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Judge Dee (Chronological order) #11
Mõrv ja luuletajad
Kohtunik Di peab lahendama kaks keerulist mõrvajuhtumit ning avastab akadeemiliste ringkondade intriige. Üliõpilase surmas peetakse süüdlaseks libarebast ning vahetult enne pidusööki sureb seal esinema pidanud tantsijanna. Tegevusse sekkuvad ka zenbudistlik munk, mõrvas süüdistatav kaunis luuletaja ning keiserliku akadeemia endine president. Juhtumi lahendamiseks peab kohtunik Di külastama muuhulgas nii lõbumaja kui kummituslikku Musta Rebase pühamut.
182 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
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405 people want to read
About the author
Robert van Gulik
164 books300 followersRobert Hans van Gulik was a Dutch diplomat best known for his Judge Dee stories. His first published book, The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee, was a translation of an eighteenth-century Chinese murder mystery by an unknown author; he went on to write new mysteries for Judge Dee, a character based on a historical figure from the seventh century. He also wrote academic books, mostly on Chinese history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 30, 2025
The great Judge Dee of ancient China is visiting another city Chin-hwa (not his choice) on orders from the prefect , for an important conference as all government officials inevitably say. Lo Kwan-choong a fellow magistrate and friend graciously invites him to stay in his posh residence, besides the Mid - autumn banquet and Festival will shortly follow . Meanwhile Lo is a gracious host, with also three illustrious guests rather famous there. Shao Fan-wen former President of the Imperial Academy of Literature, Chang Lan -po royal court poet, Sexton Lo a Zen monk and well known for you can guess what ( the Chinese of the seventh-century love poetry) and not exactly welcome here the fourth another poet, an infamous woman Yoo- lan charged with murder, thus the title of the book is very accurate indeed. Not satisfied with the quite dull situation there they...
the bored gods let a student dissolution occur, by the name of Soong I-wen ... into nothingness. Poor Dee wherever he goes people fall down and don't get up. Needing help Judge Lo is more than happy ( he is ecstatic ), for his now good friend to solve the murder.. make those murders, people are fragile. Dancing girls especially, as Dee sneaks around spying on suspicious characters and this is China , so temples in every corner with spirits inside, the superstitious think and sometimes are right. However mysteries can't be unraveled easily and the bright Dee Jen-djieh, even he isn't infallible. Finally the banquet and the nervous diners look but do not enjoy or feel calm, since one of them is a depraved killer. The real reason readers continue to like these novels, since so many other detective books are around, are the customs... if you like Chinese culture, in a land from a long time ago , which we will never experience except here. No matter how many of scholar Robert van Gulik's , adventures in the Middle Kingdom I read, they are still superior tales. A novel for the curious.
the bored gods let a student dissolution occur, by the name of Soong I-wen ... into nothingness. Poor Dee wherever he goes people fall down and don't get up. Needing help Judge Lo is more than happy ( he is ecstatic ), for his now good friend to solve the murder.. make those murders, people are fragile. Dancing girls especially, as Dee sneaks around spying on suspicious characters and this is China , so temples in every corner with spirits inside, the superstitious think and sometimes are right. However mysteries can't be unraveled easily and the bright Dee Jen-djieh, even he isn't infallible. Finally the banquet and the nervous diners look but do not enjoy or feel calm, since one of them is a depraved killer. The real reason readers continue to like these novels, since so many other detective books are around, are the customs... if you like Chinese culture, in a land from a long time ago , which we will never experience except here. No matter how many of scholar Robert van Gulik's , adventures in the Middle Kingdom I read, they are still superior tales. A novel for the curious.
June 26, 2018
I have been rationing the Judge Dee mysteries to myself, reading one every six months, because I didn't really want to finish the series. Alas, this is the last entry in that series (though I hear good things about Zhu Xiao Di's homage and continuation, which I expect to read in January).
This volume omits the map of the city in question, which most volumes have, in favor of a plan of the princely mansion in which it takes place. Fifteen or sixteen courtyards, depending on which you count; and something I'll seriously have to consider building for my wife and I when we retire.
The book has the normal "three cases" for Dee to solve, or at least for him to work on; three murders, in this case. There are other collateral cases, as well, so this runs into a bigger-than-usual body count. The setting is the neighboring district of Chin-hwa, and the palace tribunal of his fellow magistrate, Lo Kwan-choong. Dee's boss is there, too, participating in the Mid-Autumn Festival. The boss is forever telling Dee he's anxious to hear his views and opinions, but not just now. And Dee, who isn't much for poetry, is in the company of Important Poets, because Lo is a poet and has, by chance, managed to assemble several for the Festival. One of them is accused of murder (as all poets probably should be), hence the title.
I'm not sure van Gulik would have wanted this to be the end-note of the series (cancer decided that for him), because Dee's in Chin-hwa without his usual entourage of assistants, so we lack the usual cast. Instead, Dee is assisting Lo, and using the folks in Lo's circle for support. Lo is rather clever, we learn, and might well have solved the case on his own, if he hadn't been overwhelmed with other duties. Dee is less crucial, in some ways, in these investigations than he normally is in the books of this series.
