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Ben Canaan #2
Death on the Pearl River
London, 1856. Ben Canaan is a young detective on the payroll of Her Majesty's Executive, riding high on a string of successful cases. Then a notorious crime boss turns up murdered on the city streets, the latest in a series of brutal killings targeting the most powerful men in the global opium trade.
To track down the culprits and prevent more blood from being shed, Ben is sent out to the newly-founded British colony of Hong a lawless frontier town on the southern shores of China's Great Qing Dynasty.
Ben is plunged headlong into a labyrinthine conspiracy, set against the backdrop of an empire in collapse and a sweeping civil war. As his hunt brings him closer to the truth and the ruthless corporate interests that want him dead, Ben is forced to choose between what is necessary and what is just.
To track down the culprits and prevent more blood from being shed, Ben is sent out to the newly-founded British colony of Hong a lawless frontier town on the southern shores of China's Great Qing Dynasty.
Ben is plunged headlong into a labyrinthine conspiracy, set against the backdrop of an empire in collapse and a sweeping civil war. As his hunt brings him closer to the truth and the ruthless corporate interests that want him dead, Ben is forced to choose between what is necessary and what is just.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 9, 2026
Rating: 3.75* of five
The Publisher Says: Ben Canaan returns in this darkly gripping stand-alone adventure mystery set in Hong Kong, sequel to the acclaimed Murder in Constantinople!
Ben Canaan is riding high on the recent string of cases he has solved successfully on the payroll of Her Majesty’s Executive. Then a notorious crime boss is found murdered on the city streets, the latest in a series of brutal killings targeting the most powerful men in the opium trade.
The scale of the danger is global. To track down the culprits and prevent more blood from being shed, Ben is sent out to the newly-founded British colony of Hong Kong: a lawless frontier town on the southern shores of China's Great Qing Dynasty. All the victims have had ties to the prominent trading firms that use the Pearl River and the South China Sea as their base of operations—ranging from the firms’ heads, to high-ranking partners, supercargoes, merchants, even sailors.
Ben is plunged headlong into a labyrinthine conspiracy, set against the backdrop of an empire in collapse and a sweeping civil war. As his hunt brings him closer to the truth and the ruthless corporate interests that want him dead, Ben is forced to choose between what is necessary and what is just.
Alfred Hitchcock meets Indiana Jones, this immersive, globe-trotting historical mystery is the second installment in the acclaimed Ben Canaan Mysteries series. Thrillingly paced and filled with enchanting historical settings, this series provides all the nostalgic reading pleasure of classic Sherlock Holmes.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: It utterly blows my mind to realize Hong Kong as we know it now is so very young as a city. It does not bear thinkiing about what is happening there now, or what that portends for its inabitants' future. Still, being a Crown Colony was no picnic...as Ben's busy finding out in this wildly improbable, very kinetic tale of derring-do in support of the British opium trade.
Ew.
Of course Ben's not responsible for this global scourge. He's been told where to go and whom he should see by his bosses. Of course there's another terrible choice of woman for him to fall in love with, this time an opium widow grieving her husband.
All the expected gadgetry, intrigue, secrets to uncover that his bosses would really rather he didn't. And then there are the fights Ben needs to win, battles to wake up to instead of the ones he was told he'd be fighting. It still barely hangs together at the plot level and then only if one exercises good will and willingness to overlook how a lower-class Jew in 1850s England comes to be trusted with such important tasks as Ben is.
It all comes out okay in the end. It has to in a series mystery/thriller. Please not this entry does not have any significant characters from the first story. If you're looking for cozy sciibygroups, this is not the read for you. Like the Bond or Bourne books, Ben's the main point of continuity in these stories.
Enjoyable as fluff, but a second outing so soon after I had read the first might not've been the greatest idea...pace yourself.
The Publisher Says: Ben Canaan returns in this darkly gripping stand-alone adventure mystery set in Hong Kong, sequel to the acclaimed Murder in Constantinople!
Ben Canaan is riding high on the recent string of cases he has solved successfully on the payroll of Her Majesty’s Executive. Then a notorious crime boss is found murdered on the city streets, the latest in a series of brutal killings targeting the most powerful men in the opium trade.
