Winner of the Best Unpublished Crime Novel Award - an Editorial Review of "Requiem for a Lotus"

Book Blurb:

The story takes place in 1917 Shanghai, where a police detective named Fletcher must solve the murder of a Chinese sing-song girl he’d failed to protect. Combining his Canadian prairie hunting experience with modern forensic technique, Fletcher scours Shanghai’s dangerous jig-saw underworld. But while he brings one killer to justice, another escapes, and Fletcher must sacrifice more than he expected before he’s done.

“Requiem for a Lotus” is the first novel of a trilogy.

Book Buy Link: Unpublished

Author Bio:

Born on February 16, 1957 in Vancouver, the remarkably diligent hockey historian Craig H. Bowlsby earned his BFA degree from University of British Columbia and became a member of the Canadian national fencing team. His love for the sport led him to self-publish a novel about fencing, Taking the Blade (Vancouver: College Printers, 1984). 0-9691705-0-5.

Bowlsy has also self-published five stories and the text of his play, The Hound of London (Vancouver: Intrepid Productions), a Sherlock Holmes mystery first staged at Burnaby's James Cowan Theatre in 1987. These were followed by 50 copies of Ice Age Memories, A Bibliography and Compendium of Early Hockey Publications (1996).

Bowlsby's major publications are histories of hockey in Western Canada. His self-published, illustrated, 381-page reference work on ice hockey in British Columbia, from 1895 to 1911, The Knights of Winter (unpriced, 2006), unearths lists of all players, all teams, records of games, etc., that are about as beguiling as Egyptian hieroglyphics. What does it all add up to? No matter. He got the excavation job done for others. It's a monumental work. Bowlsby cites the diary of Reverend John Sheepshanks in January of 1862 as the first recorded reference to hockey being played in British Columbia, at New Westminster following a freeze-up of the Fraser River.

Bowlsby has followed The Knights of Winter (2006) with an equally admirable, 388-page volume, Empire of Ice: The Rise and Fall of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, 1911-1926 (Knights of Winter 2012 $25). It features Cyclone Taylor, Frank and Lester Patrick, Nels Stewart and others. The PCHA created the first American teams to compete for the Stanley Cup. 978-0-9691705-6-3

Bowlsby has also published fiction, including a novella entitled Horth in Killing Reach, (part of the continuing sci-fi series of Okal Rel novels by Lynda Williams, published by Edge science fiction in Calgary) with another novella in the series about to be released, entitled Horth at Moon Shadow.

Once upon a time, hockey was akin to rugby in that the puck, like the ball in rugby, could not be passed forward. In 1913: The Year They Invented The Future Of Hockey, hockey historian Craig Bowlsby gives a detailed look at the introduction of the forward pass into the game. He writes: "Before 1913, the game of hockey had to be played backwards. The Patrick brothers of the PCHA [Pacific Coast Hockey Association] shattered this hallowed tradition, and played the game forwards. The new rule they invented--the forward pass--was denounced as a farce, and its implementation thought to be impossible. There was only one way to prove they were right--to win the Stanley Cup against the NHA using their despised and reviled new rule. A hundred years ago the Patricks took that challenge."

In May 2024 Bowlsby won the award of excellence for Best Unpublished Crime Novel manuscript for “Requiem for a Lotus.”

Editorial Review:

“When you put a rope around the Devil’s neck, you need to hang on tight.” “Chinese proverb?”

“Simple observation.”

Preoccupied with a string of recent murders, Detective Fletcher neglected his primary duty: finding Wen-Chun, a young woman who’d been abducted and was being sold into sexual slavery. The murdered young woman found on the riverbank validated Fletcher’s worst fears. He was too late. Wen-Chun was dead.

Even though Fletcher failed Wen-Chun during her lifetime, he was resolute in honouring her memory by investigating her kidnapping and bringing those who were responsible for her murder to trial. But this is Shanghai, a viper-filled cesspit of criminality and organised gangs.

He must think like a criminal to avenge Wen-Chun. However, the line separating justice from cold-blooded murder is dangerously fine.

Filled with nail-biting tension, C. Bowlsby’s “Requiem for a Lotus” is a gripping and fast-paced historical crime thriller.

