Chinawoman’s Chance (Portia of the Pacific Historical Mysteries) by Jim Musgrave takes us back to the bustling and somewhat lawless society of San Francisco in 1884. The California Gold Rush and the railways have made San Francisco a place of wealth and power, but for certain sections of society, nothing has really changed. For women and for the Chinese immigrants brought to America by the railway bosses to help build the railways, life is hard. Neither group has any real rights in this America of the 1880s. Championing the cause for women and the oppressed is the larger than life self-trained barrister, Clara Shortridge Foltz Esq. When a young ex-prostitute is murdered, flayed and eviscerated in the Chinatown district of the city, suspicion immediately falls on the Chinese Tongs that make up the ghetto that is Chinatown. Captain Isaiah Lees and his sergeant must determine who is responsible and cut off any possibility of retaliatory action against the Chinese immigrants. Competing against the rival and corrupt Sheriff’s Department plus the city’s mayor, Lees has his job cut out for him.

As a big fan of historical novels in general and historical mystery stories in particular, I found Jim Musgrave’s Chinawoman’s Chance (Portia of the Pacific Historical Mysteries) to be absolutely superb. As the first in a series of books based around the wonderful character of Clara Shortridge Foltz Esq., the author has created a marketable and believable set of characters on which to build his series. Clara is clearly the star of the story, with her forthrightness and her willingness to take on the patriarchal society at their own game. In the age of the suffragettes, Musgrave’s character is the perfect portrayal of the women who led the campaign for women’s rights all around the world. Her freedom and her owning of her own sexuality was rare among woman of the time. It was fascinating to look at the reactions of the politicians to the perceived growing threat of the “yellow menace”, as they termed it, with their heathen religions and beliefs, comparing that to today’s response with respect to Hispanic and Muslim immigration. The “Exclusion Act” and the “Muslim Ban” – not all that different, perhaps? This book appealed to me on many levels, but most importantly of all, it was a darn good read and an excellent mystery.

In the intriguing historical mystery novel, Chinawoman's Chance (Portia of the Pacific Historical Mysteries, Volume 1) by Jim Musgrave, a young prostitute's brutal murder unmasks political prejudice towards the Chinese in 1884 San Francisco. After her husband left her, Clara Foltz took the skills her attorney father had taught her and became a legal representative. Clara became the first woman admitted to the California Bar and was a forceful advocate. When a young woman's body was found with her skin removed from her bones in a rented apartment in the Chinese district, the local constabulary immediately gathered sixteen Chinese men and threw them in jail. The Six Companies, ambassadors for the Chinese government, hired Clara to represent them to protect their interests and prove the innocence of the young reporter charged with the murder. Fighting the prejudice within the city government, Clara finds unexpected assistance from a captain in the police department. Clara and the detective work together to find the murderer before an innocent man is hanged. With the clock ticking against them, can they succeed in the present racial clime?

Chinawoman's Chance (Portia of the Pacific Historical Mysteries, Volume 1) by Jim Musgrave is a thrilling murder mystery that takes place in the late nineteenth century. Based on actual people and locations, this is a gripping novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The thrilling story moves along at a quick pace, keeping the reader spellbound from the first page to the last. The characters are well-defined and depicted in a genuine and natural manner, making it easy for the reader to relate to them and their era. The dramatic portrayal of their fight against prejudice and chicanery will enthrall those who love subterfuge and mystery set in another time. I recommend this exciting novel to those who enjoy historical stories with murder and intrigue.

Chinawoman’s Chance: Portia of the Pacific Historical Mysteries, Volume 1 by James Musgrave is a historical mystery novel set in late 19th-century San Francisco and highlights a fictional account of Clara Foltz, California's first woman lawyer. Though the real Clara Foltz harbored many of the anti-Chinese attitudes of the time period, the fictional version in this engaging mystery has been hired by Chinatown's elite to solve a rash of murders involving Chinese prostitutes. A single Caucasian woman is the most recent victim and there is a renewed fervor to solve the case now that it's being viewed as an important incident. Clara is assisted by Ah Toy, a former Madame turned businesswoman and art dealer, who works as Clara's translator.

In a story filled with many twists and turns, Musgrave puts a new spin on the typical historical mystery. Chinawoman’s Chance is a solid read, made more interesting by the fact that though Chinese immigrants contributed a large part in building the city of San Francisco, we don't see many stories about them. Musgrave even manages to competently straddle the racist attitudes of the time period with Clara's fictional progressive demeanor, though there are times when characters and descriptions feel a bit exoticized. Such as the fictional version of Ah Toy having bound feet in a way that clashes with her past, as well as standing at odds with her real life counterpart. That, along with a few other things, kept me from getting as deeply lost in the story as I would have liked, but despite it all, Musgrave manages to deliver a taut mystery that grabs the reader's attention with its approach, twists, and constant action. Good for fans looking for an intriguing and cosy historical mystery.

“I tell you, Captain, she was flayed like a dressed deer. Clean down to the bone.” How can any reader not want to continue with this for an opening sentence? Chinawoman’s Chance: Portia of the Pacific Historical Mystery Volume 1 by James Musgrave is not your everyday detective story. When thirty-five-year-old Clara Shortridge Foltz is kidnapped from an arranged tryst with her lover, she is more intrigued than alarmed. The four Chinamen whisk Clara to Chinatown where she meets with a congregation of some of the most powerful yet seedy heads of town. Arrested and accused of the brutal murder of Mary McCarthy, a woman of the streets, fourteen Tong members are in need of Clara’s legal representation. Andrew Kwong has no qualms with an American female representing his compatriots at a time in history when women do not work in such public ways. But Clara’s reputation precedes her and Kwong is confident in retaining her services.

James Musgrave bring to the table a different kind of legal thriller. Set in 1884 San Francisco, Chinatown is presented as a victimized community. The story line flows smoothly amid several provocative twists and turns that engage the reader until the very last page. Musgrave utilizes vivid description of setting and plot to lure the reader into the realistic detail of his story. The main character is well-defined and inspiring as a nineteenth century heroine. With its heavy reference to the sexist attitudes of the time, I envision Chinawoman’s Chance as a staple in the library of many historical mystery collectors.

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