Van Gulik tended to avoid the heavy reliance on the supernatural that the Chinese novels that he was using for models normally depend on. However, in this case, the belief in fox spirits is a major component of the plot, and one of the characters inhabits a fox spirit shrine.
Potential spoiler: I was confused, and remain confused, by one structural detail of this novel. In the opening scene there are cryptic remarks made about an "experiment" that is suggested by Dee's being in town. I see that we're supposed to add someone to our suspect list as a result, but I finished the book without a clear idea what experiment was being tried by whom. One can guess at a meaning, but there's no evidence that I can see. Hmmm.
This volume omits the map of the city in question, which most volumes have, in favor of a plan of the princely mansion in which it takes place. Fifteen or sixteen courtyards, depending on which you count; and something I'll seriously have to consider building for my wife and I when we retire.
The book has the normal "three cases" for Dee to solve, or at least for him to work on; three murders, in this case. There are other collateral cases, as well, so this runs into a bigger-than-usual body count. The setting is the neighboring district of Chin-hwa, and the palace tribunal of his fellow magistrate, Lo Kwan-choong. Dee's boss is there, too, participating in the Mid-Autumn Festival. The boss is forever telling Dee he's anxious to hear his views and opinions, but not just now. And Dee, who isn't much for poetry, is in the company of Important Poets, because Lo is a poet and has, by chance, managed to assemble several for the Festival. One of them is accused of murder (as all poets probably should be), hence the title.
I'm not sure van Gulik would have wanted this to be the end-note of the series (cancer decided that for him), because Dee's in Chin-hwa without his usual entourage of assistants, so we lack the usual cast. Instead, Dee is assisting Lo, and using the folks in Lo's circle for support. Lo is rather clever, we learn, and might well have solved the case on his own, if he hadn't been overwhelmed with other duties. Dee is less crucial, in some ways, in these investigations than he normally is in the books of this series.
Van Gulik tended to avoid the heavy reliance on the supernatural that the Chinese novels that he was using for models normally depend on. However, in this case, the belief in fox spirits is a major component of the plot, and one of the characters inhabits a fox spirit shrine.
Potential spoiler: I was confused, and remain confused, by one structural detail of this novel. In the opening scene there are cryptic remarks made about an "experiment" that is suggested by Dee's being in town. I see that we're supposed to add someone to our suspect list as a result, but I finished the book without a clear idea what experiment was being tried by whom. One can guess at a meaning, but there's no evidence that I can see. Hmmm.
October 10, 2019
Υπάρχει μια τέλεια αντίθεση εδώ. Ο Δικαστής Τι είναι ο Σέρλοκ Χολμς της Κίνας. Τον θυμίζουν όλα. Ο τρόπος σκέψης του, η συγκροτημένη προσωπικότητα του, τα σχεδόν πάντα λογικά συμπεράσματα του. Σ αυτόν τον οικείο, για τους δυτικούς, χαρακτήρα προσθέτει αλατοπίπερο η αρχαία Κίνα. Ο τρόπος ζωής, η δομή της κοινωνίας, η καθημερινότητα, τα διαφορετικά ήθη και έθιμα και γενικότερα η κουλτούρα της εποχής μετατρέπουν ένα αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα σε εξαιρετική πηγή ιστορικών πληροφοριών.
April 17, 2022
Despite faltering into yet another case of overly plotted conversations about two thirds of the way through, Poets and Murder pulls things together for a disturbing finale. More and more as he's gone along in these Judge Dee mysteries, Van Gulik has turned to towards psychological explorations of demented and psychotic characters. And this was the very last Judge Dee novel published, coming out in 1968, following his death in 1967. So it stands to reason, I guess, that this story would reveal people at their most wicked and depraved. Sadism intermixes with narcissistic rage, all taking place among the highest echelon of respected society. Meanwhile, it's the peasantry or would-be artisan class and shopkeepers who maintain a sense of decency. Yet they are located only on the periphery of the society in which these murders take place. Yes, the ending in this case is a bit of surprise. Judge Dee himself is even surprised at the outcome. And the final image of Judge Dee, a character Van Gulick's pen would never address again? He's a forlorn man looking out over a mountain range at night, as the moon festival emerges seemingly to celebrate his melancholy career chasing after twisted souls and broken spirits.
July 6, 2017
I have thirteen of this series, and I read them very sparingly, as I don't want to get to the end. Aping the traditional structure of 18thC Chinese mysteries, with three interlocking cases, the prose is spare and beautiful, the line drawings (by the author) enchanting. This was the last he wrote, in 1968.
"A.D. 668. Master detective Judge Dee sets out to solve a puzzling double murder and discovers that complicated passions lurk beneath the seemingly tranquil landscape of academic life. A student has been murdered; a beautiful poetess is accused of whipping her maidservant to death; and further mysteries lie in the shadows of the Shrine of the Black Fox."
