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Inspector Danilov #2
City of Shadows
A family has been found murdered in the heart of 1920s Shanghai. But what could have compelled them to open the door to their killer?
Inspector Danilov has always taken a unique approach to solving his cases. So, when he’s asked to investigate the violent death of a fellow police officer, killed in action, he doesn’t think twice about turning his attention to a different case altogether: the brutal murder of the Lee family, found massacred in their own home.
How could the deaths of an ordinary family account for a shooting halfway across the city? And what clues lie with the letter found clasped in the dead girl’s hand? Inspector Danilov’s instincts tell him he’s close. But when the investigation reveals deep corruption at Shanghai’s core, Danilov faces a choice: probe further, and expose the evil underbelly of the city? Or shy from duty…and keep the few people he loves safe?
Don’t miss the second book in MJ Lee’s brilliant Inspector Danilov series.
Inspector Danilov has always taken a unique approach to solving his cases. So, when he’s asked to investigate the violent death of a fellow police officer, killed in action, he doesn’t think twice about turning his attention to a different case altogether: the brutal murder of the Lee family, found massacred in their own home.
How could the deaths of an ordinary family account for a shooting halfway across the city? And what clues lie with the letter found clasped in the dead girl’s hand? Inspector Danilov’s instincts tell him he’s close. But when the investigation reveals deep corruption at Shanghai’s core, Danilov faces a choice: probe further, and expose the evil underbelly of the city? Or shy from duty…and keep the few people he loves safe?
Don’t miss the second book in MJ Lee’s brilliant Inspector Danilov series.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2016
88 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Lee
46 books445 followersMartin has spent most of his adult life writing in one form or another.
He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
He writes three series; the Danilov books set in 1930s Shanghai. The genealogical mysteries of Jayne Sinclair and the contemporary crime cases of DI Ridpath set in Manchester.
When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, practicing downhill ironing, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.
He has spent 25 years of his life working outside the North of England. In London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Shanghai.
He writes three series; the Danilov books set in 1930s Shanghai. The genealogical mysteries of Jayne Sinclair and the contemporary crime cases of DI Ridpath set in Manchester.
When he's not writing, he splits his time between the UK and Asia, taking pleasure in playing with his daughter, practicing downhill ironing, single-handedly solving the problem of the French wine lake and wishing he were George Clooney.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 4, 2016
The second book in the series does not disappoint - it is excellent. The focus here is less on the relationship between detectives Strachan and Danilov, and more on the relationship between Danilov and his newly-found daughter, who has been through hell while he was away for four years. Danilov is as sharp and long-suffering as in the first book, and Strachan is simply a brilliant character. There is a suspenseful plot, wonderful historical background of early 20th century, very cosmopolitan Shanghai, subtle humor and even some action scenes. And it's all in just the correct dosages. When is the next book coming out? I need more of this, please!
September 20, 2017
Very good
The mystery kept me guessing almost to the end with a number of twists and turns. Good character development and I enjoyed the historical aspect.
The mystery kept me guessing almost to the end with a number of twists and turns. Good character development and I enjoyed the historical aspect.
April 2, 2020
I have read a few Inspector Danilov books. I have enjoyed them. The two main policemen are likeable characters. Crime in 1920's Shanghai; good mysteries. They don't require too much concentration and are all the more enjoyable for that.
March 29, 2020
Excellent. I am completely enjoying the Inspector Danilov series. I also enjoy the length of the books. Keeps me guessing until the end. Nicely written.
May 10, 2016
This is the second Inspector Danilov thriller but the first that I have read. Those that have read the first instalment will benefit whilst reading City of Shadows however I could still follow what was happening and got the gist of what possibly happened/was explained in the first book.
City of Shadows is set in the 1920’s and is a good old fashioned police investigation into the horrendous murders of 4 members of the Lee family in their home and the subsequent murders of the the main suspect and another member of the police force.
The novel opens with the murder of the Lee family from the perspective of the daughter, this was particularly heartbreaking as she is unable to walk following as the lasting effects of polio and is therefore at the complete mercy of her killer.
Danilov is not your usual detective, he certainly doesn’t conform to the expectations of others and wants to find out the truth regardless of who he falls out with along the way. I feel that Danilov and DS Strachan are a good pairing, Danilov is quite dry and sarcastic and Strachan just lets this pass him by – they are two very different characters who compliment one another fabulously.
Interwoven with the investigations is the difficult relationship between Danilov and his daughter Elina. It is clear from the outset that they have a frosty relationship and are both dealing with the absence of Danilov’s wife and son differently and on their own. Occasionally through the story we hear from Elina and the internal battle she is having which is affecting her relationship with her father.
It made a refreshing change reading a detective novel that relied on the pure investigative skills and gut feeling of the police force rather than focusing on the advancements of modern technology – so much so that police had to run to their closest call box to raise support from colleagues. I also enjoyed the setting of the book in Shanghai, I got a little confused with the jurisdictions however I still understood the frustrations that the police have in investigating crimes if the suspects flee into other areas whereby they have no authority.
