The Haunted Monastery. A Chinese Detective Story - Robert H. Van Gulik 1961 - Art Printing Works, Kuala Lumpur - First Edition (the first English edition was published by Heinemann, London 1963). True first edition, in superior condition, of the seventh book in the Judge Dee series, and chronologically eighth tale, being set in China 677 AD. Written by Van Gulik in Beirut between November 22,1958 and the middle of January 1959, before he was posted to Kuala Lumpur as Dutch Ambassador to the federation of Malaya.

With eight illustrations and one plan from woodblock prints by Van Gulik in Chinese style, and endpapers illustrated with a
Sketch Map of the Monastery.

‘Judge Dee and his entourage, seeking refuge from a mountain storm, become trapped in a Taoist monastery, where the Abbott Jade mysteriously dies after delivering an ecstatic sermon. The monks call it a supernatural experience, but the judge calls it murder’
  Dr. Robert Hans Van Gulik (1910-67) got his Ph.D. in Oriental languages at the age of 24, knew fluently about fifteen languages, produced a vast body of sometimes groundbreaking scholarly works on (mainly) Chinese culture, achieved a high proficiency in Chinese calligraphy and in playing the Chinese lute, very much like a mandarin of old times. His collection of Chinese artefacts and rare books merited a specific sale at Christie’s in 1983. Whilst doing all this he rose to become Netherlands ambassador to Japan before retiring, with his pet gibbon.

One of 2,000 copies. Later published in London in 1963 and New York in 1969.

Reference: Van De Wettering,
Robert Van Gulik. His Life, His Work. Otto Penzler, ‘Collecting Mystery Fiction’, The Armchair Detective V16 No.1 (March 1983) 75-83.

(book size 18.3x12.7cm), pp. [8] 168. Pagination does not include endpapers. In publisher’s wrappers, spine in orange and lettered in red, orange front panel illustrated in white, lettered in red and white, rear panel white lettered in black.
  Condition: Near fine, lightly faded spine.   Ref: 111040   Price: HK$ 7,000