Uzumaki of the Lake, by Richard Parks

[BCS]

★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention

(Japanese Historical Fantasy) Lord Yamada and his friend visit a lake near Kyoto to see about exorcising what might be the ghost of a woman who died mysteriously. (3,672 words; Time: 12m)

An Account of the Madness of the Magistrate, Chengdhu Village, by Richard Parks

[BCS]

★★★☆☆ Average

(Chinese Historical Fantasy; Pan Bao and Jing) Pan Bao, his daughter Jin, and their companion Mei Li, a snake devil in human form, come to a village to try to help a magistrate reported to be insane. (7,301 words; Time: 24m)

Recommended By: RHorton+1

Although part of a series, this story stands alone just fine.

On the Road to the Hell of Hungry Ghosts, by Richard Parks

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(Chinese Historical Fantasy; Pan Bao and Jing) Pan Bao, his daughter Jing, and their snake-devil friend, Mei Li, encounter a ghost who needs help. They usually expect to be paid for their sorcery, but the ghost is very persistent. (7,226 words; Time: 24m)

Rating: ★★★★☆ Exciting and Unexpectedly Moving

This story picks up almost immediately after the end of “In Memory of Jianhong, Snake-Devil” but there’s no need to read that story to enjoy this one.

In Memory of Jianhong, Snake-Devil, by Richard Parks

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(Chinese Historical Fantasy; Pan Bao and Jing) Jing and her father climb a mountain to find and kill a Snake-Devil that has been killing people and goats, but she’s not exactly what they expected. (5,982 words; Time: 19m)

Rating: ★★★★☆ Amusing and Satisfying

Recommended By: RHorton:4