City of Shadows was a brilliant read and Lee’s skills are bringing all the strands together was fabulous and everything just started to fall into place and made sense. The ending of this book is just fabulous!
I kindly received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Thank you to the author, Carina and Neverland Blog Tours.
City of Shadows is set in the 1920’s and is a good old fashioned police investigation into the horrendous murders of 4 members of the Lee family in their home and the subsequent murders of the the main suspect and another member of the police force.
The novel opens with the murder of the Lee family from the perspective of the daughter, this was particularly heartbreaking as she is unable to walk following as the lasting effects of polio and is therefore at the complete mercy of her killer.
Danilov is not your usual detective, he certainly doesn’t conform to the expectations of others and wants to find out the truth regardless of who he falls out with along the way. I feel that Danilov and DS Strachan are a good pairing, Danilov is quite dry and sarcastic and Strachan just lets this pass him by – they are two very different characters who compliment one another fabulously.
Interwoven with the investigations is the difficult relationship between Danilov and his daughter Elina. It is clear from the outset that they have a frosty relationship and are both dealing with the absence of Danilov’s wife and son differently and on their own. Occasionally through the story we hear from Elina and the internal battle she is having which is affecting her relationship with her father.
It made a refreshing change reading a detective novel that relied on the pure investigative skills and gut feeling of the police force rather than focusing on the advancements of modern technology – so much so that police had to run to their closest call box to raise support from colleagues. I also enjoyed the setting of the book in Shanghai, I got a little confused with the jurisdictions however I still understood the frustrations that the police have in investigating crimes if the suspects flee into other areas whereby they have no authority.
City of Shadows was a brilliant read and Lee’s skills are bringing all the strands together was fabulous and everything just started to fall into place and made sense. The ending of this book is just fabulous!
I kindly received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Thank you to the author, Carina and Neverland Blog Tours.
May 15, 2016
Full review now up as part of the blog tour: http://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk/...
I love reading a good murder mystery or a crime thriller - both of which this book is, but the thing I found to be most unusual about City of Shadows was actually its setting. Personally, I haven't read a lot of books, much less crime books, that are set anywhere outside of the UK, US or Scandinavia. So with that in mind, it was a very refreshing change to read this. City of Shadows is set in Shanghai - and 1920s Shanghai no less - which adds another intriguing level of history to the novel, which I loved reading about.
Perhaps sparked by the setting, location and time period, I found the racial tensions and struggle for equality fascinating. It by no means dominates the story, but it is still an integral part of the book, especially as certain events rely on these human struggles to make sense in the world of the novel. The sheer mix of people from all over the world, different backgrounds, classes, even dialects, all help to shape the version of Shanghai which is portrayed to the reader. We see Shanghai as a bustling, vibrant, yet sometimes dangerous city - a city vividly brought to life by its inhabitants.
Inspector Danilov is a good character, if a little repetitive. I found the whole subplot about his family distracting and unnecessary, if I'm honest - perhaps because I haven't read book one, I just didn't feel invested in his personal story beyond his job and the case. However, the cast of supporting characters was just as vibrant as the city they inhabit. From Danilov's sidekick Strachan, to the Lee family, to a wide cast of various criminals, they each helped to weave the threads of the story together. The idea of having multiple narrators (switching between each other without introduction) could have been disastrously confusing, yet it worked well, mirroring hectic Shanghai life even in the actual writing itself.
I love reading a good murder mystery or a crime thriller - both of which this book is, but the thing I found to be most unusual about City of Shadows was actually its setting. Personally, I haven't read a lot of books, much less crime books, that are set anywhere outside of the UK, US or Scandinavia. So with that in mind, it was a very refreshing change to read this. City of Shadows is set in Shanghai - and 1920s Shanghai no less - which adds another intriguing level of history to the novel, which I loved reading about.
Perhaps sparked by the setting, location and time period, I found the racial tensions and struggle for equality fascinating. It by no means dominates the story, but it is still an integral part of the book, especially as certain events rely on these human struggles to make sense in the world of the novel. The sheer mix of people from all over the world, different backgrounds, classes, even dialects, all help to shape the version of Shanghai which is portrayed to the reader. We see Shanghai as a bustling, vibrant, yet sometimes dangerous city - a city vividly brought to life by its inhabitants.
Inspector Danilov is a good character, if a little repetitive. I found the whole subplot about his family distracting and unnecessary, if I'm honest - perhaps because I haven't read book one, I just didn't feel invested in his personal story beyond his job and the case. However, the cast of supporting characters was just as vibrant as the city they inhabit. From Danilov's sidekick Strachan, to the Lee family, to a wide cast of various criminals, they each helped to weave the threads of the story together. The idea of having multiple narrators (switching between each other without introduction) could have been disastrously confusing, yet it worked well, mirroring hectic Shanghai life even in the actual writing itself.
