Shanghai, January 1932. China is faced with the threat of a Japanese invasion/annexation of Manchuria. The atmosphere in the International compound (mainly British)is very tense as it is is surrounded by a Japanese concession, a French one,a Russian one....and of course a lot of Chinese inhabitants. There is a boycott of Japanese shops and products and there are several riots. Amidst all these tensions,the body of young ,Chinese boy is found,horrible mutilated. Inspector Danilov(of Russian origin)and his inspector Strachan(with a wonderful Chinese/Scottish background) start their investigation in a rainy,damp and foggy Shangai. Very soon two other Chinese children disappear which bring the tension in the Settlement to a boiling point. When the bodies of the two children are found(mutilated,as the first child) the Chinese population (of Shanghai)take their revenge and attack some Japanese monks. Needless to say this,and the fact that more Japanese warships found their way into Shangai harbour,does not exactly improve the precarious situation. But then a Japanese boy disappears and Danilov has to reconsider his theories about these brutal murders.
Of course, the storyline is good,the horrible murder mystery keeps your attention but what is do remarkable about this book,is the atmosphere it creates. One is practically present at this amazing setting that is Shangai in 1932. You can feel the chill of the fog,hear the street hawkers selling their goods,smell the street food,inhale the coal smoke....And although it is perhaps not always particularly pleasant it definitely is full of life!

Shanghai in the 1930's was a tinderbox, and this story captures this ethos perfectly. Japan's annexation of Manchuria created additional tension between the Chinese and Japanese populations within Shanghai, and it's against this setting the fourth Inspector Danilov tale takes place.

Dark and tragic crimes are the central theme of this story, and the child murders are difficult to read. Trying to solve them forces Inspector Danilov to confront his demons and personal tragedies. As this is the fourth book in the series, undoubtedly the reader has already learnt a great deal about Danilov and his colleagues and family in the previous books.

Authentic Danilov's idiosyncrasies make him easy to like, he is the typical smart, driven detective, whose career is his life often to the detriment of his family and health. The plot has twists, and the pacing varies with the action. A little slow in the first few chapters, it gains motivation as the plot becomes convoluted.

As a standalone, read it is good, but it would be even better if you'd read the previous books in the series. This disturbing story has an evocative setting, enigmatic detective and exciting political theme, making it an absorbing read.

I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I am thrilled to be part of this amazing Blog Tour and would like to thank Ellie Pilcher at Canelo for having me on this blog blitz.

I’ve really come a bit late to the party in that this is my first Inspector Danilov book, oh my! Well all I can say is at least there are three others to go back and catch up on which I surely will do. But do not worry folks this is a book that can easily be read as a stand-alone M J Lee does not over burden the reader with too much backstory but when there is reference it is explained and brief. There is greater reference to the theme of what happened to his son but that is because it helps explain his desire to solve this case and to his emotional state.

The characters are well written as is the plot. This is not any easy read as it does involve the kidnapping and murder of children but it is not overly gratuitous in the telling. This is an ‘old-fashioned’ detective novel in that there is very little scientific aids, given that this novel takes place in 1932, beyond autopsies and fingerprinting. I like that. I like that you are taken into the workings of the detectives mind. Inspector Danilov and Sergeant Strachan are a team with backgrounds that allow their individual skills to compliment each other. Dr Fang, the pathologist, Chief Inspector Rock, head of department, and Miss Cavendish are the accompanying characters around Danilov and Strachan that make up the vital supporting cast.

M J Lee is obviously an experienced writer, he writes other books (which you can check out in the links under the ‘author’ section below), but a very good one – not that he, or his publishers, need me to tell him that! However, readers you may not know – yet – but I hope you take this opportunity to find out because it will be well worth it.

I highly recommend this book it is a fascinating read because of the geographical and historical setting. Shanghai in the 1930s is a multi-cultural, tense, crazy place which adds to the issues detectives may usually have to face and to the atmosphere of the book. Indeed, it makes you wonder how crimes ever got solved but the different ‘codes’ of the various sections of Shanghai mean that ‘justice’ comes in many guises. Add to that the impending storm of war and you get a heady mix which, for me, makes this a terrific read.

