“A new series of radio dramas, based on the novels of Qiu Xiaolong, begins on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday, 5th December at 2.30pm. Set in and around the Shanghai of the 1990s, when China was opening itself up more and more to foreign influence and trade, the stories are particularly interesting for the light they show on a society during the difficult process of change. Oh, and there’s chicanery and murder, too.

The first of the series, “Death of a Red Heroine” was dramatised by Joy Wilkinson; the second, “A Loyal Character Dancer”, and third, “When Red is Black”, were dramatised by Qiu Xiaolong and are broadcast on the 12th & 19th December respectively. All three will remain available on the BBC iPlayer for 28 days.”