March 7, 2016
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. My review is spoiler free.
M.J Lee has done it again this book is brilliant. The detail in his books are amazing. This is the second book in the series. It could be read as a stand alone but I'd recommend reading them in order. As there is a back ground story with Danilov's family. I can't wait for the third book! Five stars- just brilliant.
M.J Lee has done it again this book is brilliant. The detail in his books are amazing. This is the second book in the series. It could be read as a stand alone but I'd recommend reading them in order. As there is a back ground story with Danilov's family. I can't wait for the third book! Five stars- just brilliant.
August 3, 2017
I have been wanting to try MJ Lee's writing for awhile. I finally broke down bought City of Shadows since it was cheap. I enjoyed it. The writing style is different from what I'm used to but I found that to be refreshing. I'm looking forward to going back to reading the first book in the series and see how it all began.
5 stars.
5 stars.
February 13, 2020
City of Shadows is No. 2 in the Inspector Pyotr Danilov mystery series written by M.J. Lee. Danilov is a workaholic, constantly critical of his investigative performance, yet the best investigator in the Shanghai Municipal Police force. In this book, he investigates the murder of a family, and ends up solving other cases, getting himself thrown in a Chinese jail cell in the process.
May 21, 2018
I love these books.
I love the writing style; the fast-paced action and the humour, which eases the tension in the narrative. The characterisations are brilliant, and the setting superb. The stories are possibly a little macabre, but go so well in the environment, they'd be too tame otherwise, and although they follow on from each other, they are also totally stand-alone novels; I read the third one first, and it did not affect my enjoyment of the first two. Book four is next on my list, and I hope there are many more Inspector Danilov stories thereafter.
I love the writing style; the fast-paced action and the humour, which eases the tension in the narrative. The characterisations are brilliant, and the setting superb. The stories are possibly a little macabre, but go so well in the environment, they'd be too tame otherwise, and although they follow on from each other, they are also totally stand-alone novels; I read the third one first, and it did not affect my enjoyment of the first two. Book four is next on my list, and I hope there are many more Inspector Danilov stories thereafter.
December 23, 2017
I didn't like this book because there's a lot of suffering in the story, so I think it's actually a pretty good book. The mystery is set in Shanghai after WWI, and the detective, who's from Russia originally, is working for the British government of Shanghai at the time. So there's a lot of interesting historical perspective involving China, Japan and the colonizing countries. Also some in depth description of the Chinese culture in flux.
November 2, 2018
Another gripping mystery from M. L. Lee, and the second of the Inspector Danilov series.
I do not know if these constitute spoilers, but I feel the need to ask these questions. How was Elina able converse with the maid, the important witness, if the maid seemed to speak only a rustic dialect? Were her skills in Chinese better than her father's? How did Danilov know the assassin's name and that he would be at that particular tea house?
I do not know if these constitute spoilers, but I feel the need to ask these questions. How was Elina able converse with the maid, the important witness, if the maid seemed to speak only a rustic dialect? Were her skills in Chinese better than her father's? How did Danilov know the assassin's name and that he would be at that particular tea house?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2017
This book is the literary version of taking the scenic route to go to work. The ride is very enjoyable. More so than the destination.
Sneaky ending, Mr. Lee, setting us up for part 3 of the saga.
Sneaky ending, Mr. Lee, setting us up for part 3 of the saga.
June 12, 2017
The author kept you wanting to know more. The characters were interesting and the setting was something gave you something to wake up your mind.
June 13, 2017
Good read
January 19, 2023
Interesting
An interesting look into this era,Danilov,a flawed man but a well built character.
A wild and complicated background for many crimes.
An interesting look into this era,Danilov,a flawed man but a well built character.
A wild and complicated background for many crimes.
April 29, 2023
Great read
July 12, 2016
Thanks Carina UK and netgalley for this ARC.
I read the first book Death in Shanghai the night before then I read City of Shadows and I wish there were 10 more books in series. Inspector Danilov is just the type of copper I love to read about, and being in exotic underworld Shanghai makes it spectacular. These are complex, dirty, and malicious crimes that we get a inside view from many different characters. Can't wait for next one!
I read the first book Death in Shanghai the night before then I read City of Shadows and I wish there were 10 more books in series. Inspector Danilov is just the type of copper I love to read about, and being in exotic underworld Shanghai makes it spectacular. These are complex, dirty, and malicious crimes that we get a inside view from many different characters. Can't wait for next one!
April 26, 2017
Atmospheric
This really puts you in the middle of Shanghai in the 1920's. The uneasy mixture of Chinese & Western culture is fascinating. I had to see the book end.
This really puts you in the middle of Shanghai in the 1920's. The uneasy mixture of Chinese & Western culture is fascinating. I had to see the book end.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews