Wednesday's Pick!

The Chinese Alchemist , the newest book by Toronto author Lyn Hamilton, is the eleventh adventure in the intriguing Archaeological Mystery series. This time antiques dealer Lara McClintoch sets off in search of a silver box from the eighth century T’ang dynasty which contains the formula for an elixir for immortal life. Her quest leads her to China where she becomes involved in a deadly antiques smuggling ring and is pursued by ruthless criminals. Lara is an appealing amateur sleuth with a wry sense of humour. Interwoven with the story of Lara’s escapades is the story of the silver box as told by Wu Yuan, a eunuch in the Imperial Court in the eighth century. Wu Yuan’s account provides the reader with a glimpse into a fascinating period of Chinese history. Previously in the Archaeological Mystery series, Lara’s adventures have taken her to places such as Malta, Ireland, Peru, Tunisia, and the Orkney Islands. Like the preceding books in the series, The Chinese Alchemist is well researched, informative, and entertaining. It is a blend of travel writing, mystery, and archaeology which will appeal to mystery fans who enjoy an exotic setting.