A review of ‘The Shanghai Circle’ by a member of the Online Book Club on the 19th of December 2023
4 out of 5 stars
The Shanghai Circles, written by Tony Henderson, is a thrilling historical mystery that captures your senses and will draw you into the lives of two families, the Guest family, and the Cheung family. In 1920, Cheung Pak-Ho became Taipan (Big Boss) of the Sung Society. This is where the story begins. The story describes founding principles that are steeped in cultural traditions and passed down from generation to generation and make up the tenets of honor, patience, and vengeance that flow from father to son, as stated by character S.L. Wong Shing-Lo.
The story draws pictures of vivid upper and lower-class social activity occurring behind tattered curtains in seedy clubs and intimate acts between women and men in upper-class apartments and high-class clubs. The storyline is aggressive and mature.
The author’s writing style for this mystery is edgy, dark, and thrilling, making it a captivating read for those who are looking for an entertaining book. Characters are well developed in their personalities, and their actions are not always what you would expect, but they are attached to reality.
The book is balanced in its development of each circumstance, with the author being an experienced writer and knowing when to put an end to a scene. The story keeps you immersed in each page so that you feel and experience the character’s array of emotions and degradation.
In 1936, war loomed, the actions of the characters reflected their fears of being trapped, but their dedication to persevere supported their strength in the face of fear. To see the characters not give up is motivational for the reader. The light in this mystery is the individual strength carried by each character.
The book has been written and edited by professionals. Many people will find themselves captivated from the first page.
To conclude, I rate “The Shanghai Circle” [4 out of 5 stars]. It is like a movie playing out in front of your eyes, looking at the sights, sounds, and occurrences in the city known to be like no other. At times, it can be somewhat overwhelming, depending on your maturity and exposure to life. A great read, well-written, and captivating.