The scale of the danger is global. To track down the culprits and prevent more blood from being shed, Ben is sent out to the newly-founded British colony of Hong Kong: a lawless frontier town on the southern shores of China's Great Qing Dynasty. All the victims have had ties to the prominent trading firms that use the Pearl River and the South China Sea as their base of operations—ranging from the firms’ heads, to high-ranking partners, supercargoes, merchants, even sailors.
Ben is plunged headlong into a labyrinthine conspiracy, set against the backdrop of an empire in collapse and a sweeping civil war. As his hunt brings him closer to the truth and the ruthless corporate interests that want him dead, Ben is forced to choose between what is necessary and what is just.
Alfred Hitchcock meets Indiana Jones, this immersive, globe-trotting historical mystery is the second installment in the acclaimed Ben Canaan Mysteries series. Thrillingly paced and filled with enchanting historical settings, this series provides all the nostalgic reading pleasure of classic Sherlock Holmes.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: It utterly blows my mind to realize Hong Kong as we know it now is so very young as a city. It does not bear thinkiing about what is happening there now, or what that portends for its inabitants' future. Still, being a Crown Colony was no picnic...as Ben's busy finding out in this wildly improbable, very kinetic tale of derring-do in support of the British opium trade.
Ew.
Of course Ben's not responsible for this global scourge. He's been told where to go and whom he should see by his bosses. Of course there's another terrible choice of woman for him to fall in love with, this time an opium widow grieving her husband.
All the expected gadgetry, intrigue, secrets to uncover that his bosses would really rather he didn't. And then there are the fights Ben needs to win, battles to wake up to instead of the ones he was told he'd be fighting. It still barely hangs together at the plot level and then only if one exercises good will and willingness to overlook how a lower-class Jew in 1850s England comes to be trusted with such important tasks as Ben is.
It all comes out okay in the end. It has to in a series mystery/thriller. Please not this entry does not have any significant characters from the first story. If you're looking for cozy sciibygroups, this is not the read for you. Like the Bond or Bourne books, Ben's the main point of continuity in these stories.
Enjoyable as fluff, but a second outing so soon after I had read the first might not've been the greatest idea...pace yourself.
October 3, 2026
⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars — Death on the Pearl River by A. E. Goldin
I was blessed with an ALC from NetGalley and the publisher.
When I first read the synopsis for Death on the Pearl River, I truly thought this was going to be a book I would love. The ingredients were all there for an intriguing mystery, and I went into it with high expectations. Unfortunately, this simply was not a good fit for me.
One of the strongest aspects of the book was its setting. The atmosphere came alive in my mind, and I enjoyed the rich sense of place and culture throughout the story. I also liked Ben Canaan very much. He has an engaging personality and was easily my favorite part of the story.
Where I struggled was with the mystery itself. I don't mind a complicated mystery—in fact, I enjoy being kept guessing about who the villain is and how everything will ultimately come together. Here, however, I sometimes found myself unsure about the central direction of the story itself. There were numerous characters and plot threads to keep track of, and even after replaying some portions, I still had difficulty following everything. I also found the pacing slow in places and never became fully invested in the mystery. I kept hoping the story would eventually draw me in, but unfortunately that never happened.
Nigel Patterson's narration, however, was excellent. He brought Ben's personality to life and added a great deal to my listening experience. While my overall rating for the book is three stars, I would give Patterson's narration a full five stars.
Reading is such a personal experience, and a book that doesn't connect with one reader may be exactly what another reader is looking for. Death on the Pearl River simply wasn't the right book for me, but I appreciated its vivid setting, its engaging main character, and an outstanding audiobook performance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ALC from NetGalley and the publisher.
When I first read the synopsis for Death on the Pearl River, I truly thought this was going to be a book I would love. The ingredients were all there for an intriguing mystery, and I went into it with high expectations. Unfortunately, this simply was not a good fit for me.
One of the strongest aspects of the book was its setting. The atmosphere came alive in my mind, and I enjoyed the rich sense of place and culture throughout the story. I also liked Ben Canaan very much. He has an engaging personality and was easily my favorite part of the story.
Where I struggled was with the mystery itself. I don't mind a complicated mystery—in fact, I enjoy being kept guessing about who the villain is and how everything will ultimately come together. Here, however, I sometimes found myself unsure about the central direction of the story itself. There were numerous characters and plot threads to keep track of, and even after replaying some portions, I still had difficulty following everything. I also found the pacing slow in places and never became fully invested in the mystery. I kept hoping the story would eventually draw me in, but unfortunately that never happened.
