Amanda G

Elsa Hart's debut novel, Jade Dragon Mountain, is a must read for historical mystery fans. The novel introduces a fascinating new detective, Li Du, a librarian living in 18th-century China who must solve the murder of an elderly Jesuit priest. Hart provides a fascinating glimpse of Chinese politics and culture, especially in the northern borderlands where the novel is set. The novel is filled with fascinating characters: A nervous young Jesuit who is an expert in botany, an English spice trader who seems to be hiding something, and a mysterious Middle Eastern storyteller who has as many tales as Scherezade. Jade Dragon Mountain was a delight to read and Li Du has quickly become one of my favorite historical detectives. I hope Ms. Hart will provide us with more tales from Li Du. If so, I'll save a place on my bookshelf for the introspective librarian next to my Brother Cadfael and Amelia Peabody mysteries.