When the body of an American archaeologist is found floating in the Yangzi River, Ministry of Public Security agent Liu Hulan and her husband, American attorney David Stark, are dispatched to Site 518 to investigate. As Hulan scrutinizes this death—or is it a murder?—David, on behalf of the National Relics Bureau, tries to discover who has stolen from the site an artifact that may prove to the world China’s claim that it is the oldest uninterrupted civilization on earth. This artifact is not only an object of great monetary value but one that is emblematic of the very soul of China. Everyone—from the Chinese government, to a religious cult, to an unscrupulous American art collector—wants this relic, and some, it seems, may be willing to kill to get it. At stake in this investigation is control of China’s history and national pride, and even stability between China and the United States. The troubled Hulan must overcome her own fears of failure, while David tries desperately to break through the shell that has built up around his wife. As Hulan and David are enmeshed in international schemes for power and the turbulence of their own relationship, these hunters after the truth become the hunted—in a fast-driving narrative set against the backdrop of the building of the Three Gorges Dam, the largest and most expensive project China has undertaken since the Great Wall and the subject of great international debate. It is here, in the heart of the Three Gorges, that David and Hulan will battle their enemies and their own natures to see who will win China’s dragon bones. Dragon Bones combines ancient myth with contemporary anxieties concerning religious fanaticism and terrorism to tell a story of love, betrayal, history, ecology, greed—and gory murder.
Download and start listening now!
"I have come to really enjoy Lisa See's books. This is the second one I have read. (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan being the other one.) Both book are set in China - Snow Flower in the 19th century and Dragon Bones in the early part of the 21st century. Dragon Bones is a "Red Princess" mystery. This mystery is set along the Yangzi River and also explores a number of the issues relating to the controversial Three Gorges Dam construction as well as some of the current political and social issues of 21st century China. If you have any interest in China and also enjoy a mystery, I would recommend reading this book. There are apparently 2 earlier "Red Princess" mysteries and their plots are alluded to several times throughout the novel. I found most of the characters interesting and didn't figure out the solution to the mystery until very near the end of the book. I found this book of personal interest as we had traveled in China and the Three Gorges/Yangzi area approximately the same time as the book setting. Warning: you do need to be aware that the final murder is described rather graphically."
— Carrol (5 out of 5 stars)
“Stays with you long after the conventional thriller is forgotten.”
— Washington Post Book World“Lisa See is one of the classier practitioners of…the international thriller…She draws her characters…with convincing depth, and offers up documentary social detail that reeks of freshly raked muck. See’s China is as vivid as Upton Sinclair’s Chicago.”
— New York Times Book Review“The novel flows beautifully, engaging readers in the mystery while gently introducing them to China’s rich cultural history…See does for Chinese antiquities what Elizabeth Peters did for the Dead Sea Scrolls in The Dead Sea Cipher.”
— Library Journal“An exciting murder mystery…This book truly captures man’s constant desire for material gain, and one unusual detective’s goal to right the wrongs in her world.”
— Colorado Springs Independent“See succeeds in widening the reader’s knowledge about the politics and culture of contemporary China while racing along with an absorbing story.”
— Publishers Weekly" This was a great book. I read it out of order though. It had a lot of fascinating information about Chinese culture and history. It was a great mystery/thriller, too. I can't wait to read her other books. "
— Trish, 2/9/2014" The most interesting (and best-written) of the three in the Red Princess series "
— Joseph, 2/9/2014" I like this series. It has a lot of information about Chinese society and politics. "
— Ellie, 2/2/2014" one of the best introductions I've ever read; too bad the book tanked from there... the Wu Hut is the solution to everything "
— Leslie, 1/27/2014" I didn't like it as much as the other Lisa See books. I never really cared much for even the main character. I think I'll avoid this mystery series and read her other books instead. "
— Jen, 1/27/2014" Overall, I enjoyed Dragon Bones. This is the first I have read of See's work. While the pace and energy may not be as gripping as a typical Stephen King or a Scott Sigler, her ability to draw a beautiful and detailed picture of China and the characters that in habit her plot makes the story flow. You get the sense that there are many deep, unseen currents flowing beneath the visible surface. I particularly liked the details in the descriptions of the Panda Guesthouse / Wang Compound. I would recommend this book. "
— doug, 1/26/2014" Interesting mystery set in Three Gorges Dam in China. A Chinese police officer and her American attorney husband delve into sudden deaths of people connected with the building of the dam. Lisa See's characters and story come alive. "
— Elaine, 1/21/2014" Interesting. I did not realize that this was the third in a series when I picked it up. I was at the library and checking for Shanghai Girls (another See book) and this was on the shelf. Perhaps it would not have seemed like such a departure from the style of her other books if I had read the first two. I have read a few of See's books, and actually ended up reading Shanghai Girls before Dragon Bones, and have really enjoyed them. Dragon Bones is a murder mystery, but still full on interesting history and culture. Definitely worth reading but I did not feel drawn to it as I did to her other books. "
