Robert Van Gulik

Judge Dee presided over his Imperial Chinese court with a unique brand of Confucian justice. A near-mythic figure in China, he distinguished himself as a tribunal magistrate, inquisitor, and public avenger. Long after his death, accounts of his exploits were celebrated in Chinese folklore and later immortalized by Robert van Gulik in his electrifying mysteries. These lively and historically accurate tales, written by a Dutch diplomat and scholar during the 1950s and '60s and brought back into print to critical acclaim in the 1990s, have entertained a devoted following around the world. Van Gulik's Judge Dee stories often based on actual cases and illustrated with the author's charming line drawings, offer vivid insight into life in traditional China. The eight short stories in "Judge Dee at Work" cover a decade during which the judge served in four different provinces of the Tang Empire. From the suspected treason of a general in the Chinese army to the murder of a lonely poet in his garden pavilion, the cases here are among the most memorable in the "Judge Dee" series.

A superb murder mystery set in the snowy wastes of ancient northern China Judge Dee is again in relentless pursuit of evil in one of van Gulik's most strange, atmospheric and ingenious murder mysteries. Set in a remote, freezing part of China, the novel twists together a girl's disappearance, the theft of some jewels and a horrifying beheading. And, just to make things worse, there seems to be some link with these events and a 'Seven Board', a popular game in the region. There are so many pleasures in the Judge Dee stories. Van Gulik was a great connoisseur of Tang Dynasty China and he brings this expertise to bear brilliantly in The Chinese Nail Murders.

Judge Dee is about to step into the shoes of a dead man…Most people would refuse the job of Magistrate at the lonely port town of Peng-lai – especially as the last occupant of the post has been found poisoned in his library, his papers missing. But Judge Dee is not most men. He arrives ready to get to the truth, only to find his life complicated even further by a missing bride, a vanished artisan, a man-eating tiger and an evil conspiracy.

Tuomari Deen jännittävät tutkimukset jatkuvat, tällä kertaa sykkivässä Kantonissa.Tuomari Dee saapuu Kantoniin. Kansainvälinen kaupunki tunnetaan iloisesta elämästä ja Helmijoen kukkaislaivoista. Tuomari Dee on kuitenkin vakavammilla asioilla: oikeusalan virkamies on kadonnut ja Deellä on taas uusi mysteeri ratkaistavanaan. Dee seuraa johtolankoja miehen olinpaikasta ja tutustuu samalla vilkkaaseen kaupunkiin ja sen asukkaisiin. Tapaus alkaakin ratketa yllättävällä tavalla, kun vastaan tulee sirkkoja myyvä sokea tyttö. Mutta tuomarin on oltava alati varuillaan, sillä Kantonin kaduilla piilee vaaroja.Murha Kantonissa on salapoliisiromaani, joka sijoittuu 600-luvun muinaiseen Kiinaan.Tuomari Dee on salapoliisi, joka kohtaa mitä jännittävimpiä murhia ja mysteerejä 600-luvun Kiinassa. Samalla kirjat tarjoavat huikean aikamatkan Kiinan kiehtovaan historiaan.

Pelottavia murhia menneen ajan Kiinassa...On hyytävän kylmä talvi, kun tuomari Dee hälytetään jälleen tutkimaan mystistä kuolemaa. Antiikkikauppiaan vaimo on murhattu - ja millä tavalla! Naisella ei ole enää päätä. Deen on aika ryhtyä tutkimuksiin. Kuka olisi voinut haluta pahaa kauppiaan vaimolle? Voiko syypää olla naisen aviomies? Kauppiaan vaimo ei kuitenkaan ole ainoa, joka joutuu murhan uhriksi - ja Deen aivonystyrät joutuvat todella koetukselle murhia selvittäessä. Kiinalaiset naulamurhat on mukaansatempaava salapoliisiromaani, jonka tapahtumat sijoittuvat muinaiseen Kiinaan. Tuomari Dee on salapoliisi, joka kohtaa mitä jännittävimpiä murhia ja mysteerejä 600-luvun Kiinassa. Samalla kirjat tarjoavat huikean aikamatkan Kiinan kiehtovaan historiaan.

