Jade Woman: A Lovejoy Mystery

by Jonathan Gash

Book Overview

Lovejoy, a disreputable antiques dealer, connoisseur of women, and our hero, falls into the middle of a worldwide antique-trading scam and a ruthless Chinese crime syndicate. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 014012280X
• ISBN13: 9780140122800
• Release Date: March 1990
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 273 Pages
• Weight: 0.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Such a rogue

When the heavies in England force Lovejoy from his home and possessions and make his future seem less than pleasant, he takes advantage of an opportunity to leave England and to move to Hong Kong for the sake of his health and freedom. The extreme heat and humidity saps his strength so badly that he doesn't even make it out of the terminal of the airport, but collapses in a heap for a quick nap on the floor of the terminal. Big mistake...when he awakens to find his money and passport missing, he makes the long walk into the city and throws himself on the mercy of a man who had given him his card on the plane. The man rejects his plea for charity and walks away, only to be stabbed to death a few minutes later. After finding himself temporary shelter with a friendly expat, Lovejoy hawks his talents as an expert in antiques and antique reproductions, and is contacted by the Triads and forced into working for them. His room mate works as a gigolo, servicing travelling ladies with dinner, dancing and anything else they might require, and recruits Lovejoy into the profession. He is fascinated by Jade Woman, a beautiful and highly educated young woman, trained since childhood to be the face of the Triads. Lovejoy makes a deal with the gangs to forge pieces of art for them and soon finds himself in big trouble as usual. The lovable rogue struggles out of his predicaments with his usual flair and, by the end of the book, is heading for the US. I just hope that I can find this sequel.

Come Travel the world - Lovejoy Style!

Travelling with Lovejoy is so very different than what anyone is used to. In this book we see him in Hong Kong as he's trying to escape some nasty characters back in East Anglia. He starts out OK with a plane ride, passport and money in his pocket, but he's not in Hong Kong for five minutes before everything he has is stolen. As he wanders around hungry for two days, we see Hong Kong through his eyes, and he, even with all his troubles, is fascinated by it. It's easy to see the author's experiences of Hong Kong in the wonderful descriptions that he paints in this book. Anyway, poor old Lovejoy finally finds himself a way to make a living (and what a way that is!), but he gets mixed up with a nasty lot too. His experiences with the Hong Kong triads is unforgettable (and actually quite funny too). We of course see another master fiddle done by the old faker (Lovejoy himself), and we also get more interesting info on some pretty nice antiques (Asian style). This book is captivating, as are all the others in this wonderful series.

Author's Hong Kong Experiences Enhance It

The English physician who writes under the name of Jonathan Gash lived in Hong Kong for several years; his knowledge of the weather, society, and people combine to make this one of the better Lovejoys. This is also a great choice for someone unfamiliar with Lovejoy as he is quickly yanked out of England and left penniless in Hong Kong. As with many of Gash's Lovejoy efforts, the action is fast and furious for the last 20 pages or so. Recommended.

Humor, adventure, excitement, murder, gangsters, Hong Kong

Dashing Lovejoy is at it again--this time in Hong Kong! Running from the law and some small time hood, he's off to the orient, loses everything, becomes mixed up in a huge antiques swindle, and is locked into serfdom. Jade Woman is one of my favorite Jonathan Gash books. Even when his life is on the line, Lovejoy never runs out of witty things to say. Murder, intrigue, antiques, and the spell of Hong Kong mix together to bring you a real page-turner.

The finest of Gash's Lovejoy series. Panorama of Hong Kong.

Though high-brow reviewers may consider the work of Jonathan Gash to be just a character line of intrigue pot-boilers, there is much to be learned from the deep research put into antiquities in the series. This is far and away the jewel of his work, in a wonderfully woven story that reveals Hong Kong to the novice. Though common perception viewed Hong Kong as glamorous, it is not, but exotic it is. Every human condition from spectacular wealth, to depravity, to honor, to despair can be seen at any given street corner. Gash strips away the veils, while keeping you involved with our hero at the same time. The TV series should have closed with a four hour screenplay of this benchmark effort.