The Railway Conspiracy

Dee & Lao #2

by John Shen Yen Nee, S.J. Rozan

A lightning-paced, kung fu-filled historical mystery in which two amateur Chinese sleuths take down a sinister conspiracy between Imperial Russia, Japan, and China in 1920s London. Perfect for fans of Laura Shepherd-Robinson and Laurie R. King.

Judge Dee and Lao She must use all their powers of deduction—and kung fu skills—to take down a sinister conspiracy between Imperial Russia, Japan, and China in 1920s London.

London, 1924. Following several months abroad, Judge Dee Ren Jie has returned to the city to intercept a transaction between a Russian diplomat and a Japanese mercenary. Aided by Lao She—the Watson to his Holmes—along with several other colorful characters, Dee stops the illicit sale of an extremely valuable "dragon-taming" mace.

The mace's owner is a lovely Chinese businesswoman who thanks Dee for its retrieval by throwing a lavish dinner party. In attendance is British banking official A. G. Stephen, who argues with the group about the tenuous state of Chinese nationalism—and is then poisoned two days later. Dee knows this cannot be a coincidence, and suspects Stephen won't be the only victim. Sure enough, a young Chinese communist of Lao's acquaintance is killed not long after—and a note with a strange symbol is found by his body.

What could connect all these disparate, bizarre events? It is once again up to Dee's brilliant investigative skills and Lao's well-meaning but often bumbling assistance to get to the bottom of the Railway Conspiracy before anyone else ends up on the chopping block.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, British Literature

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2025

About the author

John Shen Yen Nee is a half Chinese, half Scottish American media executive, producer and entrepreneur who was born in Knoxville, grew up in San Diego, and is now based in Los Angeles, with a penchant for very long run-on sentences. He has served as president of WildStorm Productions; senior vice president of DC Comics; publisher of Marvel Comics; CEO of Cryptozoic Entertainment; and cofounder of CCG Labs.

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve long awaited this sequel to authors S.J. Rozan and John Shen Yen Yee’s debut, The Murder of Mr. Ma, and I was not disappointed! Judge Dee Ren Jie, the eminent Chinese judge and diplomat, returns to London, reuniting with his friends — Professor Lao She, merchant/martial artist Sergeant Hoong and the former pickpocket Jimmy Fingers. Just in time, too, as the crew is able to foil the attempted theft of a stolen priceless Chinese mace.

But this cleverly handled escapade is but the beginning of a reign of terror in London by competing ruthless gangs aiming for international control. Readers will enjoy the many twists and surprises. Highly, highly recommended.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Soho Press in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free eARC audiobook provided by NetGalley and the publisher for reviewing purposes!
The Railway Conspiracy is the second in the Dee & Lao series, take on Holmes and Watson where the detecting pair are Chinese immigrants living in 1920's London. This series is definitely more action-based than just general historical fiction mysteries- there are plenty of fight scenes, twists and turns, and mysterious, possibly backstabbing women. I also consumed the first book in the series via audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrator. The main characters are likeable and fully developed, the narrative and mysteries are compelling, and the setting is incredibly immersive. This was an excellent follow up to the first book, and I look forward to enjoying more of this series!

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a perfect followup to 'The Murder of Mr. Ma', and just what I needed right now. This is a fantastic mystery, a deeper look into Dee and Lao's culture [and their own personal belief systems, that do not always agree], a sinister conspiracy [that left me shuddering several times] that threatens everyone, and some seriously amazing kung fu skills/fighting [that made me want to run right out and sign up for classes] that really adds to the story [it is amazing to me that one can learn to do all they do in this book, simply with their bodies]. This seriously was everything I wanted and more and I cannot wait for Book 3. Very well done!!!

Daniel York Loh is the PERFECT narrator for these books and I cannot recommend him enough; he makes these stories come fully alive and also makes you feel as if you are right there in the midst of everything that is happening [I often gasped out loud as he was reading some of the more...EEEK! parts]. Please listen to him narrate these books; I guarantee you will not be sorry!!