Kiehtova rikossarja historiallisen Kiinan omasta Sherlock Holmesista alkaa. Tuomari Deeltä ei jää mikään huomaamatta.Kun terävästä päättelykyvystään tunnettu tuomari Dee osallistuu kukkaislaivassa järjestettäviin juhliin Han-yanin kaupungissa, kestit ovat vertaansa vailla. Ruoasta on huolehdittu, ja myös seura on harvinaisen viehättävää - näyttäviä kurtisaaneja tanssimassa ja seurustelemassa vieraiden kanssa. Erityisesti Mantelinkukka-niminen kurtisaani kiinnittää kaikkien huomion, sillä onhan nuori nainen taitava tanssija. Kukaan ei kuitenkaan arvaa, miten juhlat tulevat päättymään. Mantelinkukka katoaa, ja hetken päästä hänet löydetään kuolleena. Kuka halusi naiselle pahaa ja miksi? Ja liittyykö kurtisaanin kuolema jollain tavalla Deehen itseensä? Tuomari Deen täytyy virittää etsivänvaistonsa äärimmilleen hyytävän mysteerin äärellä.Kiinalaiset järvimurhat aloittaa Robert van Gulikin vetävän historiallisen salapoliisisarjan, joka sijoittuu 600-luvun Kiinaan.Tuomari Dee on salapoliisi, joka kohtaa mitä jännittävimpiä murhia ja mysteerejä 600-luvun Kiinassa. Samalla kirjat tarjoavat huikean aikamatkan Kiinan kiehtovaan historiaan.

Tuomari Deen on jälleen aika pistää niin omat kuin myös lukijan aivonystyrät koetukselle...Tuomari Dee saapuu uudeksi piirituomariksi Lan Fangin rajakaupunkiin. Perillä vastaanotto on vähintäänkin kummallinen: oikeusistuimen henkilökuntaa ei löydy mistään ja asiakirjatkin ovat homeessa. Se on kuitenkin vasta alkua. Tuomari Deen maine keisarillisen Kiinan nerokkaimpana salapoliisina joutuu koetukselle, kun hän saa selvittääkseen kolme rikosta samanaikaisesti. Miten vanha kenraali on voitu murhata sinetöidyssä huoneessa? Entä mitä tapahtui kadonneelle tytölle? Kaikista mystisin tapaus liittyy kuitenkin suolle rakennettuun sokkeloon, jossa väitetään kummittelevan...Kiinalaiset sokkelomurhat on jännittävä salapoliisiromaani, jossa Kiinan Sherlock Holmes painii toinen toistaan kinkkisempien rikosten ja murhien parissa. Tuomari Dee on salapoliisi, joka kohtaa mitä jännittävimpiä murhia ja mysteerejä 600-luvun Kiinassa. Samalla kirjat tarjoavat huikean aikamatkan Kiinan kiehtovaan historiaan.

Selles kogumikus on kohtunik Di juhtumid, mis varem ilmunud raamatutes "Hiina kullamõrvad" ning "Kohtunik Di töötab". "Hiina kullamõrvad" toimub aastal 663, kui kohtunik Di otsustab Hiina pealinnast ümber asuda Penglai provintsi ringkonnakohtunikuks. Tema eelkäija sellel ametipostil, kohtunik Wang, on tapetud. Juba teel uude elukohta rünnatakse kohtunik Di saatjaskonda. Di asub lahendama mõrvalugu ning kohtub uurimise muuhulgas ärakaranud pruudi, filosoofi ja veidrate korealastega. Kogumiku teises pooles "Kohtunik Di töötab" on kaheksa salapärast juhtumit. Muuhulgas uurib Di kahtlast enesetappu; pandimajapidaja, luuletaja ning akrobaadi mõrvu ja puutub kokku tatari sõdalastega. Raamatu lõppu on lisatud kõigi kohtunik Di juhtumite kronoloogia.Robert Hans van Gulik (1910-1967) oli Hollandi diplomaatiline esindaja Hiinas ja Jaapanis. Kohtunik Di Renjie oli reaalne isik, üks Tangi dünastia tuntumaid riigimehi, kes lahendas palju keerulisi juhtumeid. Peale selle, et tegu on kriminullide klassikaga, kirjeldavad kohtunik Di juhtumid värvikalt ja huvitavalt ka Vana-Hiina eluolu.

