Acclaimed author Dave Alber invites readers to step into the shadowy canals and mist-laden streets of 19th-century China with his newest novel, Suzhou Secret Whispers: A Gothic Mystery of the Qing Dynasty, set for release on April 3, 2025. Available in ebook (ASIN: B0DMTLLT6D) and paperback (ISBN: 9798316376315) formats, this atmospheric tale marks the first installment in The Suzhou Mysteries series.
Set against the backdrop of Lunar New Year celebrations in Qing Dynasty China, Suzhou Secret Whispers follows Shen Bingcheng, a broken silk merchant haunted by tragic loss, who is pulled from despair by a mysterious scholar. Together, they navigate a labyrinth of supernatural mysteries spanning from crumbling teahouses to opulent mansions in historic Suzhou.
"I've always been fascinated by Suzhou's rich cultural heritage and atmospheric setting," says Alber. "This city has played a significant role in my life—it's where I met my wife and where we got married. In creating The Suzhou Mysteries series, I wanted to share my deep connection to this extraordinary place through a blend of historical fiction and Gothic elements."
What sets this novel apart is its creative reimagining of real historical figures—Shen Bingcheng and Yan Yonghua, the founders of Suzhou's iconic Couple's Retreat Garden—as protagonists who confront supernatural forces including the terrifying Nian beast and cunning fox spirits. Through their fictional adventures, the novel explores themes of grief, love, and the transformative power of human connection.
The book features a cast of unforgettable characters: a grieving lute player, a flower spirit whose voice lures men to their doom, a murderous opera singer, and a brilliant inventor haunted by his father's cursed legacy. As the boundaries between reality and superstition blur, Shen and the scholar must unravel these chilling mysteries before becoming the next victims of Suzhou's dark whispers.
Recently, Alber spoke about The Suzhou Mysteries at a symposium hosted by the Suzhou Landscape and Garden Society World Heritage and Historical Cultural Arts Committee, sharing his work with an audience that cherishes Suzhou's unique beauty and history.
Perfect for fans of Yangsze Choo's The Ghost Bride and The Night Tiger, Suzhou Secret Whispers invites readers to walk through Suzhou's shadowed courtyards and moonlit gardens, where every mystery solved brings the characters closer to healing and love.
About the Author
Dave Alber is a prolific author whose 12 books span mythology, satirical fiction, language learning, VR art, and multimedia storytelling. His acclaimed anthology, The Heart of Myth: Wisdom Stories From Endangered People (2016), has been celebrated for its global journey through cultural wisdom. A pioneer in immersive media, Alber invented Hybrid VR Painting (2020), reimagining art in virtual reality. Whether uncovering mythology, fostering cross-cultural understanding, or pioneering new art forms, Dave Alber captivates with his unique ability to connect worlds across culture, art, and technology.