Thank you to NetGalley, John Shen Yen Nee, S.J. Rozan, Daniel York Loh - Narrator, and RB Media for providing this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Merrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was going to be 4 stars until the last quarter of the book. Enough with the detailed fighting already. The descriptions mean nothing to the majority of your readers, unless they happen to be experts in martial arts. I found myself skimming through page after page, just to get through them.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 but not rounded up. It was somewhat interesting but I found the fighting descriptions using various types of martial arts rather boring since I knew what none of them were.

I learned about China and the communist party in England in 1924 - I had no idea -but basically it was slow going.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lao and Dee are back in another action filled hunt across London, both seeking and being sought as a battle for control and power pits Chinese groups pro and against Communism and others in a political war; with Dee, Lao and their friends in the midst of it all.

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Railway Conspiracy is the second volume in the Dee and Lao mystery series. Make that Judge Dee and Teacher Lao. The series is set just after WWI in London, but the two main characters are from China. Dee travels between London and Geneva working for the Chinese nationalist government. Lao teaches Chinese language and literature to not particularly enthusiastic university students. The two are a pair reminiscent of Holmes and Watson. Dee is always several steps ahead of everyone else, regardless of the situation, like Holmes. He's also a gifted gifted martial artist who is more than willing to get physical when circumstances warrant that. Lao is a Watson character, not as quick thinking as Dee, but stalwart, and committed to writing up his friend's investigative prowess.

The first volume in the series, The Murder of Mr. Ma, was a clever, engaging read offering not just a central mystery, but also a look at conditions for the Chinese Labor Corps, who were hired to assist the British during WWI. When one of the men Dee knew from the Corps is murdered, Dee takes it upon himself to investigate the death—and ore that follow it. Lao comes along as a sidekick, eager to do something besides teaching. This novel kept me going, putting me into that position of feeling torn between the desire to keep reading to see what would happen next and wanting to slow down, because a book is a finite entity, and I wanted this book to last.

I found The Railway Conspiracy interesting, but not as engaging as the previous volume. The characters remained their delightful selves, but this volume relied more on combat than the first did—and knowing little about martial arts, that meant there were lengthy passages in which I knew fighting was taking place, but didn't understand the language used to describe it sufficiently to feel a part of things.

I'm still looking eagerly forward to volume three when/if that is released, and I'm sure I will enjoy it, but I'm not sure how complete that enjoyment will be.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

[Julia Vee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cinematic delight! This second installment of Judge Dee and his stalwart companion Professor Lao dials up the action and I enjoyed the fun historical Easter eggs. The full cast of characters is charming and I have become very fond of Jimmy Fingers. Most importantly, this series doesn’t skimp on the food descriptions!

[Jill Shunk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.75...still really enjoy the characters and the historical & cultural context of the Chinese experience in 1920s London, but the "mystery" part of the book wasn't as strong/interesting as the first. Seems more like a set up for future instillations, with the main point being to introduce Dee's nemesis/Moriarty counterpart.

[Steven Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the sequel isn’t a story continuation, what makes it work? For me, it’s the feeling that I’ve been reunited with old friends. That was definitely the vibe I got reading The Railway Conspiracy, the second installment in the Dee & Lao mysteries. Set in 1920s England, these are straight Sherlock Holmes-inspired adventures interspersed with Hollywood-worthy action sequences.

Judge Dee is an agent of the Chinese government who does most of his work in Europe, especially in England, as of late. Lao is a Chinese language professor and the Watson of the tale. Plot synopses for these types of character-driven mysteries won’t really tell you whether or not to read them. You might not even remember the story in a month! What sticks with you is the cast of characters, and authors John Shen Yen Nee and S.J. Rozan have created a fantastic group of people you want to spend time with.

