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Flower Net (Abridged): A Red Princess Mystery Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,866 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In Flower Net, Lisa See gives us a China not often seen: An extraordinary nation that is at once admirable and frightening. Here the veil is ripped away from modern China--its venerable culture, its teeming economy, its institutionalized cruelty--and the inextricable link between China's fortunes and America's is underscored. In the depths of a Beijing winter, during the waning days of Deng Xiaoping's reign, the U.S. ambassador's son is found dead--his body entombed in a frozen lake. Almost simultaneously, American officials find a ship adrift in the storm-churned waters off Southern California. No one is surprised to find the fetid hold crammed with hundreds of undocumented Chinese immigrants--the latest cargo in the Chinese mafia's burgeoning smuggling trade. What does surprise Assistant U.S. Attorney David Stark is his discovery that among the hapless refugees lies the corpse of a Red Prince, a scion of China's political elite. The Chinese and American governments suspect that the deaths are connected, and in an unprecedented move they join forces to solve this cross-cultural crime. Stark heads for Beijing to team up with police detective Liu Hulan, whose unorthodox methods are tolerated only because of her spectacular investigative abilities. Their investigation carries them into virtually every corner of today's China, and leads them to Los Angeles's thriving Asian community--where their search turns up a bloodthirsty murderer at the apex of China's power structure. Their work together also ignites their passion for each other--a passion forbidden by their respective governments, and one that plays right into the hands of a serial killer. An accomplished stage actress, Elaina Davis performed in Hamlet, and in Richard II and Troilus & Cressida for the New York Shakespeare Festival. She was a principal character on television's As The World Turns, and has appeared in the film Contact.
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"This story immediately drew me in and took me on an unexpected journey. See successfully juxtaposes Chinese and United States culture and politics against each other using her two protagonists. The mysterious and intelligent Liu Hulan is the rare female investigator of crimes in Beijing China. She is called when a body of a young American is found frozen in a lake. The young man is the son of the United States Ambassador. Liu's counterpart in L.A., U.S. DA David Stark, finds the body of a wealthy Chinese businessman on a frieghter filled with illegal immigrants. The two murders appear to be linked and thus Liu and Stark are thrown together to try and solve an intercontinental mystery. Entertaining and informative."
— Karen (4 out of 5 stars)
Flower Net Listener Reviews
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" This was pretty good...not as good as Snowflake and the Secret Fan however. See is a meticulous researcher and I did enjoy learning about modern day China and their take on the Mao era as well as the political machinations. The mystery was ok....somewhat jumpy. The romantic aspect was too much...so you meet the guy after walking out of his life with nary a backward look and then wham, hop into bed with him when you meet up by accident about 10 years later. See's language as well seems forced at times and out of context .... oops, lets have a little language now - not very realistic. But a pretty good mystery for a quick read. "
— Ria, 2/17/2014 -
" I really prefer Lisa See's historical fiction to this modern-day political intrigue, but I did find the characters and the descriptions of China interesting. "
— Amy, 2/12/2014 -
" Interesting and fun read. Not as good as "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan", but good nonetheless. "
— Lindy, 2/12/2014 -
" This was an interesting mystery with a surprising ending that made a lot of sense. What I liked best about it was the glimpse of modern Chinese culture it provides. The author clearly knows her stuff. "
— Jane, 2/9/2014 -
" Lisa See is one of my most favorite authors. I wish I had read this one before Dragon Bones because it is kind of a prequel. However, I still enjoyed it and she's still one of my favs. "
— Jai, 2/8/2014 -
" I decided to try something different from Michael Connelly ( I have been a bit addicted to him), and I have enjoyed Lisa See's novels, so I gave this a shot. As a whole, it wasn't my favorite. I would say it is a cross between a novel and a murder mystery, but not that great as either. The murder/mystery part of it was not very compelling, and the love story part was sort of empty - a man and woman get back together after a falling out that a occurred 12 years earlier. It felt far fetched to me. I may try the next in the series just because, to see if she redeems herself. If not, then I'll stick with her novels, I have been impressed with those. "
— Danielle, 2/2/2014 -
" A very enjoyable detective story with engaging characters and lots of interesting information about Chinese culture. "
— Annalie, 1/21/2014 -
" This is my first Lisa See book & man I really liked it. The tying in of a case between China & the US was well done. There were enough red herrings to keep me guessing for a long time. I look forward to reading more books in the series. "
— Marci, 1/12/2014 -
