Synopses & Reviews
Winner of the both the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime and the CWA Non-Fiction Dagger
Peking in 1937 is a heady mix of privilege and scandal, opulence and opium dens, rumors and superstition. The Japanese are encircling the city, and the discovery of Pamela Werner's body sends a shiver through already nervous Peking. Is it the work of a madman? One of the ruthless Japanese soldiers now surrounding the city? Or perhaps the dreaded fox spirits? With the suspect list growing and clues sparse, two detectivesand#151;one British and one Chineseand#151;race against the clock to solve the crime before the Japanese invade and Peking as they know it is gone forever. Can they find the killer in time, before the Japanese invade?
Historian and China expert Paul French at last uncovers the truth behind this notorious murder, and offers a rare glimpse of the last days of colonial Peking.
Review
"Clue by clue, Paul French uncovers the truth of a bizarre murder case that shocked Peking in 1937. In doing so, he draws a chilling portrait of the city's decadent, violent and overly-privileged Euro-American expatriate community. It is a feat comparable to that of White Mischief. Fascinating and irresistible. I couldn't put it down." John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Review
"Simply marvelous! An atmospheric who-done-it in which the setting is pre-communist China, incorporating the last tottering edges of the British empire, a cast of enigmatic foreigners, and Peking bracing as Japan invades and brings the last of Old China to its knees. The mysterious and seemingly motiveless killing of a young English girl by a spirit-haunted gate in Peking is much more than it appears." Margaret George, author of Elizabeth I: A Novel
Review
"The best true crime stories are tales of place as well as people, evoking the long shadows of our often haunted history. And Paul French's book, Midnight in Peking, is among the best. As the mystery surrounding the bloody death of a young woman in pre-World War II Peking unfolds, French carries the reader on a journey through the city's twisting streets and equally twisted politics. The result is a real-life story ultimately as suspenseful as any modern thriller." Deborah Blum, author of The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz-Age New York
Review
"Paul French wonderfully evokes [the] place in that time and, amazingly, manages to bring some sense of closure to this long-forgotten mystery. This book is an instant true crime classic, which grips and hooks from the first page to the last." David Peace, author of The Red Riding Quartet
Review
“
Midnight in Peking magically captures a strange, largely unknown time and place in modern history. It is not just a thrilling procedural. It is wise and compassionate and deeply human -- an astonishing achievement.” – Douglas Perry, author of
The Girls of Murder CityReview
"This book is captivating, a wild rickshaw ride into the lost world of 1930s Peking—one that plunges down the dark alleys of a murder mystery and into a murky underworld. Paul French's rediscovery of long-hidden leads and witnesses has done justice to this extraordinary case." – Paul Collins, author of
The Murder of the CenturyReview
"Historian French unravels a long-forgotten 1937 murder in this fascinating look at Peking (now Beijing) on the brink of Japanese occupation. French painstakingly reconstructs the crime and depicts the suspects... compelling evidence is coupled with a keen grasp of Chinese history in French's worthy account." Publisher's Weekly
Review
"French provides a wealth of historical detail about a vanished era in interwar Peking... A well-composed, engaging, lurid tale." Kirkus
Review
“Never less than fascinating… one of the best portraits of between-the-wars China that has yet been written.” –
The Wall Street Journal
Review
“A page-turning and fascinating true crime book. This is a genre-breaker that captures the atmosphere of 1930s Peking.” –
The Bookseller [selected as
One to Watch]
Review
“…A fascinating tale of life and death in a city on the brink of all-out war.” –
Time.comReview
“An engrossing read” –
Oprah.comReview
“…Reads like a mystery thriller, with its dramatic cast of character and exotic setting.” –
San Francisco Bay GuardianReview
andldquo;An engrossing readandrdquo; andndash;
Oprah.comReview
“…the most talked-about read in town this year.” –
The New Yorker’s Page-Turner BlogReview