Robert Van Gulik, orientaliste et sinologue eminent, auteur de La vie sexuelle dans la Chine antique, des nombreuses et tres celebres Enquetes du juge Ti, de publications concernant divers aspects de la civilisation chinoise traditionnelle, diplomate en Orient, a aime et eleve chez lui, a Kuala Lumpur en Malaisie, plusieurs gibbons. Les etudes en francais sur ces animaux distingues et ravissants restent tres rares; a l'etude zoologique et sympathique Van Gulik joint ce que Borges appelle la poesie de l'erudition , examinant evocations et figures, dans la litterature et la peinture chinoises classiques, de ces singes gracieux et aimables. On pourra lire ici des textes nulle part ailleurs traduits, et de fins commentaires de tableaux fort peu connus.

Dommer Di er taget p orlov til Kinas Wei-ping provins. Men der bliver ikke meget tid til at slappe af, for kort efter ankomsten bliver Dommer Di involveret i en lokal mordsag, da stedets dommer sp rger ham til r ds. Sagen er sv rere at opklare end som s , og Dommer Di m have hj lp fra noget s aparte som en skruppell s gangster.

Den altid s sindige og vise Dommer Di kommer p sit livs opgave, da opklaringen af fire grusomme mord viser sig at v re en st rre mundfuld, end dommeren kan klare. Men hj lpen er n r - ogs selv om den kommer fra et uventet sted.

Judge Dee has been appointed emergency governor of the plague- and drought-ridden Imperial City. As his guards help the city fend off a popular uprising, an aristocrat from one of the oldest families in China suffers an 'accident' in a deserted mansion. In "The Willow Pattern", the illustrious judge uses his trademark expertise to unravel the mysteries of the nobleman, a shattered vase, and a dead bondmaid. Along the way he encounters a woman who fights with loaded sleeves, a nearly drowned courtesan, and an elaborate trap set for a murderer. Packed with suspense, violence, and romance, "The Willow Pattern" won't disappoint Judge Dee's legions of loyal fans.

It all begins on the night of the Poo-yang dragonboat races in AD 699: a drummer in the leading boat collapses, and the body of a beautiful young woman turns up in a deserted country mansion. There, Judge Dee - tribunal magistrate, inquisitor, and public avenger - steps in to investigate the murders and return order to the Tang Dynasty.In "The Emperor's Pearl", the judge discovers that these two deaths are connected by an ancient tragedy involving a near-legendary treasure stolen from the Imperial Harem one hundred years earlier. The terrifying figure of the White Lady, a river goddess enshrined on a bloodstained altar, looms in the background of the investigation. Clues are few and elusive, but under the expert hand of Robert van Gulik, this mythic jigsaw puzzle assembles itself into a taut mystery.

Judge Dee presided over his imperial Chinese court with a unique brand of Confucian justice. A near mythic figure in China, he distinguished himself as a tribunal magistrate, inquisitor, and public avenger. Long after his death, accounts of his exploits were celebrated in Chinese folklore, and later immortalized by Robert van Gulik in his electrifying mysteries.In The Phantom of the Temple, three separate puzzles—the disappearance of a wealthy merchant's daughter, twenty missing bars of gold, and a decapitated corpse—are pieced together by the clever judge to solve three murders and one complex, gruesome plot. “Judge Dee belongs in that select group of fictional detectives headed by the renowned Sherlock Holmes. I assure you it is a compliment not given frivolously.”—Robert Kirsch, Los Angeles TimesRobert Van Gulik (1910-67) was a Dutch diplomat and an authority on Chinese history and culture. He drew his plots from the whole body of Chinese literature, especially from the popular detective novels that first appeared in the seventeenth century.

