Eye of Jade

by Diane Wei Liang

Book Overview

"Having her own detective agency would give her
the independence she had always longed for. It
would also give her the chance to show those people
who shunned her that she could be successful. People
were getting rich. They owned property, money,
business, and cars. With new freedom and opportunities
came new crimes. There would be much that
she could do."

Present day, Beijing. Mei Wang is a modern,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416549560
• ISBN13: 9781416549567
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Eye of Jade Mystery

I love this story! It's a fast, compelling read. If you're a fan of Sujata Massey you'll love this book! Not too short and not too long. Print size is very readable. This is a first novel in a new detective series; it's a thrilling and fascinating journey through modern China. Mei Wang is a successful female private investigator in Beijing. A family friend comes to her with a case ----- a search for a valuable jade piece of the Han dynasty. Tha Eye of Jade was looted from a museum during the Cultural Revolution. The hunt for the precious aetifact draws Mei Wang into a troubled period of long-buried dark family secrets. Excellent read! Filled with fascinating detail! A thoughtful look at a contemporary, independent woman . An examination of China old and new. Enjoyable prose.

Double Lucky Read

Eye of the Jade is extremely well written and plotted. Mei Wang searches for the truth, that phantom character in any mystery, and her journey takes us through Bejing's penthouses and dark alleys. The author weaves words with the careless abandon of silk: "...the sweet smell of spring was bouncing on sunbeam s like transparent butterflies." The growing pains of modern China are neatly delivered with subtle plotting and tied together with ancient history. If you liked or remember Robert Van Gulik's Judge Dee mysteries, you'll enjoy this book. Mei Wang joins the ranks of women detectives, and may she live a long and adventuresome life.

A Beijing mystery--Think 'karaoke bar' not 'opium den.'

This first book in the Mei Wang mystery series is not as quaint as we've come to expect from China-based mysteries such as the Judge Dee series by Robert van Gulik. Most of the historical references in "The Eye of Jade" are to Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution during his last decade in power (1966 - 1976). Countless Chinese citizens (especially those with an education) were sent to labor camps, while ancient buildings, artifacts, books, and paintings were destroyed by the rampaging Red Guards. Mei Wang, the detective-heroine of this new series spent part of her youth in a labor camp, along with her mother, sister, and father. Her father was never released, and one of the mysteries in this multi-layered book concerns his fate. The author, herself spent years in a labor camp along with her parents, so readers can assume that parts of "The Eye of Jade" were taken from real life. That makes this mystery even more interesting, since all of the previous Middle Kingdom mysteries I'd read were written by non-Chinese authors. Modern Beijing may surprise Westerners who haven't visited the post-Mao People's Republic of China. This book is packed with telling details. Opium dens have been replaced by karaoke bars, and nouveau riche Beijingers are lining up for a turn at the mike, and for ballroom dancing lessons. The ancient treasures destroyed during the Cultural Revolution have been replaced by Venetian chandeliers, imported Italian marble, and top-of-the-line German appliances. Although the heroine, Mei Wang tools around in a little red Mitsubishi, her wealthy sister is chauffered between TV appearances and beauty salon appointments in a Mercedes. Mei Wang bases much of her detective work on `guânxi,' i.e. social networking--a central concept in Chinese society. Relatives or people who owe her a favor get her into the places she needs to go in order to locate a stolen jade seal--a rare artifact from the ancient Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - 220 A.D.). Woven into her search is the story of her family, most especially the relationship between Beijing's first female detective and her ailing mother. There is also a great deal of social commentary on contemporary China. Those who believe that Communism still controls the economy might be a bit shocked at the very capitalistic behavior of the characters in this book. China may give lip service to universal health care, but only the rich (and the military) can get treatment in a decent, modern hospital. I am definitely going to look for the second Mei Wang mystery, "Paper Butterfly." For those of us who like our mysteries with a strong dash of foreign culture, this is a great new series.

Diane We Liang is a welcome addition to mystery writers

"Mei Beijing is China's most successful female detective. She has a background in law enforcement and understands world politics. Diane We Liang is a welcome addition to mystery writers and sure to be a best selling author."

terrific Chinese private investigator tale

After quitting her position with the Ministry of Public Security, Mei Wang opens up a private investigative firm in Beijing. Her widowed mom and her sister are upset because they know Mei's business is illegal and they live with the memory of the family's patriarch taken away by Mao's enforcers; her female relatives live within the "rules" of Communist society. Long time family friend "Uncle" Chen Jitian hires Mei to find a valuable Han Dynasty jade seal once thought to have been destroyed along with other museum artifacts by the excesses of the Red Guard. Mei and her male assistant Gupin follow clues that take them to a dangerous part of the city where black market dealings are the norm. As the fuzzy picture begins to turn increasingly lucid, Mei realizes more than she would like as her family has secrets that tie back to the jade seal. This is a terrific Chinese private investigator tale starring an independent feisty heroine who bucks the political climate, societal norms, and her family. The story line is fast-paced while providing a fascinating insight into schizoid modern day Beijing. The inquiry into the missing seal is well done and entertaining, but it is the look at China that makes THE EYE OF JADE compelling. Harriet Klausner