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Socrates Cheng Mystery #1
Mandarin Yellow
Why would a burglar break into a Washington, DC art gallery and steal an historic fountain pen worth $2200, but leave behind other art and cultural objects worth tens of thousands of dollars each? And why would someone else later commit murder to protect the burglar’s secret?
These are some of the questions that confront Socrates Cheng — an American of Chinese and Greek heritage — in Steven M. Roth’s intricate murder mystery — Mandarin Yellow — as Socrates investigates the burglary and attempts to recover the pen, all in an effort to curry favor with his lover’s estranged father who is the leader of a Washington and Shanghai based criminal Triad.
In a search that takes him from Georgetown to Chinatown and elsewhere in Washington, Socrates finds himself threatened, physically assaulted, suspected of having committed murder, jailed for a time, and constantly confronted by conflicts arising out of his three disparate cultures. Yet he is neither daunted nor deterred by these obstacles. Instead, Socrates draws upon his deep knowledge of vintage fountain pens, Chinese history, and the Mandarin language to puzzle out the complex motives behind the burglary and murders, until he finally uncovers the identities of the criminals and makes a discovery that forever changes his life and the lives of everyone else involved.
Mandarin Yellow involves ethnic and cultural conflict, forbidden love, friendships sustained and friendships lost, and the ever present and sometimes deadly immutable law of unintended consequences.
Mandarin Yellow is an intelligent mystery that sometimes is funny and sometimes sad, occasionally is irreverent, and always is suspenseful. Mandarin Yellow will appeal to readers of modern noir murder mysteries, to collectors of vintage fountain pens, and to people interested in the culture and history of 20th century China and in the Chinese experience in modern America.
These are some of the questions that confront Socrates Cheng — an American of Chinese and Greek heritage — in Steven M. Roth’s intricate murder mystery — Mandarin Yellow — as Socrates investigates the burglary and attempts to recover the pen, all in an effort to curry favor with his lover’s estranged father who is the leader of a Washington and Shanghai based criminal Triad.
In a search that takes him from Georgetown to Chinatown and elsewhere in Washington, Socrates finds himself threatened, physically assaulted, suspected of having committed murder, jailed for a time, and constantly confronted by conflicts arising out of his three disparate cultures. Yet he is neither daunted nor deterred by these obstacles. Instead, Socrates draws upon his deep knowledge of vintage fountain pens, Chinese history, and the Mandarin language to puzzle out the complex motives behind the burglary and murders, until he finally uncovers the identities of the criminals and makes a discovery that forever changes his life and the lives of everyone else involved.
Mandarin Yellow involves ethnic and cultural conflict, forbidden love, friendships sustained and friendships lost, and the ever present and sometimes deadly immutable law of unintended consequences.
Mandarin Yellow is an intelligent mystery that sometimes is funny and sometimes sad, occasionally is irreverent, and always is suspenseful. Mandarin Yellow will appeal to readers of modern noir murder mysteries, to collectors of vintage fountain pens, and to people interested in the culture and history of 20th century China and in the Chinese experience in modern America.
- GenresMysteryMystery Thriller
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
194 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 10, 2017
I enjoyed the book, but was never quite pulled into it. For me the passing of time was weird. So many things would happen, seemingly hours and hours head passed, but then they hadn't. More the once I was surprised by the fact that it was all still on the same day. Yet at other times, things I would have like to read, like the dinner with his girlfriend and his parents were omitted.
The mystery itself was interesting, and I loved how much Chinese history was intertwined in the story. I learned a lot.
I do wonder a bit about how Cheng solved it, since, like the suspects say as well, he mostly seems to be guessing.
At least the culprit want obvious, which I think is a real plus and made the ending really interesting.
The mystery itself was interesting, and I loved how much Chinese history was intertwined in the story. I learned a lot.
I do wonder a bit about how Cheng solved it, since, like the suspects say as well, he mostly seems to be guessing.
At least the culprit want obvious, which I think is a real plus and made the ending really interesting.
February 25, 2018
‘For people interested in the culture and history of 20th century China and in the Chinese experience in modern America.’
Washington DC author Steven M. Roth earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy and history from Pennsylvania State University and a law degree from Duke Law School. He is retired from private law practice. Steve has published five novels to date – the Socrates Cheng mysteries: MANDARIN YELLOW, THE MOURNING WOMAN, and THE COUNTERFEIT TWIN featuring his Washington, DC Chinese/Greek-American private eye — Socrates Cheng, and the Trace Austin suspense thrillers: NO SAFE PLACE and NO PLACE TO HIDE. His presence in Washington, DC and his experience as a lawyer serve him well in sculpting tense, beautifully nuanced novels that blend international politics, the military, and of course crime!