“[This} fitting elegy to a lost young woman – and era – should help ensure Pamela Werner is a footnote no more.” – The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Review
“Not only does Mr. French succeed in solving the crime, he resurrects a period that was filled with glitter as well as evil, but was never, as readers will appreciate, known for being dull.” –
The EconomistReview
“…A compulsively readable true crime work in the tradition of
Devil in the White City.” –
The Atlantic.comReview
“This is a good murder story, well told, with all the additional pleasures that a knowledgeable tour guide to old China can provide. Grateful readers could scarcely ask for more.” – Joseph Kanon, author of
Istanbul Passage, in
The Washington PostReview
“
Midnight in Peking is true-crime writing at its best.” –
The Christian Science MonitorReview
“In today’s Beijing, French’s portrait feels surprisingly germane.” – The Los Angeles Times
Review
“It is the storytelling flair that marks
Midnight in Peking so highly above the run-of-the-mill true crime stories: with its false leads and twists, it sucks the reader in like the best fiction.” –
The ScotsmanReview
“Part historical docudrama, part tragic opera… [French] tells this sorry tale with the skill of an Agatha Christie.” –
The Financial TimesReview
“The shocking true tale, combined with prose you can’t drag yourself away from, makes
Midnight in Peking a work of non fiction as compulsive as any bestselling crime novel.” –
Sunday Express (UK)Review
“Spellbinding” –
The GuardianReview
“It is as compelling as any murder mystery.” –
The Fredericksburg Free Lance-StarReview
“Similar to Erik Larson’s
The Devil in the White City, it’s a compelling story brought to life by meticulous research.” –
Minneapolis Star TribuneReview
“Treating his subjects with expertise and compassion, French creates a riveting portrait of the complicated tensions that existed during wartime in a city on the brink of destruction. This is a difficult book to put down!” –
Library Journal (starred review)
Review
andldquo;This is a good murder story, well told, with all the additional pleasures that a knowledgeable tour guide to old China can provide. Grateful readers could scarcely ask for more.andrdquo; andnbsp;andndash; Joseph Kanon, author of
Istanbul Passage, in
The Washington PostReview
andldquo;Never less than fascinatingandhellip; one of the best portraits of between-the-wars China that has yet been written.andrdquo; andndash;
The Wall Street JournalReview
andldquo;A page-turning and fascinating true crime book. This is a genre-breaker that captures the atmosphere of 1930s Peking.andrdquo; andndash;
The BooksellerReview
andldquo;andhellip;the most talked-about read in town this year.andrdquo; andndash;
The New Yorkerandrsquo;s Page-Turner BlogReview
andldquo;
Midnight in Peking is true-crime writing at its best.andrdquo; andndash;
The Christian Science MonitorReview
andldquo;andhellip;A compulsively readable true crime work in the tradition of
Devil in the White City.andrdquo; andndash;
The Atlantic.comReview
andldquo;Not only does Mr. French succeed in solving the crime, he resurrects a period that was filled with glitter as well as evil, but was never, as readers will appreciate, known for being dull.andrdquo; andndash;
The EconomistReview
“Midnight in Peking is both a detective story and a social history, and therefore - as it should - always keeps the hunt for Pamelas killers somewhere near the center of the narrative. [Paul French] is a wonderfully dexterous guide” - Jonathan Spence in The New York Review of Books
Review
and#8220;This is a good murder story, well told, with all the additional pleasures that a knowledgeable tour guide to old China can provide. Grateful readers could scarcely ask for more.and#8221;and#160; and#8211; Joseph Kanon, author of
Istanbul Passage, in
The Washington Post
and#8220;Never less than fascinatingand#8230; one of the best portraits of between-the-wars China that has yet been written.and#8221; and#8211; The Wall Street Journal
and#8220;Midnight in Peking is both a detective story and a social history, and therefore and#8211; as it should and#8211; always keeps the hunt for Pamelaand#8217;s killers somewhere near the center of the narrative. [Paul French] is a wonderfully dexterous guideand#8221; and#8211; Jonathan Spence in The New York Review of Books
and#8220;A crime story set among sweeping events is reminiscent of Graham Greene, particularly The Third Man, while French's terse, tightly-focussed style has rightly been compared to Chandler. Midnight in Peking deserves a place alongside both these masters.and#8221; and#8211; The Independent
