City of Ink: A Mystery

Li Du Series, Book 3

By: Elsa Hart

Narrated by: David Shih

Following the enthralling 18th-century Chinese mysteries Jade Dragon Mountain and White Mirror, comes Elsa Hart's next Li Du adventure in City of Ink.

Li Du was prepared to travel anywhere in the world except for one place: home. But to unravel the mystery that surrounds his mentor’s execution, that’s exactly where he must go.

Plunged into the painful memories and teeming streets of Beijing, Li Du obtains a humble clerkship that offers anonymity and access to the records he needs. He is beginning to make progress when his search for answers buried in the past is interrupted by murder in the present.

The wife of a local factory owner is found dead, along with a man who appears to have been her lover, and the most likely suspect is the husband. But what Li Du’s superiors at the North Borough Office are willing to accept as a crime of passion strikes Li Du as something more calculated. As past and present intertwine, Li Du’s investigations reveal that many of Beijing’s residents - foreign and Chinese, artisan and official, scholar and soldier - have secrets they would kill to protect.

When the threats begin, Li Du must decide how much he is willing to sacrifice to discover the truth in a city bent on concealing it, a city where the stroke of a brush on paper can alter the past, change the future, prolong a life, or end one.

©2018 Elsa Hart (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"As always, Hart excels at making even walk-on characters fully realized and at combining a gripping whodunit plot with a vivid evocation of the period. This entry solidifies her status as a top-notch historical mystery author." (Publishers Weekly)

"Rich in period detail, a sharply rendered exotic setting, and a web of well-crafted plots, Li Du’s third novel will appeal to fans of historical mysteries by Lisa See, Laura Joh Rowland, and Abir Mukherjee." (Booklist)

Good Story, Great Performance

I liked the twists & turns of this story & enjoyed journey to an ancient culture. A bit long but still enjoyable till the last page.

LOVED it!!!!

This is the third story of Li Du and Hansa. I actually liked this story much better than the second story. It was nice that she brought Lady Chen and Li Du's cousin back from the first book.

The story flowed very smoothly, there were lots of interesting tibits of how life in the city went on. And how the government worked, along with all the different agencies. Being someone who is interested in Chinese history, I enjoyed learning more about the exams for entry into the government employ. She brought in how the students prepare themselves, what goes on during the exams, and how people manage to cheat.

The mystery was convoluted enough that you could not easily guess who committed the murders at the beginning of the story and why. She worked in the matter of Li Du's mentor's execution and we learn more about the circumstances surrounding it.

Overall a very enjoyable read. The narrator does a very good job.

Wonderful storytelling!

Li Du and Hamza have become two of my favorite characters! It won’t disappoint you!

Another entertaing beauty from Elsa Hart

Li Du and Hamza are always welcome companions when I have a long drive. David Shih turned in another entertaining performance.

Historical mystery with atmosphere

I love this Li Du series and I'm hoping for a #4. My comments apply to all 3 books. I enjoy the atmosphere and daily activities almost as much as the solving of the mystery. Li Du is a thoughtful, intelligent, quiet sleuth.