Beautiful ghosts ebook

Shan must carry out his work while continually aware of the tensions between his assigned job, the needs of the Tibetan people, and his own tenuous life without official status. Pattison writes very well, and the story moves along intriguingly. His characters are highly developed without the use of cliches.

His book is infused with the effect of the invasion and occupation of Chinese forces into Tibet on the people and culture of that country. I usually don't care to read detailed descriptions of settings other than what's needed to place the characters and story in a mystery.

Pattison weaves descriptions of locations and Buddhist artworks into the story beautifully, and, without them, Beautiful Ghosts wouldn't be the book that it is.

This very, very good read makes me want to learn more about Tibet, it's people and Buddhism, as well as to read all of the Inspector Shan series. I have a theory: the first of these novels has a lower average rating than the later ones. Not, I think, because it's worse than the others, but because while many may pick up the first book of this series, only the ones who like the first book stick with it.

I know, I know - but did I say it was a groundbreaking theory? And you really should read these books in the right order.

And I think if you love this series, you love it wholeheartedly. But then, I can only speak for myself. For some reas I have a theory: the first of these novels has a lower average rating than the later ones. For some reason, I found the beginning of this book extremely confusing - for the first pages or so I had no idea what was going on and what had happened. So I just read on to see where the book would take me. I don't know whether it was intended to be that way, or if it was just me being a bit too tired or too dumb, but either way, it didn't take away my enjoyment of the book.

I really enjoyed that part of the story. But at this point it's clear that the main appeal of the series aren't the crime plots, but the people and the places. It was very interesting to see the change in Corbett and Yao as the story progressed, and Tan, too, is a fascinating character. I also love seeing things through Shan's eyes - it's very different from the way we see things, sometimes, and still also different from the way Tibetans see things, so he's in a kind of in-between position.

His visit to the US was a startling read. I think Pattison does a great job at conveying these different ways of seeing things. The most touching if also very saddening part of this book was the relationship between Shan and his son. And while the solution was maybe a little too convenient and not what would really happen, well, so is what happens to Shan at the end of the first book and it's not like it still wasn't heartbreaking.

Only two more books left. Jun 16, Annabelle rated it liked it. This is the fourth in the series where Shan. The usual plot comes forth, there is a misguided American who is converted to the peace of wonders of Buddhism, Corbett, the artist FBI man, an official from the Chinese government who is criminal and corrupt in this case Ming, stealing art, and a Chinese official who is a good socialist mean at first but hon This is the fourth in the series where Shan.

The usual plot comes forth, there is a misguided American who is converted to the peace of wonders of Buddhism, Corbett, the artist FBI man, an official from the Chinese government who is criminal and corrupt in this case Ming, stealing art, and a Chinese official who is a good socialist mean at first but honest in the end, Yao. There is the turgid progression where everyone finds preposterously elaborate Buddhist temples in caves with riches, and traveling around doing nothing.

But I always care about Shan and delight in the worldview of the Buddhist joy of present time. I love the poems he writes to his dead father and burns to heavens. View 1 comment. Sep 06, Chana rated it liked it Shelves: tibet , mystery-religious-theme. An Inspector Shan mystery set in Tibet. It starts off in the same muddled and confusing way that I remember from The Skull Mantra, but it improves; the 2nd half of the book is well plotted and tense, the ending is very moving.

The story involves art theft and the looting of ancient places in Tibet, an ancient ruined monastery, a Chinese emperor and his nephew of more than years ago, and most intriguing, Shan's son who he has not seen since he was a small boy.

I was interested in the "mudras" w An Inspector Shan mystery set in Tibet. I was interested in the "mudras" which are symbolic gestures made by arranging the hands and fingers in prescribed patterns to represent a specific prayer, offering, or state of mind. This seems so simple but powerful, a way for the Tibetans to hold on to who they are. View all 5 comments. Apr 06, Kathy Petersen rated it liked it Shelves: read-mysteries , x-febthru-jan Marked as a mystery, Beautiful Ghosts does have some sort of mystery; but the other parts of the plot, the setting, and the characters are so convoluted and twisted that the murder and the theft got lost, at least in my brain.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed it. Knowing little about Tibet, and aware of the protests that have accompanied the Beijing Olympics torch relay, I was especially interested in that setting and the culture. It's another world from mine, almost like reading one of Ursula LeGuin's wo Marked as a mystery, Beautiful Ghosts does have some sort of mystery; but the other parts of the plot, the setting, and the characters are so convoluted and twisted that the murder and the theft got lost, at least in my brain.

