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A review by paul_cornelius
The Monkey and the Tiger by Robert van Gulik
4.0
I suppose going by word count, these two stories are considered novellas. Yet they retain a bit more complexity than is usually the case with that form of writing. I would consider both of them short novels, with many more characters and plot developments than is the case usually for a novella. Van Gulick manages, for example, to outfit the first story, "The Morning of the Monkey," with almost all the usual elements you find in a longer Judge Dee story--false leads, multiple suspects, a trail to several locations. "The Night of the Tiger," similarly develops along those lines--but with the added element of being an adventure story along with a mystery with supernatural overtones.
Both stories are enjoyable enough. But it is the second one, "Tiger," that produces the most extensive atmosphere and suspense. The "old dark house" setting becomes an isolated fortress/castle. Night terrors, murder, and ghostly suspects emerge from the shadows, and all the while the countdown to the coming dawn and an attack from a gang of bandits provides a sense of urgency. With all this pressure, Dee, nevertheless, manages to solve a murder and reveals a series of betrayals. Nice work.
Both stories are enjoyable enough. But it is the second one, "Tiger," that produces the most extensive atmosphere and suspense. The "old dark house" setting becomes an isolated fortress/castle. Night terrors, murder, and ghostly suspects emerge from the shadows, and all the while the countdown to the coming dawn and an attack from a gang of bandits provides a sense of urgency. With all this pressure, Dee, nevertheless, manages to solve a murder and reveals a series of betrayals. Nice work.