A review by louisekf
The Jade Tiger by E.W. Cooper

3.0

2.5 stars. The Jade Tiger was the longest short book I can remember reading. It felt like a much longer book, perhaps because it took until about 25% through the book until the murder took place. Up until then, there was a lot of confusing backstory, told in pieces, about the main character’s life in Shanghai, China (Penelope Harris). It took a very long time until it became clear why she was going to be blackmailed. The story takes place in 1928 in New York City, with lots of references back to her earlier life in Shanghai. Once the murder happened, the pace picked up, but there were a couple of long “monologues” that explained things, rather than any smart detective work. My favorite character was McCain, an honest cop who had earlier been busted down to patrolman from detective because he had the temerity to arrest a politically connected person.

I also have access to the follow-up book in the series, Murder at the Met, and I hope it will be better than this one.

Thank you to Book Sirens and Ink Dog Press for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.