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City of Devils: A Shanghai Noir

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( 1,046 ratings, 172 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
City of Devils: A Shanghai Noir by Paul French is a gripping narrative set in 1930s Shanghai, exploring the lives of two expatriates who rise to infamy in the city's decadent underworld. The story delves into the vibrant and chaotic backdrop of Shanghai, where crime and glamour intertwine, creating a captivating crime thriller rich with historical detail.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this gripping tale if you are captivated by true stories set in the early 20th century, full of crime and historical intrigue. This book dives into the seedy underbelly of Shanghai's criminal past, blending real-life events with a noir-style narrative that paints a vivid picture of two notorious figures navigating a morally complex world.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Paul French resurrects the denizens of old Shanghai's badlands, the drug-running, the gambling, and the graft, vividly restoring this long overlooked side of the city's history.

Shanghai, 1941–In a city under siege unfolds an astonishing story of two men whose lives intertwine in crime and twisted friendship. Viennese Joe Farren rose to fame by cashing in on Shanghai's desperate pleasure seeking. King of the chorus lines, his name was splashed in neon across the infamous Badlands nightclub, Farren's.

American fugitive Jack Riley, his fingertips acid-burnt, found a future in Shanghai as 'The Slots King'. 'Dapper Joe' and 'Lucky Jack' collided, clashed and came together again in a frantic struggle to survive the city's last days.

Paul French resurrects the denizens of old Shanghai's badlands, the drug-running, the gambling, and the graft, vividly restoring this long overlooked side of the city's history.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

City of Devils: A Shanghai Noir by Paul French has been praised for its vivid portrayal of 1930s Shanghai, capturing the city's seedy underworld with rich historical detail. Reviewers have commended French's ability to weave true crime elements with engaging narrative style, offering readers a thrilling glimpse into a bygone era filled with intrigue and suspense. The book often receives accolades for its meticulous research and atmospheric storytelling, making it a compelling read for fans of crime and historical thrillers.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780670077281

Publisher: Penguin China

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 21 March 2018

Country: China

Imprint: Penguin China

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 228.0mm

Weight: 428g

Pages: 300

About the Author

Born and currently based in London, Paul French lived and worked in Shanghai for many years. He is a widely published analyst and commentator on China and has written a number of books, including a history of foreign correspondents in China and a biography of the legendary Shanghai adman, journalist and adventurer Carl Crow. His book Midnight in Peking was a New York Times Bestseller, a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week, a Mystery Writers' of America Edgar award winner for Best Fact Crime and a Crime Writers' Association (UK) Dagger award for non-fiction. Midnight in Peking will be made into an international mini-series by Kudos Film and Television, the UK creators of Spooks, Broadchurch and Life on Mars.

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