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2000s: China’s police have a challenge on their hands
Death Notice
What you need to know before your trail
For nearly two decades, an unsolved murder case has haunted Sergeant Zheng Haoming of the Chengdu Police Department. Eighteen years ago, two victims were murdered after being served with ‘death notices’. In refined calligraphy their perceived crimes were itemised and they were sentenced to death. The date of execution was declared, as was the name of their executioner: Eumenides.
Now, a user on an internet forum has asked the public to submit names for judgement – judgement for those the law cannot touch. Those found guilty will be punished and there is only one sentence: death. The user’s handle? Eumenides.
Is the killer more than a match for whatever the Chengdu Police Department can muster?
Travel Guide
Chengdu
The book opens during the Mid Autumn festival celebrations in September but despite the happy atmosphere around this, there is a distinct chill in the air
It’s been raining constantly in the city for the past few days too with a “mist-laced wind” whipping through the city’s high rises and spreading a cold misery through the air
“It may be been a Saturday afternoon in Chengdu but the glum weather ha already stripped the provincial capital of its characteristic energy.”
Chengdu’s downtown streets have been come empty and unsettling in the last few weeks for Zheng Haoming
It’s a city of secrets and nightmares – one of which seems to be in the area f Meiyuan Cun – Plum Orchard Village or, in the local dialect, The CockRoach nest.
When an officer dies, it send shock waves through the whole community and police force. The crimes are spreading through the various internet cafes around the city.
Booktrailer Review
Susan: @thebooktrailer
It’s the first in a trilogy and what a start! Someone is attacking the police through messages on email. Internet cafes around the city of Chengdu could be the crime scene and so the city takes on a very claustrophobic feel from the first page. That and the offices of the Chengdu police where the fear and the retributions come thick and fast. The messages are signed Eumenides (after the Greek goddess of vengeance and retribution) which sets the tone and theme of the novel throughout. This killer is all about retribution in some way.
The fact that the public then start to effectively nominate people to suffer and be killed is particularly unsettling but also thrilling as a plot device and this was definately Jo Nesbo territory!
The Chengdu setting, the unique storyline and premise. An insight into a police force on the edge. A lot to enjoy and feast upon here.
It’s a really popular TV series in China. I’d be interested in seeing that one day.
Booktrail Boarding Pass: Death Notice
Destination : Chengdu, China Author/Guide: Zhou Haohui Departure Time: 2000s
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