The Last Bowl of Tea

Emerging from centuries of tradition, this collection showcases the evolution of Chinese detective fiction from ancient oracle bone divinations to magistrates' casebooks spanning the Song to Qing dynasties. It highlights the interplay between official legal narratives and the oral storytelling culture, featuring strange and mysterious tales recounted in public spaces. These narratives, often centered on crime, contributed to the rich tapestry of detective fiction, culminating in a distinctive genre that flourished during the Qing dynasty.