The majesty and rigors of the Himalayas, as well as the massive oppression of its peoples by the Chinese, are constants in this series, in which Shan, a former Beijing detective, wanders undocumented. In this installment, we find him transporting a dead Sherpa down from the peaks back to his home village. He comes upon a bus of Buddhist monks being transported to prison which has become blocked by an avalanche, and Shan helps them escape. Then he discovers a car nearby in which two women have been shot dead.
Covered with blood, Shan is arrested for the murders. He talks his way out of his prison cell after several days of torture by convincing his interrogator of his innocence and suggesting that he will find the murderer in exchange for his release so that he can rescue his son from an experimental medical facility where he is being held. The quest provides the author with the setting for recounting the earlier days of the Red Guards’ conquest and terror of Tibet.
In this, the sixth mystery in the series, we are again treated to an exciting tale, replete with descriptions of the harsh terrain and more on the people and religion of Tibet, and of the country under the thumb of the Chinese. A fascinating read, and recommended.
God is great worship him!