What We're reading: Edward

Lord of Death

by Eliot Pattison

Are you an armchair traveller?

Do you like mysteries?

Then try reading this series of mysteries that take place in Tibet. Shan Tao Yun was a top level investigator of crimes in China. But he crossed paths with someone who thought that he was too good at his job. So he is sent off to a Tibetan gulag to be reeducated. While in prison he meets two Buddhist monks. They become the salvation of both his spirit and mind. Upon his release Shan is a non-person stranded in Tibet. In the latest book, Shan is the designated transporter of the dead. While transporting a dead Sherpa, Shan finds two dead women near the sight of an ambushed prison bus. Are the two events related? Shan is again tortured by government officials. He may be made the scapegoat for the murders. Will he be able to clear himself by finding out the truth about the murders?

Shan's Tibet is not Shangri-La.

This series has an interesting point of view on China's dealings with Tibetan culture.

1999 Skull Mantra

2001 Water Touching Stone

2002 Bone Mountain

2004 Beautiful Ghosts

2008 Prayer of the Dragon

2009 Lord of Death