The story in one page
Rupert Ainsleigh is caught in a web of violence centered on an ornate fan of Chinese origin. When the artifact surfaces, it brings a string of deaths and the arrival of a high-ranking mandarin named Lo-Keong. As characters like the scheming Dr. Forge and the opportunistic Major Tidman hunt for the fan’s hidden value, Rupert struggles to clear his name and recover a stolen fortune. Amidst threats from foreign rivals and the haunting of a local ghost, the fan drives everyone toward a final reckoning at the family home, Royabay. The chaos concludes only when the object is shattered, the debt is settled, and the couple finds peace.
Who's who
- Rupert Ainsleigh
The heir of Royabay trying to survive a murderous conspiracy.
- Dr. Forge
A doctor who manipulates others to possess the fan.
- Major Tidman
An opportunistic busybody looking to profit from the fan's mystery.
- Lo-Keong
A powerful mandarin who arrives to reclaim his property.
- Olivia
Rupert's wife who helps navigate the family's financial ruin.
What it's really about
- Financial Greed
- Desperate characters pursue the fan for its monetary value.
- Ancestral Prophecy
- A dark rhyme predicts the couple's eventual prosperity.
Why it's memorable
- The fan is smashed into slivers of jade and beads on the floor.
- Mrs. Petley throws a shoe at the couple to celebrate their newfound fortune.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
The fragments of the fan are thrown off the Marport pier, effectively ending its curse. Rupert and Olivia embrace at Royabay, wealthy and officially free from the influence of the fan.
For your book club
- The fan serves as a magnet for every desperate person in town.
- The local ghost serves as a convenient scapegoat for the real killers.