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Julian Lees

Goodreads Author

Born

in Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Website

http://www.julianlees.com/

Genre

Historical Fiction, Crime

Member Since

September 2010

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Julian Lees was born and raised in Hong Kong.
He currently lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with his wife and children.
The great-grandson of a high-ranking Cossack officer who served under the last Tsar of Russia, Julian is a writer who draws from his family's rich history.His novels are set in a world where East meets West, a cross-cultural world which he captures bewitchingly and dramatically in his fiction

THE BONE RITUAL, the first in a crime series set in contemporary Jakarta and introducing detective Ruud Pujasumarta, has been nominated for the CWA Gold Dagger Award 2017. It was published in October 2016 by Little, Brown Books on the Constable list. Publishing director Krystyna Green says: “We are delighted with this two-book acquisit Julian Lees was born and raised in Hong Kong.
He currently lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with his wife and children.
The great-grandson of a high-ranking Cossack officer who served under the last Tsar of Russia, Julian is a writer who draws from his family's rich history.His novels are set in a world where East meets West, a cross-cultural world which he captures bewitchingly and dramatically in his fiction

THE BONE RITUAL, the first in a crime series set in contemporary Jakarta and introducing detective Ruud Pujasumarta, has been nominated for the CWA Gold Dagger Award 2017. It was published in October 2016 by Little, Brown Books on the Constable list. Publishing director Krystyna Green says: “We are delighted with this two-book acquisition as the exotic location and vast cast of local characters is original and colourful, and a far cry from the dark thrillers of Scandinavia or inner cities of the UK.”

Julian is also the author of the novels THE FAN TAN PLAYERS (entered for the 2010 MAN Asian Literary Prize) and THE HOUSE OF TREMBLING LEAVES, published in February 2013 by Sandstone Press in the UK and by Blanvalet/Random House in Germany.
His novels have been translated into five languages.

Represented by Kate Hordern of the Kate Hordern Literary Agency he is also a contributor to writing blogs and magazines.

From Cambridge to Malaysia and a nunnery in the mountains of Tibet across the twentieth century, THE HOUSE OF TREMBLING LEAVES is the story of two mothers and one daughter, of war and survival. Rosy Thornton, author of NINEPINS and THE TAPESTRY OF LOVE, calls it "a compelling novel about the power of female friendship, transcending war, time and separation".

Praise for THE HOUSE OF TREMBLING LEAVES:

“No one can accuse Julian Lees of being a stick in the mud for story locations. His last book, THE FAN TAN PLAYERS was set in Macau and now he's gone for a quadruple siting, taking us to Malaysia, Cambridge, Tibet and India in the comfort of our own homes and some superlative writing.”
The Bookbag

“This is a book with a nice flowing style, well rounded major characters, all with a story to tell... It's the sort of book where you just keep wanting to read 'one more chapter'.”
The Little Reader Library

“THE HOUSE OF TREMBLING LEAVES gave me the sense that I was onto a good read from the very first pages... The array of colourful distinctive characters is what makes the story so engaging and powerful...it's an excellent read.” Book Diva ...more

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Julian Lees’s books

Average rating: 3.68 · 359 ratings · 84 reviews · 9 distinct works • Similar authors

	The House Of Trembling Leaves 3.78 avg rating — 117 ratings — published 2013 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Bone Ritual (The Bone Ritual, #1) 3.48 avg rating — 127 ratings — published 2016 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Fan Tan Players 3.73 avg rating — 67 ratings — published 2008 — 12 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Burnings (The Bone Ritual #2) 3.83 avg rating — 41 ratings — published 2017 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	So fern wie der Himmel by Julian Lees (Goodreads Author), Gloria Ernst (Übersetzer) 4.14 avg rating — 7 ratings — published 2006 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Das Haus der tausend Blüten: Roman \| Eine kraftvolle Frauensaga über zwei Freundinnen zwischen Asien und England by Julian Lees (Goodreads Author), Gloria Ernst (Translator) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Das Haus der tausend Bl??ten: Roman by Julian Lees (2013-02-18) by Julian Lees (Goodreads Author), Unknown Author 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Der Duft der Orchideenblüte: Roman \| Eine dramatische Liebesgeschichte in den Stürmen der Zeit by Julian Lees (Goodreads Author), Gloria Ernst (Translator) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Der Garten der wilden Magnolien - oder: So fern wie der Himmel: Roman \| Eine ergreifende Saga über eine Familie, die im Shanghai der Zwanziger einen Neuanfang wagt by Julian Lees (Goodreads Author), Gloria Ernst (Translator) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Julian Lees's Blog

Kindle deal

£1 for this weekend only.

http://sandstonepress.com/news/2015/9...

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Published on September 19, 2015 03:32

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Series by Julian Lees

The Bone Ritual (2 books)
by

Julian Lees (Goodreads Author)

3.57 avg rating — 168 ratings

Julian is Currently Reading

Julian Lees is currently reading

Cross Her Heart

by Sarah Pinborough (Goodreads Author)

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Aug 26, 2021 07:03PM

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A Piece of the World

by Christina Baker Kline (Goodreads Author)

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Aug 26, 2021 07:03PM

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Julian’s Recent Updates

Julian Lees entered a giveaway That's What Friends Are For by Wade Rouse 5 copies available, ends on December 13, 2025 Enter to win »
6 hours, 2 min ago · like · see giveaway
Julian Lees entered a giveaway Antique by Seth Panitch (Goodreads Author) 15 copies available, ends on December 08, 2025 Enter to win »
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More of Julian's books…

Quotes by Julian Lees (?)

