Brilliant -Publishers Weekly Starred Review The legendary Judge Dee Renjie investigates a high-profile murder case in this intriguing companion novel to Inspector Chen and the Private Kitchen Murder set in seventh-century China. Judge Dee Renjie Empress Wus newly appointed Imperial Circuit Supervisor for the Tang Empire is visiting provinces surrounding the grand capital of Changan. 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 Wus nephew. Minister Wu wants Judge Dee to investigate a high-profile murder supposedly committed by the well-known 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 . . .