Judge Dee presided over his Imperial Chinese court with a unique brand of Confucian justice. A near-mythic figure in China, he distinguished himself as a tribunal magistrate, inquisitor, and public avenger. Long after his death, accounts of his exploits were celebrated in Chinese folklore and later immortalized by Robert van Gulik in his electrifying mysteries. These lively and historically accurate tales, written by a Dutch diplomat and scholar during the 1950s and '60s and brought back into print to critical acclaim in the 1990s, have entertained a devoted following around the world. Van Gulik's Judge Dee stories often based on actual cases and illustrated with the author's charming line drawings, offer vivid insight into life in traditional China. Poisoned plums, a cryptic scroll picture, passionate love letters, and a hidden murderer with a penchant for torturing and killing women lead Judge Dee to the heart of the Governor's garden maze and the answers to three interwoven mysteries. "The Chinese Maze Murders" represents Robert van Gulik's first venture into writing suspense novels after the success of Dee Gong An, his translation of an anonymous Chinese detective novel from the sixteenth century.

Judge Dee, the master detective of seventh-century China, sets out to solve a puzzling double murder and discovers complex passions lurking beneath the placid surface of academic life. A mild-mannered student is rumored to have been slain by a fox-demon, while a young dancer meets her death as she dresses to perform for the magistrate's illustrious dinner guests - an obese Zen monk revered for his calligraphy, a beautiful poetess accused of murder, and the past president of the imperial academy. To connect the present crimes with betrayals and adulteries from decades past, the clever judge must visit a high-class brothel and the haunted shrine of the Black Fox. From the moment the young scholar is found dead on the eve of the Autumn Festival, the pace never lets up.

A chance encounter with Autumn Moon, the most powerful courtesan on Paradise Island, leads Judge Dee to investigate three deaths. Although he finally teases the true story from a tangled history of passion and betrayal, Dee is saddened by the perversion, corruption, and waste of the world "of flowers and willows" that thrives on prostitution.

The Monkey and The Tiger includes two detective stories, "The Morning of the Monkey" and "The Night of the Tiger." In the first, a gibbon drops an emerald in the open gallery of Dee's official residence, leading the judge to discover a strangely mutilated body in the woods—and how it got there. In the second, Dee is traveling to the imperial capital to assume a new position when he is separated from his escort by a flood. Marooned in a large country house surrounded by fierce bandits, Dee confronts an apparition that helps him solve a mystery.

In the third installment of Robert Van Gulik's classic ancient Chinese mystery series based on historical court records, magistrate, lawyer, and detective Judge Dee has his work cut out for him. Set in 666 A.D., in the hidden city of Han-yuan, sixty miles from the imperial capital of ancient China, Dee is sent to investigate a case of embezzlement of government funds. But things are about to get more complicated for the great detective. Just before he is about to take leave of Han-yuan, the popular courtesan Almond Blossom disappears, and then a bride who dies on her wedding night also disappears from her coffin -- her body replaced with that of a murdered man. To make matters worse, Judge Dee is confronted with the dangerous sect called the White Lotus.

The ancient Chinese detective Judge Dee returns for a fourth and final time in The Chinese Nail Murders. Though the setting is exotic and the time period ancient, Judge Dee has all the style and swagger of a modern Sherlock Holmes. Judge Dee is appointed to the magistrate of Pei-chow--a distant frontier district in the barren north of the ancient Chinese Empire. It is here that he is faced with three strange and disturbing crimes: the theft of precious jewels, the disappearance of a girl in love, and the fiendish murder involving the nude, headless body of a woman. And even more curious, the crimes seem to be linked together by clues from a popular game of the period, the Seven Board.First published in the 1950s, The Chinese Nail Murders includes charming illustrations and an epilogue that details the origins of each case and how the author discovered them.