This is the first of Hart’s two (so far) mysteries featuring
Li Du, an imperial librarian in China in the early 1700s. He has been exiled by the emperor, the second
in the line of Manchu emperors, and is wandering towards the Tibet to leave the country. Entering the town of Dayan,
the older name for present-day Lijiang on China’s southwest border, he is
surprised to learn that the emperor himself is also on the way to this
far-flung frontier town to celebrate the spring festival and bring forth an
eclipse of the sun. Jesuits, able
astronomers and virtually the only Westerners allowed in China at that time,
have tipped the Emperor off to the event and he seeks to consolidate his power
with this display of commanding the heavens.
In Dayan, Li Du pays a visit to his cousin, who is the magistrate there
and is eager to impress the emperor with his preparations for this grand
display and earn a position closer to the Imperial City. His consort has designs of her own. Also angling for access to power is a
representative of the East India Company who wants to discredit the Jesuits and
gain influence in this hidden kingdom. A
murder occurs and Li Du is drawn into the complex situation. Hart, who will discuss her Li Du mysteries at
the April Friends of the Library meeting, has lived in many interesting parts
of the world and wrote this novel in Lijiang.
It is a fascinating and well-written book about a time, place, and
culture I knew little about. I look
forward to reading her second book and to hearing her speak. 321 pp.
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