thank you to the publisher & netgalley for the gifted ARC/ALC

Manchuria, 1908. A young woman is found dead in the snow with rumors of foxes involved. Bao, a detective intrigued by tales of foxes since childhood, is hired to sniff out the truth. Meanwhile, a prestigious family with a burdened past welcomes a mysterious woman, Snow, into their household as their luck seems to change. How will Snow & Bao's lives intersect?

I read FOX WIFE on audio, narrated by the author herself, and loved the immersive experience, atmospheric writing, and the multilayered mystery. FOX WIFE is inspired by Chinese folklore of foxes and their magical abilities, along with the historical figure Bao Gong (包公 aka Justice Bao 包青天), who served as a politician in the Song Dynasty.

FOX WIFE has everything I love about fantastic Asian literature that doesn't cater to the Western/white gaze—Chinese/Japanese characters, local folklore, not centered on trauma, Chinese-Japanese history & political nuance, and citing Chinese books! Shakepeare quotes are so out of style now; can we please get more Pu Songling (jk jk). Most importantly, FOX WIFE is fun to read!

I'm in awe of how unique FOX WIFE is, and while it's my first read by Choo, it definitely won't be my last! For lovers of historical mystery looking to get lost in a snowy country with magical foxes, don't miss out on THE FOX WIFE!