Suzhou Secret Whispers: A Gothic Mystery of the Qing Dynasty (Book 1 of The Suzhou Mysteries)
By Dave Alber
Step into the shadowy canals and mist-laden streets of 19th-century Suzhou, where ancient legends, dark secrets, and the lives of two extraordinary historical figures intertwine in this gripping Gothic mystery.
As the Lunar New Year approaches, the city buzzes with anticipation, but beneath the festive veneer lies a world of whispered curses, vengeful spirits, and hidden truths. Shen Bingcheng, a broken silk merchant haunted by the tragic loss of his family, is pulled from despair by a mysterious and brilliant scholar. Together, they are drawn into a web of intrigue that spans from the crumbling teahouses of Pingjiang Road to the opulent mansions of Shantang Street.
From the terrifying legend of the Nian, a monstrous beast that feasts on human flesh, to the haunting presence of a fox spirit that preys on ambition and desire, Shen and the scholar must unravel a series of chilling mysteries. Along the way, they encounter a cast of unforgettable characters: a grieving lute player, a flower spirit whose voice lures men to their doom, a murderous opera singer, and a brilliant inventor haunted by his father's cursed legacy.
As the boundaries between reality and superstition blur, Shen and the scholar confront their own demons while navigating a labyrinth of deceit, betrayal, and supernatural forces. Will they uncover the truth before the shadows consume them, or will they become the next victims of Suzhou's dark whispers?
Richly atmospheric and steeped in the folklore of Qing Dynasty China, Suzhou Secret Whispers is a masterful blend of historical fiction and Gothic horror. This first installment in The Suzhou Mysteries series reimagines the lives of Shen Bingcheng and Yan Yonghua-the real-life founders of Suzhou's iconic Couple's Retreat Garden-as they navigate a world of mystery, grief, and ultimately, love.
Perfect for fans of The Ghost Bride and The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo, Suzhou Secret Whispers invites you to walk through Suzhou's shadowed courtyards and moonlit gardens, where every mystery solved brings them closer to healing, love, and the creation of beauty.
Dive into Suzhou Secret Whispers and lose yourself in a tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of the human spirit against the forces of darkness.
