A classical murder investigation in an mountain monastery, this novel combines a clever investigator, the color of ancient China, and sketchy secondary characters.
Reviewed by David on June 14, 2003
Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural, Historical, China)
Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of The Haunted Monastery.
During the Tang dynasty, over a thousand years ago, much of China was ruled by well-developed beauracrocy, staffed with scholarly officials who passed tough civil examinations. Nonetheless, despite the organization and booming trade, the country still had plenty of poverty and crime.
And thus much occupation for a district magistrate Judge Dee, well-known for his ability to investigate crimes.
When Dee and his three wives are stranded by a broken axle while returning from the capital, they take shelter from inclement weather in a remote Taoist monastery. Before retiring for the night, the Judge is disturbed by rumors of ghosts and vague allegation of past wrongdoings. When he personally sees a possible crime in progress, a night of investigation ensues, complicated by legends, disguises, and the complicated, sprawling monastery itself.
Full Review: As with other Judge Dee mysteries, this is a fine entertainment in the classical style. The details and manners of ancient China add exotic falvor to the tail, combining unusual culture with age-old human passions. The mystery itself is more intellectual puzzle than human drama, and most characters are finely drawn but without the emotional intensity of a more book. The protagonist, Judge Dee, is interesting, capable but not without flaws, honorable and sympathetic yet chauvinisticly confucian and self-assuredely prone to lecture.
There is also an interesting look at the uneasy mixture of the three great Chinese religions during that era: mystical, pagan Taoism, Buddhism with its foreign associations (it was imported from India) and the traditional, conservative Confucianism. The role of women in society is also interesting, generally subservient to men and yet not without some uusual freedoms.
Overall, a pleasant, short mystery with an exotic background.
Overall: 6; Plot: 6.5; Characters: 5; Style: 6; World-building: 6; Originality: 7;
Copyright date 1969, Recorded Books, 1985, Audio cassette, 3 cassettes
Order from: Recorded Books