Thief of Souls
March 19, 2021
Book Review

Thief of Souls
Brian Klingborg
reviewed by Lou Jacobs



readersremains.com | Goodreads


An immersive police procedural involving a serial killer, with a healthy dose of humor, history, philosophy, and an unbridled rich characterization. The setting is contemporary Communist China, in which ethical Inspector Lu Fei faces the challenge of seeking justice in a complex and corrupt society.

Inspector Lu Fei is a graduate of China’s top police university, yet finds himself entrenched in a small backwater provincial town of Raven Valley Township, where major crime is a rarity. This “promotion” position is a result of an unfortunate confrontation with his corrupt boss of the Harbin City Police Department, when Inspector Lu Fei, executing an unscheduled raid, found his boss engaged in the service of an underage prostitute.

Lu Fei is enjoying a cup of Shaoxing wine at his neighborhood bar, The Red Lotus, when his cell phone rings. This breaks him from the reverie of admiration and desire for the beautiful owner, Yanyan (a harbinger of future conflict), summoned to a murder scene. There, a young woman, Yang Fenfag, was found brutally murdered in her bathroom by a neighbor, who came over to complain about the incessant barking of her dog.

Inspector Lu is confronted by a corpse with ligature marks on the wrists and welts around the neck, dressed in yellow silk button-up dress and made-up with powder on the cheeks, lipstick, and eyeshadow, looking like a porcelain doll with her cold, dead eyes staring upward. His search of the house is fruitless, without obvious signs of struggle; no blood, no mess. He enlists the aid of the forensic team from the CID in Beijing which consists of Deputy Director Song, a rising political star in the complex authoritarian hierarchy of the Chinese police department, along with two crime technicians and the inimitable Dr. Ma, the medical examiner. A unique and richly developed character, Dr Ma Xiulan is one of only a few woman to achieve a high position in the forensic field. Author of a controversial book that criticizes the current state of forensics in China, her work maintains that it is slipshod and subject to political tampering. Her book jacket contains a photo of her in full make-up and a low-cut blouse, offering a significant amount of cleavage.

With the aid of Song and Dr. Ma, it is revealed the victim has been bludgeoned by a hammer, violated, and has had her heart, lungs, and liver harvested. And, stuffed into her mouth is a single pledget of joss paper, also known as spirit money or Hell money. According to Chinese folk religion, in the afterlife the soul requires money to buy needed essentials. After a loved one dies, relatives and friends make these paper offerings in a show of love and devotion, something like making a deposit in a spectral Venmo account. These notes are signed in front by the Jade Emperor and in back by Yan Wang, the god of death and ruler of the netherworld. Lu Fei opines that the heart, liver, and lungs are imbued with some aspects of the soul or spirit. Perhaps by removing them, the killer is trying to “steal her soul.”

In the early stage of investigation, a shadow is cast upon an old high school boyfriend of Fenfag. A simple, not too bright male, Zhang was noted to follow her around in high school like a lost little puppy. Although there is no known history of violence, he is physically imposing, socially awkward, and is employed in a position where he butchers pigs at a processing plant. Lu Fei is pressured by the local government bureaucracy to arrest and charge him for the murder. He will not be rushed and methodically pursues for a full investigation. He is a true rarity, as the average Chinese citizen has been exposed to hundreds of years of corruption, abuse, and incompetency in their police force. Some, referring to the character of Inspector Lu, indicate he is as rare as a Qilin, the Chinese unicorn.

In Thief of Souls, Brian Klingborg provides a masterful and immersive narrative creating a riveting twisted string of reveals that propels this page turner onward. Most chapters begin with a quote from Chairman Mao Zedong, espousing socialist dogma and virtues that will be deconstructed in the chapter, while providing further insights into the realities of modern China. Several chapters involve the inner thoughts of the unidentified killer, slowly revealing his motivations.

The resourceful and ethical Lu Fei will not be deterred in his investigation to bring forth justice. He forms an unlikely friendship and alliance with Deputy Director Song that proves mutually beneficial. This novel will appeal to fans of beloved Detective Bernie Gunther from the pen of Philip Kerr and Deon Meyer’s equally enjoyed Detective Benny Griessel. Klingborn’s knowledge of East Asian Studies and his experience with living and working in Asia are on full display in this fascinating tale.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press (Minatour Books) for supplying an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.

