by Paul French
First published 2021
Shanghai calls to dreamers and desperados from across the world. The city promises riches to those bold enough to chase an Oriental fortune, yet delivers damnation to many who answer its call. Some arrive seeking the spotlight of fame while others hunt for shadows where they can disappear. The streets teem with rogues and chancers, showgirls and criminals, each drawn by whispered tales of opportunity. For the wealthy, Shanghai offers cosmopolitan pleasures beyond imagination. For the desperate, it stands as their final refuge when all other doors have closed. Some find their journey beginning in this electric port city. Others discover it marks the end of their road entirely. The very words "Destination Shanghai" spark either trembling hope or cold anticipation in those who hear them, knowing the city will either lift them to heights they never imagined or cast them into a hell that preachers warn against from their pulpits.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, mystery, crime, asian-american
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: China, Shanghai
Period: 20th-century
338 pages · Kindle Edition · Blacksmith Books
Content warnings: violence