Hyeon was a powerful and brave protagonist, kickass despite being untrained in any martial arts, and a true example to women everywhere that there is more to strength than physical ability. I forgot what a pleasure it is to read standalones that don’t leave me with cliffhangers at the end!Ī good book requires many different components, but the main ingredient to a captivating story is always the characters (for me), and The Red Palace definitely did not let me down here! Hur’s characters were easy to fall in love with and easier to relate to, from the harsh parental expectations that Hyeon was constantly trying to meet, to the loneliness that filled Eojin, even when surrounded by people. This book was such a pleasure to read! Fast-paced and reasonably short, I flew through most of this in one sitting, and was left satisfied and content at the end.

The Extended, Long, and Very-Probably-Messy Review: A soft romance just added a sweet touch to the novel overall, and all-round the book was an absolute pleasure to read – I’m certain I’ll now have to read the author’s other books! The Red Palace was a fast-paced, exciting, adventurous mystery, and I loved every moment of it! The setting of 1758 Korea was fascinating to read about and thankfully free of any info-dumping, and the mystery was captivating and surprising, leaving readers with dawning expressions of understanding as the powerful main characters unravelled the intricate murder mystery. June Hur, critically acclaimed author of The Silence of Bones and The Forest of Stolen Girls, returns with The Red Palace-a third evocative, atmospheric historical mystery perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Kerri Maniscalco. When evidence begins to point to the Crown Prince himself as the murderer, Hyeon and Eojin must work together to search the darkest corners of the palace to uncover the deadly secrets behind the bloodshed. In her hunt for the truth, she encounters Eojin, a young police inspector also searching for the killer. Determined to prove her beloved teacher’s innocence, Hyeon launches her own secret investigation. All she wants is to keep her head down, do a good job, and perhaps finally win her estranged father’s approval.īut Hyeon is suddenly thrust into the dark and dangerous world of court politics when someone murders four women in a single night, and the prime suspect is Hyeon’s closest friend and mentor.

Joseon (Korea), 1758. There are few options available to illegitimate daughters in the capital city, but through hard work and study, eighteen-year-old Hyeon has earned a position as a palace nurse.

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