Set in 1908 Manchuria, the narrative follows Snow, a shape-shifting fox spirit seeking revenge for the death of her daughter. As she navigates the frozen northern frontier, her path converges with Bao, a lonely investigator with a specialized ability to detect lies. Bao is hunting a woman connected to a series of mysterious deaths involving frozen men found with smiles on their faces. The story weaves together Chinese folklore, the social hierarchies of the late Qing dynasty, and the internal politics of fox clans living among humans.
Historical fiction readers who enjoy folklore interwoven with detective procedural will find a vivid depiction of early twentieth-century China. It appeals to those interested in the mythology of the hulijing and the cultural tensions of a fading empire. Readers finish the book with a technical understanding of traditional fox legends and a clear picture of the geographic and social landscape of the Japanese-occupied territories in Manchuria. It serves as a study of grief and the friction between supernatural instinct and human law.
- Published
- 2024
- Language
- EN
