In the final novel written by Robert van Gulik, Judge Dee faces his most complex and politically charged case yet in Murder in Canton—a masterful blend of historical depth and gripping detective work.

Summoned to the cosmopolitan city of Canton, Judge Dee must discreetly investigate the mysterious disappearance of a high imperial censor—one of the Emperor’s most trusted officials. As Judge Dee delves deeper into the case, he uncovers layers of corruption, espionage, and betrayal hidden within the bustling port city, where foreign merchants, powerful eunuchs, and secret societies intersect.

With the empire’s stability hanging in the balance, Judge Dee must navigate treacherous political waters and a tangle of conflicting interests to solve a crime that reaches to the highest levels of power.

Rich with atmospheric detail and cultural nuance, Murder in Canton is a compelling finale to the Judge Dee series—an unforgettable journey through the courts and canals of Tang Dynasty China, led by one of historical fiction’s most enduring sleuths.