If I had a complaint, it might be that this one took a little longer than its predecessor to get going. I thought to myself at one point, is anyone getting murdered in this murder mystery? Once the first body falls, it’s 100mph to the finish. The mystery and its conclusion are satisfying, and Dee and Lao even have a little character growth, which is rare in these kinds of series in my experience.

If you know one of the authors (wink wink), let them know I’ll be in line to buy a new installment next year! Five outta five corpses, I mean stars!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

second in the series,exciting,enjoyed it

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed

[Tom Godfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some years ago I came across a series of books by Robert Van Gulik featuring Judge Dee, all of which were based on a real, if partially mythologized, judge from 7th Century China. Mr. Van Gulik found a novel in a Tokyo bookshop that recounted three of Dee's investigations and was prompted to expand on the character, but in a way he felt would be more palatable to a modern audience. Now, nearly 60 years after the last entry of the series, S.J. Rozan and John Shen Yen Nee have placed Dee and his aide Sergeant Hoong in 1920s London. In Van Gulik's books, Dee is a true investigator, solving mysteries and handing out sentences, often of an extremely cruel nature. In the new books, Dee is now an agent of the Chinese Nationalist government, a man with an eidetic-type memory, unmatched Eastern fighting kills, perfect vocal mimicry(with no accent), and a conservative bent. In short, he and Hoong are semi-mythic. The story here deals with China's fate after WWI, where Russia, Japan, and Communist Chinese are in a three-way struggle to take power and restore autocratic rulers in all three countries. That's okay, but reading this book makes you feel as if you're watching one of those martial arts movies of some decades back, and the invincibility of the leads is just a touch too magical, with long fight descriptions bearing B-movie nomenclature.

[Holly Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of Sherlock Holmes, this series is a refreshing homage to the legendary detective duo. While Dee and Lao’s relationship pays tribute to Holmes and Watson, SJ Rozan’s writing adds layers of richness and depth that surpass the original tales.

Set in 1924 London, *The Railway Conspiracy* unfolds against the backdrop of political turmoil in China, which spills over to affect Chinese citizens living in London. As various factions—including representatives from other nations—work to shape events back home, the intrigue and stakes rise.

I found the dynamic between Dee, Lao, and Mr. Hoong incredibly engaging. Their camaraderie, with Mr. Hoong occasionally stepping in as their muscle, adds both warmth and humor to the narrative.

Daniel York Loh, the audiobook narrator, delivers a wonderful performance. His ability to distinguish between characters and accents enhances the immersive experience, bringing the story vividly to life.

The only thing I would change is that I would have loved an afterword exploring the historical events in China during this period. This fascinating chapter of history is rarely covered in American schools, which tend to focus on Western history. After finishing the audiobook, I was so curious that I did some research myself—but hearing what inspired the author to include these elements would have been a wonderful addition.

Many thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for providing me with a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion. I was so captivated by this series that I purchased the Kindle editions to ensure I have them both. I can’t wait to see where Dee and Lao’s adventures take them next!

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely enthralled by the first book in the Dee & Lao series, The Murder of Mr. Ma, and have been hoping for a second since the minute I turned the very last page of that first. So I was more than pleased to see this second book appear – even if finishing it has returned me to my earlier state, now hoping for a third book to be published.

Because this second adventure was every bit as marvelous as the first – and in some ways better as we already know these characters but now have the opportunity to plumb their hidden – and sometimes not so hidden – depths.

This second of Dee and Lao’s adventures is set in 1924 London. Both characters are based on real historical figures. Lao’s background and current profession were historically as the series portrays him. From 1924 until 1929, he was a lecturer at the University of London on the subjects of Chinese language and literature. Whether his students were as frustrating, and whether Lao himself was as utterly bored out of his mind as he is portrayed in the story, is not certain, but they certainly leave the fictional Lao ripe to be carried along in Dee’s adventures.

