A review by ncrabb
China Trade by S.J. Rozan
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.