When an author is able to strike a chord of fear with the opening lines, then the reader can be assured the designated genre of ‘suspense novel’ is correct. Steve does this with direct ease in a very brief but threatening Prologue – ‘The old woman was expensively clothed. She wore traditional Chinese garb – an embroidered silk dress that covered her form her neck to her ankles, an antique jade necklace – but also costly Western shoes rather than traditional Chinese shoes because Oriental brands hurt her feet. Her hair was well-coiffed and her nails grown long and carefully polished deep red. Al in all, the old woman looked quite stylish and well put together for a dead woman.’
Steve offers a synopsis that outlines the area the novel covers – ‘Conspiracy, the theft of a valuable historic object from a Washington, DC art gallery, suspense and murder -- It's all here in this mystery whose roots go back to World War II in China, and come forward to modern-day Washington and its Chinatown. Why would a burglar break into a Washington, DC art gallery and steal an historic fountain pen worth $2200, but leave behind other art and cultural objects worth tens of thousands of dollars each? And why would someone else later commit murder to protect the burglar’s secret? These are some of the questions that confront Socrates Cheng — an American of Chinese and Greek heritage — in this intricate murder mystery as Socrates investigates the burglary and attempts to recover the pen, all in an effort to curry favor with his lover’s estranged father who is the leader of a Washington and Shanghai based criminal Triad. In a search that takes him from Georgetown to Chinatown and elsewhere in Washington, Socrates finds himself threatened, physically assaulted, suspected of having committed murder, jailed for a time, and constantly confronted by conflicts arising out of his three disparate cultures. Yet he is neither daunted nor deterred by these obstacles. Instead, Socrates draws upon his deep knowledge of vintage fountain pens, Chinese history, and the Mandarin language to puzzle out the complex motives behind the burglary and murders, until he finally uncovers the identities of the criminals and makes a discovery that forever changes his life and the lives of everyone else involved. The story involves ethnic and cultural conflict, forbidden love, friendships sustained and friendships lost, and the ever present and sometimes deadly immutable law of unintended consequences.’
Reading this initial installment of the Socrates Cheng series develops a need to read the entire series – and that is a solid sign that Steven M. Roth is a novelist of significance.
Washington DC author Steven M. Roth earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy and history from Pennsylvania State University and a law degree from Duke Law School. He is retired from private law practice. Steve has published five novels to date – the Socrates Cheng mysteries: MANDARIN YELLOW, THE MOURNING WOMAN, and THE COUNTERFEIT TWIN featuring his Washington, DC Chinese/Greek-American private eye — Socrates Cheng, and the Trace Austin suspense thrillers: NO SAFE PLACE and NO PLACE TO HIDE. His presence in Washington, DC and his experience as a lawyer serve him well in sculpting tense, beautifully nuanced novels that blend international politics, the military, and of course crime!
When an author is able to strike a chord of fear with the opening lines, then the reader can be assured the designated genre of ‘suspense novel’ is correct. Steve does this with direct ease in a very brief but threatening Prologue – ‘The old woman was expensively clothed. She wore traditional Chinese garb – an embroidered silk dress that covered her form her neck to her ankles, an antique jade necklace – but also costly Western shoes rather than traditional Chinese shoes because Oriental brands hurt her feet. Her hair was well-coiffed and her nails grown long and carefully polished deep red. Al in all, the old woman looked quite stylish and well put together for a dead woman.’
Steve offers a synopsis that outlines the area the novel covers – ‘Conspiracy, the theft of a valuable historic object from a Washington, DC art gallery, suspense and murder -- It's all here in this mystery whose roots go back to World War II in China, and come forward to modern-day Washington and its Chinatown. Why would a burglar break into a Washington, DC art gallery and steal an historic fountain pen worth $2200, but leave behind other art and cultural objects worth tens of thousands of dollars each? And why would someone else later commit murder to protect the burglar’s secret? These are some of the questions that confront Socrates Cheng — an American of Chinese and Greek heritage — in this intricate murder mystery as Socrates investigates the burglary and attempts to recover the pen, all in an effort to curry favor with his lover’s estranged father who is the leader of a Washington and Shanghai based criminal Triad. In a search that takes him from Georgetown to Chinatown and elsewhere in Washington, Socrates finds himself threatened, physically assaulted, suspected of having committed murder, jailed for a time, and constantly confronted by conflicts arising out of his three disparate cultures. Yet he is neither daunted nor deterred by these obstacles. Instead, Socrates draws upon his deep knowledge of vintage fountain pens, Chinese history, and the Mandarin language to puzzle out the complex motives behind the burglary and murders, until he finally uncovers the identities of the criminals and makes a discovery that forever changes his life and the lives of everyone else involved. The story involves ethnic and cultural conflict, forbidden love, friendships sustained and friendships lost, and the ever present and sometimes deadly immutable law of unintended consequences.’