It's another world from mine, almost like reading one of Ursula LeGuin's worlds. The book also sent me back to Lost Horizon, James Hilton's novel that originally mythologized this distant place for westerners.

Yet another marvelous excursion by Pattison into the world of Tibetan Religion, Chinese oppression and Western Indifference. This particular foray into the evolving world of Comrade Shan confronts Tibetan Art and the avaricious nature of collectors indifferent to the meaning and importance of the art.

Once again Pattison astounds with his understanding and sympathy to Buddhism and Tibet as well as his keen insights into the warped vision of totalitarian states. Feb 10, Carole rated it liked it Shelves: fiction , buddhism , mystery.

The fourth in the series of Inspector Shan mysteries by Pattison, was good, but seemed more contrived to me than some of the others in the series.

Nov 27, Stefan Martiyan rated it liked it. Interesting account of the dynamics found between modern-day China Han , Tibetan culture and customs, and Western influence.

Although the novel is a fiction, it's topic and content are heavily weighted in reality and have a significant impact on the reader.

For a dumbed-down explanation, think of it as a Tibetan Indiana Jones minus the whip. Nov 05, Cara rated it really liked it Shelves: crime-mystery , bought-new , part-of-series.

I love this series, set in Tibet where the oppression of the local people and their religion by the Chinese is harsh. Lots of spiritual and mystical detail. Attending a ceremony to rededicate an ancient ruined monastery he finds evidence that a murder too place at this revered sites.

While imprisoned he aligned himself with monks also sentence to hard labor. Throughout the novel the Skull Mantra we learn more about these monks, Buddhism and how Shan embraces them. Tan is searching for lost antiquities. As the story opens the hill people have been summoned to the ruins of Zhoka gompa for this celebration. But, what sets off the chain of events is when a herder brings the body of Atso, also a herder stating that god killers committed the murder.

As Surya sheds his ropes and is covered with bloods, leaving the area and not wanting to be a monk anymore, Shan delves into the murder, the investigation and will once again meet Tan. But, there is much more to come as things heat up once again and Gendon and Lokesh need his help and Shan will take many journeys before this is all played out. We learn more about the murder that occurred at the ruined monastery and why Surya, a monk convinced that he is no longer human and sheds his robes, declares himself dead and creates a whole new life for himself.

But, the real motivation and carrot placed in front of Shan is the hope of reuniting with his son Ko again.

The Chinese official, who arranged for his release and our corrupt Minister of Culture, will stop at nothing to possess, own and find the ancient treasures hidden beneath the monastery. Tan, the administrator of the country needs and hopes to avoid any more political problems with the officials from Beijing.

Hoping to not have to host or deal with Director Ming or Inspector Yao who are also in pursuit of these lost treasures. The author introduces Dara, a young child who comes to the hill to see this sacred celebration and gets caught in the web of murder and deceit. But, Shan wants to investigate the murder and things will change not only for him but those on the mountain too.

But, Shan looks into things and realizes that it might not be a murder but that the monk might have fallen trying to protect those who serve the gods and was trying to bring something to the cave at the top of the hill where they placed a hut for those who served the gods.

But, Surya still refuses the life and leaves. The author leads the reader and Shan down a stairway that opens into two separate chambers. Each of the chambers holds secrets, death, items dear to the monks and blood patterns alerting the reader that a murder took place here and bones were stored that were many years old.

Just how this links to the present still remains to be seen. As Shan alights from the chamber he finds Lokesh on the ridge and what happens next will shake the core of the people as some flee, a helicopter arrives and takes Surya away and his end is definitely there. Shan and those left discuss the truth behind what Surya was doing, the painting he found in the chamber, the writing that he obliterated and the reasons behind his actions. How could they defend and protect Zhoka?

