The Last Mandarin: A Novel

by Lousie Penny, Melissa Fung

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

Published June 2, 2026

Reviews

[Derek Dupuis · Rating 2 out of 5]

After I loved Penny’s previous political stand-alone with HRC, I was excited for another one. But this was all over the place. I tore through it, but there were so many moments where I was flummoxed by the unbelievable nature of it all. Also, I never could have done this on audio because of all of the abrupt scene changes mid chapters.

[Kris-Ann Moyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I’m just not a fan of the genre, but I usually love anything Louise Penny writes. But, this novel had the feel of one of those Saturday morning, cartoons where the evil villain is on the brink of destroying the world. I half expected Scooby and the gang to show up at the last minute.
The fusing of cultures was interesting. The young heroine was likable, and the reminiscing about the cultural revolution interesting as well. But, ultimately, I found that I wasn’t excited about reading , or in this case, listening to the book. And I was kind of glad when it was over, even though the ending was satisfying.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 Great writing. Adaptive predictive artificial intelligence. Scary thought. I want to try a coconut bun and learn nushu.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

didnt think i was going to like it at first but it grew on me. notquite as good as the one she co wrote with hilary clinton but pretty good and suspenseful with a couple good twists

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her inspector Gamache series, so I was also excited to see a standalone novel. This was a combination of technology, China, conspiracy/espionage that kept me interested all the way through. now I have to go look up the terra-cotta warriors!

[Julie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Louise Penny’s books - but this theme was a very different genre. It was so much fun to read - maybe it slipped over into apocalyptic - but I loved the twists and turns.

[Chris Carlyle · Rating 1 out of 5]

100 pages in I gave up. I love Louise Penny’s Gamache books and her collab with Hillary Clinton. But this book was boring , too many characters out of the gate and just didn’t hook me. Seemed too contrived .

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read because of the author Louise Penny being a favorite of mine- especially the Inspector Gamache Three Pines books.

Actually started to listen to this book in June, stopped around chapter 8, as it was in demand and not renewed. Started reading/listening again in late July, cannot honestly say it was a compelling read at that point for me. The premise is interesting, well researched and the pace is fast. I did not care for the constant back and forth, change of who was whom, or the gruesome ‘finds’ even though related to the story. It was hard to follow for me. As to the end, quite a plot twist!

[Ryan Geer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Louise Penney's work and I (having lived in Taiwan for a few years) really wanted to like this book. The idea is great but the execution of the story, not so much. I'm sure that Melissa Fung is a great writer and I appreciated the obvious knowledge of Chinese/Taiwanese culture that she had to have brought to this project. But. Here were the problems for me and what lead me to give it 2-stars (which I almost never do, since I screen books beforehand): There were too many plot holes/continuity issues to count, the dialog was stilted, and (this may seem nitpicky but I feel like you shouldn't really be forced to pause and think, "that's weird") names of the characters were just off. I speed read the last 100 pages or so out of my love for Penney's work. Otherwise, I think I would have bailed.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this political thriller written by Penny, the author of the Three Pines [Gamache] novels, and Fung, a Canadian journalist known for her non-fiction writing and documentaries about the war in Afghanistan. As with most thrillers, you have to suspend belief at times if you want to really enjoy the book. The novel was suspenseful and moved at a good clip. It was educational as well, providing some history of ancient China.

[Gerry Durisin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-1/2 stars. This new mystery initially drew me in with an intriguing premise, and I did enjoy the first three-quarters of the book. Even in the last segment, the descriptions of the underground burial site were enough to make me do a quick search online to get a sense of how realistic they were -- and apparently they're consistent with what ancient descriptions claim. But the ability of the main character, a food blogger, not a historian or other expert on Chinese culture and customs, to "decode" the clues she found in a single photograph and text message, seemed more than a little farfetched, and the chase scenes once the burial site was breached felt too much like something from Raiders of the Lost Ark to be credible, and disappointed me. The final twist was cleverly done. So while I definitely liked this book, I didn't love it, and felt it didn't achieve the high standard I have come to expect from Louise Penny. More backstory about the relationship between Madame Li and her daughter might have improved the book by bringing those two characters more vividly to life.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the first couple of chapters went slow for me. I felt disappointed with the book, I didn't like any of the characters. It was totally unbelievable that the character, Alice, a food blogger, would be welcomed into a high level security meeting with the president of the U.S. and his staff, and that she sat there making demands before she would give any information.