Nigel Patterson's narration, however, was excellent. He brought Ben's personality to life and added a great deal to my listening experience. While my overall rating for the book is three stars, I would give Patterson's narration a full five stars.
Reading is such a personal experience, and a book that doesn't connect with one reader may be exactly what another reader is looking for. Death on the Pearl River simply wasn't the right book for me, but I appreciated its vivid setting, its engaging main character, and an outstanding audiobook performance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
October 8, 2026
A. E. Golden's Ben Canaan mystery series has me hooked. This mystery series is set in the mid-1800s—which means it speaks to our current historical moment quite effectively. We have government interests (both political and economic), out-of-control capitalism, waves of antisemitism, and an obliviously certain-of-their-own-superiority upper class. Add in the opium trade—think of our government's kidnapping of the Venezuelan President and First Lady, our takeover of the country's petroleum, and our alleged "war on drugs"—and you've got a novel full of complexities that will feel right at home to us folks living in the 2020s.
Since this is only the second volume in the series, I'd suggest you read the first installment before moving on to Death on the Pearl River. I expect this series will be around for quite a while and that the characters will develop in interesting ways (as they have so far), so get to know them as they first appear, and then travel along with them via Death on the Pearl River and subsequent volumes.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher; the opinions are my own.
Since this is only the second volume in the series, I'd suggest you read the first installment before moving on to Death on the Pearl River. I expect this series will be around for quite a while and that the characters will develop in interesting ways (as they have so far), so get to know them as they first appear, and then travel along with them via Death on the Pearl River and subsequent volumes.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher; the opinions are my own.
October 3, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley, Tantor Media and RB Media for this advanced audiobook copy.
The narration of Death on the Pearl River is classic murder mystery at it’s best. Make-or-break adventure with a steady pace.
Vivid descriptions, distinct voices, and various accents are beautifully presented by Nigel Patterson to engage the listener and ensure the complex story is easily followed.
As a historical murder mystery set in British colonial Hong Kong in 1856 and the second installment of a series with main protagonist Ben Canaan, Death on the Pearl River explores the corrupt trade of opium by powerful men in Britain and China’s Great Qing Dynasty.
Brutal murders that began in London are traced by Mr. Canaan, at the behest of the British Empire, to the lawless Kowloon Peninsula.
Uncovering a twisted conspiracy that has a potential to unravel an empire, Ben must discern who the true culprit is and how he can outmaneuver death at the hands of those who are culpable.
Enjoyable and vividly narrated, this story harkens back to classic murder mysteries and pulls together all the best nuances of the genre.
The narration of Death on the Pearl River is classic murder mystery at it’s best. Make-or-break adventure with a steady pace.
Vivid descriptions, distinct voices, and various accents are beautifully presented by Nigel Patterson to engage the listener and ensure the complex story is easily followed.
As a historical murder mystery set in British colonial Hong Kong in 1856 and the second installment of a series with main protagonist Ben Canaan, Death on the Pearl River explores the corrupt trade of opium by powerful men in Britain and China’s Great Qing Dynasty.
Brutal murders that began in London are traced by Mr. Canaan, at the behest of the British Empire, to the lawless Kowloon Peninsula.
Uncovering a twisted conspiracy that has a potential to unravel an empire, Ben must discern who the true culprit is and how he can outmaneuver death at the hands of those who are culpable.
Enjoyable and vividly narrated, this story harkens back to classic murder mysteries and pulls together all the best nuances of the genre.
July 16, 2026
The brutal slaughter of an East End gang boss, for whom Ben was a runner in his youth, occurs at the same time as part of the Isle of Dogs dockland is firebombed. The chief suspects are three men of apparent Chinese extraction. Fearing a threat to international trade and this being the height of the British Empire, government agent Ben Canaan is assigned to solve the case and prevent further escalation. This sees him heading off to Hong Kong tackling a case that will test his loyalties.