" 2 deaths, an American in China and a Chinese on a ship with undocumented immigrants off the coast of the US seem to be connected to Detective Lui Hulan and US Attorney David Stark who were involved years ago before Hulan returned to China. This leads them to uncovering secrets best left alone. "
— Patty, 12/29/2013 -
" I liked this... There is one distasteful scene I would do with out. It was nice to learn a little about some customs of China. "
— Kari, 12/12/2013 -
" Enjoyed this book. Fast pace interesting and full of surprises. "
— Wendroz, 12/6/2013 -
" Good espionage/murder solving type novel. Interesting insights into Chinese/American relations and the changes going on in China as well as the climate in that country. If you like espionage/murder novels you will like this book. "
— Miste, 12/2/2013 -
" I enjoyed this book very much. The story mainly takes place in China and while reading a good mystery you also learn about their history and culture. I recommend this book to anyone looking for something different from other mysteries. "
— Janet, 11/30/2013 -
" I became a fan of Lisa See after I read Snowflake and The Secret Fan but this book just didn't seem like it came from the same pen. The setting of the book was interesting but the "Thriller" part of this mystery was missing. I had high hopes for this book with the beginning murder being so gruesome. "
— Kerry, 11/30/2013 -
" It was an OK book. You really have to be dedicated to following the plot. I got lost a lot because I was too tired to follow! haha. "
— Rebecka, 3/13/2013 -
" This is one of the Red Princess series. I've read one and enjoyed it - interesting insights into modern China. Seems timely with the Olympics. This is different from her other books like Peony in Love - once I got to the foot binding section I stopped - too horrific! "
— Joanne, 2/17/2013 -
" Yeah, I finally unpacked my library books so I could finish this one. I thought this was an okay read. It was believable until about 1/2-way through and then it seemed too unrealistic. It definitely had a Scooby-Doo ending if you know what I mean. "
— Barb, 12/3/2012 -
" Lisa See writes a mystery! Loved it (though not as much as the Snowflower books . . . ). "
— Monique, 8/1/2012 -
" The setting and details about China were fascinating but the story did not have the emotional resonance that See creates in her non-thriller tales. Perhaps I want too much from a so-called mystery/thriller. That said, I will at some point read the next in the series. "
— Diane, 7/11/2012 -
" The book was okay - read it for my book club - the others liked it more than I did. "
— Chris, 6/29/2012 -
" A pretty good detective story shot through with romance. A lot of romance. "
— Jess, 3/27/2012 -
" This started a bit slow. But quickly got my attention. I typically can guess who did it in these sorts of books but Lisa See kept me guessing nealy to the end. I look forward to readnig her other Red Princess Mysteries. "
— Mindi, 2/25/2012 -
" I enjoyed this story.... very easy to read but I kept forgetting I was reading it. I will continue with series "
— Kim, 2/2/2012 -
" I loved the intrigue between the two countries. "
— Nan, 12/15/2011 -
" After reading Snow Flower and The Secret Fan I thought I would try Lisa See mystery series. This book reads like a screenplay for a TV show. The characters are mere sketches. Oh well. "
— Kate, 11/11/2011 -
" The first book I read by Lisa See was Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Since then I have read all of her books. The Flower Net is a mystery and was a great read. "
— Marian, 5/15/2011 -
" I enjoyed learning about Chinese culture more than the actual plot. "
— Heather, 4/11/2011 -
" Not as good as Snow Flower and the Secret fan but a decent historical fiction/murder mystery. Quick read "
— Angie, 4/9/2011 -
" Entertaining and interesting to get a closer view of life in communist China. See knows her facts and places. The mystery itself was interesting, but a bit convoluted. "
— Angela, 2/21/2011 -
" A pretty good police story with a twist - the Chinese investigator collaborating with an American DOJ investigator. <br/>I liked the story, except for the somewhat improbable romanitc elements. Would, perhaps, read another by the same author. "
— Ed, 2/1/2011 -
" Definitely my least favorite of Lisa See's books. I did not think it was particularly well-written, but stuck it through to till the end. A mystery that takes place in both China & California, that is part murder intrigue, part love-story. "
— Danna, 1/8/2011 -
" A very enjoyable detective story with engaging characters and lots of interesting information about Chinese culture. "
— Annalie, 12/3/2010 -
" It is a good mystery, with interesting characters, set in China and L.A. "
— Frank, 9/15/2010 -
" This book made me even more grateful to be a citizen of a free country! A lot of information about China and the Chinese "legal system" and the contrast between the US and China. A pretty good mystery, but I'm not sure I want to read the next one. China depresses me. "
— Elissa, 9/13/2010 -
" A little slow. Not the usual Lisa See book I'm used to. It was okay. "
— Tiffani, 9/1/2010 -
" A different book than Snow Flower and Peony from Lisa See, but I did like it. "
— Brenda, 8/6/2010
About Lisa See
Lisa 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
About Elaina Erika Davis
Elaina Erika Davis has appeared in several Off-Broadway productions, including Red, Secret History of the Lower Eastside, and Troilus & Cressida, as well as on numerous television series, including The Guiding Light, All My Children, and Law & Order. She has narrated such notable audio books as Memoirs of a Geisha and Kira-Kira.