THE EYE OF JADE

Far more than a mystery featuring Beijing's first private investigator, this is a rich story about crosscurrents of culture: between modern and ancient China, government and private enterprise, city slickers and up-from-the-country wannabes, and foreign- educated yuppies and survivors of the Cultural Revolution. Cindy Cheung's narration is flawless. She pronounces both Chinese and English like a native speaker. Listening to this audiobook brings one right to the heart of the new and complex China, and to the heart of Mei Wang, a reflective and slightly disconnected private eye. Cheung's pitch-perfect voice evokes a moody sense of place, from Beijing's back alleyways to its label-conscious shopping district, offering a window on a world of secrets and heartbreak. B.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2008]