Foul Lady Fortune
It’s 1931 in Shanghai. Known in whispers by her codename of Lady Fortune, Rosalind Lang specializes in poisons. When her handler asks her to partner with a fellow spy and known playboy, Orion Hong, to root out the source of a string of murders, Rosalind is not happy. But her struggles run deeper than just this assignment. It’s about coming to terms with her past and its consequences, which she intends to keep secret. Working undercover on a Japanese imperialist newspaper, Rosalind quickly finds her past catching up with her while a series of chemical poisonings begins to ravage the streets of Shanghai.
In a historical sense, the period details of the 1930s don’t come alive. Gong places emphasis on the characters and the opposing political forces, be it the Communist party, the Nationalists, or the Japanese Imperialists. While this approach often drives the plot forward in compelling ways, I do expect more historical details in novels classified as historical. For instance, the term “serial killer” wasn’t used until the 1970s and not something said in 1931. Dimmer light switches weren’t invented until 1959. Gong uses broad brushstrokes and, disappointingly, misses basic details of the period.
A reimagining of As You Like It, this first book in a new duology from Chloe Gong is a spin-off of her previous duology, These Violent Delights, and includes heavy spoilers of those books. For our main characters within their forced proximity, juicy tension collides between Rosalind and Orion. Side characters are also enjoyable and add depth to the complex plot. The story offers up plenty of surprises in the final act and entices readers for the next book. While period details aren’t well-researched, Foul Lady Fortune is a beguiling story of secret agents, slow-burn romance, and heart-stopping deception.