Reading this initial installment of the Socrates Cheng series develops a need to read the entire series – and that is a solid sign that Steven M. Roth is a novelist of significance.
May 28, 2018
"It's probably a classic mystery in the making, but..."
I'm probably missing something. The writing style is quirky, the characters were sketchy and by the end of Part One I had had enough. I couldn't wait any longer. It was a long time getting anywhere.
I'm probably missing something. The writing style is quirky, the characters were sketchy and by the end of Part One I had had enough. I couldn't wait any longer. It was a long time getting anywhere.
March 24, 2017
Convoluted and interesting adventure in cultural thinking
Socrates Cheng is a former lawyer turned pen salesman in love, when asked to resolve a burglary by the father of his lover Jade. The book focuses on Cheng 's attempts to learn how to investigate such a burglary, how to unravel the mystery presented him, while simultaneously resolving his parents distracting income tax and dementia problems.. On the whole, the questions of family and honor, delicate relationships full of complexities are the stuff of which this book is made. While not a perfect book, the author show great promise, and I cannot wait to read the following books in the Socrates Cheng series.
Socrates Cheng is a former lawyer turned pen salesman in love, when asked to resolve a burglary by the father of his lover Jade. The book focuses on Cheng 's attempts to learn how to investigate such a burglary, how to unravel the mystery presented him, while simultaneously resolving his parents distracting income tax and dementia problems.. On the whole, the questions of family and honor, delicate relationships full of complexities are the stuff of which this book is made. While not a perfect book, the author show great promise, and I cannot wait to read the following books in the Socrates Cheng series.
June 7, 2023
well this was the third time I'd started this book and this time I stuck with it to the end. I think this book would be fascinating for those who speak Chinese, are steeped in and understanding of Chinese culture or are interested in Chinese history. But I didn't really gel with any characters, not even the main one, Socrates Cheng, and fell behind with the Chinese cultural implications.
Socrates Cheng is a seller of expensive and rare fountain pens and has been going out with the daughter of the local philanthropist and leader of a local triad group for quite some time. One day he is visited in his shop by the said philanthropist and triad leader to ask him to investigate the theft of a mandarin yellow fountain pen worth several thousand dollars, and a few other things too, which he had amassed as part of a exhibition at the local art gallery. Socrates had trained to be a lawyer but didn't want to help as he wasn't trained as a detective and suggested to Bing-fa that he goes to the police. He doesn't want to. He hints that he may be happy for his daughter Jade and he to be together, Jade has been alienated by her family by going out with someone who is not fully Chinese, Socrates is part Greek and part Chinese but was raised as an American, the Chinese cultural implications seemed to be passing him by too.
From this point on I got lost in the language, the ways and wherefores of what was acceptable and what was not, and have to say I had a sneaking appreciation for Socrates also mired in this world with no exit seemingly in site. However in the end I ploughed through and was surprised by the ending.
Socrates Cheng is a seller of expensive and rare fountain pens and has been going out with the daughter of the local philanthropist and leader of a local triad group for quite some time. One day he is visited in his shop by the said philanthropist and triad leader to ask him to investigate the theft of a mandarin yellow fountain pen worth several thousand dollars, and a few other things too, which he had amassed as part of a exhibition at the local art gallery. Socrates had trained to be a lawyer but didn't want to help as he wasn't trained as a detective and suggested to Bing-fa that he goes to the police. He doesn't want to. He hints that he may be happy for his daughter Jade and he to be together, Jade has been alienated by her family by going out with someone who is not fully Chinese, Socrates is part Greek and part Chinese but was raised as an American, the Chinese cultural implications seemed to be passing him by too.
From this point on I got lost in the language, the ways and wherefores of what was acceptable and what was not, and have to say I had a sneaking appreciation for Socrates also mired in this world with no exit seemingly in site. However in the end I ploughed through and was surprised by the ending.
May 14, 2018
Interesting!
The book was interesting as it dealt with the subject of Chinese culture and customs, along with the mystery. Character development of the characters would have been beneficial
The book was interesting as it dealt with the subject of Chinese culture and customs, along with the mystery. Character development of the characters would have been beneficial
May 6, 2017
Keeps you guessing to the end
This is a great mystery with lots of twists and turns. Just when you think you know who the murder is you find out your wrong.
This is a great mystery with lots of twists and turns. Just when you think you know who the murder is you find out your wrong.
August 5, 2017
Received free for review:
I had to make myself keep reading. Finally got to chapter 7 and gave up
Just couldn't get into the story....
I had to make myself keep reading. Finally got to chapter 7 and gave up
Just couldn't get into the story....
August 24, 2017
This was a slog to read because everything seemed repeated at least three times. The conversations went on from chapter to chapter just trying to find out what one character had to say next.
July 10, 2019
I love the way Socrate Cheng embrace the challenge of returning to his career with an additional learning to be a Private Investigator.
