A review of ‘The Shanghai Circle’ by a member of the Online Book Club on the 7th of March 2024

4 out of 5 stars

The Shanghai Circle” by Tony Henderson is a historical thriller with a beautiful mix of adventure, mystery, suspense, compelling characters, and factual history. It transports the readers to 1936 Shanghai while examining themes of identity, cultural conflicts, and dreams in the face of communism’s spectre and the Japanese invasion.

The book chronicles the tale of the Chinese Triad, known as the “Sung Society,” and the trading company, known as the “Guest Company,” both of which called Shanghai home from 1936 to 1937. It deftly interweaves the lives of Joseph Sung, who seeks acceptance from the Sung Triad; Charles and Davina Guest, who must face societal perils; and Irina Donsky, a Russian prostitute who is close to the triad.

I loved reading about the European treaties, Shanghai’s division, Bloody Saturday, the Japanese invasion, and the typhoon that hit Hong Kong. The author has also listed all these events in the book’s Fact and Fiction section as actual occurrences, which was another positive touch to the book that I liked. I also liked the fast pace of the story, which keeps you going to the very end without being able to put the book down. However, at some points, the description was very plain and mundane, making the book boring and unengaging to read. Also, with multiple characters, you don’t get enough time to understand any of them properly, making the story seem half-done and a bit awkward as some information about the characters is missing.

I would give “The Shanghai Circle” by Tony Henderson, 4 out of 5 stars. The book is exceptionally edited with a captivating plot, engaging narrative, and compelling characters. The author’s writing style is well-researched and commendable in terms of the fast and engaging pacing of the story, which keeps you on the edge of your seat with every twist and turn. However, what made me deduct a point was a particularly graphic scene, depicting animal cruelty, which didn’t even contribute to the plot. There are also some sexual and violent scenes in the book that are too graphic, contributing to a negative point for me. Along with this, there were instances of scenic descriptions that weren’t evocative enough to make the portrayal of the Shanghai life of the 1900s seem realistic, making me want to put the book down or skip those.

I would definitely recommend this to history enthusiasts and action-mystery lovers. People who love fast-paced action thrillers will also enjoy reading this gorgeous historical fantasy.