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shibosan's review against another edition
3.0
Второй роман из серии приключений старшего полицейского инспектора Чэня Цао. В русском издании идиотское название - "Закон триад".
Герою поручено найти исчезнувшую жену важного свидетеля, который должен давать показания на суде в США. За пропавшей супругой свидетеля прилетела из Штатов федеральный маршал Кэтрин Рон, вместе с которой Чэню и придется разбираться в этом деле, преодолевая политические и культурные различия двух стран. Ну а дело с каждым днем становится все запутаннее и опаснее. Международные контрабандисты, триады, коррумпированные полицейские - прилагаются в комплекте.
Второй роман получился куда более удобоваримым, более легкий язык (или переводчик постарался). Присутствие американской гостьи позволяет куда органичнее вписать в текст множественные исторические и культурные мини-справки, хотя инспектор Чэнь все равно выглядит ходячей википедией.
Но в целом образ героя стал живее, он уже не кажется тем образцовым отличником-пионером с плакатов, каким был в первой части. Политических интриг тоже куда меньше, их сменили коррумпированные китайские полицейские и мафия, которая бессмертна.
В результате получился вполне бодрый полицейский детектив, который вполне легко представить экранизированным - как самими китайцами, так и американцами.
Герою поручено найти исчезнувшую жену важного свидетеля, который должен давать показания на суде в США. За пропавшей супругой свидетеля прилетела из Штатов федеральный маршал Кэтрин Рон, вместе с которой Чэню и придется разбираться в этом деле, преодолевая политические и культурные различия двух стран. Ну а дело с каждым днем становится все запутаннее и опаснее. Международные контрабандисты, триады, коррумпированные полицейские - прилагаются в комплекте.
Второй роман получился куда более удобоваримым, более легкий язык (или переводчик постарался). Присутствие американской гостьи позволяет куда органичнее вписать в текст множественные исторические и культурные мини-справки, хотя инспектор Чэнь все равно выглядит ходячей википедией.
Но в целом образ героя стал живее, он уже не кажется тем образцовым отличником-пионером с плакатов, каким был в первой части. Политических интриг тоже куда меньше, их сменили коррумпированные китайские полицейские и мафия, которая бессмертна.
В результате получился вполне бодрый полицейский детектив, который вполне легко представить экранизированным - как самими китайцами, так и американцами.
laurakatarooma's review against another edition
4.0
Tää runojen ja sanontojen mukana olo tekee Chen Cao-dekkareiden lukemisesta kerrassaan ihanaa.
teawithhobi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
graff_fuller's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Again, this series reminds me of Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther series.
It is dealing with a Communist regime...that I definitely do NOT agree with. The protagonist (Inspector Chen Cao) is a good person, who is trying to be the best person "under the circumstances".
In this story, he is forced to spend time with Catherine Rohl, a US Marshall tasked to escort a Chinese National to leave China and be united with her husband in the US...but when she arrives in China to escort her out of China, she is told that she is missing. At first she thinks this is a ploy by the Chinese government, but then in time, realizes that she really is missing, possibly abducted/killed.
Inspector Chen and US Marshall Catherine then leave no stone unturned in their effort to find this woman.
I liked the dynamic between Chen and Catherine. Even at the very beginning stages it was obvious that he and her would "possibly" become an item.
Their enemies to lovers trope was well crafted.
BUT, I also loved how the story ended. Two for two, but what will happen in book three?
Well, I'll find out in time, too. Will pick the next one up in a little while.
It is dealing with a Communist regime...that I definitely do NOT agree with. The protagonist (Inspector Chen Cao) is a good person, who is trying to be the best person "under the circumstances".
In this story, he is forced to spend time with Catherine Rohl, a US Marshall tasked to escort a Chinese National to leave China and be united with her husband in the US...but when she arrives in China to escort her out of China, she is told that she is missing. At first she thinks this is a ploy by the Chinese government, but then in time, realizes that she really is missing, possibly abducted/killed.
Inspector Chen and US Marshall Catherine then leave no stone unturned in their effort to find this woman.
I liked the dynamic between Chen and Catherine. Even at the very beginning stages it was obvious that he and her would "possibly" become an item.
Their enemies to lovers trope was well crafted.
BUT, I also loved how the story ended. Two for two, but what will happen in book three?
Well, I'll find out in time, too. Will pick the next one up in a little while.
doppy's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
elisala's review against another edition
3.0
Comme le premier du même auteur, [b:Mort d'une héroïne rouge|218422|Mort d'une héroïne rouge|Qiu Xiaolong|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348937833l/218422._SY75_.jpg|1404008], ce roman ne se limite pas du tout à l'intrigue policière: les caractères des personnages, les relations des différents personnages entre eux, la culture chinoise sont aussi essentiels, voire plus que la "simple" intrigue (que je trouve d'ailleurs ici un peu trop compliquée).
Dans ce deuxième tome des aventures de Chen Cao, il est en particulier question des triades et de la révolution culturelle, ce qui m'intéressait d'autant plus que je lisais en parallèle [b:Le petit livre rouge d'un photographe chinois: Li Zengsheng et la révolution culturelle|7623538|Le petit livre rouge d'un photographe chinois Li Zengsheng et la révolution culturelle|Li Zhensheng|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1616384960l/7623538._SX50_.jpg|1223963] traitant justement de cette période historique noire de la Chine, les deux livres se mettent réciproquement en perspective, c'était pas fait exprès mais c'est bien intéressant...
