Death Of A Red Heroine (Inspector Chen Cao #1) by by Qiu Xiaolong

Synopsis 

Inspector Chen Cao is an unusual character. He does not only investigate but also a poet and a translator of American and English mystery novels.

When the naked corpse of a woman was found in a canal, Inspector Chen was assigned to investigate the case. It turn complicated when it was discovered that it was the body of a "National Model Worker". On the surfaces, she seems to lead a model citizen life.

Inspector Chen got in trouble with different sections of the Communist Party when he start to unravel the mysterious death. Some section of the Party wants him off the case by all means. Whether it's by bribery or by darkening his reputation.


Would Inspector Chen be able to dodge the bullets and solve the case?

My comments:

I bought this book two years ago at the Big Bad Wolf Sale Preview 2010. I was lucky that year to have won a Pass to the Preview.

Many of you know that am a fan for books from Asian Authors. Hence, I did not hesitated to pick up this book despite its being 464 pages thick.

I must say, I enjoyed reading this very much as it's something "fresh"  compared to the usual sad stories or political stories that emerge from China.

What I love about the character, Inspector Chen, is that he is the underdog in the story. He is hindered from his investigation every turn he made and yet he did not give up. Instead he used the round about way to get to the bottom of the case.

What I dislike about the story is that the author spent too much time in describing Inspector Chen's personal life which I found a bit tedious. But am guessing the author is just laying the foundation for the subsequent instalment of Inspector Chen's series.

 am giving this book 4 stars out of 5 stars. It's good. It could have been excellent if the page count could have been reduced by editing some part about Inspector Chen personal life.