The extensive research behind this novel is truly impressive. The meticulous details and rich context are woven seamlessly throughout the narrative, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story. Bowlsby’s commitment to authenticity and thoroughness is evident, enhancing the overall reading experience. Bowlsby masterfully captures the spirit of early 20th-century Shanghai, portraying its social, political, and economic landscape with historical accuracy. The city’s striking, often disturbing, image is formed by vivid portrayals of Shanghai’s back alleys, hospitals, morgues, pawn shops, opium dens, brothels, and decadent nightlife. In this city, the illusion of authority control is maintained while criminal gangs secretly run the streets. The vivid depiction of Shanghai’s underworld is achieved through sensory details, the mingling smells of opium and blood creating a powerful, sickening effect on the reader. The opulence of its criminals and the barbaric treatment of their victims are equally striking. The near hopelessness of the situation is highlighted by the horrifying inadequacy of local law enforcement against countless murders and kidnappings. There is no let-up. When one criminal is taken off the streets, there are plenty more who can step into his shoes. Though Europe is experiencing a horrific war, the Shanghai gang war is just as fierce and as unforgiving. Additionally, the stark contrast between the wealthy and the impoverished underscores the social stratification and moral complexities present in the narrative. Shanghai is depicted as a city that never sleeps, nor will the reader until they have finished and closed the book!

This novel boasts an impressive array of characters, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations. Among them are numerous antagonists, whose intentions often stir tension and conflict within the narrative. Additionally, some characters navigate a murky territory of dubious loyalties, creating an intriguing web of relationships. Despite the sheer volume of characters, the author skilfully guides the reader, making it easy to follow each individual’s role and significance in the unfolding story.

Fletcher is the central character. He is portrayed as a driven but troubled detective, consumed by his grief and his need for justice. His internal conflict is evident and, as the story unfolds, his methods become increasingly morally ambiguous. Often brutal but surprisingly effective, these tactics reflect a man overwhelmed by his work and wrestling with his own demons. His desire for revenge often clashes with his need to uphold the law, leading him to become increasingly reckless regarding his own safety and that of those around him. Fletcher is capable of both brutality and compassion, which makes him a very compelling protagonist. His sharp intelligence remains intact even when clouded by whiskey, likened to the sharpness of the wolf he is often compared to. He relentlessly hunts down criminal gangs and, despite their apparent nonchalance, the criminal underworld takes Fletcher’s methods for extracting the truth seriously.

Fletcher did look a bit like a wolf, with his shock of black hair, dark brows, piercing eyes, and long, straight nose. But he wasn’t unstoppable—far from it—because he had felt the sting of those knives. He was simply willing to do it—to walk the gauntlet. He ached to bring down each killer. Each success sustained him, kept him going. But otherwise, he was little more than a caretaker for the dead.

There is a huge supporting cast of characters in this novel, all of whom have their unique personalities and roles to play as the story unfolds. Li is portrayed as a capable partner for Fletcher, providing valuable insights and assistance. He is also a complex character, a type of double agent, working for both the criminal world and the police force. The threat to Li’s life is very real, and he goes to desperate measures to make sure his parents are safe from harm in case his cover is blown.

Pockmarked Huang has a significant presence in the underworld, adding complexity to the narrative. Bear is a powerful gangster, but he also exhibits vulnerability and desperation, especially when his access to opium has been denied. Zhang serves as a ruthless and calculating antagonist, with his actions driven by self-preservation and a desire for revenge. Hu, Fletcher’s loyal houseboy, adds emotional weight to the story, raising the stakes for the characters involved. Min emerges as a complex female character torn between her loyalty to her “sister” and her growing feelings for Fletcher. Big-Tooth Tu stands out as a chillingly effective villain, whose casual brutality underscores the darkness of the underworld. Secondary characters like Chief McWhirter, Officer Petrie, and Johnny Black Cat are well-developed, contributing depth and complexity to the narrative. Every character’s dialogue and actions unveil their distinct personalities and underlying motivations, painting a vivid picture of who they are and what they stand for. Each one contributes a unique perspective to the story, infusing it with fresh energy and driving the narrative forward in an engaging and dynamic way.

Very soon the Dark Wolf would be the Dead Wolf, Bear convinced himself. But there couldn’t be any slip-ups.

The vivid setting, compelling protagonist, terrifying antagonists, and intriguing plot work together to create a gripping and atmospheric piece of crime fiction. “Requiem for a Lotus” by C. Bowlsby is essential reading for enthusiasts of historical thrillers.

“Requiem for a Lotus” by C. Bowlsby receives five stars and the ‘Highly Recommended’ award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company

Award:

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