Five Pieces of Jade Audiobook

The body of an elderly Chinese importer of rare jade lies on the carpet of a quietly expensive house in Pasadena, California. In a rough semicircle around his head rest four pieces of jade; protruding from the heart is a fifth—the Ya-Chang ritual knife.

Who murdered the importer? Was it Yumeko, the beautiful half-black, half-Japanese girl who lived with him? Johnny Wu, a rich Chinese-American? Another customer? Or a political enemy from overseas?

Black homicide detective Virgil Tibbs finds himself in the middle of a deadly situation involving hard drugs, Communist Chinese agents, and the exotic settings of the jade trade as he coolly tracks down the murderer.

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“This fourth in the Virgil Tibbs mysteries, first published nearly fifty years ago…gains unexpected new life in Dion Graham’s narration. The plot’s working parts include the black homicide detective’s discussions with a young woman of mixed Japanese and African-American descent who speaks minimal English; a variety of Chinese, Chinese-American, and Japanese-American characters; and a couple of white men as well. Graham injects the faintest touch of irony into the antiquated speeches and creates voices that demonstrate varying levels of comfort speaking English while at the same time maintaining respect for both characters and author. In sum, he ensures that this audiobook resonates both as valuable cultural history and fascinating contemporary listening. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”

— AudioFile