The storyline is threaded with the opium trade, as there is disruption to ‘The Seven Gentlemen’ who are outwardly respected traders of goods from the east, but secretly operate as a cartel controlling the trade in opium. Now they are being murdered, by minions of the powerful Great Qing it is believed, it falls to Ben to prevent it turning into war. The deeper he investigates the more complex and twisty the story becomes as deceptions are driven by greed. The layering of the levels of intrigue is impressively done, keeping the story one step ahead of the reader.
Style wise it is an amalgam; the beginning leans to the Golden Age, but once the action moves to the Far East there is a nod to the ‘yellow peril’ novels of the 1920s and 30s but given a modern spin. There are the opium dens, but the Chinese are not the scheming, inscrutable cruel abusers of white women, they are seen more as the victims. It also draws in elements from traditional noir, corruption, exploitation and the existential threat to locals addicted to opium yet feels somehow different. All these elements come together beautifully into dynamic and fresh feeling prose in a rattling good adventure.
The historical shame of the British role in the opium wars is central to the narrative but at heart it remains a cracking historical mystery. The basic facts of the dirty trade are laid bare and how it supported the legitimate trading of silk and tea. Ben is thrown into the thick of the action and danger forcing him to reappraise his career. From being a casual user himself, he sees the damage opium was doing as he is drawn into the life of the widow of one of the attackers. It is the Chinese characters that get a much more sympathetic portrayal than the men of Empire.
A classic ripping yarn of yesteryear with modern sensibilities.
The storyline is threaded with the opium trade, as there is disruption to ‘The Seven Gentlemen’ who are outwardly respected traders of goods from the east, but secretly operate as a cartel controlling the trade in opium. Now they are being murdered, by minions of the powerful Great Qing it is believed, it falls to Ben to prevent it turning into war. The deeper he investigates the more complex and twisty the story becomes as deceptions are driven by greed. The layering of the levels of intrigue is impressively done, keeping the story one step ahead of the reader.
Style wise it is an amalgam; the beginning leans to the Golden Age, but once the action moves to the Far East there is a nod to the ‘yellow peril’ novels of the 1920s and 30s but given a modern spin. There are the opium dens, but the Chinese are not the scheming, inscrutable cruel abusers of white women, they are seen more as the victims. It also draws in elements from traditional noir, corruption, exploitation and the existential threat to locals addicted to opium yet feels somehow different. All these elements come together beautifully into dynamic and fresh feeling prose in a rattling good adventure.
The historical shame of the British role in the opium wars is central to the narrative but at heart it remains a cracking historical mystery. The basic facts of the dirty trade are laid bare and how it supported the legitimate trading of silk and tea. Ben is thrown into the thick of the action and danger forcing him to reappraise his career. From being a casual user himself, he sees the damage opium was doing as he is drawn into the life of the widow of one of the attackers. It is the Chinese characters that get a much more sympathetic portrayal than the men of Empire.
A classic ripping yarn of yesteryear with modern sensibilities.
June 15, 2026
London, 1856. Ben Canaan is a young detective working for Her Majesty’s Executive. Thanks to his success in previous cases, he has earned both popularity and respect. However, his latest investigation begins with the brutal murder of notorious East End crime boss Lennie Glass.
Glass staggers into the home of the Earl of Mansfield during dinner, dying shortly after. Carved into his chest are the words “Black Blood,” and with his final breath he utters a single word: “Seven.” But what does it mean?
Before Ben can fully investigate the murder, Commissioner Mayne summons every available officer to Parliament Hill. Ben protests that they are in the middle of a crime scene, but what awaits them is even worse. From one of Hampstead’s highest viewpoints, they witness a horrifying sight: Lennie Glass’s territory on the Isle of Dogs has been firebombed and reduced to ashes. Countless people have been trapped and killed, while the survivors are left horribly burned.
One image in particular haunts Ben, a woman burned alive while clutching her baby. Although Commissioner Mayne dismisses Ben’s involvement and insists the Metropolitan Police will handle the massacre. Which did make me wonder how much respect Ben really does have! Ben’s connection to the case is far from over. In fact, it is only just beginning.
Away from work, Ben is enjoying his newfound wealth. He lives in an apartment overlooking Lord’s Cricket Ground, is involved with the married Jemimah Plessey, spending time with her and smoking opium. Yet despite his success, he still longs for acceptance. Returning to visit his family in Whitechapel reminds him how difficult that can be, especially as a Jewish man trying to rise above the prejudices of Victorian society.
