We are heading into the spooky season of the world, at least here in the Northern Hemisphere. The days are getting shorter, the shadows are getting longer, and for many of us, our reading tastes shift. I personally do not read a lot of suspense or thrillers, but I do enjoy a good mystery. And doubly so if it is an historical mystery- triply so if it is based on an actual mystery. The Red Palace by June Hur is one of my favourite mysteries of 2022, and needs to be on your to-read list!
The Red Palace, June Hur
Joseon (Korea), 1758. There are few options available to illegitimate daughters in the capital city, but through hard work and study, eighteen-year-old Hyeon has earned a position as a palace nurse. All she wants is to keep her head down, do a good job, and perhaps finally win her estranged father’s approval.
But Hyeon is suddenly thrust into the dark and dangerous world of court politics when someone murders four women in a single night, and the prime suspect is Hyeon’s closest friend and mentor. Determined to prove her beloved teacher’s innocence, Hyeon launches her own secret investigation.
In her hunt for the truth, she encounters Eojin, a young police inspector also searching for the killer. When evidence begins to point to the Crown Prince himself as the murderer, Hyeon and Eojin must work together to search the darkest corners of the palace to uncover the deadly secrets behind the bloodshed.
Why You Should Read This…
This is a YA novel, which is not a normal choice for me. Typically with YA, I think there are fantastic storylines but I feel like I am getting 70% of a story. However, that is absolutely not the case with The Red Palace. This is an engrossing and fascinating mystery set in the Korean court in the late eighteenth century, and I was equally interested in the mystery itself, as well as the structure of the court. Hur has obviously done her research; it more than pays off in this multi-layered mystery. This is her third stand-alone novel, and I have grabbed her first two novels to read this fall- a must-read for any fans of historical mystery! (And I am thrilled to say, this is a Canadian author, no-less.)
Is The Red Palace by June Hur on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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