“Qiu deepens his Dalgliesh-like series lead in his superior 11th novel featuring Shanghai policeman and poet Chen Cao … While series fans will be delighted at the background Qiu provides, this is an accessible starting point for newcomers interested in a dogged, honest cop who must battle his own government to do his job”

“Gripping … Chen’s memories of the brutalities practiced on people regarded as intellectuals under Mao, like Chen’s father (a teacher), are achingly vivid. The latest Chen is both a scathing indictment of contemporary China and an explanation of how poet Chen came to be Chief Inspector Chen”

“Another elegant mix of recent history and literary embellishments and a richer Chen backstory … Qiu’s stylish hybrid is half fictional literary memoir and half crisp whodunit”

“Outstanding ... Fans of mysteries about honest cops working for compromised regimes won’t want to miss this one”

“Fascinating ... Xiaolong writes with both urgency and grace about modern China in another well-crafted mystery”

“Inspector Chen’s 10th mystery effectively uses the genre to explore China’s current pollution crisis”

“Another superb entry in an always-outstanding series”