“There are no incurable diseases, only incurable people. If your mind is willing, we will heal you.”
― Julian Lees, The House Of Trembling Leaves

1 likes

Topics Mentioning This Author

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Around the World ...: Karen B Frequent Flyer 2015	18	82	Jan 01, 2016 11:04AM
Ladies & Literature: 80,000 page Individual Reading Challenge for 2015!	366	104	Jan 06, 2016 05:43AM
Fiction Fanatics: What did you just finish reading 2017	1755	191	Jan 01, 2018 08:18PM
The Seasonal Read...: Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD	2368	506	Feb 28, 2018 09:03PM

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Julian’s Quotes

“It is thanks to my evening reading alone that I am still more or less sane.”
― W.G. Sebald, Vertigo

3503 likes

“Be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud.”
― Maya Angelou

1298 likes

“One Kashmiri morning in the early spring of 1915, my grandfather Aadam Aziz hit his nose against a frost-hardened tussock of earth while attempting to pray. Three drops of blood plopped out of his left nostril, hardened instantly in the brittle air and lay before his eyes on the prayer-mat, transformed into rubies. Lurching back until he knelt with his head once more upright, he found that the tears which had sprung to his eyes had solidified, too; and at that moment, as he brushed diamonds contemptuously from his lashes, he resolved never again to kiss earth for any god or man. This decision, however, made a hole in him, a vacancy in a vital inner chamber, leaving him vulnerable to women and history. Unaware of this at first, despite his recently completed medical training, he stood up, rolled the prayer-mat into a thick cheroot, and holding it under his right arm surveyed the valley through clear, diamond-free eyes.”
― Salman Rushdie, Midnight’s Children

24 likes

“I was looking for the key for years
But the door was always open”
― Aravind Adiga, The White Tiger

283 likes

“To have memories, happy or sorrowful, is a blessing, for it shows we have lived our lives without reservation.”
― Tan Twan Eng, The Gift of Rain

tags: memories

52 likes

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Julian’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-19) post a comment »

date

newest »

message 19: by Gazelle

Nov 26, 2015 06:50AM

Julian wrote: "Gazelle wrote: "Hi there Julian, thanks for the friend invite, it would be nice getting to know about your works."

Hi Gazelle, thanks for getting in touch! Have you read any good books recently?"

My pleasure. I actually did. I finished Midnight's children last month (been a while since I wanted to read this book, but never got the time) and I really enjoyed it.

reply | flag

message 18: by Julian

Nov 26, 2015 02:13AM

Gazelle wrote: "Hi there Julian, thanks for the friend invite, it would be nice getting to know about your works."

Hi Gazelle, thanks for getting in touch! Have you read any good books recently?

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message 17: by Gazelle

Nov 26, 2015 02:10AM

Hi there Julian, thanks for the friend invite, it would be nice getting to know about your works.

reply | flag

message 16: by Louise

Sep 24, 2015 12:50PM

Thanks for the recommendation.
I don't read much fiction, but this looks good. I put a reserve on it at our public library.

reply | flag

message 15: by Julian

Aug 10, 2015 04:37AM

Catherine wrote: "Thank you for the friend invite Julian. Just been comparing books. : )"

Hi Catherine,
Lovely to hear from you. Yes, I just looked too and we've rated the same books almost identically (apart from The Great Gadsby and Gone Girl - which I was a tad too generous I must confess).
All best,
Julian

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message 14: by Catherine

Aug 10, 2015 04:14AM

Thank you for the friend invite Julian. Just been comparing books. : )

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message 13: by Julian

Jul 12, 2015 03:05AM

Louise wrote: "Hi Julian,
Thanks for the friend invite. I look forward to reading your reviews."

Louise wrote: "Hi Julian,
Thanks for the friend invite. I look forward to reading your reviews."

Hi Louise, thanks for connecting. Have a great Sunday!

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message 12: by Louise

Jul 12, 2015 03:01AM

Hi Julian,
Thanks for the friend invite. I look forward to reading your reviews.

reply | flag

message 11: by Julian

Mar 20, 2015 05:28PM

Hi Seemita, thanks for connecting. Looking forward to sharing some good book recommendations with you. Have a lovely weekend.
Julian

reply | flag

message 10: by Seemita

Mar 20, 2015 03:45AM

Thanks for the invite, Julian. Its wonderful to connect with an author!

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message 9: by Julian

Jan 23, 2015 05:13PM

Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for connecting. Have a great weekend. Warm wishes from sunny Malaysia!
Julian

reply | flag

message 8: by Carolyn

Jan 23, 2015 05:09PM

Thanks for the friend request Julian.

reply | flag

message 7: by Julian

Oct 11, 2014 12:46AM

Hi Amanda, Have a great weekend! :)
Julian

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message 6: by Amanda

Oct 10, 2014 09:32PM

Thanks for the friend request. :)

reply | flag

message 5: by Angeline

Jul 19, 2014 06:36AM

Thank you for the friend request, Julian.

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message 4: by Julian

May 30, 2014 06:51PM

Sophia wrote: "Thanks for the friend request, Julian!

See you around GR!"

Thanks Sophia! I enjoyed your review of The Weaver Takes a Wife. It's now n my 'to read' list. Have a great weekend.

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message 3: by Sophia

May 30, 2014 06:39PM