We love smartly-written mystery capers, especially those from the mind of author Ed Lin, who is of Taiwanese and Chinese descent. We completely appreciate that this one is set (yet again) in the night markets of Taiwan! Ed Lin’s latest novel, Incensed, has just been released, and he’s also on tour to promote and read from the book.
Ed Lin, a journalist by training, is the author of several other books: Waylaid, his literary debut, and his Robert Chow crime series, set in 1970s Manhattan Chinatown: This Is a Bust, Snakes Can’t Run, and One Red Bastard. He is also the first author to win three Asian American Literary Awards.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In Taiwan, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for prioritizing family. When 25-year-old Jing-nan’s gangster uncle, Big Eye, asks a favor, Jing-nan can’t exactly say no, especially because two goons are going to follow him around to make sure he gets it done right. The favor is this: Big Eye’s 16-year-old daughter, Mei-ling, has a biker boyfriend from the wrong side of the tracks—in Big Eye’s gangster opinion—and Big Eye wants Jing-nan to bring her to Taipei, away from the bad influences, and straighten her out.
It doesn’t take Jing-nan long to discover Mei-ling is even more trouble than the average bratty, rebellious teenager. She’s been spoiled rotten and doesn’t know how to take no for an answer. She has her father’s thugs wrapped around her finger and quickly becomes the miniature dictator of Jing-nan’s life. But Mei-ling is also hiding a secret—one that puts her in harm’s way. If Jing-nan wants to save his cousin from her own demons, he has to figure out the truth, even if it tears his family apart—again.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Boston, MA
October 4 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Brookline Booksmith
279 Harvard Street Brookline, MA
New York City (Night Market Simulation)
October 11 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Museum of Chinese in America
215 Centre Street
Must buy tickets first: http://www.mocanyc.org/visit/events/at_the_night_market_with_ed_lin
https://www.facebook.com/events/1455096084506352/
Washington D.C.
October 12 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Avenue, SE
New York City, NY
October 14 @ 6:00 pm
Asian American / Asian Research Institute – CUNY
25 West 43rd Street, Room 1000
Berkeley, CA
October 18 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Eastwind Books, 2066 University Ave.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1584709908490733/
Los Angeles, CA
October 21 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
GR2, 2062 Sawtelle Blvd
Orange, CA
October 23 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Street
Scottsdale, AZ
October 25 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Poisoned Pen, 4014 N Goldwater Blvd #101
Houston, TX
October 27 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Murder by the Book, 2342 Bissonnet St
BUY:
https://www.amazon.com/Incensed-Taipei-Night-Market-Novel/dp/1616957336
I just finished Incensed, largely a travelogue of Taipei set in a modern light crime mystery, with a bit of political commentary. I had a slow start in November prior to my first trip to Taiwan, but the story gained traction and my pace quickened following the trip, noting places I’d visited and those I hope to this Spring. Fun read!