The Shadow of the Empire

By: Qiu Xiaolong

Narrated by: David Shih

The legendary Judge Dee Renjie investigates a high-profile murder case in this intriguing companion novel to Inspector Chen and the Private Kitchen Murder set in seventh-century China.

Judge Dee Renjie, Empress Wu's newly appointed Imperial Circuit Supervisor for the Tang Empire, is visiting provinces surrounding the grand capital of Chang'an. One night a knife is thrown through his window with a cryptic note attached: "A high-flying dragon will have something to regret!"

Minutes after the ominous warning appears, Judge Dee is approached by an emissary of Internal Minister Wu, Empress Wu's nephew. Minister Wu wants Judge Dee to investigate a high-profile murder supposedly committed by the well-known poetess and courtesan, Xuanji, who locals believe is possessed by the spirit of a black fox. Why is Minister Wu interested in Xuanji? Despite Xuanji confessing to the murder, is there more to the case than first appears?

With the mysterious warning and a fierce power struggle playing out at the imperial court, Judge Dee knows he must tread carefully....

©2022 Qiu Xiaolong (P)2021 Recorded Books

An Excellent Retelling of a Classic

This is an excellent retelling of a classic detective story from the T'ang Dynasty. The addition of several poems at the end of the book puts an important perspective on the details of the murder.

David Shih does a fine job of narrating the audio version.