Kindle Price: $4.99

Save $5.01 (50%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Vincent Stoia
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Dynasty of Shadows Kindle Edition

by Vincent Stoia (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 28 ratings
See all formats and editions

In the muddy streets of the Tang Dynasty’s capital, authorities discover the body of a murdered child. In his left hand, the boy clutches a letter accusing his parents of a terrible crime. In his right hand is a small wooden carving of Leigong, the God of Thunder. Over the following weeks more children are discovered, each holding a letter in one hand, a statue of Leigong in the other.

Since leaving the Emperor’s police force, Ming has led a dull life. He spends his days tutoring young scholars in the Confucian texts, raising his children and tending to his dying wife. But when the murders threaten to plunge the city into chaos, Ming is called upon to rejoin the Gold Bird Guard and stop the terror.

Ming is no stranger to crime, but this time he isn’t tracking a bandit or a thief. To find his killer, Ming must navigate the dizzying world of Chinese bureaucracy and intrigue. He must also learn about Leigong, a fearsome god that wields nature to punish those who harbor secret crimes. As Ming pushes deeper into this mystery, he discovers he must go one step farther. He will have to look into his own past, and confront the sins he has spent years trying to forget.

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    383 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    January 11, 2024
  5. File size
    4049 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
Next page

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CQ9ZLSH7
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 1st edition (January 11, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 11, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4049 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 383 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 28 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Vincent Stoia

Vincent Stoia

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Vinnie is a novelist and a screenwriter. He grew up in Boston, but he has spent more than fifteen years abroad. He has lived in Australia, Taiwan and Japan. Vinnie’s two previous novels, Jin Village and Dark Blossom, are both horror stories set in China. Most of Vinnie’s prose is horror. As a screenwriter, he tends to write comedies. Horror and comedy may seem like a strange combination to some, but Vinnie respectfully disagrees. After all, both genres come from dark places. His novels and screenplays have placed in prestigious contests, and his short film The House won several first place awards.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
28 global ratings
A great thriller, full of mystery and intrigue.
5 Stars
A great thriller, full of mystery and intrigue.
A wonderfully crafted mystery novel set in ancient China. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it for anyone who loves history and suspense.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Nazli Ikizalp
5.0 out of 5 stars Murder Mysteries and Myths
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
Really engaging, great read with a unique setting and premise!
Helpful
 Report
Jerome Villegas
5.0 out of 5 stars Weaving history and mystery, great read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
Excellent journey and look inside Chinese dynasties as the backdrop to a killer plot—genuine blend of historical insight with a thrilling pace!
Helpful
 Report
Mike Tennant
4.0 out of 5 stars Great new historical murder mystery
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
Wow! Great book! I've long been a fan of historical mysteries going back to Peters' Cadfael series and Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa books too, so to have a historical murder mystery set in Tang dynasty China was a real treat since I'm not too familiar with the place or time period. The main hero, Ming, is a former
"police" officer with a troubled past and he teams up with Dragon, a former soldier, to try to catch a murderer who is striking terror into the lives of the residents of ancient Changan (today's Xian, as I found out later).
Ming and Dragon make a great team and here's hoping we get to enjoy more of their adventures through Stoia's wonderful storytelling.
Helpful
 Report
Kimberlee
5.0 out of 5 stars A very engaging mystery set in ancient China
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2024
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book. It follows Ming, a disillusioned investigator tasked with finding a killer. The closer he gets to the truth, the more he has to face his own demons. The writer makes the most of ancient China, with mythology, politics and political machinations. Toad and Blossom were two of my favorite characters. Highly recommended!
Helpful
 Report
LOVE THE BOOK! Totally recommend if you like thriller
5.0 out of 5 stars So good
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
Loved the story, the end surprised me!
Helpful
 Report
R&B
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Thriller
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
A great thriller with a really cool mystery. The backdrop of Ancient China felt very authentic and different. An exciting read that I couldn't put down.
Helpful
 Report
J. L. TINKER
5.0 out of 5 stars A great thriller, full of mystery and intrigue.
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
A wonderfully crafted mystery novel set in ancient China. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it for anyone who loves history and suspense.
Customer image
J. L. TINKER
5.0 out of 5 stars A great thriller, full of mystery and intrigue.
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024
A wonderfully crafted mystery novel set in ancient China. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it for anyone who loves history and suspense.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
Helpful
 Report
Benjamin
4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating read
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
Loved seeing the mystery unfold. Creative use of Chinese mythology too
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Ashley James
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating read
Reviewed in Australia on February 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this awesome thriller. The political intrigue and the maneuvering in the imperial government were probably my favorite part. I liked reading about the various government officials scheming against one another for political gain. Dragon was an awesome character and the elements of Chinese mythology were very cool as well. Five stars.
Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report