Dee Ren Jie is as much myth as he is historical, but the historical Dee was a magistrate in late 7th century China. How much the historical Dee resembles this fictional interpretation is unknown, but I think it’s safe to say that the original Dee never masqueraded as the English folk hero/demon Spring-heeled Jack – as Lao’s friend Dee often does.

The story combines these bits of history with a compelling, confounding mystery, as all the best historical mysteries do.

Dee has returned to London after a year’s absence as an agent of the then-current Nationalist government in China. But that government is shaky at best. There are movements within China, including but not limited to the Communist Party, to bring the Nationalist government down. And there are forces outside China, great and would-be great powers far from limited to Britain, Russia, Japan and the United States, observing and even influencing events hoping that to destabilize the Nationalist regime so that they can pick up the pieces.

Which is where Dee and Lao and their associates, the redoubtable Sergeant Hoong and young English pickpocket Jimmy Fingers come into this tale, which begins with the return of a precious stolen artifact, middles in a great deal of romantic misdirection practiced successfully upon the supposedly impervious Dee, and concludes with an explosive confrontation on the London Necropolis Railway. (The Necropolis Railway is another bit of history that seems like it must be fiction, but it did really exist!)

When the dust settles, and there’s LOTS of it to settle, the immediate crisis – at least the London branch of it – is over. Dee is left realizing that he’s been a fool. And that while this crisis has been ameliorated it has absolutely not been averted – but that the fight will take him to other shores in other guises. In addition to making a fool out of him, the conspiracy has also made him their scapegoat, and London has become much too hot for him – at least as long as he continues to present himself as, well, himself.

So poor Lao is stuck returning to the boredom of his academic existence, while the country he left behind and plans to return to, is in jeopardy from all sides – including the one that he himself espouses.

It all sounds ripe for another book, doesn’t it? I certainly hope so!

Escape Rating A: I loved this even more than I did the first book, The Murder of Mr. Ma, which means that I need to give another shoutout to First Clue Reviews for their featured review of that first book.

One of the reasons I liked this better leads around and back to the other reason I got into this series. Many of the reviews of Dee & Lao liken them to Sherlock Holmes, especially the more active Guy Ritchie movie interpretations. While I think that is debatable, one way in which Dee & Lao are certainly like Holmes and Watson (and also Barker & Llewelyn) is that Lao serves as Dee’s chronicler as Watson does Holmes, with the same amount of reluctance to participate in the process on the parts of both Dee and Holmes.

Which means that this story is told in Lao’s first person voice. This is his interpretation – with the occasional use of a bit of literary license – of the events. In that regard, the narrator Daniel York Loh does a terrific job of interpreting Lao’s voice, to the point that when I ended up reading the last part of the book because I needed to find out who the true leader of the conspiracy is and how all the issues and conundrums got resolved – I was still hearing Loh’s voice in my head speaking as Lao.

I couldn’t put this one down because of how effectively it combined the pure whodunnit of the theft and murder conspiracy in London with the depth of historical setting and situation that lay behind it and the increasing knowledge of and bond between the characters, this most unlikely band of ‘scoobies’ that includes a government official, a merchant, a scholar, a pickpocket and has increased by the addition of a knife thrower and a dog. Dee pretends they are a circus act and he’s not far wrong in some aspects, but if it is it’s a circus that manifests a well of competence and an ability to improvise on the spot and roll with the punches.

And not just the punches they are administering themselves.

This reader, at least, is already anticipating Dee and Lao’s next adventure. It’s sure to be another fantastic read. After all, thanks to the conspiracy it’s going to have to start with Dee coming back from the dead!

Originally published at Reading Reality

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Soho Press for an advance copy of this novel, a mystery set in the time between two world wars in London, where international schemers are planning actions that could change the face of the world, and the brave detectives, a Judge and a scholar, both from China who are bound and determined to stop them.

