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The Last Mandarin: a gripping and terrifying contemporary political thriller
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26When security and fire alarms go off simultaneously all around the world, setting off a panic, the signal is traced back to China. As world leaders scramble to respond, Vivien and Alice Li are called to the White House in hopes Madame Li can decode the Chinese intentions.
Caught up in the chaos, Vivien and Alice are uniquely placed to stop the next, cataclysmic attack. But there are forces deep within both the American and Chinese governments intent on stopping mother and daughter. The estranged pair, who excel at misunderstanding each other, must figure out how to work together.
The increasingly frantic search for answers takes the women from the Oval Office to an office building in Akron, Ohio, from the noodle shops of Hong Kong to the necropolis of the first emperor. Along the way they must decode an old legend, and an old language invented by women, for women.
The Last Mandarin is a compelling international thriller about the precarious balance of power across the world, and within a family. And what happens when both break down.
Caught up in the chaos, Vivien and Alice are uniquely placed to stop the next, cataclysmic attack. But there are forces deep within both the American and Chinese governments intent on stopping mother and daughter. The estranged pair, who excel at misunderstanding each other, must figure out how to work together.
The increasingly frantic search for answers takes the women from the Oval Office to an office building in Akron, Ohio, from the noodle shops of Hong Kong to the necropolis of the first emperor. Along the way they must decode an old legend, and an old language invented by women, for women.
The Last Mandarin is a compelling international thriller about the precarious balance of power across the world, and within a family. And what happens when both break down.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 12, 2026
43 people want to read
About the author
Louise Penny
79 books26.8k followersLOUISE PENNY is the author of the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling series of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels. She has won numerous awards, including a CWA Dagger and the Agatha Award (seven times), and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. In 2017, she received the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian culture. Louise lives in a small village south of Montréal.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series, but The Last Mandarin doesn’t compare to those books. This book was very choppy, and the story was very political and far-fetched.I find it hard to believe that Louise Penny did any of the writing for this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, but I doubt I will read other books by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, but I doubt I will read other books by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung
Displaying 1 of 1 review