

The Shadow of the Empire
Author: Qiu Xiaolong
Narrator: David Shih
Unabridged: 6 hr 20 min
Format: Digital Audiobook Download
Publisher: Recorded Books
Published: 02/01/2022
Categories: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Police Procedural, Amateur Sleuth
Synopsis
Judge Dee Renjie, Empress Wu’s newly appointed Imperial Circuit Supervisor for the Tang Empire, is visiting provinces surrounding the grand capital of Chang’an. One night a knife is thrown through his window with a cryptic note attached: ‘A high-flying dragon will have something to regret!’
Minutes after the ominous warning appears, Judge Dee is approached by an emissary of Internal Minister Wu, Empress Wu’s nephew. Minister Wu wants Judge Dee to investigate a high-profile murder supposedly committed by the wellknown poetess and courtesan, Xuanji, who locals believe is possessed by the spirit
of a black fox.
Why is Minister Wu interested in Xuanji? Despite Xuanji confessing to the murder, is there more to the case than first appears? With the mysterious warning and a fierce power struggle playing out at the imperial court, Judge Dee knows he must tread carefully …