At
the Center Chen is shown to a beautiful nine room villa normally occupied by
the highest cadres. It is a measure of Zhao’s continuing status within the
Party though he is officially retired.
While
ill at ease with his opulent accommodations Chen does his best to relax at the
combination “resort and sanatorium”. It is located on the edge of beautiful Tai
Lake. Chen had enjoyed a visit to the lake as a child. It was famed for its
clear water.
Shortly
after arrival Chen stops at a small eatery in Wuxi for a late lunch. While
there he meets the lovely Shanshan, an environmental engineer at the Wuxi No. 1
Chemical Company. Chen is attracted by her beauty and entranced that she loves
poetry and can quote from her favourite poems.
Her
company is the No. 1 culprit. While there are environmental regulations
enforcement is lax and corrupt.
Shanshan
is unpopular with Comrade Liu, the general manager of her factory. He has been
well rewarded for steadily increasing production and strong profits. He
espouses the maxim of Party leader Deng:
“Development is the one and only
truth.”
Chen
does not disclose his status as a high ranking police officer. He lets Shanshan
think he may be a teacher, albeit one with real connections reflected in him
staying at the Center.
The
next day he goes again to the little restaurant hoping to see Shanshan again
for she leaves her lunch there each day with her “Uncle”, family friend. When
Shanshan arrives she is distraught for Comrade Liu was murdered the previous
night in his “home office”.
Because
of his position Liu had been authorized a three bedroom apartment near the
factory so that he has a place to go if he does not want to go to his large
home in Wuxi.
Insatiably
curious Chen calls Sgt. Huang of the local police. Chen’s trusted subordinate,
Yu, had recommended he call Huang while in Wuxi.
The
young Huang is star struck at being called by and then meeting the famous Chief
Inspector Chen. He has read the mysteries translated by Chen. Huang has
devoured reports of Chen’s major cases. He thinks of Chen as a modern Sherlock
Holmes. When Chen asks to learn about the murder Huang is thrilled to have the
chance to learn from Chen. He has no problem keeping Chen’s identity concealed
as requested by Chen.
The
leading suspect is Jiang, an environmental activist, who was well known for his
challenges to the environmental practices of Wuxi industry. It is a convenient
political solution to have the murderer such a troublemaker. The dreaded
Internal Security is swiftly building the case.
Chen,
when Internal Security also turns its attention to Shanshan, becomes a
participant in the investigation rather than just an observer though he
resolutely stays in the background.
The
investigation takes Chen into the depths of pollution issues in modern China
and the vast sums at stake when a state owned company becomes a public company.
Don’t Cry, Tai Lake is the most overtly
concerned with a social issue of the Chen mysteries I have read. It remains a
good mystery. While not my favourite in the series I gained insight into yet
another facet of modern Chinese life. What was most striking in the book
were the elements of poetry that involved industry and pollution.
****
Xiaolong, Qiu – (2009) - Death of a Red Heroine (Second best of 2009 fiction); (2011) - "X" is for Qui Xiaolong; (2011) - A Case for Two Cities; (2012) - "X" is for Qiu Xiaolong Again; (2012) - A Loyal Character Dancer; (2013) - Red Mandarin Dress and Reflections on red Mandarin dresses; (2015) - The Mao Case
I'm very glad you enjoyed this, Bill, even though it isn't tops on your list. I think it can be tricky to balance calling attention to a particular issue with keeping the focus on the story itself. That said, though, I really do like the way Qiu gives us insights into different aspects of life in modern China. And, with the recent stories of pollution in that country, it seems timely.
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. The book was written several years ago but is as timely in 2016 as the year it was written.
DeleteThis is another series I haven't started yet. I don't think I have this one, but I have several of the books because my husband gave me his copies. I do hope I get to the first one this year, but I have been saying that for a while. This one sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteTracyK: It is a subtler series than many. Chen is a character that I find grows on me as I read each book.
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