THE CHINESE BELL MURDERS

by Robert van Gulik ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 18, 1959

van Gulik's earlier Judge Dee mysteries were published by an obscure publisher (Lounz) but are still in print, so there must be a following for these tales of a Chinese Sherlock Holmes. There is originality and freshness in the method of weaving into one tale a number of thinly connected mysteries which seems to deny their early 18th century Chinese source, through the setting of the Chinese district of Kiangsu Province, and the characters, have a note of authenticity. The main characters involved in unravelling the mysteries are the same- the magistrate, Dee, Hoong Liang, his trusted right hand man, the three lieutenants who do the leg work. Dee will inevitably remind some of Nero Wolfe in his ivory tower, using his deductive abilities to put the facts into proper perspective. A new note.

Pub Date: March 18, 1959

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1959

Categories: FICTION