Robert van Gulik - Necklace and Calabash - 1967

Necklace and Calabash (1967) is one of the later Judge Dee detective novels by Robert van Gulik, set in Imperial China and written in the classical gong’an tradition. In this story, Judge Dee becomes involved in a complex set of mysteries while staying near a river town, including the disappearance of a valuable necklace, political intrigue around the Third Princess, and the enigmatic role of Master Gourd. Van Gulik combines historical detail, atmospheric tension, and clever deduction, enriched by eight illustrations drawn by the author himself in traditional Chinese style. The novel showcases the refined maturity of Van Gulik’s storytelling, blending cultural authenticity with an engaging, multilayered plot.

Rarity
The 1967 first edition published by Heinemann has become increasingly sought-after, especially in collectible condition. Early Judge Dee titles from this publisher are not easy to source, and copies containing all original illustrations are particularly desirable among collectors of classic detective fiction and Sinological literature.

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