What they misunderstood would hurt them and Liya and Shan realize that someone died within that chamber. As Shan explores even more he winds up meeting FBI agent Corbett and Minister Yao who wants him to help explore the ruins and find the answers that Director Ming is searching for. Ming thinks that there is some competition in the mountains.

He is not looking or the shrine but blocks anyone who seeks to find them. Ming is the first one called when someone finds a book, painting or anything they feel might be valuable. The Lama wants Shan to protect Zhoka and not worry about Surya or his safety. But Shan is bent on doing both. Just how he still needs to figure out. As their plan is revealed by lure him into their nest by telling him they will find and reunite him with his antisocial son who has had anything but an easy life.

Agreeing to their plan might not prove exactly what Shan expects. But, as Yao reveals that true nature of origin of the fresco Shan is not really sure whether he is being honest with him or whether the fresco was a real gift from the Emperor to those at the prison. Still remains to be uncovered and the artifacts in the chamber destroyed and yet three sets of tracks and footprints noted. Added to the mix is the information about the durtro, the place of reverence and what was done to the bodies of the dead in order to return them back to the earth.

Returning to the compound and finding Tan, he and Yao tell Director Ming what has transpired and the fact they did not find the artifacts. Tibetan treasure is never disposed over randomly if stolen by Tibetan resisters they would be hidden. All religious artifacts Ming states are property of the state. But, Ming has his own agenda in mind and not only destroyed figurines but burned the prayers of their grandfathers, and ancestors too.

As Ming seems to behind what is going on he states that there is a tradition in Lhadrung of stealing art and killing people for it adding that both Yao and Shan had been assigned to a team to find these treasures. The FBI agent had evidence and records of the crime scene. Lodi was photographed carrying the pieces from the museum to Beijing but something caused a change of plans making him come to Tibet.

Five missives or letters that reveal what the Amban project is and what and who might be behind the thefts. Shan is offered a job working for the Minister Ming and his hopes to find the treasures, the killers and the antiquities. Added to that Shan is faced with another dilemma: His son Ko who is anything but the wonderful child that he remembers. Not wanting him on his team to hunt for these answers he demands his removal as they proceed to the next location and the next step in the investigation.

What part does Elizabeth McDowell play? Next, of course is Ko his son who was saved by Tan and brought to meet his father. What part he plays and how he can be of help will surprise the reader and Shan as Ko describes to the reader his life in prison, how he feels about meeting Shan and the key to where the fortune was.

Then the truth is revealed and sides clearly defined and the killers present and the end result will shock the inner core of the reader and Shan too. Godkillers: Will they get them? Just how this plays out will keep the reader fixed to the printed page.

Corbett said he came to Tibet to investigate the death of a nanny. McDowell was working with Ming for other purposes. Just what was her true purpose and what part does Dolan play? Her plan you would not believe the end result not what you would expect. A battle scene described in such detail you will never know who will come out alive and who will continue on.

The final secret is the puzzle in the torn thangka. The end result you will not see coming and a father and son whose fate has yet to be determined. Who winds up with the treasure and will Zhoka be saved? Find out when you read this outstanding novel by author Eliot Pattison. I had long been fascinated by Tibetan thangka paintings but Beautiful Ghosts gave me the excuse to delve into their many layers of messages.

Their nameless artists, many of them hermit monks working centuries ago, were seeking to instill not pleasure, but awareness, in the viewer, and the power of their work still reaches across the years. As I sat at my desk at midnight--a prime writing time for me--surrounded by examples of their works, I often felt a strong connection with the beautiful ghosts who created them. Today there may be other forms of art I look at quicker, but none I look at longer.

The journey is not over and there is much more to come for Shan and Ko. Author Eliot Patterson takes the reader on an inside look into the customs, history, culture and hidden secrets of these people, the art, their fears, the gimps, the monks and the process by which many survive in this country.

