tasmanian_bibliophile's review
4.0
‘Perhaps it was a good time to be despatched to China.’
Rowland (Rowly) Sinclair’s efforts to assist the Communist Egon Kisch at the end of 1934 and into early 1935 (read ‘A Dangerous Language’) has made him very unpopular with some Australians. As Rowly’s nephew, Ernest, says:
‘Pater said that half of Sydney wants to kill you.’
So, when Rowly’s brother Wilfred asks him to represent him at international wool negotiations in Shanghai, leaving Australia for a while is not unattractive. Especially when his friends Edna Higgins, Milton Isaacs and Clyde Watson Jones are to accompany him. Rowly is under clear instructions from Wilfred:
‘Your purpose is to hold our place in these meetings. Just listen and be pleasant. For God’s sake, don’t sign anything.’
In 1935, Shanghai is a glittering, glamourous place. It’s also a dangerous place, where loyalties and the law can be difficult to navigate. It seems that everyone is welcome in Shanghai: there are impoverished Russian nobles and badly behaved English-speaking expatriates. There are opium dens and sing-song bars. East meets west in Shanghai, but there is a strict hierarchy, and a marked difference between those with means and those without. But all Rowly needs to do is attend meetings and listen. What could possibly go wrong?
A woman is murdered. Her body found in the suite occupied by Rowly and his party. Suspicion falls on Rowly. Naturally, Rowly fights to clear his name. Naturally, his friends try to help. And naturally, because this is Rowland Sinclair, things become complicated, other people with vastly differing interests are involved. There are red herrings to sort, complicated relationships to try to make sense of, and plenty of action. In order to clear his name, Rowly Sinclair needs to find out who killed the woman and why. There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, with a bit of a surprise at the end.
Each chapter of the novel opens with an excerpt from a contemporary newspaper or magazine article. I enjoyed these excerpts which serve to ground the novel in its time period and give an indication of contemporary concerns and attitudes.
This is the ninth novel in Ms Gentill’s Rowland Sinclair series. While I think it possible to read and enjoy the novel as a standalone, I’d recommend reading the series in order. Why? Because Ms Gentill has created such marvellous main characters that one encounter will surely not be enough.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Pantera Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Rowland (Rowly) Sinclair’s efforts to assist the Communist Egon Kisch at the end of 1934 and into early 1935 (read ‘A Dangerous Language’) has made him very unpopular with some Australians. As Rowly’s nephew, Ernest, says:
‘Pater said that half of Sydney wants to kill you.’
So, when Rowly’s brother Wilfred asks him to represent him at international wool negotiations in Shanghai, leaving Australia for a while is not unattractive. Especially when his friends Edna Higgins, Milton Isaacs and Clyde Watson Jones are to accompany him. Rowly is under clear instructions from Wilfred:
‘Your purpose is to hold our place in these meetings. Just listen and be pleasant. For God’s sake, don’t sign anything.’
In 1935, Shanghai is a glittering, glamourous place. It’s also a dangerous place, where loyalties and the law can be difficult to navigate. It seems that everyone is welcome in Shanghai: there are impoverished Russian nobles and badly behaved English-speaking expatriates. There are opium dens and sing-song bars. East meets west in Shanghai, but there is a strict hierarchy, and a marked difference between those with means and those without. But all Rowly needs to do is attend meetings and listen. What could possibly go wrong?
A woman is murdered. Her body found in the suite occupied by Rowly and his party. Suspicion falls on Rowly. Naturally, Rowly fights to clear his name. Naturally, his friends try to help. And naturally, because this is Rowland Sinclair, things become complicated, other people with vastly differing interests are involved. There are red herrings to sort, complicated relationships to try to make sense of, and plenty of action. In order to clear his name, Rowly Sinclair needs to find out who killed the woman and why. There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, with a bit of a surprise at the end.
Each chapter of the novel opens with an excerpt from a contemporary newspaper or magazine article. I enjoyed these excerpts which serve to ground the novel in its time period and give an indication of contemporary concerns and attitudes.
This is the ninth novel in Ms Gentill’s Rowland Sinclair series. While I think it possible to read and enjoy the novel as a standalone, I’d recommend reading the series in order. Why? Because Ms Gentill has created such marvellous main characters that one encounter will surely not be enough.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Pantera Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
hanblu's review
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
ryes21's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kimswhims's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this but it did take me a long time to read. More me than the book.
There are great titbits of history and it's a rollicking 1930s murder mystery. Terrific Aussie recurring characters and an interesting range of characters popping up in an exotic Shanghai just prior to the onset of WW2.
