Lu Fei is deputy police chief in Raven Valley, a dull, rural community in northern China. Lu has studied in the U.S. He also is well-versed in Taoist philosophy and the writings of Confucius, or as he is called in China, Master Kong.
He spends a lot of time in a tiny bar called the Red Lotus, admiring the owner, YanYan, and drinking wine. “It is 20 below outside and Shaoxing is renowned for ‘revitalizing the blood’ and warming the qi.”
How did he end up in the frozen outpost? Lu, we learn, likes to speak his mind, and really doesn’t care when it gets him into trouble. His philosophical side helps him deal with the boredom and pettiness of his situation.
But one night as Lu quietly sips his elixir, a hellish murder occurs, and the whole paichusuo (Public Security Station) flies into action. A young woman, returned from the city to attend to her mother’s death, has been slaughtered and several of her organs have been removed.
A suspect is quickly located and apprehended. But the next day, Deputy Director Song of the Criminal Investigation Bureau arrives. He and Lu go into the city to learn more about the victim’s life, and uncover some intriguing facts that seem to lead right back to Raven Valley.
Author Brian Klingborg has degrees in Asian studies and worked on the continent for many years. He provides a fascinating look into contemporary China. The living conditions for many of the characters, for example, are not very attractive. Lu lives in a cramped apartment. Other dwellings feature a kang, a sort of fireplace with a platform on which the entire family would sleep. Or watch TV.
Lu is an interesting and likable character. I did find the murders (yes, a serial murderer is revealed) to be horrific, but even they had connections to Chinese mysticism. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.
No comments:
Post a Comment