P.I. Miranda Corbie literally trips over the body of Eddie
Takahashi as she's walking home during San Francisco's Rice
Bowl Party Celebration of 1940. It's Chinese New Year. The
streets are crowded. No one sees a thing. The Chamber of
Commerce wants the murder to go away and the cops are good
with that, but Miranda wants the truth and she puts one
foot in front of the other until she's covered the entire
city looking for answers.
I'd say that CITY OF DRAGONS reminded me of 1940's film
noir, except that instead of the dreamlike black and white
noir shadows, everything about the novel is in living
color. You can almost experience Stanley's world with all
five senses. Her re-creation of the time and place -- 1940
San Francisco's Chinatown -- couldn't feel any more
authentic. It's her details that draw you in, but her story
keeps you turning the pages until the ending that slowly
and cleverly takes you by surprise. If you've read a better
mystery lately, I need to know the name of it.
CITY OF DRAGONS is outstanding! Miranda is one tough
cookie; I can't wait to read more about her and her city by
the Bay.
February, 1940. In San Francisco's Chinatown,
fireworks explode as the city celebrates Chinese New Year
with a Rice Bowl Party, a three day-and-night carnival
designed to raise money and support for China war relief.
Miranda Corbie is a 33-year-old private investigator who
stumbles upon the fatally shot body of Eddie Takahashi. The
Chamber of Commerce wants it covered up. The cops acquiesce.
All Miranda wants is justice--whatever it costs. From
Chinatown tenements, to a tattered tailor's shop in Little
Osaka, to a high-class bordello draped in Southern Gothic,
she shakes down the city--her city--seeking the truth. An
outstanding series debut.
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