Skeleton Women

Mingmei Yip

Oct 2011 · Kensington Publishing Corp.

About this ebook

The gripping story of a Chinese woman's journey through a criminal underworld of intrigue and opulence from the author of Peach Blossom Pavilion.

Once upon a time in China, the most beautiful and gifted women were known as “skeleton women”—the ultimate femme fatales who could bring a man to his knees, or to his doom . . .

When Camilla, a young orphan girl in Shanghai, is adopted and brought to live in luxury, it seems like a stroke of luck. But as Camilla grows to womanhood, she realizes that her “rescue” was part of gang leader Big Brother Wang's scheme. Camilla is trained in singing, dancing, knife-throwing and contortion—all to attract the attention of Wang's enemy, the ruthless Master Lung.

Forced to become Master Lung's mistress, Camilla meets two intriguing women. One is a magician and rival for Master Lung's affections, while the other one dresses like a man and wields power through her incendiary gossip column. Both pose risks to Camilla's safety and status. But an even greater danger comes in the form of Master Lung's eldest son, who despises his father's violent lifestyle—but loves Camilla. Only by plotting to eliminate Lung can she make her escape, but the cost may be too high to pay . . .

Praise for the novels of Mingmei Yip

“A unique and enthralling style . . . flawless.” —Baltimore Books Examiner

“Riveting . . . a rare peek into an exotic culture that is thrilling, captivating, and moving.” —Shobhan Bantwal, author of The Dowry Bride

“A vivid account of the forgotten past.” —Chun Yu, author of Little Green

Ratings and reviews

I'm a huge fan of Asian literature, and just when you think you've read the best, BETTER comes along. M.Y. gets down to the nitty gritty... Skip the sweet stuff and get down to the real deal.

Mingmei Yip's latest novel "Skeleton Women" is a fascinating and provocative story about an orphan girl named Camilla who was raised to be a performer and companion to a most notorious Chinese organized crime leader named Lung. She is programmed by the leader's rival Big Brother Wang. Camilla is musically talented and coached by a famous voice coach who appears to play many roles in Camilla's life. Camilla herself plays the roles of night club performer, mistress and spy as she attempts to learn the secrets to Lung's success which has brought him untold wealth and power. In the meantime, Camilla learns of a potential rival in the form of magician Shadow who threatens to undermine Camilla's attempts to please her benefactor Big Brother Wang. She fears that if she is not successful in her role as spy, she will be killed by her benefactor. Yip is a master of developing characters from the early part of 20th century China. She delineates the roles of men and women as well as those of the privileged and the underprivileged. She skillfully takes the reader through the trivial and the mundane as she builds suspense toward the important issues of survival and personal motivation. This story has everything for the reader of culture and suspense. There is love interest and there are personal trials and tribulations. There is the issue of duty, honor and trust within a culture in which nothing is truly as it appears. The reader is treated to humor and heart-wrenching decisions which are made not of choice but of necessity. "Skeleton Women" will tease your sense of a just world as it stretches the tender muscles of your heartstrings.

About the author

Mingmei Yip was born in China and received her Ph.D. from the University of Paris, Sorbonne. She has written for major Hong Kong newspapers, and has appeared on many national and international television and radio programs. She immigrated to the United States in 1992, where she now lives in New York City with her husband. Her novels have been published in ten different languages and she is also an accomplished musician and calligrapher. Visit her at www.mingmeiyip.com.