— Denise, 1/18/2014" This was my favority of the Red Princess series. I loved the action, mystery and adventure of it all and the personal character development involved was perfect. A warning, there is some language, not much, but there all the same. "
— Christina, 1/16/2014" This was the best of See's mystery series but I still found it a bit contrived and more graphic violence than is necessary to make a good mystery. "
— Katherine, 12/27/2013" Interesting read! Always like Lisa See. "
— Diane, 12/21/2013" I didn't realize this was an ongoing saga of Liu Hulan; I read this one out of order. I may have enjoyed it more if I started with the first book. "
— Stemsofred, 12/18/2013" It was hard to get into at first but now that I am 2/3 through the story I am enjoying it. "
— Amanda, 12/12/2013" The chinese history was interesting. "
— Ashley, 11/24/2013" Love all the history I pick up from reading Lisa See's books. "
— Diane, 11/24/2013" Really enjoyed the whole series, I think the second one was my favorite, but each one had plot twists that kept you guessing. "
— Eileen, 10/22/2013" This was a good read. I loved the mystery mixed in with the history and politics of China. "
— Piera, 10/17/2013" really enjoyed this third installment of the series. recommend reading in order because even though each focuses on a new mystery, the personal development of the protagonist evolves with each one and influences how she views and manages each case. "
— Terri, 9/11/2013" I like the blending of the cultures and style in solving a crime. Hope there are more in this series. "
— Lisa, 6/15/2013" This was interesting to see the cultural differences on how we approach crime. This is a good murder mystery. "
— Rebekah, 2/5/2013" Mystery, but has great details about life in China around building of 3 Gorges Dam - fascinating historical information. Also - learned a lot about some chinese mythology. "
— Linda, 12/10/2012" This author writes stories based in China that span across time. Great stories, and learning alot about China. "
— Sheri, 9/29/2012" Well written mystery set in modern day China. Touched upon Chinese myths, history, and culture, but allows understanding through the main characters - Liu Hulan (female Chinese inspector) and her husband, David Stark (male American lawyer). "
— Jenny, 7/5/2012" Wow I loved this book Lisa See does it another time. Her stories draw you in and take you to another place. I also liked the modern setting and a husband and wife team. "
— Julie, 7/4/2012" I had to stop reading this because I just couldn't get invovled in the story. It did not grasp me from the beginning and I got about 100 pages in and still felt nothing for this book. "
— Shauna, 6/20/2012" very detailed whih provides a good insight to Chinas culure, which I realy like "
— Megs, 2/19/2012" I liked the characters in this book but I sometimes disagreed with them. Overall I really like this book as I have all of her stories. I has enough depth to keep you chewing and a solid story with plenty of cultural details to be interesting to learn or to be in wonder about. "
— Cindy, 7/17/2011" A convoluted meandering story. "
— Linda, 7/6/2011" True suspense with murder, torture, love,and loss. I had not read early books with same characters but didn't need to. Author really makes you see China. "
— Denese, 4/20/2011" This was my favority of the Red Princess series. I loved the action, mystery and adventure of it all and the personal character development involved was perfect. A warning, there is some language, not much, but there all the same. "
— Christina, 4/16/2011" learned a lot about modern China and great mystery "
— Amy, 3/23/2011" Great details on Chinese history of the river... <br/>Interesting opening. The middle dragged a bit. Liked how it all tied together at the end. "
— Phyllis, 3/11/2011" A No-no for me... I started with the third book in the series, but I didn't know it was a series until I had started it and then it was too late- I was 100% hooked! "
— Jerjonji, 3/4/2011" I love reading historical fiction about Chinese culture and history. This book is set in the recent past and gives the reader insight and understanding about living in China under Mao regime. "
— Audrey, 3/2/2011" Thought this was just okay. The entire book was set in China, which was interesting, but I found all the history and names referenced very confusing. "
— Kristin, 2/27/2011" Thrilling!! Gives more Insight into the world's largest dam, as well as enticingly scratches the surface of: the origin of Chinese language; Chinese thought on domestic control and global political dominance; and, among other things, archeological treasures. "
— Sharon, 2/1/2011" If you like mysteries, these are good. "
— Chris, 12/7/2010" Ehhhh. Murder mystery in China. Too much archeology & radical political groups to spark my interest. "
— Irene, 10/14/2010" Liked the historical part of the book but the mystery part was not very suspenseful. "
— Jenni, 8/21/2010" It has been such a long time since I read the first two books & wish I could remember the storylines. For the most part this story kept my interest. Unfortunately it was a little bit too predictable, as I was able to figure out the ending. "
— Rebecca, 8/16/2010" I loved this detective series. I learned many things about China/America relations that I did not know. "
— Suzanne, 8/10/2010" this was the third in the red princess series. very well crafted with the characters further developed. i wonder if she will write any more in this series?? "
— Jeanne, 8/2/2010" Not the most thrilling murder mystery. "
— Emily, 7/27/2010Lisa See is the acclaimed author of several novels, including five New York Times bestsellers. She has won the Golden Spike Award from the Chinese Historical Association of Southern California and the Historymaker’s Award from the Chinese American Museum. She was also named National Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese American Women
Janet Song is the recipient of multiple Earphones Awards and was named one of AudioFile magazine’s Best Voices of 2008. Recent audiobooks include Euna Lee’s The World is Bigger Now and Lisa See’s Shanghai Girls. She lives and works in Southern California as an actor on stage and screen.