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Hold Your Breath: A Thrilling Inspector Chen Mystery

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Hold Your Breath China (An Inspector Chen mystery 10)

Hold Your Breath, China (An Inspector Chen mystery Book 10)

by Hazel Gaynor

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2239 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	235 pages

Inspector Chen is back in Hold Your Breath, the tenth installment in the popular mystery series by Qiu Xiaolong. Set in 1980s Shanghai, the novel follows Inspector Chen as he investigates the murder of a young woman whose body is found in the Huangpu River.

The victim, Lihua, was a beautiful and talented singer who was on the cusp of stardom. Her death sends shockwaves through the city, and Inspector Chen is determined to find her killer.

As Inspector Chen investigates, he uncovers a web of secrets and lies. Lihua was involved in a love triangle with two powerful men, and either of them could have had a motive to kill her.

Inspector Chen must also contend with the political climate of 1980s Shanghai. The city is in a state of flux, as the country begins to open up to the West. This new openness has led to a rise in crime, and Inspector Chen must navigate the treacherous waters of corruption and violence.

Characters

Inspector Chen is a complex and fascinating character. He is a brilliant detective, but he is also a man with a troubled past. He is haunted by the death of his wife and daughter, and he struggles to find happiness in a world that seems increasingly corrupt.

Lihua is a beautiful and talented singer who is on the cusp of stardom. She is a complex character, with both strengths and weaknesses. She is ambitious and driven, but she is also naive and vulnerable.

The two main suspects in Lihua's murder are powerful men with their own secrets and motives. Inspector Chen must carefully weigh the evidence and determine who is guilty.

Setting

Hold Your Breath is set in 1980s Shanghai, a city in a state of flux. The country is beginning to open up to the West, and this new openness has led to a rise in crime. Inspector Chen must navigate the treacherous waters of corruption and violence in order to find Lihua's killer.

Qiu Xiaolong's writing is sharp and evocative, and he brings the world of 1980s Shanghai to life in all its gritty glory. The novel's setting is a character in its own right, and it plays a vital role in the story.

Themes

Hold Your Breath explores a number of themes, including love, loss, and redemption. Inspector Chen is a man who has lost everything, and he is struggling to find meaning in his life. The novel follows his journey as he tries to find peace and redemption.

The novel also explores the theme of justice. Inspector Chen is determined to find Lihua's killer and bring him to justice. However, he must also contend with the political climate of 1980s Shanghai, which makes it difficult to get justice for the victims of crime.

Hold Your Breath is a gripping and suspenseful novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Qiu Xiaolong's writing is sharp and evocative, and he brings the world of 1980s Shanghai to life in all its gritty glory. The novel explores a number of important themes, including love, loss, and redemption, and it is a must-read for fans of crime fiction, mystery, and historical fiction alike.

Hold Your Breath, China (An Inspector Chen mystery Book 10)

by Hazel Gaynor

4.3 out of 5