"The Chinese Belle Murders" describes the Judge's exploits in the tribunal of Poo-yang early in his career. He has one case left over from his predecessor--the brutal rape-murder of Pure Jade, the daughter of Butcher Hsai who lived on Half Moon Street. Her lover has been accused and is on the verge of being convicted, but Judge Dee senses that all is not right and sets out with his lieutenants to find the real murderer. He also wrestles with the problem of the Buddhist Temple of Boundless Mercy, run by the abbot "Spiritual Virtue." Rumor has it that the monks, who effect marvelous cures for barren women, are not as virtuous as they seem.
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"Taken together, the Judge Dee series gives a unique and entertaining look at China in the age when Buddhism was first taking root. Those interested in ordinary--and sometimes extraordinary--life in the Tang dynasty, and anyone who just loves a good mystery, will find much here to enjoy."--Dan Zigmond "Tricycle "
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A judge must be as a far and mother to the people, Cherishing the good and loyal, helping the sick and old. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
A judge must be as a far and mother to the people, Cherishing the good and loyal, helping the sick and old. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It is a shame that Robert van Gulik is not better known in the Western world. For his novels, blending ancient Chinese detective fiction but presenting it in an accessible way for a Western audience certainly deserve more attention.
The "Bell Murders" is the first and one of van Gulik's best. In a classic Chinese style, Judge Dee - the "Sherlock Holmes" of ancient China - resolves not one, but three murders. The plot is complicated, but still accessible. And the writing is superb, maintaining the pace of events throughout.
Highly recommended, and a different offering from most of the repetitive works of Western fiction.
The "Bell Murders" is the first and one of van Gulik's best. In a classic Chinese style, Judge Dee - the "Sherlock Holmes" of ancient China - resolves not one, but three murders. The plot is complicated, but still accessible. And the writing is superb, maintaining the pace of events throughout.
Highly recommended, and a different offering from most of the repetitive works of Western fiction.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Plot: Autumn 668, Poo-Yang (on the Grand Canal in Kiangsu). Judge Dee has just taken up his new post as magistrate of this prosperous town, and is soon deeply involved in three cases at the same time: the rape murder in Half Moon Street; the secret of the Buddhist Temple; and the mysterious skeleton. Solving one of these cases comes close to disturbing his family's harmonious atmosphere, and touches on Imperial Policy...
My opinion: this story, published in 1958, is actually the first of van Gulik's books to be pubished in England - and it is a right cracker! It is very atmospheric, the personalities are engaging (or abhorrent, in some), and the Judge and his four henchmen are real people, to some of his fans! While the story plays in 668, the illustrations and story really represent the 16th Century in China; as was the custom among Chinese Ming writers.
I am a great admirer of the Judge Dee stories, and have read all of them several times over. This pleasure doesn't pall, and I would compare it to reading Sherlock Holmes, or Maigret; plus the additional pleasure of being immersed in old China.
This is the second Judge Dee story written by van Gulik, but (confusingly) the eighth chronologically; luckily, you can read these books in any sequence! You can tell he was still getting into his stride (van Gulik, that is) but the plot is a real cracker, intricate, tense and fascinating.
Highly recommended.
My opinion: this story, published in 1958, is actually the first of van Gulik's books to be pubished in England - and it is a right cracker! It is very atmospheric, the personalities are engaging (or abhorrent, in some), and the Judge and his four henchmen are real people, to some of his fans! While the story plays in 668, the illustrations and story really represent the 16th Century in China; as was the custom among Chinese Ming writers.
I am a great admirer of the Judge Dee stories, and have read all of them several times over. This pleasure doesn't pall, and I would compare it to reading Sherlock Holmes, or Maigret; plus the additional pleasure of being immersed in old China.
This is the second Judge Dee story written by van Gulik, but (confusingly) the eighth chronologically; luckily, you can read these books in any sequence! You can tell he was still getting into his stride (van Gulik, that is) but the plot is a real cracker, intricate, tense and fascinating.
Highly recommended.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a detective novel set in Ancient China. Talking about the Judge Dee series in general, it consists of novels and stories and finding out the proper order requires a little effort. For your information, the novel "The Chinese Lake Murders" precedes this one, which is in turn followed by "The Chinese Maze Murders". I recommend that you read the novels in proper order (starting with "The Chinese Gold Murders") but it isn't obligatory. Neither do you need to read any of the stories to properly understand the later novels, but you might want to read them anyway because they're good.
In my opinion, "Bell Murders" and "Maze Murders" are the best in the series. They are very similar - so similar that I always have a tough time telling them apart.
The protagonist is a district magistrate, meaning an investigator, prosecutor and (both criminal and civil) judge all in one person. He is appointed to a new disctrict every couple years. He has a team of aides (four at this point) whom he always takes with him, as well as the local constabulary.
As is to be expected, Judge Dee has several crimes to be solved simultaneously. The book begins with a rape-murder, but as time passes, he hears of other crimes, and the criminals don't ask if the judge is too busy or not. So he has to divide his resources between different cases, and that is one of the things that make the series very realistic. The other thing is of course that Mr. Van Gulik is such a fabulous writer. His characters are so totally credible and he displays amazing expertise on the Chinese way of life and thinking.
The best part of this particular novel is the way Judge Dee solves one very unusual crime. The case is politically sensitive, as well as very difficult to prove, but Judge Dee displays truly amazing Oriental cunning and finds a brilliant solution.
In my opinion, "Bell Murders" and "Maze Murders" are the best in the series. They are very similar - so similar that I always have a tough time telling them apart.
The protagonist is a district magistrate, meaning an investigator, prosecutor and (both criminal and civil) judge all in one person. He is appointed to a new disctrict every couple years. He has a team of aides (four at this point) whom he always takes with him, as well as the local constabulary.
As is to be expected, Judge Dee has several crimes to be solved simultaneously. The book begins with a rape-murder, but as time passes, he hears of other crimes, and the criminals don't ask if the judge is too busy or not. So he has to divide his resources between different cases, and that is one of the things that make the series very realistic. The other thing is of course that Mr. Van Gulik is such a fabulous writer. His characters are so totally credible and he displays amazing expertise on the Chinese way of life and thinking.
The best part of this particular novel is the way Judge Dee solves one very unusual crime. The case is politically sensitive, as well as very difficult to prove, but Judge Dee displays truly amazing Oriental cunning and finds a brilliant solution.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love all of Judge Dee Books
A wonderful read. Just discovered Judge Dee when I was looking for other Chinese detectives to read. I have ordered all and I am looking forward to reading each one. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Phine
5.0 out of 5 stars
Judge dee - Brilliant
The late Robert van Gulikis sadly missed by lovers of great detective fiction. The Chinese Bell Murders is another brilliant book, buy it and give yourself a treat.
Published 10 months ago by Bob
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great Judge Dee mystery
Judge Dee is loosely based on an actual historical ancient Chinese figure, wonderfully brought to life by Gulik. Read more
Published on 4 April 2009 by N. Rossis
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