"Robert Hans van Gulik was a Dutch diplomat best know for his Judge Dee stories. His first published book, The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee, was a translation of an eighteenth-century Chinese murder mystery by an unknown author; he went on to write new mysteries for Judge Dee, a character based on a historical figure from the seventh century. He also wrote academic books, mostly on Chinese history."
"A.D. 668. Master detective Judge Dee sets out to solve a puzzling double murder and discovers that complicated passions lurk beneath the seemingly tranquil landscape of academic life. A student has been murdered; a beautiful poetess is accused of whipping her maidservant to death; and further mysteries lie in the shadows of the Shrine of the Black Fox."
"Robert Hans van Gulik was a Dutch diplomat best know for his Judge Dee stories. His first published book, The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee, was a translation of an eighteenth-century Chinese murder mystery by an unknown author; he went on to write new mysteries for Judge Dee, a character based on a historical figure from the seventh century. He also wrote academic books, mostly on Chinese history."
February 4, 2023
Another great book from the Judge Dee Series.
4* The Chinese Maze Murders (Judge Dee book #2)
4* Poets and Murder (Judge Dee book #17)
4* The Chinese Maze Murders (Judge Dee book #2)
4* Poets and Murder (Judge Dee book #17)
May 18, 2023
the judge dee books are really fun - they transport you to a world that is a mystery to modern westerners...i don't know how accurate they are, but the author was a bona-fide China hand...
April 27, 2024
I think it's such a shame that this series of books doesn't get the recognition it deserves and so they are hard to find. Another great read
March 24, 2024
Almost 5*. Love this series, and will re read the other books in the series that I already possess.
August 22, 2022
Δεν είναι από τος αγαπημένες μου υποθέσεις του Τι, καθώς ήταν χωρίς τους πιστούς συντρόφους του και η έρευνα του ήταν κυρίως εγκεφαλική, με λίγα χειροπιαστά στοιχεία.
April 13, 2024
Dịch giả dùng gg dịch đúng không ạ?
April 13, 2021
Judge Dee was called to the capital and on the way home stops to visit his friend and fellow magistrate Lo in Chin-hwa. Lo is giving a party for some famous poets and has planned a mystery to occupy Dee. It goes awry due to murder first of a student Soong. Was he really a student? One of the guests is under arrest and going to the capital to be tried for murder. A girl hired to dance at the party is murdered during the party. And who is the girl living among the foxes at Black Fox Shrine?
Judge Dee has his hands full and tied. His main suspects are all high ranking officials. He cannot afford to be wrong. Each murder erases his evidence threads.
As all the books in the Judge Dee series, this one is filled with Chinese customs and attitudes of the old dynasties. It is easy to read, a fast read. The ending is a bit too pat.
Judge Dee has his hands full and tied. His main suspects are all high ranking officials. He cannot afford to be wrong. Each murder erases his evidence threads.
As all the books in the Judge Dee series, this one is filled with Chinese customs and attitudes of the old dynasties. It is easy to read, a fast read. The ending is a bit too pat.
August 9, 2021
I think this was the last Di I had to read. Sad.
It was also one of, if not THE, best of them. It was a bit shorter and more tense than usual and in this case it worked really well. I liked the secondary characters, Lo chief among them. The riddle or rather riddles were quite good, having their roots in events past - something I really like it. The resolution fell flat with me, it seemed a bit as if the crime was done so well, the author couldn't figure out how Di could solve it. Apart from that, though, everything was perfect.
Now I need to give it a couple of years and re-read the entire series.
It was also one of, if not THE, best of them. It was a bit shorter and more tense than usual and in this case it worked really well. I liked the secondary characters, Lo chief among them. The riddle or rather riddles were quite good, having their roots in events past - something I really like it. The resolution fell flat with me, it seemed a bit as if the crime was done so well, the author couldn't figure out how Di could solve it. Apart from that, though, everything was perfect.
Now I need to give it a couple of years and re-read the entire series.
November 17, 2018
Truyện hay, nội dung hấp dẫn, có nút thắt mở hợp lý. Nhưng dịch giả Tùng Vũ dịch như kiểu là người nhà của biên tập.
August 3, 2021
Αξιόλογη και αυτή η ιστορία. Ποιήματα κ δολοπλοκίες έξω από τα μέτρα του Τί. Παρόλα αυτά η λύση έρχεται από μηχανής θεό που έλεγαν κ οι αρχαίοι 🤔😉
August 4, 2021
This one was really interesting and full of action, very quick to read.
November 2, 2022
Smutna konkluzja na temat ludzi. Ostatnia książka van Gulika o sędzim Di. Ciekawa intryga.
April 10, 2020
Συντομο, χωρις να φλυαρει, δημιουργει μια ατμοσφαιρα ιδιαιτερη. Ωραια ανατροπη στο τελος.
June 29, 2025
Re-read 2025: Upping it to four stars on re-read because I appreciated the twist more, I guess.
First read 2013: Judge Dee helps his friend Luo solve not one but three murders at once! And an 18 years old mystery too. In this book, Dee appears without his usual helpers, the role of his sounding board takes over Luo, an official in his own right. And the murderer? It was the one person I suspected the least. Huh.
