Qinghan CeCe
Autor von The Golden Hairpin
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- Werke
- 9
- Mitglieder
- 30
- Beliebtheit
- #449,942
- Bewertung
- 3.4
- Rezensionen
- 2
- ISBNs
- 11
- Sprachen
- 1
The plot was convoluted and complex, yet the story was intriguing because the author played fair and dropped her clues in reasonable fashion. I'm not sure that Cece Qinghan's strong suit is characterization since I often felt the characters were stock rather than individuals. However, I suppose that's unavoidable when literally thousands of palace occupants peopled the novel.
The heroine, a 17-year-old orphaned detective prodigy, is sympathetic and engrossing as a personality because of her tragic history, the necessity for her to take on a false identity in the guise of a young eunuch, and for her prodigious ability for logical deduction. Even Sherlock Holmes would be impressed. Her male protector/love interest is a prince who enjoys cryptic communication and is as stoic as a Spartan or a Puritan, but steadfast and honorable. Red herrings abound as do murders, betrayals, emotionally tense scenes, and the right amount and kind of redemption for those who deserve it.
Of the many and varied murder mysteries by authors from all over the world that I have read, The Golden Hairpin has the most dramatic ending, the deepest psychological profiles and motivations I've ever encountered. It is also distinguished by the most karmic climactic twist I've ever read.
Overall, The Golden Hairpin is an involving -- almost scholarly -- read that renders a realistic portrait of Chinese court life, astute detectives, and interesting forensics. It's worth your time, as long as you have time to devote to a concentrated read and enjoy exotic and lush settings that defy any reader's experience.… (mehr)