The Shanghai Murders

Zhong Fong #1

by David Rotenberg

Zhong Fong is a young and ambitious homicide detective in modern Shanghai. His actress wife is rehearsing the leading role in a Chinese production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Assigned to the Dim Sum killings, a grisly series of murders, the young detective is tormented by doubts about his wife's love, and constant frustration in his investigation from his superiors. Inevitably, the various events converge in a heart-wrenching climax that leaves their lives changed forever.

Genres: Mystery, China, Crime, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Canada

307 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1998

About the author

David Rotenberg has been a master acting teacher for over 20 years. He has directed on Broadway, in many major regional theatres, for television, and he has published six novels, including the Zhong Fong detective series, all of which are available at your local bookstore or online. The series is in the process of being optioned for film.

David has taught at York University, the National Theatre School of Canada, the Shanghai Theatre Academy, the University of Cape Town, and Princeton. He regularly teaches professional classes in Montreal, Vancouver and Halifax. He directed the first Canadian play in the People's Republic of China. Most recently, David has directed at Penn State University and at York University, where he adapted and directed a stage version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.

The roster of his students reads like a who's who in ranks of Canadian actors, including Scott Speedman, Rachel McAdams, James McGowan, Polly Shannon, David Hirsh, Jonas Chernick and Shawn Doyle. His unique techniques are used by actors in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa and the People's Republic of China.

Like him on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pla...

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery was well developed and held surprises. I learned to care about the people. However there were references to China that were not accurate (1000 yuan note) and led me to wonder whether the places and other China references were real. I want to trust the cultural references in a book like this.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lived in China for four years and really wanted to like this, but it was so poorly written. The bits about acting and stage direction were especially tedious and I skipped them. The ending was endless. How did all those bits of ivory end up in the lungs of the dead?

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Inspector Zhong Fong series. I've read out of order, this being the first book and I've now finished the series. Excellent and probably better to have read in sequence as it would have been fuller and more complete. But having said that, each story on its own is a fascinating read. You get a perspective of the Chinese culture as China moves from a closed Communist society to one trying to open its doors to trade and foreign money. Shanghai is a very interesting city. Do I want to visit? I'm not sure, but it's fun reading about it.
In this mix, Inspector Fong, lead of Special Investigations in Shanghai must try to work within severe constraints to try and solve two gruesome murders. He faces severe constrictions from his superiors, who plot to oust him, work with the American wife of the first victim and also fight the ghosts of his wife and the tragedy that befell her. It's a page turner and a fast - paced story. Fong is an very sympathetic character and a superb detective.
I also enjoyed his cast of supporters, especially his forensic specialist, Lily. Amanda Pitman, the American, is also an interesting character and I enjoyed the developing relationship between her and Fong. The Canadian in the mix, Geoffrey Hyland, the lover of Fong's dead wife, is brought in to provide ammunition for Fong's arrest for the possible murder of his wife. And let's not forget the killer himself, trained in Taipei to be a killing machine.
There are plots and sub-plots and all the while Fong works to solve these murders and find out who is pulling the strings and why? It's unfortunate that Rotenberg only wrote five books in this series. All are excellent and entertaining. One of my favourite series.

[Kashyap · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a great read. The writing is plain and boring. The actions by the characters are often without cause or totally unlikely. There are also too many unexplained conspiracy-plotting characters, that force the reader to simply accept their presence and role in the story. And the ending, while surprising, leaves the story unfinished. None of the characters grow, and some find no resolution to their journey throughout the story.

But if you're looking for a simple read, then this is the book you've been looking for. There's romance, a mystery, and some action as well.

[Samantha Balmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was fine, but the editing was a mess! Sometimes names were spelled right and wrong in the same paragraph! I enjoy the story, but the ending was expected. The parallels to Shakespeare were interesting; especially for those of us who previously read Twelfth Night. When I finished, I read the author bio at the back and became disappointed. The author's ego clearly influenced the story, so now my opinion is tainted by the author's presumption that he is the greatest stage director ever. Overall, a quick and dirty read to get you through if you cannot find anything better to read.

[Balthazar Lawson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book. It started with great promise but went downhill soon after. The story seemed to lose track of where it was going and what it was trying to say. Plus, some of those things being said were totally pointless and there absence would not have made any difference to the story. I wish they were there and it might have been a better story. The setting and the main character, Inspector Zhong Fong, were the only interesting things in the book. I found the other characters dull, boring and pointless.

No more of this series for me.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME! This is a great book. This author has other books that I am going to read about the same detective. This includes great information about the culture and places with a little murder, mystery and love story to boot!! I loved the end, very realistic and I loved the characters.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really quite like these books...finding that the thriller/murder mystery/detective thing is interesting when shifted to a different geographical location than what you're used to. Easy to read and quite addictive.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good psychothriller. I've been meaning to read the rest of the series, just haven't made the time.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Diverting read. Interesting local.

[Kev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a suprisingly good read that I discovered in a small internet cafe in Mexico.

[P · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unreadably bad.

[Karena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and original. Love the series!

[Smkelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

great series

[Russell L]

I liked the book. I thought it was a good mystery

[Ann Tonks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should have read this before The Lack Ching Murders but even so, I managed to enjoy the the characters, the story telling, the politics.