A review of ‘The Shanghai Circle’ by a member of the Online Book Club on the 10th of May 2024

5 out of 5 stars

Alright, let’s dive into “The Shanghai Circle” by Tony Henderson. So imagine being whisked away to the bustling streets of 1936 Shanghai, where danger lurks around every corner and the air is thick with the tension of an impending war. That’s the world Henderson throws us into, and boy, does he do it with style!

First of all, the characters are something else. We’ve got Davina Guest, this fierce Taipan who’s navigating through the cutthroat business world. She’s tough, she’s determined, and she’s got more layers than an onion. Then there’s Joseph Cheung, the triad leader with a vendetta that could cut glass. His journey into the dark underbelly of Shanghai’s crime scene is as thrilling as it is chilling. And let’s not forget Irina, the white Russian beauty fighting for her freedom. Her story tugs at the heartstrings and reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit.

The setting? It’s like stepping into a time machine. Shanghai is painted so vividly that you can almost smell the street food and hear the rickshaws hustling by. It’s called the “Paris of the East,” but it’s got an edge that Paris could never dream of.

Now, the plot—it’s a rollercoaster, my friend. Twists and turns that’ll have you flipping pages faster than you can say “Shanghai.” The way these characters’ lives intertwine is nothing short of masterful. It’s like watching a well-choreographed dance of fate and coincidence.

I found absolutely nothing to dislike about the book. In fact, the book was also professionally edited, and I hardly found any errors in it. It’s a superb book.

So, what’s the verdict? I’m giving it a solid and complete 5 out of 5 stars. It’s a wild ride through a fascinating slice of history, with characters that stick with you and a setting that’s as rich as they come. “The Shanghai Circle” is your ticket to 1930s Shanghai—no time machine is needed.