The White Mirror (Li Du) - Hardcover

Praise for Jade Dragon Mountain

"[A] measured, intelligent, first-class debut...The book augurs a brilliant career for Hart: the careful characterization, the beautifully detailed research (minced yak tongue, anyone?), and an innate feel for the enigmatic meanings of murder."--USA Today

"First-time novelist Elsa Hart recreates the world of 18th-century China with assurance and skill."--The Wall Street Journal

"This debut historical mystery deftly combines ingenious plotting and suspense with a subtle understanding of China, its culture, and its people. The protagonist, Li Du, a librarian and intellectual, is well worth keeping an eye on."--Donna Leon

"Jade Dragon Mountain delivers a compelling look at Chinese politics, culture and religion, delivering the complexities of each with a character-rich story...One of the year's most engrossing debuts."--Associated Press

"Part mystery, part exploration of a culture fading into history's shadows, Hart's novel is a fascinating, intelligent debut...Think Agatha Christie writing Shogun...Captivating."--Kirkus Reviews

"Elsa Hart's debut novel demands attention. Elegantly written, tightly controlled, and sweeping, Jade Dragon Mountain will leave its readers thinking as much about the nature of storytelling and memory as the vivid recreation of a poignant period in the history of China."--Matthew Pearl

"Political and religious intrigue drives Hart's compelling debut set in 18th-century China...Hart's sure command of historical complexities, conflicts between cultures, and plot twists leads to a satisfying conclusion."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)