Just enough smoke and mirrors to make it entertaining but not over involved. Such a relaxing read that I found myself lulled into a sleepy state sometimes. It might have also been the smoke I was breathing in for 6 weeks during the unprecedented bushfire season we are having. Feeling very wired I was keeping track of a bushfire that impacted Batlow where the author lives and is a volunteer firefighter with the RFS! Read a quote from her in one of the online newspapers just after the fire went through!
It's the most recent in the Rowland Sinclair series and the first I've read, but I'll definitely be reading more in the future. A highly recommended murder mystery series.
There are great titbits of history and it's a rollicking 1930s murder mystery. Terrific Aussie recurring characters and an interesting range of characters popping up in an exotic Shanghai just prior to the onset of WW2.
Just enough smoke and mirrors to make it entertaining but not over involved. Such a relaxing read that I found myself lulled into a sleepy state sometimes. It might have also been the smoke I was breathing in for 6 weeks during the unprecedented bushfire season we are having. Feeling very wired I was keeping track of a bushfire that impacted Batlow where the author lives and is a volunteer firefighter with the RFS! Read a quote from her in one of the online newspapers just after the fire went through!
It's the most recent in the Rowland Sinclair series and the first I've read, but I'll definitely be reading more in the future. A highly recommended murder mystery series.
mlafaive's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
archytas's review
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The setting here - 1930s Shanghai - is wonderfully drawn here, and it made me want to go. Unfortunately, the plotting felt like it was retreading a few too many familiar paths and it started to drag a little. Rowly really needs a short break from being arrested, for starters.
vesper1931's review
3.0
Because of personal reasons Wilfred Sinclair is unable to travel to Shanghai in 1935 and broker a wool deal with the Japanese. So his brother Rowland is sent with the company of his three close friends. But trouble does seem to follow them and a female body is found in their hotel suite. While trying to stay out of prison they decide to investigate with the help of several new friends.
An entertaining enough cozy mystery but not really enough of a mystery, but thankfully less political than some previous stories.
A NetGalley Book
An entertaining enough cozy mystery but not really enough of a mystery, but thankfully less political than some previous stories.
A NetGalley Book
adrianab's review
4.0
This is a historical fiction set in Shanghai in 1935. I love the characters and the plot too, but I need to read all the books from this series.
Thank you Netgalley for this copy.
Thank you Netgalley for this copy.
annarella's review
4.0
I love this series and I liked this installment even if it's not the best in the series.
As usual I was involved and entertained by the cast of characters, the historical setting and the plot.
The mystery was ok, a bit slow at times, but it keep you guessing till the end.
The historical background is interesting and well researched as in the other books.
I look forward to reading other installment in this amazing series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Pantera Press and Netgalley for this ARC
As usual I was involved and entertained by the cast of characters, the historical setting and the plot.
The mystery was ok, a bit slow at times, but it keep you guessing till the end.
The historical background is interesting and well researched as in the other books.
I look forward to reading other installment in this amazing series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Pantera Press and Netgalley for this ARC
brona's review
4.0
The anticipation I feel as I wait for the next Rowland Sinclair mystery is hard to describe. I love spending time with Rowland Sinclair and his three friends almost as much as I love spending time with my real life friends! It's a real treat to be a part of the humour, loyalty and kindness that they constantly display towards each other.
All the Tears in China picks up where we left off in book 8. Only a few days have gone by and Rowly is still paying for his involvement with Egon Kisch. To get him out of harm's way and to help the family fortune, brother Wilfred decides to send Rowland (and his friends) to Shanghai to broker a wool deal with the Japanese.
Naturally, from the moment they arrive in 1935 Shanghai, the level of danger and intrigue that Rowly seems to always attract only increases.
I love the blend of fact and fiction. Sulari Gentill has a lovely knack of allowing real life figures to rub along with our fictional favourites naturally. She also brings to life the bizarre, curious and precarious world of pre-WWII China.
Full review here - http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com/2019/02/all-tears-in-china-by-sulari-gentill.html
All the Tears in China picks up where we left off in book 8. Only a few days have gone by and Rowly is still paying for his involvement with Egon Kisch. To get him out of harm's way and to help the family fortune, brother Wilfred decides to send Rowland (and his friends) to Shanghai to broker a wool deal with the Japanese.
Naturally, from the moment they arrive in 1935 Shanghai, the level of danger and intrigue that Rowly seems to always attract only increases.
I love the blend of fact and fiction. Sulari Gentill has a lovely knack of allowing real life figures to rub along with our fictional favourites naturally. She also brings to life the bizarre, curious and precarious world of pre-WWII China.
Full review here - http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com/2019/02/all-tears-in-china-by-sulari-gentill.html