A review  of ‘The Shanghai Circle’ by a member of the Online Book Club on the 24th of October 2023

4 stars out of 5

“The Shanghai Circle” by Tony Henderson is a thrilling novel that takes readers on a journey through the dangerous world of Chinese gangs in 1930s Shanghai. From the very first page, I was hooked by the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that Henderson weaves throughout the story. The characters are complex and well-developed, and I found myself rooting for Joseph, the protagonist, as he navigated the treacherous waters of the Shanghai underworld.

One of the things I appreciated most about this book was the attention to historical detail. Henderson clearly did his research, and it shows in the vivid descriptions of the city and its inhabitants. As someone who is fascinated by Chinese history, I found myself learning a lot about the time period and the culture through the course of the novel.

Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the writing itself. Henderson has a way with words that is both engaging and descriptive. His prose is often poetic, and I found myself highlighting many passages throughout the book. For example, when describing the city of Shanghai, he writes:

“The city was a living, breathing organism, pulsing with energy and life. It was a place where anything was possible, where fortunes could be made or lost in the blink of an eye.”

Overall, I would highly recommend “The Shanghai Circle” to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or crime thrillers. It is a well-written and engaging novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.