As Ben continues investigating Lennie’s death, he discovers a possible lead involving three Chinese men. When one of them is captured, he does not survive long enough to provide many answers. Soon, Ben finds himself travelling to Hong Kong in pursuit of the remaining two suspects. What begins as a murder investigation quickly expands into something much larger, involving trade, political influence, and a growing list of deaths connected to China.
The deeper Ben digs, the more he believes he understands who is behind the killings. But just when he thinks he has solved the mystery, everything changes. Nothing is as it seems, and Ben begins to realise that he may have been manipulated from the start. By some who he thought he had earned respect. Surrounded by people who seem determined to shape his conclusions, he struggles to determine who can be trusted and what the truth really is. The consequences of getting it wrong could cost thousands of lives and even spark a war.
Will Ben escape the dangers closing in around him? Will he finally gain the acceptance he craves? Or is he simply being used as a pawn in a much larger game?
This is an engaging and fast-paced read, with something happening on almost every page. The story is packed with twists and turns that genuinely surprised me, and I found it difficult to put down, finishing it in a single day. Although this is the second book in the Ben Canaan series, it works perfectly well as a standalone novel.
With plenty of action, intriguing characters, and an absorbing historical setting, this is a well-written and highly entertaining historical crime thriller.
Glass staggers into the home of the Earl of Mansfield during dinner, dying shortly after. Carved into his chest are the words “Black Blood,” and with his final breath he utters a single word: “Seven.” But what does it mean?
Before Ben can fully investigate the murder, Commissioner Mayne summons every available officer to Parliament Hill. Ben protests that they are in the middle of a crime scene, but what awaits them is even worse. From one of Hampstead’s highest viewpoints, they witness a horrifying sight: Lennie Glass’s territory on the Isle of Dogs has been firebombed and reduced to ashes. Countless people have been trapped and killed, while the survivors are left horribly burned.
One image in particular haunts Ben, a woman burned alive while clutching her baby. Although Commissioner Mayne dismisses Ben’s involvement and insists the Metropolitan Police will handle the massacre. Which did make me wonder how much respect Ben really does have! Ben’s connection to the case is far from over. In fact, it is only just beginning.
Away from work, Ben is enjoying his newfound wealth. He lives in an apartment overlooking Lord’s Cricket Ground, is involved with the married Jemimah Plessey, spending time with her and smoking opium. Yet despite his success, he still longs for acceptance. Returning to visit his family in Whitechapel reminds him how difficult that can be, especially as a Jewish man trying to rise above the prejudices of Victorian society.
As Ben continues investigating Lennie’s death, he discovers a possible lead involving three Chinese men. When one of them is captured, he does not survive long enough to provide many answers. Soon, Ben finds himself travelling to Hong Kong in pursuit of the remaining two suspects. What begins as a murder investigation quickly expands into something much larger, involving trade, political influence, and a growing list of deaths connected to China.
The deeper Ben digs, the more he believes he understands who is behind the killings. But just when he thinks he has solved the mystery, everything changes. Nothing is as it seems, and Ben begins to realise that he may have been manipulated from the start. By some who he thought he had earned respect. Surrounded by people who seem determined to shape his conclusions, he struggles to determine who can be trusted and what the truth really is. The consequences of getting it wrong could cost thousands of lives and even spark a war.
Will Ben escape the dangers closing in around him? Will he finally gain the acceptance he craves? Or is he simply being used as a pawn in a much larger game?
This is an engaging and fast-paced read, with something happening on almost every page. The story is packed with twists and turns that genuinely surprised me, and I found it difficult to put down, finishing it in a single day. Although this is the second book in the Ben Canaan series, it works perfectly well as a standalone novel.
With plenty of action, intriguing characters, and an absorbing historical setting, this is a well-written and highly entertaining historical crime thriller.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Death on the Pearl River is the second book in A.E. Goldin's Ben Canaan series, and I was happy to be back in Ben's world. He is such an easy character to root for. I enjoyed following him as he left familiar ground and headed to the newly founded British colony of Hong Kong to investigate a string of brutal murders tied to the opium trade.
