A nurse turns detective in this gripping YA mystery set in an 18th-century Korean court.
Hyeon worked very hard to become a palace nurse, tasked with taking care of the medical needs of the palace maids. Born the unwanted daughter of a concubine, she yearns to make something of herself and prove her worth to her dismissive courtier father.
One night, she is summoned for an unprecedented mission: to take care of the Crown Prince himself. But it quickly becomes clear that she is not there to take care of the Crown Prince, but rather to serve as an alibi for his illegal absence from the palace. Because the Crown Prince and his father often had conflicts, and the intrigued courtiers were always ready to fan the flames of conflict in the royal family.
Later, that same night, Hyeon discovers that four women have been murdered at the facility where she received medical training – and her beloved mentor has been charged and jailed. Desperate to prove her mentor’s innocence and prevent her from being tortured by the police, Hyeon decides to track down the real killer.
Her undercover investigation soon attracts the attention of the new police inspector, Eojin. Eojin is young, dangerously uninterested in social class, and also eager to discover the real killer is Hyeon. Forced to respect each other’s abilities, they form an unlikely partnership to solve murders together.
The more they attempt to unravel the events that led to the four women’s deaths, the more likely the Crown Prince and his absence from the palace that night are at the center of a conspiracy. It’s clear that the mystery runs deeper than they could have predicted, and in solving it they could destroy the delicate balance that holds the power of a royal dynasty.
The device of a police officer and a civilian force joining forces to solve a complex mystery is one of the most popular scams of its kind, however, Red Palace The setting and specificity make it feel unique. The true story of Crown Prince Sado, a real and very tragic figure, is the inspiration behind this murder, and the historical detail throughout is both brutal and fascinating. It’s a prime example of historical fiction in which some of the most horrific events unfold are those that are closest to historical reality.
What really is the basis for the story to revolve around Red Palace are the characters’ inner struggles – especially the constant themes of honoring and gaining approval from one’s parents. I cannot speak to the importance of this topic from a cultural point of view, but in terms of psychological conflict, it is very effective. Almost every character is acting directly or against their parents’ interests, and Hyeon’s difficult relationship with her mother and father motivates her at every turn and is reflected back to her. through the people she meets. Where she ends up internally with these struggles feels very modern in its nuances.
Maybe some readers may find Hyeon’s thoughts and feelings too modern for a young woman in her time and place, but if there’s one thing that I’ve learned from reading the letters and diaries written by our predecessors, it is the inner world of man long ago. surprisingly similar to ours, despite changes in culture and manner. Interestingly, much of what is known about Crown Prince Sado’s life is drawn from the works of his wife, a minor character in the series. Red Palace. She herself is a tragic character, caught up in the whims and intrigues of the men who hold power over her life. Knowing the core truth of this story, but it seems true that Hyeon is having to push back the bonds that try to tie her to tragedy and try to find her own path to justice.
Red Palace is an expertly choreographed mystery with a hint of romance and an emotionally satisfying ending that beautifully blends fiction with fact. It’s the perfect book to read for a cozy winter afternoon about murder and conspiracy.
Caitlyn Paxson is a writer and performer. She is a regular reviewer for NPR Books and Quill & Quire.