This is the 4th in this historical series set in the turbulent times of 1930s Shanghai featuring the Russian detective, Inspector Pyotr Danilov, and DS David Strachan, of mixed Chinese and Scottish heritage, of the Shanghai Municipal Police. Whilst there are many references to what has occurred previously, I still found it fine to read as a standalone. It is 1932, there are tensions in the city with Japanese warships in the harbour. China is the sick man of Asia, bought low and weak, by factors such as corruption, warlords, factions, poverty and Japanese militarism. Japan has annexed Manchuria, which has led to an influx of refugees into Shanghai. There is open conflict on the streets between the Chinese and the Japanese, with the Chinese doing everything they can to enforce a trade boycott of Japanese goods, including violence. Into this politically volatile climate, children are being abducted and murdered, with their bodies displayed publicly on the streets.

Danilov's 14 year old son, Ivan, was killed in an explosion linked to a case the Inspector was working on. The repercussions on his family are still being felt intensely two years on, with Maria, his wife, wrecked by grief and showing little sign of her former self. For Danilov, it is an open and festering wound that he cannot escape, worsened considerably with the killing of innocent children. It is a strange case, with no ransom notes, and where the motive is not immediately clear. The impact of the murders ratchet up the tensions as the Chinese blame the Japanese, with many people choosing to leave the city as they become refugees. Shanghai is a city divided, with the French section, Jews living around the Ohel Moshe Synagogue, with the British and Americans living in another quarter. There is a striking difference with the Japanese sector, with its cleanliness, lack of poverty and beggars from the rest of Shanghai. Danilov eventually begins to discern the possibility of a political motive, but this theory is thrown up in the air when the child of a high ranking Japanese Colonel is abducted, threatening harrowing vengeance on Shanghai and its residents.

The author creates an atmospheric picture of the region with the rich descriptions of Shanghai at a time of extreme tensions, the incendiary political divisions takes its toll on Danilov and the investigation. He is forced to deal with the political fallout when all he wants to do is deal with crime. He is a cerebral man, quick and intuitive, and ably assisted by the growing confidence and capabilities of Strachan, a man involved in a relationship with Danilov's daughter, Elina. This is a fascinating period of history in this part of the world and Shanghai is beautifully depicted. A brilliant read that I found compelling and gripping. Many thanks to Canelo for an ARC.

This is fourth book in the series and this time Inspector Danilov has even more weight on his shoulders. The children of wealthy Shanghai families are disappearing. They are being kidnapped by three Chinese men. But what is the strangest thing, no one is looking for them. No parent is going to police to report the missing child. What are they afraid of? Who they are afraid of?

But when the bodies of the missing children start to appear one by one, it is the most devastating case for the team of Inspector Danilov and his assistant Strachan. The death of a child is devastating itself, but a torched child, that is horrible.

In the very same time, Inspector Danilov has to mourn the death of his own son. If in the previous books he was looking for his long lost family from Russia, this time they are there with him, except the little boy. His son has died as a revenge for Danilov himself. And he can’t forgive himself.

It’s Shanghai 1932. Political tensions are raising. The city is mix of many cultures, the best and the worst of them. The author captured the image of the city in the most vivid way. It’s like living in Shanghai in that time. Inspector Danilov is getting more and more emotional this time, considering the loss of his son. We can see this great detective suffering in the most stoic way he can. Like a soldier, like a man.

I enjoyed reading this historical mystery. For me, it was the most emotional of all previous books in the series. I noticed that the Russian last names were right this time. It is good to know when the authors listen their reviewer’s critics. So, if you are in the search of good historical novel, if you love to solve crimes in the old fashioned way, if you want to see Shanghai in the previous century, this is a book for you. I had a great time reading it, I hope you will, too.

A gripping thriller set in the city of Shanghai in 1932, with children being kidnapped and murdered. Their mutilated bodies, slashed across the face, are left around the city for everyone to see.

The situation is made worse by conflict between the Chinese and Japanese with the latter's recent invasion of Manchuria still fresh in the minds of all living in this teeming metropolis.

Still grieving from the death of his own child in an explosion 2 years previously, Inspector Danilov, a refugee from the Soviet Union, and his Eurasian,partner, Sergeant Strachan (half Chinese, half Scottish!) of the Shanghai Municipal Police set out to find the killers.