I began loving classic mysterys at an early age starting with the entry drug of Sherlock Holmes, read in the back seat of the family car visiting my Grandparents in the Bronx. From there I went into the pulps, with their lack of mysterys, but with Big Bosses planning bad things, and a lot of fisticuffs. I liked the energy, the ratiocination, the spills and thrills. Looking back though, I did miss a lot of the racism, that know seems pretty apparant in many of the tales at the time. The words Yellow Peril appeared quite a bit, sinister oriental for anybody out of Asia. These statements make it hard for me to go back and read some of these stories. Which I is why I love this series so much. Judge Dee and his handy scholar partner Lao She are modern throwbacks which were a rare in many of the books I used to read. Men who can think, fight, have feelings, make friends, eat well, and solve mysteries, and most of all be Chinese. The Railway Conspiracy by John Shen Yen Nee and S.J. Rozan is the second, in I hope a long running series, featuring these two men, dealing with strange goings on in London, including theft, murder, and possibly revolution.

The book begins in a park with two mysterious men undertaking a transaction. This bit of business is interrupted by a caped crusader, the so-called Springheel Jack, a man of British legend, but one that has helped the police in the past, along with some others, including the scholar Lao She. The police arrive, and Springheel Jack escapes into the shadows, shadows that Judge Dee Ren Jie emerge from to take what was stolen from his client, an ancient mace from China. What seems to be the end of a successful investigation turns out to be just the start. The woman the mace as stolen from is a powerful business woman, one that a certain Judge might have feelings for. The theft was by a Russian agent, who seemed to be giving the mace to a Japanese agent, but why would these two powers be working together. At the same time people are dying in London, people who have ties to China, ties that could change the fate of the country and maybe even the world.

This is the second book in the series, and I would recommend starting with the first, as it is equally a very good story. However the writers do a very good job of explaining things, the characters and situations enough that one can follow along. This is a mix of pulp, classic detective story, Great Game espionage, and a bit of Jackie Chan action. Or Donnie Yen. He would be very good as Judge Dee. The story is quite good, with a lot of action, history, and a narrative that keeps everything together and has a strong conclusion. The characters are very well written, and one wants to read just to keep up with their lives, as well as to solve the mysteries. The mix of caped crusaders, ninjas, Russian Cossacks adds to the story. A lot of fun, and a series I want to keep reading more of.

[Lisa Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the engaging Dee and Lao series, set in 1920's London, finds our dynamic duo working against time. Someone is killing people who might get in the way of a conspiracy around the Chinese Eastern Railway. As in the first book, young scholar Lao She is paired with the amazingly clever Judge Dee Ren Jie, with the support of martial arts specialist Sergeant Hoong and charming pickpocket Jimmy Fingers. Fascinating historical detail, great action sequences, and a lot of fun repartee between the characters? Yes, please.

I hugely enjoy this series. I always learn something about a time period I am somewhat familiar with, but not from the lens of a Chinese person navigating London. The inclusion of historical figures like Bertrand Russell and his wife helps add to the atmosphere. The ongoing teasing of Lao about his fondness for English women (and his inevitable striking out) is done with a light touch, and helps address some of the racism a character like him might have faced in that time period.

Students who enjoy a Holmes-style puzzle mystery, but might also like some kick-ass martial arts sequences to add a little pizazz would enjoy these immensely.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, S.J. Rozan brings back a favorite character in Judge Dee, who may remind readers of Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately, new readers to Rozan and Judge Dee may have a hard time reading this book because Rozan doesn’t do a good job of giving new readers information about her characters - like their relationship to one another, how did they come to be doing the work they do, etc. New readers may struggle through the book because they kind of like the characters sometimes and the story may become interesting in the next chapter.

The story is set in 1924 London and Judge Dee has returned to London after an absence of some months. He and his sidekick Lao She foil the theft of a Chinese treasure belonging to Madame Wu (who is a very interesting character). When a wealthy bank owner is murdered, Dee and Lao jump into action because something is afoot.

