The Emperor's Pearl

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1963. L3 - A first edition (A-6.64[MH] stated) hardcover book in very good condition in good dust jacket that is mylar protected. Dust jacket has wrinkling, chipping, crease, and small tears on the edges, corners and some sides, scattered scratches, rubbing, scuffing, wrinkling and light stains, some info stamped on the back flap, tanning and light shelf wear. Book has some bumped corners, wrinkling on the spine edges, light tanning and shelf wear. Although not marked in any way, this copy comes from the personal collection of Otto Penzler, legendary editor and founder of the Mysterious Press, an award-winning icon in the genre. A Chinese Detective Story. 8.25"x5.5", 184 pages. Satisfaction Guaranteed. This is probably one of the most unusual mystery stories Scribners has ever published. The setting in China during the Tang dynasty and it features Judge Dee, the master detective of ancient China, who actually lived from 630-700 A.D. During his career as a magistrate he solved many mysterious crimes and his name became as familiar to the Chinese people as is Sherlock Holmes' to us. This novel, however, is fictitious. It opens on the night of the Poo-yang dragon-boat races, when the drummer of the favorite boat suddenly collapses under the astonished eyes of the spectators on the banks of the Grand Canal. Then, at the beginning of his inquiry into the death of the poisoned drummer, Judge Dee finds the body of a beautiful young woman, cruelly murdered in a deserted country mansion. He discovers that these two deaths are connected with an ancient tragedy involving the theft of the Emperor's Pearl, a near-legendary treasure that was stolen from the Imperial Harem one hundred years before. And in the background of the investigation looms the terrifying figure of the White Lady, the River Goddess whose colossal marble statue stands lonely on the bloodstained altar of her ruined shrine. Protected by the impenetrable forests of the haunted Mandrake Grove, her sinister influence seems to permeate the whole complex situation. Clues are few and elusive as the judge and his trusty adviser, Sergeant Hoong, work on the case throughout a tense, heat-laden day. But gradually all the pieces of the complicated jigsaw puzzle fall into place, and, in one bold and brilliant move, Judge Dee uncovers the strange secret of The Emperor's Pearl.. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.