As Danilov & Strachan work night and day, almost to the point of exhaustion, their investigation is continually interrupted by the escalating conflict involving a trade boycott of Japanese goods and Japanese businesses. Rival gangs of Chinese and Japanese fight openly in the streets.
Many police officers have been seconded to the Volunteer Force, brought in to prevent violent clashes and looting. The future of Shanghai may be at stake, as Danilov is pressured by his immediate superior, Chief Inspector Rock, to solve the case. He also faces political pressure from various influential sources in Shanghai as Japanese marines on board warships in Shanghai harbour are used to protect their country's interests in a show of force.

There seems to be a connection between the parents of the murdered children, but Danilov can't be certain that is the reason for the murders. The atmosphere of a packed city, riven with various nationalist tensions and allied to colourful descriptions of a huge city and its people is marvellously conveyed by the author. The dialogue between Danilov and Strachan is a delight and a wealth of minor characters add colour to this fascinating tale.

This is the 4th instalment of the Inspector Danilov mysteries, but it's the first one I've read. It can easily be read as a stand-alone as the author doesn't leave the reader wondering about previous events in Danilov's life. I'm definitely going to check out the previous books in this series. Highly recommended.

My thanks go to the publisher Canelo and Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Killing Time is a dark, disturbing mystery set against the turbulent backdrop of 1930s Shanghai, a city divided by race and nation, teetering on the brink of open conflict.  Inspector Danilov, haunted by his son’s death and alienated from his wife, focuses on his job to keep the ghosts at bay. His newest case is deeply troubling. Children are being kidnapped and murdered, their bodies left in prominent locations.  The families are reluctant to help, as kidnap and ransom is a common Chinese business practice - but Danilov is convinced this is something very different.


The Killing Time portrays a turbulent time in Shanghai’s history.  M J Lee is a skilled writer, but the content will be too disturbing for some.  Ultimately it is Inspector Danilov and his Seargent Strachan who bring more of a human aspect to the story.  If you like well done historical mysteries, M J Lee’s novels may be exactly what you are looking for. Be advised, these are gritty police procedurals.


4 / 5


I received a copy of The Killing Time from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


— Crittermom

find crime novels set in Shanghai particularly interesting given the exotic location ( to the West at least) and the different police structure etc. Th every fact that the city is so chaotic that the very idea of solving anything or finding anyone is something which fascinates me.

This is a very good series. Very historically authentic (at least to me) and gripping. Due to the political situation with the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, this brings a new insight and angle to a crime story. It’s the backstory but also the setting which comes to the fore and infiltrates each and every page.

There’s some difficult parts given that there are cases of missing children involved but overall, the Danilov and Strachan partnership is strong and I look forward to my next visit to Shanghai.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Canelo for a review copy of The Killing Time, the fourth novel to feature Inspector Danilov of the Shanghai police.

It's 1932 and Japan has just invaded Manchuria so Shanghai is alight with anti-Japanese feeling and many police officers have been seconded to the Volunteer Force. Thus Inspector Danilov inherits Inspector Sheehan's murder case whereby a young Chinese boy has been found on a building site. Faced with Sheehan's sloppy investigation Danilov starts again and uncovers hints of Japanese involvement. As more children go missing Danilov races against time and political pressure to solve the case.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Killing Time which is another fine addition to a gripping series. The plot has plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engrossed and an unusual and atmospheric setting which adds a certain something to the read.

The plot bowls along at a fast pace with plenty of, I hesitate to say action when it involves the death of children, events. Danilov and his sidekick, Sergeant Strachan, are puzzled by these events and the strange course they take but they just do what they do best until inspiration strikes - Danilov ponders and Strachan does the donkey work. Mr Lee has created a very addictive scenario where the reader gets sucked into the conundrum and wants to know the solution.

It is difficult to judge, knowing nothing of the period or location, how accurate the setting is but it certainly feels authentic. What comes across loud and clear is the colonial mindset and the idea that the Chinese are very much second, if not third, class citizens in their own country. The tension with the Japanese adds an extra frisson to an already bubbling melting pot. The novel is also full of small details which are informative about the way of life at the time.

Danilov is the archetypal outsider in Shanghai. As a Russian he has no allegiance to any of the factions and just wants to investigate crime. His independence allows Mr Lee to better illustrate the world and the self interest that surround him. His sergeant, Strachan, is another outsider but in a wholly different way. As a Eurasian he has a foot in both camps but is never wholly accepted by either. These two outsiders have forged a strong bond and there is warmth and humour in their exchanges.

The Killing Time is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.