First read 2013: Judge Dee helps his friend Luo solve not one but three murders at once! And an 18 years old mystery too. In this book, Dee appears without his usual helpers, the role of his sounding board takes over Luo, an official in his own right. And the murderer? It was the one person I suspected the least. Huh.
August 12, 2019
One of the more intriguing ones in the Judge Dee series, especially with the poetry plot line.
January 26, 2020
I don't necessarily think this shorter format works that well for more intricate detective / investigation stories. The biggest issue I had with this novel(la?) was that we did not get enough character analysis about the suspects to go along properly with the guessing game. We had 4 suspects, and out of those, we only had 2 who had a slight analysis of character... with basically one of the "filler guys" to be quite a major instrument in the crime itself. Which would have been fine with me if the format was shortened with less focus on the investigation (so you don't get sucked in) and the slightly deeper analysis of the other characters were dropped or if the other two characters got a little bit more exploration. This inbetween thing did not really work for me, because I was so invested in the actual investigation and could come up with a theory which was shattered with the actual solution you could never even guess. Also, because of this factor, the ending twist was not even that exciting for me, even though, if we think about it, it was such a crazy and exciting story... but if it is an investigation story, it should have been handled in a different way so the reader feels the excitement instead of the disappointment.
I also felt that the story kicked in really late and in the first part of the novel, wuite some time / pages were wasted on pointless details... I know, they were there mostly to paint a picture of how the people in higher positions in Imperial China lived, but for this length, they felt like wasted time (like again and again writing about what exact colors and clothing items people wore, what shape and height each women had, dialogue formalities etc.)... which would not have had the same effect for me if the novel was longer and more detailed when it comes to the actual investigation part with more exploration of character.
Also, a minor more personal issue, and most probably just a "me" thing: I know this novel was set to appear realistic and authentic when it comes to portraying power and social construction of gender, but I could not resist cringing over the fact how many times something derogatory for women was mentioned in the novel - I mean in dialogues, and we could say it was to show the harsh reality of that time... but still, for such a short novel, which had a lack of detail in the story, we really did not need that many reassurances about how much the supposedly admired main characters see women as objects... like how they say about a 30-year old woman that "she must have been beautiful when she WAS YOUNG", how they use and abuse women but on the other hand, talk disgustingly about women who use and abuse men WHILE NOT BEING PRETTY (oh the horror!), almost exclusively commenting on a woman's beauty, body, sexual powers and history or negging their husbands (except for the female poet)... or how a woman in her early 30s could have had a chance to be their 9th(?) wife only if they had just met AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR THAT, 10 YEARS AGO... I mean, we are talking about 50-60 year old men here. Putting all this crap into the book, I think, was unnecessary if the story itself was not that detailed - it was just too much for this length of a novel not to stick out like a sore thumb.
But I also liked quite a few things about this novel. The investigation part itself was quite enjoyable, I liked the process, it felt realistic and logical - I did not have an issue with the investigation part itself but how it connected to the solution / ending. I also liked the insight into Imperial China and the magistrates / prefects lives in that era in certain Chinese provinces. I also always love reading and hearing about the theories and superstitions about fox spirits in China - this topic is so whisical and always really exciting for me. With this novel, I also learnt something new about some other sides of the attitude towards foxes (that not all people are against foxes and think that they are inhabiting the souls of females to create havoc but also some really admire them and see them as good spirits).
As for the character breakdown in the beginning, I thought it was unnecessary and in a way it already eliminated potential suspects because some characters who could have been suspects were ruled out just by omission, which I think was an undiscovered tool for making and even more exciting story. I also did not have an issue following who was who even if the names are really unique and unfamiliar to a Western audience - which showed that the author could write about these characters in a clear, easy to understand way, which is a plus. But even the illustrations would have been enough in my opinion.
I also felt that the story kicked in really late and in the first part of the novel, wuite some time / pages were wasted on pointless details... I know, they were there mostly to paint a picture of how the people in higher positions in Imperial China lived, but for this length, they felt like wasted time (like again and again writing about what exact colors and clothing items people wore, what shape and height each women had, dialogue formalities etc.)... which would not have had the same effect for me if the novel was longer and more detailed when it comes to the actual investigation part with more exploration of character.
Also, a minor more personal issue, and most probably just a "me" thing: I know this novel was set to appear realistic and authentic when it comes to portraying power and social construction of gender, but I could not resist cringing over the fact how many times something derogatory for women was mentioned in the novel - I mean in dialogues, and we could say it was to show the harsh reality of that time... but still, for such a short novel, which had a lack of detail in the story, we really did not need that many reassurances about how much the supposedly admired main characters see women as objects... like how they say about a 30-year old woman that "she must have been beautiful when she WAS YOUNG", how they use and abuse women but on the other hand, talk disgustingly about women who use and abuse men WHILE NOT BEING PRETTY (oh the horror!), almost exclusively commenting on a woman's beauty, body, sexual powers and history or negging their husbands (except for the female poet)... or how a woman in her early 30s could have had a chance to be their 9th(?) wife only if they had just met AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR THAT, 10 YEARS AGO... I mean, we are talking about 50-60 year old men here. Putting all this crap into the book, I think, was unnecessary if the story itself was not that detailed - it was just too much for this length of a novel not to stick out like a sore thumb.