If you’re a fan of Rozan, you will undoubtedly love this book. If you’re a fan of historical mysteries, you should try this book. Rozan’s descriptions of 1920s London and the social mores are interesting and sound.

My thanks to Soho Crime and Edelweiss for an eARC.

[Bill Kaiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I looked forward to reading this book after reading the first book in this series "The Murder of Mr. Ma", but finishing the second book in this series took longer than I thought it would. While I enjoyed the book overall, it didn't quite captivate me. However, I would read a third book in this series if one were to come out.


The book started well and had me hooked. The middle part and the ending were just okay. The second half of this book started to feel like a sort of "Avengers" style team that got together to fight crime. This was a turn off for me and detracted from the book. Character development also wasn't as robust compared to the first. Too much success and not enough struggle. The book ends in a way where Dee continues to search for Wu and leave you to believe this is where a future book will pick up from there. Like I said, I'll want to read it. I'm just not sure how quickly I'll get to it.

[EuroHackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another kung fu fighting romp through London, this time with our heroes chasing the Railway Conspiracy, an overarching group of villains who are determined to (re)place imperial powers on the thrones of Russia, Japan, and China and thus, consolidate their own personal powers. Their leader, Madame Wu, is clearly meant to be the Irene Adler of this universe, so take that as you will. Dee's ragtag group of friends has gained another member, a Mexican Chinese girl named Feng who is a ferocious fighter and best friend of an equally clever dog. She's a welcome addition to the group, no doubt.

I think I will be stepping off the train myself here, as though these books have been fun to read, I find myself preferring the original Judge Dee stories to this reimagined Sherlock pastiche. (Also, Lao is still insufferable as the narrator, and tiny doses of him is more than enough for me.)

[Paullette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical mystery (and Sherlock Holmes pastiche) follows THE MURDER OF MR. MA to continue the adventures of Judge Dee Ren Jie and his faithful mentee Lao She in 1920s London.

This installment feels cluttered with elaborate fight scenes and an excessively twisty plot that leave little space for the period details and delectable food descriptions that stood out so memorably in the previous book.

Lao She seems to be going through an adolescence of sorts in his relationship with his mentor. Lao has no patience for Dee’s ribbing of his socialist leanings and is passive-aggressively resentful of Dee’s extended absence from London after the events of the first book. This emotional distance between the two characters might have been interesting to explore but takes a backseat to an overly complicated plot that leaves more questions than answers.

RECOMMENDED if you liked the first installment and want to continue the series, but definitely falls short of the first book.

[mei chan · Rating 2 out of 5]

i'm disappointed! after reading the first book in the series, i had high hopes for the follow-up which were unfortunately not met. i found the mystery not nearly as compelling or as concrete as the first, and found myself muddled as to different character's intentions. the disguise of cockney criminal/myth springheel jack grew grating, and the fight scenes much too long.

the character of lao she was also a frustrating narrator - at times he was able to hold his own against his sherlock, but the majority of the time he simply gaped open-mouthed at dee, making him seem vastly inferior and a pitiable character (not to mention his vague obsession/incel-vibe rejections from white women). also found it corny how sherlock is a real character in this world! unlikely i'll read the next book in the series, which is too bad!! i reallt wanted to like this!!

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1924 London, Judge Dee returns to investigate a series of murders following the recovery of a valuable artifact. Aided by associate Lao, he must unravel a conspiracy linked to Chinese nationalism and the Chinese Eastern Railway before more lives are lost.

This is an interesting mystery, but I’m not the target audience. The characters are flat and the emotion nonexistent. There were multiple, long, elaborate fight scenes, which I fast-forwarded through. I guess some people like that sort of thing, but it doesn’t appeal to me. I’m sure others will enjoy it. The book is well written, and the audiobook narration is well done.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Hikari · Rating 3 out of 5]

By setting this in the Chinese community in London, our authors have given the story a fresh twist. There are plenty of nods to Holmes & Watson (including a "reichenbach falls" moment) as Dee and Lao chase the villains around London. The ending ties things up but also leaves room for book 3. Even though this is book of the series, it is does stand on its own. However, I found the fight scenes sometimes a bit long (when really the story is that character X finally defeats character Y which could be done in a few paragraphs rather than requiring most of the chapter).

