Not quite the "Oriental John Le Carre" that one cover quip promises, but still an impressive historical reconstruction of an 18th century effort by the Chinese emperor Yongzheng to combat rumors that question the legitimacy and competence of his reign. If this were a Smiley novel, I would appreciate the intricate details of the unfolding plot, but feel let down by an ending that, while enlightening of Chinese rulership, falls flat from an excitement standpoint.

For readers with little China knowledge, the names and places may be hard to keep straight... I think this is one reason I picked up and put down this book several times in the past years.

Even though the Qing dynasty is long in the past, there are elements of Confucian philosophy and general mindset that seem of a thread still woven into modern Chinese thought and rule. And with China currently under the rule of another would-be emperor, I found the insight into the Emperors' logic, arrogance and brutality familiar.