But I also liked quite a few things about this novel. The investigation part itself was quite enjoyable, I liked the process, it felt realistic and logical - I did not have an issue with the investigation part itself but how it connected to the solution / ending. I also liked the insight into Imperial China and the magistrates / prefects lives in that era in certain Chinese provinces. I also always love reading and hearing about the theories and superstitions about fox spirits in China - this topic is so whisical and always really exciting for me. With this novel, I also learnt something new about some other sides of the attitude towards foxes (that not all people are against foxes and think that they are inhabiting the souls of females to create havoc but also some really admire them and see them as good spirits).
As for the character breakdown in the beginning, I thought it was unnecessary and in a way it already eliminated potential suspects because some characters who could have been suspects were ruled out just by omission, which I think was an undiscovered tool for making and even more exciting story. I also did not have an issue following who was who even if the names are really unique and unfamiliar to a Western audience - which showed that the author could write about these characters in a clear, easy to understand way, which is a plus. But even the illustrations would have been enough in my opinion.
June 10, 2024
Spoilers ahead.
I'm re-reading the Judge Dee series of books. In this book Dee is staying with his neighbor magistrate Lo for a couple of days on his way back to his own district. Lo has arranged a party for Dee while he is there. The party will consist of 4 renowned poets: The Acadamician Shao (a retired high government official), the Court Poet Chang, Sexton Loo an itinerant monk and a retired, infamous courtesan, Yoo-lan on her way to the capital to stand trial for murdering her maid.
On the first day, a young tenant of a local tea merchant, a student (Soong) was murdered and Lo deputizes Dee to look at the case while he arranges the party. The party begins as all the guests are already there and staying at Lo's compound.
At one of the events of the party, a local dancing girl (Small Phoenix) is murdered while the party guests are watching fireworks and Dee suspects one of the guests is guilty of the murder.
The investigation continues during all this time and Dee has learned a lot. Dee discovers Saffron, a mentally challenged girl who is living by herself in the disused Fox Temple where a lot of feral or wild foxes live. He discovers that Soong was the son of a General Mo who was anonymously denounced for supporting a rebellion started by the 9th Prince at the time (18 years ago) and Soong was here to discover and out the person who wrote the letter. Furthermore, Dee discovered that Saffron was the half sister of Soong. In fact everything is connected to the one culprit.
The time has come for the last event of the party which was a catered dinner at a temple on a cliff top with poetry reciting afterwards. Dee actually still doesn't know who the culprit is, but he tries to bluff it out by telling the party the findings of his investigation, that he knew what Soong was doing and that murderer did it to silence him.
At this point Yoo-lan confesses to everything, that she murdered Soong because he was infatuated with her and threatening her and that Small Phoeix was blackmailing her as well so she killed her too. It would seem the story has come to an end but the Acadamician stands up and reveals that he is the real killer. He was too proud to allow Yoo-lan to take the blame for his crimes and he didn't want to owe her, a mere courtesan. His pride would not allow that.
He explains everything and quickly steps off the cliff, killing himself. Then Yoo-lan breaks down and explains that the Acadamician was the only man she loved and she was willing to die to take the blame for him.
This book has all the hallmarks of one of the good Judge Dee books: the characters are all well fleshed out and feel alive. The setting is well written and you feel you're in the Tang Dynasty. The plot proceeds smoothly despite the disparate events and number of characters, i.e. Dee finds the clues and builds the case as you read. Even the bit characters are well done and memorable.
There isn't an ah-ha moment because the killer confesses but overall it was a satisfying read.
I'm re-reading the Judge Dee series of books. In this book Dee is staying with his neighbor magistrate Lo for a couple of days on his way back to his own district. Lo has arranged a party for Dee while he is there. The party will consist of 4 renowned poets: The Acadamician Shao (a retired high government official), the Court Poet Chang, Sexton Loo an itinerant monk and a retired, infamous courtesan, Yoo-lan on her way to the capital to stand trial for murdering her maid.
On the first day, a young tenant of a local tea merchant, a student (Soong) was murdered and Lo deputizes Dee to look at the case while he arranges the party. The party begins as all the guests are already there and staying at Lo's compound.
At one of the events of the party, a local dancing girl (Small Phoenix) is murdered while the party guests are watching fireworks and Dee suspects one of the guests is guilty of the murder.
The investigation continues during all this time and Dee has learned a lot. Dee discovers Saffron, a mentally challenged girl who is living by herself in the disused Fox Temple where a lot of feral or wild foxes live. He discovers that Soong was the son of a General Mo who was anonymously denounced for supporting a rebellion started by the 9th Prince at the time (18 years ago) and Soong was here to discover and out the person who wrote the letter. Furthermore, Dee discovered that Saffron was the half sister of Soong. In fact everything is connected to the one culprit.
The time has come for the last event of the party which was a catered dinner at a temple on a cliff top with poetry reciting afterwards. Dee actually still doesn't know who the culprit is, but he tries to bluff it out by telling the party the findings of his investigation, that he knew what Soong was doing and that murderer did it to silence him.
At this point Yoo-lan confesses to everything, that she murdered Soong because he was infatuated with her and threatening her and that Small Phoeix was blackmailing her as well so she killed her too. It would seem the story has come to an end but the Acadamician stands up and reveals that he is the real killer. He was too proud to allow Yoo-lan to take the blame for his crimes and he didn't want to owe her, a mere courtesan. His pride would not allow that.
He explains everything and quickly steps off the cliff, killing himself. Then Yoo-lan breaks down and explains that the Acadamician was the only man she loved and she was willing to die to take the blame for him.
This book has all the hallmarks of one of the good Judge Dee books: the characters are all well fleshed out and feel alive. The setting is well written and you feel you're in the Tang Dynasty. The plot proceeds smoothly despite the disparate events and number of characters, i.e. Dee finds the clues and builds the case as you read. Even the bit characters are well done and memorable.
There isn't an ah-ha moment because the killer confesses but overall it was a satisfying read.
August 21, 2021
Judge Dee is guest of his friend Lo, the magistrate of Chin-hwa, together with a small group of distinguished scholars. Dee is again confronted with 3 cases: the murder of a student, of a dancing girl, and the case of a beautiful poet, who is thought to have whipped her maidservant to death.
The Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival is celebrated in many East and Southeast Asian countries. It is the second-most important holiday after Chinese New Year and held in mid-September of our calendar, when the moon is at its brightest and fullest. Lanterns of all size and shapes are displayed and a traditional snack at the festival are moon cakes, a rich pastry filled with sweet bean paste. As happens in the novel, where Magistrate Lo invite his guests to a pavilion in the mountains, it was customary to view the moon from a high place.
The woman poet is based on the biography of courtesan and poet Yu Xuanji (c. 840-868), who was (probably falsely, as she was a very independent woman which was not condoned in those patriarchal times) accused of living a promiscuous life and having strangled her maidservant - for which she was decapitated. Yu Xuanji first was the concubine of an official; when she left him, she set up as a courtesan with her own boat on the river; and finally she became a Daoist nun. Daoist nuns were at the time known for their sexual freedom and Yu was openly bisexual. She also seems to have had an affair with the poet Wen Tingyun, one of the most important lyricists of the Late Tang period. 49 of her poems survive and are indeed of high quality.
Another interesting point of this novel is the introduction of the folklore belief in foxes and "fox magic." The fox is a beast who in Chinese folklore is highly tinged with supernatural qualities, such as the power of transformation. It often appears after dark, in the shape of a beautiful girl who may tempt a man to ruin. Also demons may appear in the shape of foxes. (Many fox tales have been gathered in the Liaozhai Zhiyi (Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio) by Pu Songling.)
An interesting member of the dinner given by magistrate Lo is Sexton Lu, who is a Zen Buddhist and properly unconventional, much to the chagrin of Confucian Judge Dee.
This was the last Judge Dee novel Van Gulik wrote, as part of a third series of which he finished two novels. His publisher told him there was still a large demand for Judge Dee novels, and he enjoyed writing the books so he decided to continue. He felt that there was little new he could say about the Judge's assistants, but that the character of Dee himself still had many dramatic possibilities (as he realized when writing "The Night of the Tiger," a novella where Judge Dee appears alone). That is certainly true for Poets and Murder, which in my view is one of the best books in the whole series.
The Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival is celebrated in many East and Southeast Asian countries. It is the second-most important holiday after Chinese New Year and held in mid-September of our calendar, when the moon is at its brightest and fullest. Lanterns of all size and shapes are displayed and a traditional snack at the festival are moon cakes, a rich pastry filled with sweet bean paste. As happens in the novel, where Magistrate Lo invite his guests to a pavilion in the mountains, it was customary to view the moon from a high place.
The woman poet is based on the biography of courtesan and poet Yu Xuanji (c. 840-868), who was (probably falsely, as she was a very independent woman which was not condoned in those patriarchal times) accused of living a promiscuous life and having strangled her maidservant - for which she was decapitated. Yu Xuanji first was the concubine of an official; when she left him, she set up as a courtesan with her own boat on the river; and finally she became a Daoist nun. Daoist nuns were at the time known for their sexual freedom and Yu was openly bisexual. She also seems to have had an affair with the poet Wen Tingyun, one of the most important lyricists of the Late Tang period. 49 of her poems survive and are indeed of high quality.
Another interesting point of this novel is the introduction of the folklore belief in foxes and "fox magic." The fox is a beast who in Chinese folklore is highly tinged with supernatural qualities, such as the power of transformation. It often appears after dark, in the shape of a beautiful girl who may tempt a man to ruin. Also demons may appear in the shape of foxes. (Many fox tales have been gathered in the Liaozhai Zhiyi (Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio) by Pu Songling.)