and#8220;A page-turning and fascinating true crime book. This is a genre-breaker that captures the atmosphere of 1930s Peking.and#8221; and#8211; The Bookseller [selected as One to Watch]
and#8220;and#8230;the most talked-about read in town this year.and#8221; and#8211; The New Yorkerand#8217;s Page-Turner Blog
and#8220;Midnight in Peking is true-crime writing at its best, full of vivid characters, an exotic locale, secrets galore, and a truly bewildering mystery.and#8221; and#8211; The Christian Science Monitor
and#8220;and#8230;A compulsively readable true crime work in the tradition of Devil in the White City.and#8221; and#8211; The Atlantic.com
and#8220;Not only does Mr. French succeed in solving the crime, he resurrects a period that was filled with glitter as well as evil, but was never, as readers will appreciate, known for being dull.and#8221; and#8211; The Economist
and#8220;An engrossing readand#8221; and#8211; Oprah.com
and#8220;In todayand#8217;s Beijing, Frenchand#8217;s portrait feels surprisingly germane.and#8221; and#8211; The Los Angeles Times
and#8220;Part historical docudrama, part tragic operaand#8230; [French] tells this sorry tale with the skill of an Agatha Christie.and#8221; and#8211; The Financial Times
Review
and#8220;This is a good murder story, well told, with all the additional pleasures that a knowledgeable tour guide to old China can provide. Grateful readers could scarcely ask for more.and#8221;and#160; and#8211; Joseph Kanon, author of
Istanbul Passage, in
The Washington Post
and#8220;Never less than fascinatingand#8230; one of the best portraits of between-the-wars China that has yet been written.and#8221; and#8211; The Wall Street Journal
and#8220;Midnight in Peking is both a detective story and a social history, and therefore and#8211; as it should and#8211; always keeps the hunt for Pamelaand#8217;s killers somewhere near the center of the narrative. [Paul French] is a wonderfully dexterous guideand#8221; and#8211; Jonathan Spence in The New York Review of Books
and#8220;A crime story set among sweeping events is reminiscent of Graham Greene, particularly The Third Man, while French's terse, tightly-focussed style has rightly been compared to Chandler. Midnight in Peking deserves a place alongside both these masters.and#8221; and#8211; The Independent
and#8220;A page-turning and fascinating true crime book. This is a genre-breaker that captures the atmosphere of 1930s Peking.and#8221; and#8211; The Bookseller [selected as One to Watch]
and#8220;and#8230;the most talked-about read in town this year.and#8221; and#8211; The New Yorkerand#8217;s Page-Turner Blog
and#8220;Midnight in Peking is true-crime writing at its best, full of vivid characters, an exotic locale, secrets galore, and a truly bewildering mystery.and#8221; and#8211; The Christian Science Monitor
and#8220;and#8230;A compulsively readable true crime work in the tradition of Devil in the White City.and#8221; and#8211; The Atlantic.com
and#8220;Not only does Mr. French succeed in solving the crime, he resurrects a period that was filled with glitter as well as evil, but was never, as readers will appreciate, known for being dull.and#8221; and#8211; The Economist
and#8220;An engrossing readand#8221; and#8211; Oprah.com
and#8220;In todayand#8217;s Beijing, Frenchand#8217;s portrait feels surprisingly germane.and#8221; and#8211; The Los Angeles Times
and#8220;Part historical docudrama, part tragic operaand#8230; [French] tells this sorry tale with the skill of an Agatha Christie.and#8221; and#8211; The Financial Times
Review
and#8220;This is a good murder story, well told, with all the additional pleasures that a knowledgeable tour guide to old China can provide. Grateful readers could scarcely ask for more.and#8221;and#160; and#8211; Joseph Kanon, author of
Istanbul Passage, in
The Washington Post and#8220;Never less than fascinatingand#8230; one of the best portraits of between-the-wars China that has yet been written.and#8221; and#8211; The Wall Street Journal
and#8220;Midnight in Peking is both a detective story and a social history, and therefore and#8211; as it should and#8211; always keeps the hunt for Pamelaand#8217;s killers somewhere near the center of the narrative. [Paul French] is a wonderfully dexterous guideand#8221; and#8211; Jonathan Spence in The New York Review of Books
and#8220;A crime story set among sweeping events is reminiscent of Graham Greene, particularly The Third Man, while French's terse, tightly-focussed style has rightly been compared to Chandler. Midnight in Peking deserves a place alongside both these masters.and#8221; and#8211; The Independent