The historical setting is where this book really shines. The Pearl River, the powerful trading firms, and the backdrop of the Qing Dynasty in collapse all felt vivid and immersive. The mystery itself is layered and well paced. I liked watching Ben untangle a conspiracy that kept getting bigger and more dangerous. The question of choosing to do the right thing in the face of what seems impossible to overcome was very good.
That said, this one was a harder listen for me. There are racial slurs flying every which way, some very explicit descriptions of drug use, and just the whole concept of colonization is offensive to me. I understand that this all reflects the time period and the world of the opium trade, hearing them over and over in audio was difficult. For me, those details took what would have been a 4 star read down to a 3. Other readers may feel differently, but I want to mention it so listeners know what to expect going in.
Nigel Patterson does a great job with the narration and brings Ben and the large cast of characters to life.
Overall, this is a very good historical mystery with a lead I really like, and I would still recommend it to fans of the series who are comfortable with the harsher content. I will continue to read this series when more are published.
Thanks to Tantor Media and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.
The historical setting is where this book really shines. The Pearl River, the powerful trading firms, and the backdrop of the Qing Dynasty in collapse all felt vivid and immersive. The mystery itself is layered and well paced. I liked watching Ben untangle a conspiracy that kept getting bigger and more dangerous. The question of choosing to do the right thing in the face of what seems impossible to overcome was very good.
That said, this one was a harder listen for me. There are racial slurs flying every which way, some very explicit descriptions of drug use, and just the whole concept of colonization is offensive to me. I understand that this all reflects the time period and the world of the opium trade, hearing them over and over in audio was difficult. For me, those details took what would have been a 4 star read down to a 3. Other readers may feel differently, but I want to mention it so listeners know what to expect going in.
Nigel Patterson does a great job with the narration and brings Ben and the large cast of characters to life.
Overall, this is a very good historical mystery with a lead I really like, and I would still recommend it to fans of the series who are comfortable with the harsher content. I will continue to read this series when more are published.
Thanks to Tantor Media and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2026
This is a jewish detective who is apart of the small historic community in England. Something that I picked up early was the extreme fluctuations in the pacing. When it came to the mystery, we moved a mile a minute with no clear indication on what was actually happening and when. The off shoot plot and setting scenes felt almost sluggish in comparison. While I liked the little pieces of homelife it gave, we had no introduction to the lead detective beyond an odd family dinner that had no grounding to the plot. Other mysteries that are written in a similar style (Think The Detective Kosuke Kindaichi), in those books, we have a similar rough introduction of his quirks and how he stumbles into the mystery. In this book, the first chapter has a murder happen so quick i had to reread it twice.
The more the plot built on itself the more I could picture this being written and filmed during the golden Hollywood film noir age. The vivid descriptions and interactions the detective had with witnesses/suspects was fascinating. Unraveling the empire while also keeping his own personal experiences with life close to his heart, aided in his journey to uncover the true culprit to the crime.
Nigel Patterson does an amazing job narrating this story. He brings the detective’s personality to life and keeps me engaged to the more important parts of the script.
In the end, I wasnt very engaged with the story beyond the serface level. It was interesting but didn't really introduce any new concepts or mysteries I havent already seen before. Enjoyable for the genre.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me listen to the audiobook early.
The more the plot built on itself the more I could picture this being written and filmed during the golden Hollywood film noir age. The vivid descriptions and interactions the detective had with witnesses/suspects was fascinating. Unraveling the empire while also keeping his own personal experiences with life close to his heart, aided in his journey to uncover the true culprit to the crime.
Nigel Patterson does an amazing job narrating this story. He brings the detective’s personality to life and keeps me engaged to the more important parts of the script.
In the end, I wasnt very engaged with the story beyond the serface level. It was interesting but didn't really introduce any new concepts or mysteries I havent already seen before. Enjoyable for the genre.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me listen to the audiobook early.
October 10, 2026
I like the Taiping subplot, general openings.
Flaws are as follows: all the Romanizations except for Hokoa, which is Hokkien, are in Mandarin and ahistorical at that. For his part, author also comes off as extremely ignorant of the writing......... "it was in no language that Ben recognized - a strange Blend of Latin and Chinese script, and signed in the bottom with the word Bo."
They should be in some weird combination of what was used in Hong Kong and Wade Giles, but I understand why it was kept as what it is. On page 18, Zhilan would have been romanized Chilan, Hokoa (which is Hokkien) is kept, as is Runchu (155) but Liang isn't L'iang. Tao is fine, it is Wade Giles, character came from Hunan. The characters also should be using names that aren't their last names.
