“[Qiu Xiaolong’s] finest novel."
—The New York Times

“A vivid portrait of modern  Chinese society . . . A work of real distinction.”
—The Wall Street Journal

“These are mysteries to savor.”
—Booklist, Starred Review

“Chen is the fascinating creation of poet and translator Qiu Xiaolong . . . As in Qiu’s first two books, the ghosts of Mao’s bloody Cultural Revolution . . . lead to murder.”
—Chicago Tribune

“Read When Red Is Black for insights into understanding today’s Shanghai and China.”
—St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Compelling.”
—Times-Picayune

“A great read.”
—The Guardian

“The most sophisticated series to date, and one feels Qiu pushing the envelope of the detective series genre.”
—Asian Review of Books

 “Shanghai in transition . . . Fascinating.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Insightful.”
—Publishers Weekly

 “[A] terrific series . . . A cultural twist and unusual direction that make [Qiu’s] books well worth reading.”
—Rocky Mountain News

 “A terrific murder mystery.”
—The Midwest Book Review

“Captivating and Intriguing.”
—Mystery News