Reviewed by David on June 14, 2003
Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural, Historical, China)
Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of The Lacquer Screen.
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.
While traveling, Judge Dee stops for a few days in a neighboring district. Wishing to rest from the ceremony, he travels incognito, letting only the local magistrate know of his true identity. However, a grusome murder causes the magistrate to ask for Dee's assistance in investigation. As a disreputable "commision agent", Dee and his assistant associate with the local hoodlums and discover the truth behind several crimes.
Full Review: A pleasant mystery, set in a rather exotic world of seventh-century China. Unusually civilized and bureacratic, the country routinely used judicial torture. However, there is a strong desire for justice, and with Judge Dee, justice triumphs. Concentrating more on intellectual puzzles than on deep emotional involvement, the story nonetheless resonates with familiar human emotions, not much different all these centuries ago.
Overall: 6; Plot: 6.5; Characters: 5; Style: 6; World-building: 6; Originality: 7;
Copyright date 1962, Recorded Books, 1988, Audio cassette, 4 cassettes
Order from: Recorded Books