Available on Amazon

many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

I love finding a mystery that takes me to somewhere different. I think this is the first time I’ve had one take me to modern day China. Klingborg does a fabulous job of giving us a detailed sense of time and place and walking us through the differences between Western and Chinese cultures, including policing practices. I love books when I feel I learn something. Usually, that’s limited to historical fiction but this book definitely fits the bill.
Inspector Lu Fei is the deputy police chief in a sleepy backwater town in Northern China. Murder never happens there… until it does. The CID from Beijing is called in to conduct the investigation, but Lu is still involved. I loved Lu’s sense of humor, his admiration of Confusius and his dislike of playing politics to get ahead. Like many police procedurals, he is just one member of a team that we get to know. It was interesting to see how they did (or didn’t ) work together.
This is also a good mystery. I had my suspicions about the murderer and I was right. But it didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story. I can only hope this is the beginning of a new series.
My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

I was looking forward to this book based on the eye-catching cover and blurb. However, I was disappointed. I determined who the murderer was extremely early on in the book—so early that it made the Inspector seem stupid for not realizing for the rest of the book. However, good writing and characters could make up for this, and I understand how challenging it can be to write a mystery that isn’t too simple nor is out of left field. Sadly, the book was just a little too boring, with a stilted writing style, that made me have no desire to continue, especially given that I had already picked the killer. The author’s voice just comes off as very monotone, even though we’re reading. Feels devoid of personality and emotion. Maybe others will like the tone, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

I should not that in addition to obvious trigger warnings of murder/death and sexual assault, there is a particularly vivid and graphic description of the autopsy, that made me a little squeamish, even though I’m used to reading mysteries.

Thank you to Minotaur books for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3 stars - 5/10

Interesting mystery set in China within a highly corrupt law enforcement system. This was the first book I've read based in China, and I found it incredibly interesting as far as culture and the open corruption in the political and law enforcement systems. Obviously fiction, but my guess is the environment was based on reality and it was an eye-opener! The players were all interesting in their own way and the mix of politics, spirituality, and investigation really made for a complex police procedural. Definitely recommended

3 1/2 stars

This takes place in a rural town in Northern China in present day. Inspector Lu Fei deals w/a slow paced crime environment until a young woman is found murdered with her organs cut-out. The crime is brutal with not many clues. There is an obvious suspect but Lu has his doubts. CID from Beijing is called into oversee and as Lu delves further into the mystery he discovers government corruption, conspiracies & secrets which puts many people in danger.

Chapters are not numbered but named by day giving you a real time feel for the course of the investigation.
It is a police procedural format. The mystery was very interesting and I did like the Lu character.
At first it was hard to connect w/the characters as the writing was a little dry.

For exs.:
"After showering, Lu changes into a formal uniform. Dark trousers, a sky-blue shirt and dark tie, a blue jacket with shoulder boards featuring three pips and two silver bars, denoting his rank. Over this goes his winter coat and a fur-lined hat with the Bureau of Public Safety insignia on the front. He drives the patrol car to the paichusuo. Along the way, he stops by a food cart to buy breakfast: a couple of fried shaobing cakes filled with red bean paste, and a cup of doujiang—hot soy milk. "

I'm not sure how much was factually researched & how much was the writers imagination but I did like reading about the police department system in China as I don't know anything about that.
Also, what I find fascinating is that no matter the location-detective work is the same the world over; it's legwork & luck. (ie. questioning people, researching, forensics, visiting locations, etc.)

While I did guess the killer early on, I kept reading to see how/when Inspector Lu would figure it out. And there were a few surprises with lots of tension towards the end.

The big negative is that the characters were underdeveloped.

I will probably read the next book in the series .

This was a difficult book for me to read. While Inspector Lu had some positive aspects, I found him difficult to like. The remaining characters in law enforcement were even more unpleasant. I also didn't care for the negative way the society was presented. While China is a very different social and political structure, there was nothing positive about it in the entire book, which left reading the book feel more like an obligation than an enjoyable experience. I almost gave up about 50% of the way through, but I continued to work to finish the book, doing some skimming to finish it faster. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me an advance digital copy of this book for review.

If you think you like a mystery set within a small rural village in Northern China with a police force different from what we are used to then this is a story for you.
Interwoven in the story we have a bit of Chinese politics, history, religion and customs relating to the dear departed that I found interesting to read about.
This is the first book in the series and I hope we will be able to meet with Lu Fei again and see more development of his work situation with superiors and his team.

Thief of Souls is a well written, intriguing book, with excellent character development that highlights the characters in a way that keeps your interest throughout the book. The author's choice of words for setting up a great novel are excellent. Very captivating and intriguing story line!

I really liked this mystery set in China and loved reading about the culture. Good book with fast paced plot and engaging characters.

A good mystery and I learned a lot about Chinese culture. Inspector Lu Fei is fascinating and I hope this is the start of a series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

He graduated from a top police academy with a brilliant and tenacious mind so when Inspector Lu Fei finds himself stationed in a small rural village he did not expect to have to deal with a brutal murder and the dark machinations of both corrupt government politicos and powerful businessmen. Could discovering the truth mean danger for himself and those he loves?