An interesting member of the dinner given by magistrate Lo is Sexton Lu, who is a Zen Buddhist and properly unconventional, much to the chagrin of Confucian Judge Dee.
This was the last Judge Dee novel Van Gulik wrote, as part of a third series of which he finished two novels. His publisher told him there was still a large demand for Judge Dee novels, and he enjoyed writing the books so he decided to continue. He felt that there was little new he could say about the Judge's assistants, but that the character of Dee himself still had many dramatic possibilities (as he realized when writing "The Night of the Tiger," a novella where Judge Dee appears alone). That is certainly true for Poets and Murder, which in my view is one of the best books in the whole series.
April 13, 2025
Just a treat to read. Truly these are like tidbit bests for me. Love the era and the primes. And sadly, this is probably the very last of the Judge Dee's I can locate and that are still access printed in my library system without my getting another type of tech pad. This particular one (Poets and Murder) was found only after years of my having read all the multiples that were library or current tech Kindle available.
Short but filled with intense description. And Dee is without his 2 or 3 constant aides/companions on a judicial type quick required visit to a neighboring district. It is Mid-Autumn festival on top of it.
I've read numerous other reviews on this one before and after the book. Others have said it well, but I do not feature the direction in giving this lower review marks for his language about others (women most especially) here. It is their culture and their time. It is not at all out of the sensibilities of this period in China, nor did it at all distort any aspect of the tale or reality itself. In fact, quite the opposite.
I especially likes the lady poet in this one and also the depictions of the Fox cult belief and Saffron's living arrangements. Did I guess the perp? Nope- but I thought it between him and one other mainly from eliminations of conversations and character. Love van Gulik's dialogue skills as well as his terrific plottings. Here was done shorter than usual, but with just as good a flow.
Short but filled with intense description. And Dee is without his 2 or 3 constant aides/companions on a judicial type quick required visit to a neighboring district. It is Mid-Autumn festival on top of it.
I've read numerous other reviews on this one before and after the book. Others have said it well, but I do not feature the direction in giving this lower review marks for his language about others (women most especially) here. It is their culture and their time. It is not at all out of the sensibilities of this period in China, nor did it at all distort any aspect of the tale or reality itself. In fact, quite the opposite.
I especially likes the lady poet in this one and also the depictions of the Fox cult belief and Saffron's living arrangements. Did I guess the perp? Nope- but I thought it between him and one other mainly from eliminations of conversations and character. Love van Gulik's dialogue skills as well as his terrific plottings. Here was done shorter than usual, but with just as good a flow.
March 27, 2020
Voto 3 e mezzo.
Il giudice Dee ormai è diventato il mio detective preferito, scoperto nel 2019 e lo leggerò per tutto il 2020 (e oltre) finché non finirò con le sue avventure.
Dee stavolta è ospite del ‘collega’ Lo, che deve organizzare un banchetto importante, per celebrare la Festa di Mezzo Autunno. Peccato che proprio nell’imminenza dell’arrivo degli ospiti, gli capiti tra capo e collo un delitto da risolvere. Ovviamente Dee, da bravo amico quale è, si offre di occuparsene, mentre l’anfitrione prepara a dovere il banchetto.
Peccato che anche durante il banchetto ci scappi un altro delitto, quello della danzatrice Piccola Fenice. E che Dee inizi a pensare che i due delitti possano non essere indipendenti l’uno dall’altro e che, per sommo orrore di Lo, che già si vede confinato nei peggio campi di lavoro dell’Impero, probabilmente l’assassino non sia altri che uno dei grandi uomini di lettere invitati dal magistrato al banchetto.
Perché i poeti non sempre sono delle belle persone.
Mezzo punto meno del 4 perché due-tre passaggi (la morte e l’identità di Croco e il coinvolgimento della poetessa monaca nella vicenda) sono abbastanza ‘cantati’.
La trama è veramente avvincente, però.
Il giudice Dee ormai è diventato il mio detective preferito, scoperto nel 2019 e lo leggerò per tutto il 2020 (e oltre) finché non finirò con le sue avventure.
Dee stavolta è ospite del ‘collega’ Lo, che deve organizzare un banchetto importante, per celebrare la Festa di Mezzo Autunno. Peccato che proprio nell’imminenza dell’arrivo degli ospiti, gli capiti tra capo e collo un delitto da risolvere. Ovviamente Dee, da bravo amico quale è, si offre di occuparsene, mentre l’anfitrione prepara a dovere il banchetto.
Peccato che anche durante il banchetto ci scappi un altro delitto, quello della danzatrice Piccola Fenice. E che Dee inizi a pensare che i due delitti possano non essere indipendenti l’uno dall’altro e che, per sommo orrore di Lo, che già si vede confinato nei peggio campi di lavoro dell’Impero, probabilmente l’assassino non sia altri che uno dei grandi uomini di lettere invitati dal magistrato al banchetto.
