The Judge Dee and Lao She mysteries - The Railway Conspiracy

A lightning-paced, kung fu-filled historical mystery in which two amateur Chinese sleuths take down a sinister conspiracy between Imperial Russia, Japan, and China in 1920s London. Perfect for fans of Laura Shepherd-Robinson and Laurie R. King. Judge Dee and Lao She must use all their powers of deductionand kung fu skillsto take down a sinister conspiracy between Imperial Russia, Japan, and China in 1920s London. London, 1924. Following several months abroad, Judge Dee Ren Jie has returned to the city to intercept a transaction between a Russian diplomat and a Japanese mercenary. Aided by Lao Shethe Watson to his Holmesalong with several other colorful characters, Dee stops the illicit sale of an extremely valuable dragon-taming mace. The maces owner is a lovely Chinese businesswoman who thanks Dee for its retrieval by throwing a lavish dinner party. In attendance is British banking official A. G. Stephen, who argues with the group about the tenuous state of Chinese nationalismand is then poisoned two days later. Dee knows this cannot be a coincidence, and suspects Stephen wont be the only victim. Sure enough, a young Chinese communist of Laos acquaintance is killed not long afterand a note with a strange symbol is found by his body. What could connect all these disparate, bizarre events? It is once again up to Dees brilliant investigative skills and Laos well-meaning but often bumbling assistance to get to the bottom of the Railway Conspiracy before anyone else ends up on the chopping block.