List:
1. Hong Kong in page 154 and then "Shangrao".
2. 243: Chintian instead of Jintian
3. 248: Shawanzhen instead of Shawanc'hen.
4. 248: Aiguo instead of Aikuo
5. 258: Chirui and Bo
6. 285: Xu would be Hsu
Odd insistence, historically weird, understandable why, on calling place names like Guangdong instead of Kwangtung or Zhaoqing Shiuhing.
Flaws are as follows: all the Romanizations except for Hokoa, which is Hokkien, are in Mandarin and ahistorical at that. For his part, author also comes off as extremely ignorant of the writing......... "it was in no language that Ben recognized - a strange Blend of Latin and Chinese script, and signed in the bottom with the word Bo."
They should be in some weird combination of what was used in Hong Kong and Wade Giles, but I understand why it was kept as what it is. On page 18, Zhilan would have been romanized Chilan, Hokoa (which is Hokkien) is kept, as is Runchu (155) but Liang isn't L'iang. Tao is fine, it is Wade Giles, character came from Hunan. The characters also should be using names that aren't their last names.
List:
1. Hong Kong in page 154 and then "Shangrao".
2. 243: Chintian instead of Jintian
3. 248: Shawanzhen instead of Shawanc'hen.
4. 248: Aiguo instead of Aikuo
5. 258: Chirui and Bo
6. 285: Xu would be Hsu
Odd insistence, historically weird, understandable why, on calling place names like Guangdong instead of Kwangtung or Zhaoqing Shiuhing.
October 4, 2026
A fascinating part fiction part history story!!! About the British/China opium wars in the early 19th century where opium was very much part of life!!!
This stories protagonist a Jewish eastend boy made good, sent to sort out some trouble in the far East on his majesties governments orders. Only to discover that they were using him a scapegoat! but they underestimate his strong and noble upbringing. An amazing and exciting story throughout.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook. Looking forward to hear more from A. E. Goldin.
This stories protagonist a Jewish eastend boy made good, sent to sort out some trouble in the far East on his majesties governments orders. Only to discover that they were using him a scapegoat! but they underestimate his strong and noble upbringing. An amazing and exciting story throughout.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook. Looking forward to hear more from A. E. Goldin.
October 2, 2026
This was an interesting read. One I wouldn’t picked up but glad to review it. The topic of China and the opium crisis has always been in the back of my mind. The conspiracies were very believable and tragic. The characters were notorious and reckless. The narrator did a great job with all the accents.
July 23, 2026
Consistent with the first outing by the same author. A spy story featuring Ben Canaan, this time the setting moves eastwards as we follow our protagonist to Hong Kong. This time, however, his experience is not as clear cut and he finds out what serving the colonial powers that be really means.
October 6, 2026
Received an Advanced Audiobook Copy from Netgalley!!
Murder during colonial rule, with the right amalgamation of oppression, opium trades, treachery. Enjoyed it thoroughly, quite elaborative and atmospheric writing.
Murder during colonial rule, with the right amalgamation of oppression, opium trades, treachery. Enjoyed it thoroughly, quite elaborative and atmospheric writing.
October 9, 2026
Well, this book wasn’t bad, but I didn’t read it and just fall in love with it either. Enjoyed the premise though and the characters were likable.
Did Not Finish
October 11, 2026Made it halfway through and realized it wasn't that interesting.
October 26, 2026
Pearl River review
Geography of HK incorrect. Impossible plot. Gratuitous opium use and stilted sex scenes.Nice ending . Reasonable writing though. Could have been a lot better
Geography of HK incorrect. Impossible plot. Gratuitous opium use and stilted sex scenes.Nice ending . Reasonable writing though. Could have been a lot better
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I enjoyed the first Ben Canaan mystery, perhaps because of the Turkish setting. This second about the character left me unsatisfied. I kept going online, assuming that I had missed a series entry, as Ben had clearly had many adventures after his introduction into the world of intrique in Constantinople. For me, this second series entry was too noir and violent for me, and I found I actually didn't like Ben that much. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy books in Ian Fleming's James Bond series or noir mysteries from the early 1900s.
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