Where Judge Dee Faces the White Lotus Society

The Chinese Lake Murders by Robert van Gulik
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a very clever murder mystery, and I enjoyed it. Judge Dee is a great character: hardworking, a bit crusty, severe at times, demanding, and occasionally anxious, but fair, compassionate, brilliant, and deeply insightful. It's easy to root for him. His assistants, including two who had once been bandits in the woods, are also likable and composed of positive and negative traits. In this story, the judge takes on a new servant, Tao Gan, a conman that he saves from a bad beating but finds full of useful qualities. It's fun to watch these varied personalities work through an investigation at all different levels, from documents and witness interviews to stake-outs and fights.

Most of this story relates to the investigation into the murder of a young woman, an entertainer, who is killed while onboard a "flower boat," something like a floating brothel which featured dancers and catering. But the mystery is expanded because, just before her murder, she tries to communicate a warning to Judge Dee. Something big is being plotted in the city where he was so recently posted. Another murder and a missing body become connected, and the clues pile up in a confusing way. (Not just for me--Judge Dee was kinda stumped, even.)

I coulda used a little support to keep characters straight. By the end, I was mixing up three or four of them who were all introduced at the initial party on the boat, though that's probably not really the author's fault. The names might contribute to that confusion a little, but I often have the same problem when I read Agatha Christie or others, so... that's just me. I guess I need to make drawings or a spreadsheet or something. :)

Also, I've got to doublecheck the actual order of these stories. I got bad intel on that somehow. This is book 5, and I thought it was book 2. But, it doesn't matter much. This is lots of fun.

Secret rooms. Secret societies. Good action. A bit of sexiness (and even a little sordid, in spots). A tad violent. And still cerebral in many ways. 4/5 stars.

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