The Chinese Lake Murders

While investigating a murder in the mysterious, isolated town of Hanyuan, Judge Dee--judicial magistrate and respected detective in seventhcentury China--becomes involved in the world of political intrigue

In the year 666, Judge Dee, the newly appointed magistrate of the fictional town of Han-yuan, must solve three murders. Han-yuan is an isolated town famous for its floating brothels or "flower boats". The murders seem to be related but just how they are connected is a mystery. The whole investigation turns into a maze of political intrigue, sordid greed, and dark passions.

This is one of a series of five detective stories set in 7th century China when the judge was also the detective. Judge Dee has three murders to solve and there is an obvious suspect who everyone wants to put on trial, but Judge Dee is suspicious and manages to track down the real murderer.

Judge Dee and his helpers investigate a series of murders despite pressure to solve them quickly.