from the POV of a Chinese woman.
Now don’t get me wrong: I think it’s fine for people to write from the perspective of characters who don’t share their race or ethnicity. It’s limiting if we only write what we know. That said, there’s a long history of white creators co-opting stories and vantage points of non-white people for commodification.
And this really messed with how I enjoyed the book. I’m probably not as well versed on the subtleties of orientalist racism as I should be. So I’m reading this with some trepidation the whole time. Protection gangs, paternal figures, demanding mothers…maybe these are truths of the diasporic Chinese experience in America? Or maybe they’re just stereotypes? I feel like Rozan tried to avoid stereotyping but again, it’s tough for me to say with certainty.
I guess this was more of a review of the context of the book than the book itself. Apologies. I tried to do some research on how Chinese-American folks felt about Rozan writing from their cultural perspective but, while she is a popular author, she’s not on the best-selling level of Stephen King or Nora Roberts to merit such attention. I think I need to do some more digging before deciding whether or not to proceed with this series.
But…
It’s really tough to get over the idea of a white person (SJ Rozan) writing a first-person perspective novel from the POV of a Chinese woman.
Now don’t get me wrong: I think it’s fine for people to write from the perspective of characters who don’t share their race or ethnicity. It’s limiting if we only write what we know. That said, there’s a long history of white creators co-opting stories and vantage points of non-white people for commodification.
And this really messed with how I enjoyed the book. I’m probably not as well versed on the subtleties of orientalist racism as I should be. So I’m reading this with some trepidation the whole time. Protection gangs, paternal figures, demanding mothers…maybe these are truths of the diasporic Chinese experience in America? Or maybe they’re just stereotypes? I feel like Rozan tried to avoid stereotyping but again, it’s tough for me to say with certainty.
I guess this was more of a review of the context of the book than the book itself. Apologies. I tried to do some research on how Chinese-American folks felt about Rozan writing from their cultural perspective but, while she is a popular author, she’s not on the best-selling level of Stephen King or Nora Roberts to merit such attention. I think I need to do some more digging before deciding whether or not to proceed with this series.
bookbrig's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
I love love love loved all the descriptions of food, tea, scents, and tastes. The writing was wonderful, and I really liked the main character. Would definitely read more in this series.
notevenastar's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of my mom’s favorite book series and you know what? The old lady has EXCELLENT taste. Bill and Lydia have SOOOO much chemistry and I love all the details about Chinese culture. I can’t wait to start the second one :)