and#8220;A page-turning and fascinating true crime book. This is a genre-breaker that captures the atmosphere of 1930s Peking.and#8221; and#8211; The Bookseller [selected as One to Watch]
and#8220;and#8230;the most talked-about read in town this year.and#8221; and#8211; The New Yorkerand#8217;s Page-Turner Blog
and#8220;Midnight in Peking is true-crime writing at its best, full of vivid characters, an exotic locale, secrets galore, and a truly bewildering mystery.and#8221; and#8211; The Christian Science Monitor
and#8220;and#8230;A compulsively readable true crime work in the tradition of Devil in the White City.and#8221; and#8211; The Atlantic.com
and#8220;Not only does Mr. French succeed in solving the crime, he resurrects a period that was filled with glitter as well as evil, but was never, as readers will appreciate, known for being dull.and#8221; and#8211; The Economist
and#8220;An engrossing readand#8221; and#8211; Oprah.com
and#8220;In todayand#8217;s Beijing, Frenchand#8217;s portrait feels surprisingly germane.and#8221; and#8211; The Los Angeles Times
and#8220;Part historical docudrama, part tragic operaand#8230; [French] tells this sorry tale with the skill of an Agatha Christie.and#8221; and#8211; The Financial Times
Synopsis
In the last days of old Peking, where anything goes, can a murderer escape justice?
Peking in 1937 is a heady mix of privilege and scandal, opulence and opium dens, rumors and superstition. The Japanese are encircling the city, and the discovery of Pamela Werner's body sends a shiver through already nervous Peking. Is it the work of a madman? One of the ruthless Japanese soldiers now surrounding the city? Or perhaps the dreaded fox spirits? With the suspect list growing and clues sparse, two detectives —one British and one Chinese —race against the clock to solve the crime before the Japanese invade and Peking as they know it is gone forever. Can they find the killer in time, before the Japanese invade?
Historian and China expert Paul French at last uncovers the truth behind this notorious murder, and offers a rare glimpse of the last days of colonial Peking.
Synopsis
In the last days of old Peking, where anything goes, can a murderer escape justice?
Peking in 1937 is a heady mix of privilege and scandal, opulence and opium dens, rumors and superstition. The Japanese are encircling the city, and the discovery of Pamela Werner's body sends a shiver through already nervous Peking. Is it the work of a madman? One of the ruthless Japanese soldiers now surrounding the city? Or perhaps the dreaded fox spirits? With the suspect list growing and clues sparse, two detectivesandmdash;one British and one Chineseandmdash;race against the clock to solve the crime before the Japanese invade and Peking as they know it is gone forever. Can they find the killer in time, before the Japanese invade?
Historian and China expert Paul French at last uncovers the truth behind this notorious murder, and offers a rare glimpse of the last days of colonial Peking.
Synopsis
Winner of the both the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime and the CWA Non-Fiction Dagger Chronicling an incredible unsolved murder,
Midnight in Peking captures the aftermath of the brutal killing of a British schoolgirl in January 1937. The mutilated body of Pamela Werner was found at the base of the Fox Tower, which, according to local superstition, is home to the maliciously seductive fox spirits. As British detective Dennis and Chinese detective Han investigate, the mystery only deepens and, in a city on the verge of invasion, rumor and superstition run rampant. Based on seven years of research by historian and China expert Paul French, this true-crime thriller presents readers with a rare and unique portrait of the last days of colonial Peking.
About the Author
Historian Paul French lives in Shanghai, where he is a business advisor and analyst. He frequently comments on China for the English-speaking press around the world. He studied history, economics and Mandarin at university and has an M. Phill in economics from the University of Glasgow. He is the author of a number of books, including the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-winning Midnight in Peking: How the Murder of a Young Englishwoman Haunted the Last Days of Old China, Carl Crow: A Tough Old China Hand and Through the Looking Glass: China's Foreign Journalists from Opium Wars to Mao.