Dans ce deuxième tome des aventures de Chen Cao, il est en particulier question des triades et de la révolution culturelle, ce qui m'intéressait d'autant plus que je lisais en parallèle [b:Le petit livre rouge d'un photographe chinois: Li Zengsheng et la révolution culturelle|7623538|Le petit livre rouge d'un photographe chinois Li Zengsheng et la révolution culturelle|Li Zhensheng|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1616384960l/7623538._SX50_.jpg|1223963] traitant justement de cette période historique noire de la Chine, les deux livres se mettent réciproquement en perspective, c'était pas fait exprès mais c'est bien intéressant...
secstraus's review
2.0
This was a mess!
The good:
Detective Yu, Peiqin, and Old Hunter. All of the local Shanghai characters and locations. I love all the specificity of the food and the streets mentioned in the story.
The okay:
The general outlines of the story were fine. It wasn't a twisty-turny plot, by any means, but it seems like a plausible set up and then an acceptable element of fantasy gangland drama.
The dreadful:
U.S. Marshal Catharine Rohn was a disaster. At no point did her dialogue or interior monologue read as American. Occasionally she sounded like a robotic voice from nowhere providing prompts for Inspector Chen's monologues. Other times she sounded like a sock-puppet Westerner spouting stereotypical things in ways that didn't fit the conversation. When a building romantic tension started to be introduced, I was so disappointed. The romantic interests of Qiu's first book were light and multifaceted. This was just terrible. Probably because Catherine failed to solidify as a woman or Marshal.
The execution of dialogue and interpersonal relations was just generally poor. Often the interstitial writing between quotation marks would tell us what the author thought he had put in there (a stinging rebuff, a devastating argument, a romantic aside), but I would scroll back, wondering what I missed. I hadn't missed anything. The subtle nuances of character were never fully realized.
I hate that this story was essentially about a woman crushed in the jaws of history only to... return her to her abusive husband? Maybe not? Supposed American Marshal Rohn diffidently offers some kind of non-specific alternative. I feel like it's fair to guess that's what would have happened in real life, but because of the general clunkiness of the characterization it wasn't handled in a way that passed for "realistically grim depiction of life tragedy."
The good:
Detective Yu, Peiqin, and Old Hunter. All of the local Shanghai characters and locations. I love all the specificity of the food and the streets mentioned in the story.
The okay:
The general outlines of the story were fine. It wasn't a twisty-turny plot, by any means, but it seems like a plausible set up and then an acceptable element of fantasy gangland drama.
The dreadful:
U.S. Marshal Catharine Rohn was a disaster. At no point did her dialogue or interior monologue read as American. Occasionally she sounded like a robotic voice from nowhere providing prompts for Inspector Chen's monologues. Other times she sounded like a sock-puppet Westerner spouting stereotypical things in ways that didn't fit the conversation. When a building romantic tension started to be introduced, I was so disappointed. The romantic interests of Qiu's first book were light and multifaceted. This was just terrible. Probably because Catherine failed to solidify as a woman or Marshal.
The execution of dialogue and interpersonal relations was just generally poor. Often the interstitial writing between quotation marks would tell us what the author thought he had put in there (a stinging rebuff, a devastating argument, a romantic aside), but I would scroll back, wondering what I missed. I hadn't missed anything. The subtle nuances of character were never fully realized.
I hate that this story was essentially about a woman crushed in the jaws of history only to... return her to her abusive husband? Maybe not? Supposed American Marshal Rohn diffidently offers some kind of non-specific alternative. I feel like it's fair to guess that's what would have happened in real life, but because of the general clunkiness of the characterization it wasn't handled in a way that passed for "realistically grim depiction of life tragedy."
andrew61's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second in the series and its a fascinating look at police procedure in Communist China.
Inspector Chen is a poet policeman who is tasked with investigating in cooperation with a female US marshal the disappearance of the wife of a witness in a people smuggling case in US. Chen is faced with Triads and government officials spying on him as the clock ticks and the safety of Wen(the wife) is in jeopardy.
I can't say it was the greatest crime novel I've read this year but the fascination of this series is the cultural aspects , including how politics and crime solution don't always mix. I also love the descriptions of food, poetry, the country and its people. Worth a read if you want to try something different.
Inspector Chen is a poet policeman who is tasked with investigating in cooperation with a female US marshal the disappearance of the wife of a witness in a people smuggling case in US. Chen is faced with Triads and government officials spying on him as the clock ticks and the safety of Wen(the wife) is in jeopardy.
I can't say it was the greatest crime novel I've read this year but the fascination of this series is the cultural aspects , including how politics and crime solution don't always mix. I also love the descriptions of food, poetry, the country and its people. Worth a read if you want to try something different.
ronald_schoedel's review against another edition
4.0
The politics, culture, cuisine, and poetry outshine the mystery, which is just fine by me. I see the Inspector Chen mysteries as providing a vehicle (which is entertaining, don't get me wrong) by which the other topics can be explored in a realistic context without coming across as contrived or patronising. I'm looking forward to starting the next instalment in the series.
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Argh! I hate that we can't add new books anymore! *grumbles*
Second book in the series and I'm still loving it. An interesting plot, a new character, the US Marshall Catharine Rohn, some well-placed twists and what I think it's the trademark of the series: food and literary references. I loooooove it!
But, in between all of this, there is also a lot of information about life in Shangai at that time, how the true 'money' is favours and China's history, all done in a way in that is not intrusive nor annoying. It's a captivating series and I'll go right to the next book.
Second book in the series and I'm still loving it. An interesting plot, a new character, the US Marshall Catharine Rohn, some well-placed twists and what I think it's the trademark of the series: food and literary references. I loooooove it!
But, in between all of this, there is also a lot of information about life in Shangai at that time, how the true 'money' is favours and China's history, all done in a way in that is not intrusive nor annoying. It's a captivating series and I'll go right to the next book.