The narrative revolves around compelling characters, including Cheung Pak-ho, the Sung Triad leader, his son Joseph, and Charles Guest, a British businessman residing in Shanghai with his daughter Davina. Irina Donsky, a Russian lady, adds another layer of complexity to the story. A vendetta against the Guest family and the challenges of a woman seeking authority in traditional China drive the plot, set amidst the Japanese invasion of the country.

“The Shanghai Circle” offers a rich historical context and well-drawn characters, providing readers with a captivating glimpse into the intriguing and dangerous world of 1930s Shanghai.

I’ve awarded “The Shanghai Circle” by Tony Henderson a four-star review for several reasons. What stands out in this historical fiction is the well-drawn characters and their intricate relationships. Cheung Pak-ho’s strained relationship with his son Joseph, and the vendetta against the Guest family, adds layers of tension and intrigue to the story. The portrayal of cultural and societal norms of the time is masterfully done, making the setting come alive.

The characters are a strength of the book, with well-defined relationships and intricate dynamics. Cheung Pak-ho and Joseph’s strained father-son relationship, along with the vendetta against the Guest family, add depth and intrigue to the narrative. The book succeeds in accurately depicting the cultural and societal norms of that period, making the setting come to life. For which the book definitely deserves four stars rating without any thinking.

The deduction of one star from my review of “The Shanghai Circle” by Tony Henderson is based on a few notable aspects. While the book offers an engaging and richly detailed narrative, there were moments where it could have delved deeper into the inner lives and emotions of the characters. I felt that some of the characters’ complexities and internal struggles remained somewhat underexplored, leaving me wanting a more profound connection to their experiences and motivations.

Additionally, although the historical backdrop is well-researched and vividly portrayed, there were times when the pacing of the story seemed uneven, with moments of slow development that affected the overall reading experience.

While “The Shanghai Circle” is a strong historical fiction novel with much to offer, these minor drawbacks led to a one-star deduction. Nonetheless, it remains a compelling and immersive work that successfully transports readers to the fascinating and tumultuous world of 1936 Shanghai that’s my personal opinion.

The editing of the book is flawless and I haven’t found any typos and errors in it. Which also adds an extra star to it.

In summary, “The Shanghai Circle” is a solid four-star read. It offers a captivating narrative, well-researched historical context, and complex characters. It provides a unique glimpse into a tumultuous period in Shanghai’s history.