China Trade

Private investigator Lydia Chin takes on a case involving stolen porcelain art from New York's Chinatown art community. Working alongside her occasional partner Bill Smith, she must navigate both the modern art world and the traditional Chinese-American community she calls home. The investigation leads Chin through the streets of Manhattan's Chinatown, where questions of cultural identity and family loyalty intersect with criminal enterprise. As she pursues leads about the missing artifacts, she confronts resistance from various parties who prefer to keep their secrets hidden. The novel combines elements of traditional detective fiction with insights into Chinese-American culture and the international art trade. Through its exploration of heritage, duty, and justice, the story examines how tradition and modernity coexist in contemporary urban life.

Readers appreciate the authentic depictions of New York's Chinatown and the complex female Asian-American protagonist Lydia Chin. Many note the book provides cultural insights while avoiding stereotypes. The relationship dynamics between Lydia and Bill Smith draw positive comments. Common criticisms include a slow-paced first half and some confusion around the art trade plot elements. Several readers mention difficulty keeping track of the Chinese names and relationships between characters. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (90+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "The cultural details feel natural and lived-in rather than researched" - Goodreads reviewer "Takes too long to get going but pays off in the final third" - Amazon reviewer "Love Lydia's character but wished for more action early on" - LibraryThing review "Some confusing plot twists around the art deals, but strong character work" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔸 Author S.J. Rozan worked as an architect in New York City before becoming a full-time writer, which influenced her detailed descriptions of NYC's urban landscape in China Trade and other novels. 🔸 China Trade is the first book in the Lydia Chin/Bill Smith series, which now spans 13 novels and has won multiple awards including the Edgar Award and the Shamus Award. 🔸 The novel explores Manhattan's Chinatown with remarkable authenticity, drawing on Rozan's extensive research and connections within the Chinese-American community. 🔸 While Lydia Chin is Chinese-American, S.J. Rozan is not - she has been praised for her respectful and well-researched portrayal of Chinese-American culture and experiences. 🔸 The book's plot involving stolen Chinese antiquities reflects real-world issues: the FBI estimates that international art and antiquities theft is a multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise, with Chinese artifacts being particularly targeted.