Feb 10, Beth rated it it was amazing. A book in Eliot Pattison's Inspector Shan series is more than a novel; it is an adventure. He has found a measure of happiness and contentment among the peasants and lamas of Tibet, where ghosts are alive and every rock and tree has its own deity, when a filthy rich American, a CIA operative, and a high-ranking Chinese minister of culture descend on A book in Eliot Pattison's Inspector Shan series is more than a novel; it is an adventure.

He has found a measure of happiness and contentment among the peasants and lamas of Tibet, where ghosts are alive and every rock and tree has its own deity, when a filthy rich American, a CIA operative, and a high-ranking Chinese minister of culture descend on a sacred building site, bent on despoiling and thievery.

Pattison's description of the beautiful and tragic country of modern Tibet, and its crushing domination by China, are heartbreakingly real. And Beautiful Ghosts is truly a cautionary tale of frustrated dominance countered by unbending love, masked as a mystery. Apr 25, Ardys Otterbacher rated it it was amazing.

This is the second time I've read this book - I'm doing the Shan series again from the beginning before I finally read the 10th one. As usual there are lots of characters and several different plot lines, and one or two Westerners who blunder around.

I've lived at high elevations and so all the descriptions of mountains bring it all back for me. This book seems to bring Shan into a new phase of his life: he is no longer quite the neophyte in Tibetan Buddhism, and he carries what he's learned int This is the second time I've read this book - I'm doing the Shan series again from the beginning before I finally read the 10th one.

This book seems to bring Shan into a new phase of his life: he is no longer quite the neophyte in Tibetan Buddhism, and he carries what he's learned into his thoughts and actions in very challenging situations. I am sure I missed out a lot, the first time I read it; the layers of information are so dense that the novel really benefits from more than one perusal.

Jun 07, Marleen rated it liked it. Familiar charcters. There is the disgraced Chinese inspector sent to Tibet, the blue eyed Tibetans, the Englishman fascinated with Tibet, Ko, his son, the Chinese soldiers, an American agent, and the Tibetans who have had their religion and culture erased by the Chinese. The story was complicated and hard for me to keep track of all the twists and turns of the plot.

Jun 20, Chris F rated it really liked it Shelves: favourite-authors , crime. I always enjoy the stories in this series and this one is no exception. Jan 05, Rebecca P rated it it was amazing. Another great story involving Tibet and Inspector Shan. I loved the description of Zhoka, the earth-taming monastery. Mar 19, Mimi rated it really liked it. Part way through this book, I felt the author had started to follow a formula, but the ending was excellent and I can't wait to read another of this series.

Sep 17, Kara Rowley rated it liked it. Cool and scary. I loved this book and am enjoying the series. This book was harder to follow than many of his others. They spent a lot of time moving in circles and I couldn't always follow why.

However, it was an enjoyable book and a fine addition to the series. Sep 12, Booknblues rated it really liked it. Shan and the outlaw monks are at the abandoned monastery or gompa, Zhoka. The monks have arranged to have a ceremony to re-open it and have Surya the artist and throat singer be the abbot. Unfortunately during the ceremony Surya finds a man who has been murdered and believes he is the one who did it.

The monks had wanted to have Shan do a month long meditation to reconnect with his deity, but since h I love Inspector Shan series by Eliot Pattison and Beautiful Ghosts is the 4th book of the series. The monks had wanted to have Shan do a month long meditation to reconnect with his deity, but since he believes they are now in danger he will not leave. Colonel Tan, the man who released Shan forces him in to assist with an art theft in Beijing by threatening his son who is a prisoner in a coal mine and promising that he will get to see his son, Bo.

It soon becomes clear that Ming is crooked and Shan alligns with Tao and Corbett to find both the thief and the killer. Although he has a hard time with his son at first, he finally is able to establish a rapport with him Media Beautiful Ghosts. Save Not today. Format ebook. Series Inspector Shan Tao Yun. Author Eliot Pattison. Publisher St. Release 30 July Subjects Fiction Mystery. Search for a digital library with this title Search by city, ZIP code, or library name Learn more about precise location detection.

View more libraries Beautiful Ghosts. Copy and paste the code into your website.