Brian Klingborg’s THIEF OF SOULS takes on a journey through a different culture and a way of life steeped in centuries of tradition. Often as much of a tour guide as it is a mystery, this tale is rich in detail, suspense and danger. If you are looking for something just a little different in your suspense reading, this one is it.

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Minotaur Books! This is my honest and voluntary review.

I love a good crime novel (Tana French is a staple in this household) and was very intrigued by the Thief of Souls premise. As with most crime novels, there was heavy detail. For ToS, this heavy detail very much added to the story rather than detracted - as can sometimes be the case -, and I also enjoyed the characters Klingborg crafted for us here. I did feel that the heavy use of ~ancient Chinese sayings and philosophies~ felt a little ehhh and trope-y in the same way Western media can feel become trope-y in its portrayals of Native Americans as ~wise old men who often speak in riddles and ancient sayings~, considering Klingborg is not himself Chinese... I suppose it is worth noting that he has studied East Asia very extensively and has both lived and worked in the area... That said, while the crime plot and characters are generally enjoyable, I did feel that there were several instances that read like the author was writing as a caricature of persons and of a culture that he did not quite do justice to.

"A homicide investigation is rarely just about the homicide itself...the cops, the local party representatives and government officials, the prosecutors- everyone has an agenda. A desire to advance one's career...sometimes at the expense of the truth".

Inspector Lu Fei had been promoted and reassigned to the rural Raven Valley Township, seventy kilometers from Harbin City, having had a falling out with his superior in Harbin. Lu's goals were modest: "a full belly and a full glass". Seventeen year veteran Lu, was drinking Shaoxing wine provided by Yanyan, proprietor of the Red Lotus Bar, when he received a call from the paichusuo ( the local Public Security Bureau Station). A murder had been committed at the Yang residence. The victim: Ms. Yang Fenfang, twenty-three years old, was found on the bathroom floor. There was no sign of a struggle, no blood, no mess. Fenfang had been living and working in Harbin for the last three years but returned home due to her mother's failing health. Her mother's funeral was one week ago.

The crime scene was ghastly. Was Fenfang a victim of organ harvesting? Her heart, lungs and liver, three body organs "imbued with some aspect of the soul or spirit", had been removed. Joss paper was stuffed in her mouth. Inspector Lu Fei enlisted the assistance of Superintendent Song and his team from the Ministry of Public Security in Beijing. Song was ambitious, power hungry and spoke to Lu in a brusque, dismissive manner. Lu's immediate superior Liang stated, "You're a good cop, Lu Fei...that's not enough. You need to play the game, or you're going to end up in Raven Valley for the rest of your life".

"Lu considers the boyfriend a viable lead. More than half the murders committed in rural China are the result of a love gone wrong". "Zhang Zhaoxing ticks a lot of boxes...Physically strong. A consumer of pornography. No mother or father. Socially awkward. A Peeping Tom. Experience with butchering animals". Zhang had surveillance photos of Fenfang on his cell phone. He worked as a butcher at a pork processing plant. Zhang had tried to flee. The county procurator Gao, in charge of investigation and prosecution, issued an arrest warrant. "If Zhang ends up in court, his fate is all but certain". But, did he do it? Lu says, "I'm not going to let Song mistreat our suspect...or railroad him".

Lu bucks the system, relentlessly searching for the real murderer, despite obstacles thrown in his path. Examining police files in Harbin, he discovers two additional cases with similar MO's. Could a serial killer be in their midst? Lu will keep digging until justice is served.

"Thief of Souls" (An Inspector Lu Fei Mystery) by Brian Klingborg introduces the reader to Inspector Lu Fei of Raven Valley Township. Yes, he drinks too much, can be pig-headed, and is not always respectful of his superiors or follows the chain of command. His unrelenting doggedness and determination are an investigative skill set to be admired. I look forward to the next mystery in this promising series. Highly recommended.

