📖 Overview
Paul French is a British-born author and journalist known for his non-fiction works about modern and historical China, particularly Shanghai. His writing focuses on true crime, Chinese history, and foreign influences in Asia during the early-to-mid 20th century.
French's most acclaimed book is "Midnight in Peking" (2012), which investigates the 1937 murder of British schoolgirl Pamela Werner in Beijing. The book won the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime and was a New York Times Bestseller.
His other notable works include "City of Devils" (2018), exploring the criminal underworld of 1930s Shanghai, and "Through the Looking Glass: China's Foreign Journalists from Opium Wars to Mao" (2009). French regularly contributes to publications such as The Guardian, The New York Times, and the Literary Review.
French currently divides his time between London and Shanghai, continuing to research and write about Asian history and culture. His work consistently combines detailed historical research with narrative storytelling techniques to illuminate lesser-known aspects of China's past.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise French's ability to blend historical research with engaging storytelling. Reviews highlight his detailed portrayal of old Shanghai and Beijing's atmosphere, with many noting how he makes historical events feel immediate and accessible.
What readers liked:
- Deep research and historical accuracy
- Vivid descriptions of time and place
- Clear, journalistic writing style
- Integration of photographs and primary sources
- Pacing that reads like fiction
What readers disliked:
- Some find the level of detail overwhelming
- Occasional digressions from main narratives
- Complex cast of characters can be hard to follow
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- Midnight in Peking: 3.8/5 (15,000+ ratings)
- City of Devils: 3.7/5 (1,500+ ratings)
Amazon:
- Midnight in Peking: 4.3/5 (1,000+ reviews)
- City of Devils: 4.2/5 (200+ reviews)
Common reader comment: "Makes history come alive without sacrificing accuracy"
📚 Books by Paul French
Midnight in Peking (2011)
True crime investigation of the 1937 murder of young Englishwoman Pamela Werner in Beijing's Badlands district.
City of Devils (2018) Historical account of two Western criminals who built rival empires in Shanghai's nightclub scene during the 1930s.
Through the Looking Glass: China's Foreign Journalists from Opium Wars to Mao (2009) Examination of foreign correspondents who reported from China between the 1800s and 1949.
The Old Shanghai A-Z (2010) Reference guide covering the people, places, and culture of Shanghai during its international settlement period.
Carl Crow - A Tough Old China Hand (2006) Biography of Carl Crow, an influential American journalist and businessman in early 20th century Shanghai.
The Badlands: Decadent Playground of Old Peking (2012) Historical study of Beijing's red-light district and its foreign population in the early 20th century.
Oil on Water (2009) Analysis of China's growing oil consumption and its impact on global energy markets and international relations.
City of Devils (2018) Historical account of two Western criminals who built rival empires in Shanghai's nightclub scene during the 1930s.
Through the Looking Glass: China's Foreign Journalists from Opium Wars to Mao (2009) Examination of foreign correspondents who reported from China between the 1800s and 1949.
The Old Shanghai A-Z (2010) Reference guide covering the people, places, and culture of Shanghai during its international settlement period.
Carl Crow - A Tough Old China Hand (2006) Biography of Carl Crow, an influential American journalist and businessman in early 20th century Shanghai.
The Badlands: Decadent Playground of Old Peking (2012) Historical study of Beijing's red-light district and its foreign population in the early 20th century.
Oil on Water (2009) Analysis of China's growing oil consumption and its impact on global energy markets and international relations.
👥 Similar authors
Erik Larson writes narrative non-fiction about historical crimes and events, with deep archival research and multiple character perspectives. His work on topics like serial killers and disasters reconstructs historical settings similar to French's approach to true crime in old Shanghai.
David Peace focuses on crime fiction set in Asia, particularly Japan, examining corruption and social upheaval in specific historical periods. His Tokyo Trilogy shares French's interest in exploring criminal underworlds in mid-20th century Asian metropolises.
Jonathan Spence writes histories of China that combine scholarly research with storytelling techniques focused on individual lives and experiences. His books about life in various periods of Chinese history provide context and depth similar to French's explorations of Shanghai's past.
Edmund White produces non-fiction works about Paris that capture the city's history through specific time periods and social circles. His detailed portraits of urban life and historical reconstruction mirror French's approach to depicting Shanghai's culture and society.
Lisa See writes historical fiction and non-fiction about Chinese culture and Chinese-American experiences, often set in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Her research into Chinese society and focus on specific historical moments parallels French's examination of China's past through true crime narratives.
David Peace focuses on crime fiction set in Asia, particularly Japan, examining corruption and social upheaval in specific historical periods. His Tokyo Trilogy shares French's interest in exploring criminal underworlds in mid-20th century Asian metropolises.
Jonathan Spence writes histories of China that combine scholarly research with storytelling techniques focused on individual lives and experiences. His books about life in various periods of Chinese history provide context and depth similar to French's explorations of Shanghai's past.
Edmund White produces non-fiction works about Paris that capture the city's history through specific time periods and social circles. His detailed portraits of urban life and historical reconstruction mirror French's approach to depicting Shanghai's culture and society.
Lisa See writes historical fiction and non-fiction about Chinese culture and Chinese-American experiences, often set in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Her research into Chinese society and focus on specific historical moments parallels French's examination of China's past through true crime narratives.