A poet who just happens to be a detective: Inspector Chen Cao

What if you studied to be a poet, but were forced to be a detective?  This is the protagonist’s dilemma in Qiu Xiaolong’s Inspector Chen Cao series.  Set in contemporary Shanghai, these mysteries are not just police procedurals but also political thrillers laced with commentary on life in a rapidly changing society.  Chen himself is a sort of Chinese Maigret, a man of cultured tastes forced to confront society’s ugliest aspects. 

Death of A Red Heroine

Inspector Chen is a detective with the soul of a poet. Look for Qiu Xiaolong's newest, Hold Your Breath, China. Coming Soon!





View Full List