June 16, 2021
Entertaining. I'm going to look for more by this author.
December 14, 2011
I've recently started getting more into mystery novels so when I was presented with the opportunity to read one for free I was ecstatic and couldn't wait to get started and I was not disappointed! Steven Roth was able to weave a story together that was not only well written and easy to get into but also one that is historically accurate. You won't see the end coming. It was almost like watching the movie Inception, every time you think you've got it all figured out, there is another twist that throws everything off in your mind again. Steven did an amazing job keeping my attention and keeping me intrigued until the very last page. If all mystery novels were written this well it would be all I ever read.
June 19, 2013
Kindle boek. Gaat wel
December 22, 2016
Yellow
Very good tale of political intrigue linking past events and present crimes involving a Chinese document mystery. Modern Charlie Chan as a bachelor.
Very good tale of political intrigue linking past events and present crimes involving a Chinese document mystery. Modern Charlie Chan as a bachelor.
September 1, 2013
A trudge.
April 20, 2017
I like the way the author weaves his knowledge of history into his story.
April 25, 2017
Amazing book by a first time author for me. Enjoyable read and a not to be missed book by anyone
April 26, 2017
A highly suspenseful story of greed and innuendo
A truly wonderful depiction of the ways of the old and traditional Chinese traditions versus the western world. Full of mystery and suspense, love , greed and murder most foul to cover up a despicable event of the past .
A truly wonderful depiction of the ways of the old and traditional Chinese traditions versus the western world. Full of mystery and suspense, love , greed and murder most foul to cover up a despicable event of the past .
May 2, 2017
Chinatown (Washington, DC). Li Bing-fa (Jade’s father, Chinese mafia leader, Celestial being, Taoist, Middle Kingdom) & his 2 twin sons: Bing-wu (eldest) & Bing-enlai (youngest)
came to Socrates Cheng (Penn St.; China Studies major; Columbia U; JD, former attorney) a visit.
Chairman Chiang Kai-shek’s $2200, 1927, Mandarin Yellow Parker duofold treasured fountain pen had been stolen from Li Bing-fa’s Three Prosperities China Arts Gallery (Georgetown).
Chairman Mao later had taken possession of it.
Li Bing-jade (Jade Li, Penn St. U; BA China Studies, Wellesley College; MS & PhD Philosophy Degree professor Georgetown U) was Li Bing-fa’s daughter, & Socrates GF.
That did not set well with dad at all, he disowned her.
Socrates’ parents are: Phillip Cheng (father, Chinese) & Sophia Cheng (mother, Greek).
The Washington Post headline read Chinese Embassy’s Diplomat Murdered in Chinatown.
Iris Hua (Linda’s gallery director supervisor), & Linda Fong (asst. director) were employed at the Art Gallery.
The cultural exhibit show could not go on without that pen.
What did the note say that Socrates received?
Socrates had gone to the gallery several times to speak with the employee’s.
The next time he returned Iris had been murdered.
Detective Harte & Detective Thigpen (Metropolitan PD) had arrived at the crime scene.
Now FBI SA Ingram wanted to speak with Socrates.
Georgetown. Mr. Brandon Hill (Columbia U) had been stabbed 13 times.
Will the crime get solved & someone brought to justice?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written international crime thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great international crime thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Blackstone Press; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
came to Socrates Cheng (Penn St.; China Studies major; Columbia U; JD, former attorney) a visit.
Chairman Chiang Kai-shek’s $2200, 1927, Mandarin Yellow Parker duofold treasured fountain pen had been stolen from Li Bing-fa’s Three Prosperities China Arts Gallery (Georgetown).
Chairman Mao later had taken possession of it.
Li Bing-jade (Jade Li, Penn St. U; BA China Studies, Wellesley College; MS & PhD Philosophy Degree professor Georgetown U) was Li Bing-fa’s daughter, & Socrates GF.
That did not set well with dad at all, he disowned her.
Socrates’ parents are: Phillip Cheng (father, Chinese) & Sophia Cheng (mother, Greek).
The Washington Post headline read Chinese Embassy’s Diplomat Murdered in Chinatown.
Iris Hua (Linda’s gallery director supervisor), & Linda Fong (asst. director) were employed at the Art Gallery.
The cultural exhibit show could not go on without that pen.
What did the note say that Socrates received?
Socrates had gone to the gallery several times to speak with the employee’s.
The next time he returned Iris had been murdered.
Detective Harte & Detective Thigpen (Metropolitan PD) had arrived at the crime scene.
Now FBI SA Ingram wanted to speak with Socrates.
Georgetown. Mr. Brandon Hill (Columbia U) had been stabbed 13 times.
Will the crime get solved & someone brought to justice?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written international crime thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great international crime thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Blackstone Press; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews