Midnight in Peking

How the Murder of a Young Englishwoman Haunted the Last Days of Old China

By: Paul French

Narrated by: Erik Singer

Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

In the last days of old Peking, where anything goes, can a murderer escape justice?

Peking in 1937 is a heady mix of privilege and scandal, opulence and opium dens, rumors and superstition. The Japanese are encircling the city, and the discovery of Pamela Werner's body sends a shiver through already nervous Peking. Is it the work of a madman? One of the ruthless Japanese soldiers now surrounding the city? Or perhaps the dreaded fox spirits?

With the suspect list growing and clues sparse, two detectives - one British and one Chinese - race against the clock to solve the crime before the Japanese invade and Peking as they know it is gone forever. Can they find the killer in time, before the Japanese invade?

Historian and China expert Paul French at last uncovers the truth behind this notorious murder, and offers a rare glimpse of the last days of colonial Peking.

©2012 Paul French (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Nonfiction that reads like a novel

Amazing reconstruction of an actual murder investigation in the last days of Old China. Great research. Narration at times monotonous.

Informative, but not awesome.

I tried to enjoy this book, but I just couldn't. I am interested in history in the broad sense, China in general, and Beijing in particular, and the book does tell a creepy, detailed story of the murder of a young English woman in 1930's Beijing, among the expatriate community. However, the author so doggedly sticks to the crime in question, and repeats the facts in an almost mercilessly literal way that there is little in the manner of context, or bigger picture. I wanted to stop the author and ask, "why are you telling this story?" That perspective was missing for me.

On the plus side - the book incidentally sheds some light on the Japanese invasion of China, which prompted me to look for books on that subject.

Juicy murder-mystery and it's all true

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This was a really good listen. It had all the elements of a good murder-mystery - a young socialite victim, sex, violence, corruption - set in the exotic background of the foreign quarters of pre-World War 11 Peking. Hard to believe it's a true story except In addition to the story line there is the bonus of the social life of the ex-pats and the Japanese build-up to the war.

A crime becomes a magnifying glass for history.

If you could sum up Midnight in Peking in three words, what would they be?

Captivating, sad and true

What did you like best about this story?

The suspense involved though the outcome was known

Which scene was your favorite?

The wealthy expats watching the war from the balcony

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

A poignant slice of history

Great investigative story!

Thoroughly enjoyed the research and recreation of events that was accomplished in this book. Great insight into the life of a foreigner living in China from 1917 thorough 1947 and the struggle to bring justice and resolution to the ultimate loss of a child.

Best true crime novel!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Set in last days of the pre-WW2, pre-Japanese invasion, it was indeed a very interesting time. Peking is on the verge of falling to the Japanese invaders, when the body of a young girl is found murdered and grossly mutilated.
I found this a very engaging book...far more interesting than fictional mysteries.

When history can be stranger than fiction

This book is the bizarre child of a history textbook and a police thriller. It starts as a detailed historical description of Peking just before WWII and then begins focusing on the more specific event of the ferocious murder of a young white woman, of the likes history has never seen before. In an unusual way of narration, the book meticulously progresses from the facts of the investigation, through the various players that participate to it and the facts that they uncover. The facts themselves seemed to have been drawn from the imagination of a fiction novelist but they are all true, but, at the same time, the book reads like a history book without any of the experiential narration that comes with novels.

To be honest, I would have preferred that the dramatization be more novel-like and the style can get dry and boring at times. The problem with the historical narration is that the author is extremely distant to what is happening and most of the psychological angle is entirely lost. But the research, and the facts themselves are, on their own, enough to capture the imagination.

4 1/2 Stars: Stick with it

I don’t like cold case true crime books:
A) the world around me is a constant reminder that justice is almost never served and their bummer
B) what’s the point? Like genuinely what do I have to gain? Certainly not more information

Midnight in Peking starts off like a usual cold case book; a gruesome crime scene, disjointed investigation, uncooperative witnesses, and little useable evidence.

But halfway through something magical happens and every revelation is jaw dropping and a testament to ETC Werner’s love for his daughter. The man never let it go and his conclusions are satisfactory enough.

Hooray for stubborn weirdos!

The second half just did not do it for me

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The second half was written in a very different style from the beginning, as if read out of a police report, very little action. I totally lost interest in the intriguing story.

What does Erik Singer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Excellent performance. Couldn't have read it better.

Worth a listen

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This book has all the elements of a good mystery. It's shocking in places. Would have liked to have learned a little more history of what was going on in the country at that time.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably.