In this captivating installment of the Judge Dee mysteries, The Necklace and the Calabash finds the eminent magistrate reluctantly drawn into a labyrinth of royal intrigue, murder, and mysticism.

While seeking a quiet retreat at a Taoist monastery, Judge Dee is summoned by the Emperor’s favorite consort—only to be swept into a case involving a stolen necklace, a mysterious calabash, and a dead body floating in the river. As the plot thickens, Judge Dee must tread carefully among palace secrets, spiritual deception, and a growing list of suspects, all while maintaining his moral compass in a world of illusion.

Set in the waning years of the Tang Dynasty, Robert van Gulik’s blend of authentic historical detail, classical Chinese storytelling, and detective logic makes this novel both intellectually satisfying and deeply entertaining. A rich, atmospheric mystery that stands on its own yet enhances the larger tapestry of the Judge Dee series.