November Online Book Club: The Jade Tiger by E.W. Cooper

Historical mysteries are a special kind of reading escape.

Not only do we get to solve the mystery puzzle, we’re transported to another time and place where the clothes, food, and smells bring the past to life. This year, since we’re barely leaving the neighborhood, historical fiction seems especially appealing.

The Jade Tiger is the first book in a new series set in New York City, 1928. The clothing, opulent surroundings, and wide cast of characters reminded me of the Downton Abbey movie if it were set in NYC, mixed with the surroundings of Mrs. Maisel if that series happened 30 years earlier. 

Penelope Harris, a former nightclub/casino owner in Shanghai moves to New York to escape her colorful past and give her family a new start. It isn’t long before murder, blackmail, dirty cops, and bootlegging criminals conspire to ruin her plans.

At first glance, Penelope is a shallow diva, mourning her lost life in Shanghai along with her family’s fortune at the hands of unnamed scoundrels. The more we see beneath the surface, the more likeable she becomes as a main character. Her role in the dark past is kept unknown until the last suspenseful scenes when we see her willingness to fight for her loved ones, whatever the personal cost. 

I thought I knew whodunit, but the ending surprised me.

My favorite parts were the lavish descriptions of clothing, architecture, and the gritty streets of the Prohibition period. Cooper’s writing style has a lyrical, poetic quality like a song, which makes sense because Penelope is an opera singer turned voice teacher. In fact, the musical performance scenes inspired me to listen to recordings of the actual songs in the book.

A mutual friend introduced me to E.W. Cooper more than a year ago. This is her first novel, and I’m thrilled to see her literary dreams come true. I can’t wait to follow Penelope Harris’ next adventure when I hope things start turning around for her.

Congratulations to E. Cooper on her debut novel! Already The Jade Tiger has been named a Semi-Finalist for The BookLife Prize.

You can order THE JADE TIGER from wherever you like to buy books, or you could submit a request to your local library for them to buy a copy for your community.