When I think about books by Joseph Kanon a few words come to mind: atmospheric, complex, realistic. Shanghai is a good example of Kanon’s unique and inimitable style.

dSet in Shanghai in 1938, just after Kristallnacht, a huge influx of European Jews have arrived there after finding all other countries have closed their doors to them. At the time Shanghai was a politically ambiguous location-although technically Chinese territory, the city was a self-governing Western trading enclave.  However, the Japanese had just increased their presence making Shanghai a hotbed of intrigue, conspiracies and political machinations.

Daniel Lohr was a lucky man. He had been able to escape the Gestapo, even though other members in his resistance group were arrested. He was lucky to have an uncle who lived in Shanghai and had arranged for Daniel’s visa and passage on board one of the last ships leaving Germany for Shanghai.  He was also lucky to have a casual shipboard flirtation turn surprisingly into something deep and rewarding. But Daniel is not sure that his luck will survive in Shanghai.  Doing business in Shanghai is complicated with Chinese Triads, Japanese Kempeitai, and aggressive Western owners of competing nightclubs all trying to out maneuver each other in a lawless city known for its cutthroat ways. Although Daniel tries to stay one step ahead of his enemies, he soon realizes that he doesn’t know who he can trust, especially when his past shows up and threatens his freedom. Now Daniel needs to decide what he is willing to do to survive and hope his luck will hold.

Brenda’s Rating: ***** (5 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Keith, Ken, Sharon and Marian

Books Study Worthy? Yes

Read in e-library format.