Thank you St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur Books and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A good detective novel is so much better when the stage is a country I’m not familiar with. The procedures and methods are unique, and the personalities of the enforcers are shaped by the environment they’ve grown up in.
Inspector Lu Fei of the Public Security Bureau in a remote village of North China strives to truly solve a crime, not just keep the public pacified. This is difficult, given that his country operates under strict communist rule. After a young woman is found murdered and her corpse has been defiled, he’s encouraged to go with the first suspect, even though he knows in his heart that the suspect is too vulnerable to be guilty of such a heinous crime. His suspicions are confirmed when he uncovers similar crimes in nearby areas.
In this regime, if the police knock on your door, you have to let them in. They can search, remove property, and bring you in for an indefinite time for questioning. Your neighbors are encouraged to assume you’re guilty and treat you as so long before anything is confirmed. Inspector Lu follows these rules but is deeply troubled when he knows they have the wrong suspect.
In the evenings, he drowns his concerns in the warm wine at the Red Lotus bar, enjoying the companionship of his friend and bartender, Yanyan. Little does he know that his determination at work will put his dear Yanyan at risk?
Don’t let Lu’s calm demeanor fool you; when prompted he is more than capable of protecting himself. And his quick and dry wit in the face of strict procedurals adds a great touch of humor. The setting is very interesting, the characters are varied and believable, and the plot is intriguing.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press- Minotaur for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is May 4, 2021.

Thief of Souls features Inspector Lu Fei and combines a murder mystery with modern-day China resulting in quite the intriguing read. The plot was creative and well-paced. The author includes a variety of detail about the various characters, making the reader feel invested in the characters. This is a very unusual storyline and I found the location and use of Chinese phrases intriguing. This is not your typical murder mystery. It was different and really enjoyable. I loved this book and I highly recommend it.

One of the best aspects of reading is the chance to visit other countries and cultures. In Thief of Souls, you will travel to a rural village in China and meet a local police inspector named Lu Fei. Lu is a wonderful protagonist. He's single, in his thirties, and lonely. He is also well-educated, having attended a well-respected college in Beijing, as well as taken some studies in the U.S. He used to work for a larger, more urban police department, but after a disagreement with his former police chief, he's been transferred to the boondocks where he mostly deals with stolen chickens and drunken fights. But when he is called to the site of a gruesome homicide, Lu's past training comes to the front and he springs into action, aided by a team from the Beijing Criminal Investigation Bureau.

This is no standard police fare, policing in China in unlike anything you'll read in US police procedurals, nor those of the UK or Scandinavia. Suspects are arrested and jailed with little evidence of their involvement in a crime. Such is the case when a young, somewhat feeble-minded man is arrested in the homicide of Yang Fenfang Lu is definitely not convinced that the young man is innocent and is determined to find the real killer, even if it means ruffling a few political feathers.

Each chapter of the book is prefaced with a quote from Chairman Mao Zedong, which I found fascinating. It is also chockfull of descriptions of life in China -- the politics, the customs, the food, etc. It is fabulously atmospheric and all around delightful. I loved everything about Thief of Souls. It is beautifully written, and the mystery is perfectly plotted. All of the characters are interesting, but most especially Lu Fei. I hope the author makes this into a series because I'd love to spend more time with Lu.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and author Brian Klingborg for providing me an eARC of Thief of Souls. It is scheduled to be released on May 4, 2021, and I heartily recommend it to all mystery lovers.

This was just a meh for me. It involves the brutal murder of a young woman in a small rural village in northern China.

Inspector Lu was OK as the man on the job, but I felt as if I was watching this from outside the story, no real connection. Also the writing seemed a bit stilted to me, there’s lots of poems/quotes added at various times breaking up the narrative, and while interesting, a lot of wandering off about Chinese history/customs, etc. I had also guessed the villain fairly early on. Trigger warning, there’s some descriptive scenes of murder(s) for those who might be squeamish.

I do think this could’ve been better with more selective editing. And as it appears to be the first in a series I’m hoping for better things ahead.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MinotaurBooks for providing me the early ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

A solid mystery set in rural China. This is a slow burning story for the first ~40% but then it ramps up and gets you invested. Inspector Lu is called in to solve a case of a young woman found dead in her mother’s home. The culprit is easy to figure out but the story behind it was interesting. And I liked the details about China’s history, cultural norms, and the law enforcement structure.


Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the arc.

A new crime study to me. I generally give reviews about Scandinavia and once in a while to an American author, but Brian Klingborg asked if I could read one of his stories. Inspector Lu Fei is one of a kind cop in China and it seems as if he can use his martial arts to defeat his many enemies as they come to him. But before he uses this, he quotes the many sayings that Mao utilizes and other authors. Brian uses several methods to bring Lu Fei out of his web, one is his going to the Red Lotus bar and drinking Shaoxing wine and warming the qi. Not only that but it is served by Yanyan. What happens is that Ms. Yang Fenfang is killed and her body is left in her bathroom. Brian uses several other issues that are told to us which are typical in the Chinese culture. We're brought into several other murders in the neighboring town. Fights ensue, wrong people are implicated which is interesting. And we find Lu Fei is in love with with Yanyan. Won't tell you how that comes out but it's interesting and I had to read it to find out. It's what it says, "Thief of Souls".