The Jade Temptress

December 16, 2013
Lin returns to Tang Dynasty China (setting of The Lotus Palace) for a tale strong in emotional subtlety but weak in suspense and mystery. Renowned courtesan Mingyu may shine like her namesake “bright jade” in the pleasure quarters of the Pingkang li, but when she discovers the gruesomely beheaded body of one of her high-ranking patrons, Constable Wu Kaifeng is immediately suspicious of the icy, self-possessed woman. As the ploddingly slow investigation brings the pair together, Kaifeng can’t help but be entranced by Mingyu. Even though Kaifeng once tortured Mingyu in an attempt to get information out of her, she’s still intrigued by his determined search for the truth. The courtship between the high-class courtesan and the street cop is well drawn and nuanced, but the murder mystery’s abrupt solution undercuts the otherwise satisfying ending.

April 15, 2014
When Lady Mingyu, one of the most sought-after elite literary courtesans in the Lotus Palace, is summoned by powerful General Deng to his residence, her worst fears are that he will want to "redeem" her to become his concubine. But when she finds him brutally murdered and knows she'll be considered a suspect, she has no choice but to seek out Wu Kaifeng, the one man who can help her. VERDICT The Tang Dynasty and the shadowy world of the pleasure district of Changan come to life in a story that is sure to enchant. [Xpress Reviews, 2/21/14.]--Kristin Ramsdell, emerita, California State Univ.-East Bay

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2014
While it is true that Lady Mingyu didn't love General Dang Zhi, she didn't hate him enough to murder him either. However, Mingyu discovers that someone else truly did despise Dang when she arrives at his home in Changan and finds his headless corpse. The only man Mingyu can turn to for help is the one man she has never been able to charm: Constable Wu Kaifeng. Discovering that Mingyu is involved in yet another murder case convinces Wu that the beautiful courtesan is nothing but trouble, and this proves to be even truer once Wu realizes his feelings for Mingyu are seriously interfering with his mission to find the killer. The colorful sights, sounds, and even scents of Tang Dynasty China provide a fascinating backdrop, and romance readers tired of cookie-cutter settings will devour this expertly crafted novel. By incorporating some intriguing investigative details into the plot, Lin also gives historical-mystery readers an incentive for giving this captivating series a chance.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)