However, at some point, I think with the second major crisis that hit the world, I was drawn into the story and couldn't put the book down. I warmed up to the characters with all of their flaws and annoying traits. I ended up cheering them on, and actually caring about them. It was quite intense at the end. Louise Penny is a great writer, and she brought this all together to make a fascinating story with lots of interesting Chinese history and culture information.

[Dee S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m love Louise Penny’s style of writing and had read “under the Afghan Sky” by Mellissa Fung but I was still hesitant about reading a book they wrote together. But I didn’t need to be concerned. The complex characters and relationships were amazing. The plot focused on Chinese US relationships with behind the scenes communication ( Did someone say Chefs? ) . I regretted when I had to put the book down and work on other things. Interesting Chinese history and Terra Cotta Warriors drew me further into the book.

[Jean · Rating 1 out of 5]

It pains me to write this, but… I’m done with Louise Penny, unless she returns to Inspector Gamache. This book was awful.
-Why was a young American food blogger telling the aging Chinese activists what to do in an ancient Chinese historical site? Furthermore, why did they believe her?
- Sorry, the description of the burial place of the first emperor required more willing suspension of disbelief than I was willing to give!
-I’m a loyal fan of Penny’s mysteries, but when she co-writes political thrillers, she loses my loyalty.

[Joe Bullock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Mandarin is an engaging blend of international suspense, historical intrigue, and emotionally driven storytelling. Readers have praised its richly layered plot, compelling characters, and thoughtful exploration of family, identity, and political history. With its mix of mystery and global themes, it's a novel that offers plenty to discuss, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy intelligent thrillers and book club conversations.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually steer clear of combo-author books but really enjoyed Louise Penny's collab with Hillary Clinton so I decided to give "The Last Mandarin" a try. And it was ok but I think I will revert back to my collab author avoidance strategy. The novel was fast-paced and certainly timely with the hazards of AI in full display. But none of the characters especially won me over and there were definite moments when I felt my suspension of disbelief was really being tested.

[Peggy Kincaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have seen some comments about this tale that indicated it was not liked particularly. I found it absolutely fascinating and unique. We all know Louise writes a very well known series and she has collaborated with others for at least one book. This one was really special and it was simply fascinating as a read and a great suspense story.

[Sandy Ladd-Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did find it difficult to keep up with everything in the first half of the book, the characters, the plot, etc. but… The last half of the book is one of the best thrillers I have read in a while. Do not give up. It is a fun and twisty read, and I loved the relationship between the mother and the daughter. I also enjoyed reading a lot about the history of communist China.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world as we know it is on the brink of annihilation and a young Chinese- American woman and her mother must rush to help the American government prevent it. Not easy to figure out exactly what is going on, who is behind it and why. If that is your sort of thing, read it.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange mystery world chaos electricity turned off people dying in elevators. Pongue search
Other and daughter reunite to stop terrifying attacks. I listened to this dramatic music is played. Scary parts for me. Now to look up an explanation for unclear sections.

[Marie]

Wow, Louise Penny is such an amazing author! This book is an interesting diversion from the Inspector Gamache series, which I love. Great character development and so many unexpected twists and turns.

[Mary Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The relationship between Vivian Li (such a great name!) and her daughter Alice was superb! I did listen to this on Audible, primarily in the car. I found myself driving well out of my way just to hear one more chapter!! More please from this wonderful duo!!

[Mahondog · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was just okay. The concept was interesting, but it dragged in places, and I kept thinking I might stop reading it. Ultimately I finished because I wanted to find out who the “bad guys” were. Clever twists and turns later in the book.

[Pam Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can see Louise's writing style right away. Tight, short sentences....and the incredible pacing of unpacking a story. And yet there's the Melissa touches of Chinese writing characters and the Asian relationships. Enjoyed it very much

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is terrifying in that all of this could actually happen! I learned a bit about Chinese culture and history, but the words “Shanghai Tang” made me want to rip my hair out, it seemed like that was a central character. I did tear through it in two days and would read again.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Fascinating story and details, but couldn’t ever connect with the characters.

[Maryann (Mae) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of this book should cause you great concern. I enjoyed the plotline and congratulate the authors on the telling of it.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the type of book that I normally would pick up, a political thriller, save the co-author is Louise Penny. Lots of suspense and unknowns. Worth a read 🙂.

[Kathy MacDonald · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out ok but turned into an unbelievable story of breach of security in Chinese and American secret service intelligence. I did finish the book but it was a struggle.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dystopian suspense, slow in the beginning, rapid pace in the ending chapters.