Shadows in Chinatown

Jolie Tunnell

Jun 2025 · Tule Publishing

About this ebook

Karine Kelly’s dream of a fresh start as a mail-order bride in booming 1882 San Francisco becomes a nightmare when her charming Irish husband is murdered on their wedding night. Waking to destitute widowhood and fiercely angry in-laws, she discovers a series of shocking secrets that her husband left behind.

Why did he tell no one about their wedding? Why was a Chinese assailant hunting him and now stalking her? Why do residents in the city shadows seem to know more about her husband than she does? And why does the irritating Detective Max Fisher keep turning up like a bad penny?

Faced with appalling apathy and growing suspicion from the police, Karine’s determined to follow the trail of lies to find justice in a lawless city.

Warily working around each other as the killer strikes again, Karine and Detective Fisher uncover a sinister web of corruption, bigotry, and betrayals that circles ever closer to the jade pendant she wears over her heart—all that’s left of her husband’s pledge—and a ticking bomb that threatens to destroy Chinatown.

Ratings and reviews

Set in 1880's San Francisco this engaging murder mystery depicts the lives and problems of those in the Irish and Chinese quarters of the city and also the differing services provided by the police depending on where you live and how much money you have. A good introduction to the main character and now that the set-up is complete I expect this series to grow in scope and plot. Keeps you guessing throughout.

My minds in a bit of a whirl after reading. So many things happen in such a short time it was almost too much to keep up with. I felt for Karine as her dream went up in smoke and then she got caught up in a dangerous game played by greedy and corrupt men. I thoroughly enjoyed the world building. So excellently recreated San Francisco from so long ago. True to the time period with attitudes and beliefs to match. The characters were complex and at times confounding but Karine, Mrs. Kelly makes for

This book was a page-turner. I've read all of Jolie's Loveda Brown series, and this book has the same feel. It's suspenseful without being outlandish. Jolie writes in the time period as if she's lived there herself. I look forward to another Mrs. Kelly mystery! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.