Empress of Asia by Adam Lewis Schroeder

Described as dark, funny and beautiful. I guess so. Not so sure. I would have to, more than anything else, call this "old-fashioned." Nonetheless a compelling read. Lots of good elements - love, history, intrigue, mystery. Not a page-turner for me.

The Night Watch by Sarah Waters

Not quite as good as Fingersmith for me. Although the chronology is interesting, 1947 - then 1944 - then 1941 - I felt there was a lot left unsaid that I wanted to tie up. But as a story - unputtdownable - another one-day read!