The Fourth Princess - by Janie Chang (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From the internationally bestselling author of The Porcelain Moon comes a haunting Gothic novel set in 1911 China. Two young women living in a crumbling, once-grand Shanghai mansion face danger as secrets of their pasts come to light, even as the mansion's own secret threatens the present.

Shanghai, 1911. Lisan Liu is elated when she is hired as secretary to wealthy American Caroline Stanton, the new mistress of Lennox Manor on the outskirts of Shanghai's International Settlement. However, the Manor has a dark past due to a previous owner's suicide, and soon Lisan's childhood nightmares resurface with more intensity and meld with haunted visions of a woman in red. Adding to her unease is the young gardener, Yao, who both entices and disturbs her.

Newly married Caroline looks forward to life in China with her husband, Thomas, away from the shadows of another earlier tragedy. But an unwelcome guest, Andrew Grey, attends her party and claims to know secrets she can't afford to have exposed. At the same party, the notorious princess Masako Kyo approaches Lisan with questions about the young woman's family that the orphaned Lisan can't answer.

As Caroline struggles with Grey's extortion and Thomas's mysterious illness, Lisan's future is upended when she learns the truth about her past, and why her identity has been hidden all these years. All the while, strange incidents accelerate, driving Lisan to doubt her sanity as Lennox Manor seems unwilling to release her until she fulfills demands from beyond the grave.

Review Quotes

"Chang's latest...is a deliciously gothic tale of haunting secrets and unexpectedly unreliable narrators set in 1911 Shanghai, with all its international glamor and buzzings of revolution. Recommend to readers who like their historical fiction dark and suspenseful." - Booklist

"Masterful plotting and mesmerizing characters will draw readers into this deliciously atmospheric tale set in 1911 Shanghai. Elegant prose and polite restraint are perfectly juxtaposed with secrets and intrigue, with an ending so unexpected it took my breath away." - Donna Jones Alward, author of When the World Fell Silent

"Rich in historical detail and a palpable sense of unease that will deliver all the shivers, this luminous Gothic tale will haunt readers long after they turn the last page." - Kimberly Brock, award-winning author of The Fabled Earth

"Janie Chang brings early-twentieth-century Shanghai to life in this beautifully layered tale of secrets, superstition, and resilience. A lush and atmospheric novel that lingers long after the final page." - Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of Letters Across the Sea

"Evocative, propulsive, and impossible to put down, The Fourth Princess is a beautifully written story, rich with flawless historical detail and lingering atmosphere." - Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book Society

"Janie Chang turns her hand to the Gothic, with splendid results! Elegant prose, lush atmospheric settings, and two surprising and resourceful heroines make The Fourth Princess a Gothic jewel to cherish." - Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club

"Filled with richly drawn characters and lush historical detail, The Fourth Princess immediately drew me into its twisty, atmospheric embrace and didn't let go. This is a wonderful Gothic you won't want to miss - I adored every page of it!" - Kris Waldherr, author of Unnatural Creatures

"The Fourth Princess is a luminous blend of history, mystery, and emotional depth that immerses readers in a world of secrets and resilience, illuminating the inspiring strength of women navigating love and loss amid shifting empires." - Jennifer Robson, USA Today bestselling author of The Gown

"The Fourth Princess has all the elements that make Gothic fiction so compelling. With well-drawn characters I couldn't help but root for and twists you don't see coming, I could hardly put it down. Chang never disappoints!" - Heather Webb, USA Today bestselling author of The Hope Keeper

"In The Fourth Princess, Chang spins a Gothic tale with all the intricacies, elegance, and allure of a fine silk web. Amid a Shanghai mansion, on the cusp of the Great War, the entangled lives of two women lure the reader down a path of tragedy and deception, culminating in an ending with unforgettable twists. A story of intrigue not to be missed." - Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday and The Girls of Good Fortune

"I love a good story that mixes two women who are orphans, a mysterious guardian, a dilapidated gothic mansion with secrets of its own--that throws in a dash of Chinese superstition, romance and, of course, murder. . . .A tale ensues full of lies, secrets and daring escapes." - Jeanine Herbst, NPR news anchor

"This is a well-written gothic novel that includes a good look at the events and culture of Shanghai at the time. The story has lots of twists and turns you don't see coming, and it will keep you reading along." - Red Carpet Crash

"Engaging....Cinematic....Fans of the gothic will enjoy this offering's distinctive setting and easily root for its sympathetic protagonist." - Historical Novels Review

"The Fourth Princess delivers a story packed with secrets and intrigue, coupled with historical details." - Novels Alive (5-Star Review)

"We all enjoy different doses of romance, so if you want your gothic to have hints of it instead of the love story being the entire plot, the The Fourth Princess is definitely for you!" - Book Riot