Perché i poeti non sempre sono delle belle persone.
Mezzo punto meno del 4 perché due-tre passaggi (la morte e l’identità di Croco e il coinvolgimento della poetessa monaca nella vicenda) sono abbastanza ‘cantati’.
La trama è veramente avvincente, però.
November 21, 2018
A solid and entertaining Judge Tie mystery. Van Gulik was a remarkable Dutch linguist and diplomat, who explored Chinese history and culture through writing a series of mysteries wherein Judge Tie manages to unravel murders complicated by cultural issues such as the interaction between social ranks, local and centralized government officials, and motives which involve blackmail, jealousy, matters of honor and crimes of passion. Moord op het Maafeest, confusingly listed in Goodreads under an English title, is a great example of the series. Van Gulik does a great job setting the historical context for a complicated series of murders, based upon a historical female poet and courtesan in the Ming dynasty and a rebellion which was put down. I liked several poems included in the book, which as is so often the case, signal deeper as well as directly personal information which the writer would not be allowed to say directly. One remarkable couplet as an example: "Wij keren allen terug naar vanwaar we kwamen, Waar de vlam bleef van de gedoofde kaars."--(We all return to where we came from, where the flame remains of the quenched candle:. Well worth reading!
March 20, 2023
A fictional story about Judge Dee, a historical person who lived from 630 to 700 AD during the Tang dynasty. Judge Dee was a famous statesman and was known for his deductive abilities and high attention to detail.
In this short story, Judge Dee is visiting his friend, the Magistrate of Chin-hwa, and winds up investigating the death of a young, visiting scholar and a dancing girl. He eventually tries to connect these deaths to a poetess who is accused of murdering a servant girl.
His investigations and questioning of people while gathering information is nicely written, but the ending of the book showed him making an educated guess on the flow of events, rather than gathering specific proof of the identity of the murderer. While trying to present the background details to reflect the historical time period through street images, customs, food, etc., too much detail is given, every time the main characters change their clothes.
In this short story, Judge Dee is visiting his friend, the Magistrate of Chin-hwa, and winds up investigating the death of a young, visiting scholar and a dancing girl. He eventually tries to connect these deaths to a poetess who is accused of murdering a servant girl.
His investigations and questioning of people while gathering information is nicely written, but the ending of the book showed him making an educated guess on the flow of events, rather than gathering specific proof of the identity of the murderer. While trying to present the background details to reflect the historical time period through street images, customs, food, etc., too much detail is given, every time the main characters change their clothes.
July 7, 2023
Một học sĩ triều đình về hưu, một thi sĩ nổi tiểng, một thiền sư mặc kệ sự đời cùng Địch Công. Tất cả được tập hợp bởi Lỗ tri huyện, một người giàu của cải nhưng vốn thi ca nghèo nàn, để cùng ngắm trăng và ngâm thơ. Trong lúc Địch Công đang ở tại huyện bạn, thì lại có 2 vụ án mạng xảy ra, 1 vụ văn sĩ và 1 vụ kĩ nữ bị giết hại. Nghe có vẻ 2 người không liên quan đến nhau nhưng sau các vụ điều tra, tất cả đều dẫn dến một con người thông minh nhưng nham hiểm, kẻ mà để làm cho đời mình vui thú hơn đã quyến rũ con gái nhà lành, phản bội bạn và tố cáo nhân tình. Cuối cùng kẻ đó đã phải tự kết liễu đời mình, không phải bởi Địch Công có đầy đủ bằng chứng mà là ông không muốn có chịu ơn việc có người nhận tội thay mình.
September 22, 2024
Judge Dee is attending a festival in another city, staying with a fellow magistrate. His visit is interrupted by a brutal murder, with tenuous links to a past crime, and even hints of the supernatural. Overall, this was another enjoyable Judge Dee mystery. The story is fairly well set, though there are quite a few characters with complicated personalities and back stories to keep straight. The story focuses on the place of poetry in ancient Chinese society and several characters practice the art at different points of the story. There is also an implicit critique of the patriarchal society which narrowly defines women's roles and has reduced several female characters to pretty desperate situations.
February 5, 2022
A delicious mystery.
I have read many of the Judge Dee stories and this is a favourite. The judge is staying with jolly Judge Lo and a gaggle of poets and important folk. As usual he has to help Lo with several cases. These include a dead student, a murdered dancer, an old crime involving a lovely poetess and a very old scandal involving insurrection. Throw in heat and fox-magic and Dee has a real puzzle to unravel. Which he does with grace and quiet humour and buckets of hot tea. A joy. Highly recommended.
I have read many of the Judge Dee stories and this is a favourite. The judge is staying with jolly Judge Lo and a gaggle of poets and important folk. As usual he has to help Lo with several cases. These include a dead student, a murdered dancer, an old crime involving a lovely poetess and a very old scandal involving insurrection. Throw in heat and fox-magic and Dee has a real puzzle to unravel. Which he does with grace and quiet humour and buckets of hot tea. A joy. Highly recommended.
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