What readers think of Whispering Shadows, plus links to write your own review.

Whispering Shadows has it all; love, death, corruption and murder are just some of what is in the story. I was hooked on page one. The writing is great and the story line keeps you wanting to "find out what is going to happen?"

It is a book I would recommend to my book group. It would be great for discussion.

The time reading the "Whispering Shadows" was time well spent! The story is based in Hong Kong and China and is relevant, timely and believable. The writing is beautiful with the author describing both the significant and the mundane equally well. I appreciated that the characters are complex and engaging. I would highly recommend this book for the thoughtful reader. Would make a good book group selection.

Whispering Shadows is a very interesting book. The author has managed to weave several subplots i.e. a budding romance; a murder mystery; a tragic loss of a son; into the main theme of the book; a look into the lives of the people; both American and Chinese; during the great growth and prosperity of China. It becomes a fascinating insight into Chinese government and all those who lived under this corrupt regime

This is a book I will not forget easily. The longer I read the harder it was t put down. Thank you, Mr Sendker

Whispering Shadows is a multifaceted murder mystery. It is a character driven novel that explores the human psyche to advance the story. It takes place in contemporary China. The crime and its outcome are intricately tied to the country's leadership and history. Sendker deftly weaves episodes from China's past to trigger the characters' motivations and actions. The tension mounts as the reader is left to wonder how each character will confront the past in order to survive the future.

I couldn't put this book down once I started reading. Paul is an intriguing character and the setting is fascinating. At the same time it transcends genre and is more than a mystery. It becomes a study of secrets and the effects they have on people's lives. I now plan to read everything Jan-Phillipp Sendker has written.

I very much enjoyed this book. It was easy to get into and be involved in the story. I have a special interest in China and was engrossed in the modern China and what that means in terms of the the underbelly of a society that has emerged from the Cultural Revolution. It is easy to romanticize China thinking of the emperors, dynasties, art and ancient cultures. In fact, by reading this book, one learns about the struggles of a society trying to find their way.

Beyond this, the story is a mystery which involves an American family doing business with a very powerful Chinese titan. The protagonists are a police officer and his very close friend, an American, who has dropped out of life after the death of his young son. The story describes how these two men get involved in the case of the death of the son of the American family. The under story is the police detective recalling his life during the Cultural Revolution and how his life intersects with the powerful Chinese businessman deeply involved in the murder investigation.

The novel is engrossing on many levels, and I would recommend it highly for those who enjoy history with their mysteries.

Here's another great story from Sendker. After reading The Art of Hearing Heartbeats I was hopeful that his newest book would be just as wonderful. I wasn't disappointed! What makes this book superb are the in-depth descriptions, the well-developed characters and the creative storyline. All of these important details helped me become part of the story too. In addition Sendker throws in the disappearance of an American couple's son and makes the story a page-turner. This book gives the reader an excellent view of China and Hong Kong. Because Paul is living alone trying to overcome the death of his own child, it is not surprising that he becomes involved with a woman he meets on the street who is distraught when her own son disappears. Paul's friend, Zhang a detective, provides us with a look at the more corrupt side of the government and local police. Sendker's writing allows all the pieces to come together in a story that is full of emotion and excitement. This is definitely a book you'll want to read.

I read Sendker's first book, "The Art of Hearing Heartbeats," and loved it so I couldn't wait to read his follow-up. I found it hard to put down; read it within two days. Needless to say, I enjoyed the story. It's more than your standard mystery thriller - the author also gives insight into the setting the story takes place, in this book Hong Kong.
While I have traveled to China, this book gave me a glimpse into the dark-side of the country that you only get a glimpse of in movies. The author focuses on two men, Paul Leibovitz – an American living on an island of Hong Kong and Zheng Lin – a Chinese homicide detective living in Shenzhen. We learn about each character's past and their shared need to find redemption as they search for the Owen's son. Sendker does an amazing job of developing characters and the setting so you can easily imagine yourself witnessing everything that you read. It reminded me of a book that I just finished by Joseph Kanon, "Istanbul Passage." I highly recommend it and I am now a confirmed fan of Sendker!