I listened to the audiobook which was well narrated.

I received an advance review copy of the audiobook for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kristen Alberty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the relationships between characters - both in how they develop from the first book in the series, and in how the new characters are brought in. There is also a history of the development of Chinese Communist rule that I found interesting. I also enjoyed the pacing and plot.

My main complaint with this book was the number of fight scenes (too many for my taste) and their level of detail (too complex). Having basically no knowledge of martial arts, I found them hard to understand and follow, with the exception that the protagonists inevitably win every one.

I would recommend this book and series, and would read the next installment of the series.

[Doug Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novelist Lao She is between terms at the University of London when Judge Dee Ren Jie returns to London, giving him Lao the opportunity to experience another adventure with Dee. This time Dee, representing the Chinese government, is trying to stop an international conspiracy that wants to overthrow that government. As in the first book in the series, there are some lively fight scenes as Dee and his friend Sergeant Hoong exercise their martial arts prowess.

There was lots of political turmoil and intrigue in the 1920s, both in fact and in fiction. I'm reminded of Agatha Christie's stories in which Hercule Poirot opposes the Big Four. This historical thriller fits right into that atmosphere.

[Diane Shearer · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much fun! I’m loving these books. Reminds me of my favorite, Will Thomas, combining British and Chinese culture and fighting styles. Very exciting! The history from the Chinese perspective is fascinating, though I’m a little confused about Lao She’s politics. In book 1 we learned that he is a Christian, but in this book we find him sympathetic to the Chinese Communists. These two ideologies are diametrically opposed to one another. But I suppose no one knew that yet in 1924. Hell, I don’t think the Left knows that now, in spite of the devastation Communism wrought all over the world in the 20th century, and the evil abides yet today in China, Venezuela, and Cuba. Again, recommend the audiobook for Chinese pronunciations. It’s very well done.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first Dee & Lao book but was a bit disappointed in this one. The fight scenes were too frequent, too long, and extremely repetitive, and I'd hoped for more Sherlock Holmes-type of deductive reasoning, etc. The main villain was astoundingly obvious a mile away, and I hated the non-resolution at the end, which just seems like a "Buy our next book!" setup. I do quite like the characters of Lao and Jimmy, and there were some subtly humorous spots.

Finally, a very minor point is that the title is soooo boring. Had I not read the first book I never would have picked this one up just by glancing at it on the shelf.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! I should have read the first book in the series, The Murder of Mr Ma before reading this one. The two main characters, Judge Dee Ren Jie and Lao She, are not exactly detectives, not exactly spies, but well equipped to be either should the situation demand. The story is set in 1924 London where Chinese Communists are gaining a bit of traction and influence following the success of the Russian Revolution a few years earlier. Real life figures, Bertrand Russell and banker A. G. Stephen figure strongly in the book.
This would make a great film, reminiscent of the Sherlock Holmes movies with Robert Downey Jr.
Lots of kung fu moves and great disguises!
Highly recommended!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is much mystery and intrigue in THE RAILWAY CONSPIRACY, secret plots, twists and turns, dangers and deceptions, delicious details and loyal friends. Descriptions are so vivid I almost feel that I’ve seen and tasted and felt the heat of battle, and the comfort of loyal friends, human and canine.
Dee promises to return, and I will hold to that promise, for another book, another adventure . . . and hope that someday there’ll be a movie as well. I’d also love to have a picture glossary for all the weapons and fighting terms with which I’m unfamiliar, though I got the sense of the choreography. Breathless suspense, glad to be able to breathe again.