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

When I started reading this book, I was very quickly sucked into the story. Before long, 1/2 of the book was read, and I was reluctant to put it down.

The story is set in Shanghai – the Paris of the East in 1936 and 1937. The most modern and technologically advanced Chinese city with a vibrant nightlife.

The author has very good knowledge about the area.

I don’t read many historical books, but this fiction changed my mind. It is a very well-written story, and the reading was very smooth and easy.

The story starts just before the Japanese invasion in that part of China.

This interesting historical fiction has many exciting characters with different backgrounds. Characters from rival families like Sung Society, where Cheung introduces his son Joseph, his business trading and the Guest family, where young, ambitious Davina must deal with the family trading house and other life encounters. Of course, there is a story about the life turnover of a young, beautiful Russian girl, Irina.
Also, you will be exploring the Shanghai criminal world.

It’s an excellent story, and I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series.