The Mandarin Code

Harry Dunkley #2

by Steve Lewis, Chris Uhlmann

A body pulled from the murky waters of Lake Burley Griffin links Canberra, Beijing and Washington in a titanic struggle where war is just a mouse click away.

Veteran reporter Harry Dunkley is chasing the scoop of his career, hunting for his best friend’s killer. Navigating treacherous political waters where a desperate minority government edges ever closer to disaster, he delves into a cyber world where there are no secrets.

Friendship and loyalty give way to betrayal and revenge as Dunkley stumbles into the sights of the mandarins who wield real power – and who’ll stop at nothing to retain it.

Political insiders Steve Lewis and Chris Uhlmann bring biting wit and behind-the-headlines insights to this sharply observed sequel to the bestselling The Marmalade Files, once again lifting the veil on the lust and lies that stain the corridors of power.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Politics, Mystery, Book Club, Espionage

463 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2014

About the author

Steve Lewis has been reporting politics in Canberra since 1992 and has survived the near collapse of the Fairfax media group, three Prime Ministers, Mark Latham and a career switch from The Financial Review to the News Ltd tabloids.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mandarin Code is book two of the political thriller by Steve Lewis and Chris Uhlmann. Mandarin Code continues the Harry Dunkley quest to find who kill his best friend entwine with finding out who was the young Chinese man who was found dead in Lake Burley Griffin. The readers of Mandarin Code will follow the twist and turns of political shenanigans and scandals of politics. I enjoy the way Steve Lewis and Chris Uhlmann describes their characters, and this allows the readers of Mandarin Code to learn a lot about the way journalist and politicians work together in Canberra. The ending of Mandarin Code was a surprise to me, and a fantastic twist to an enjoyable book. I recommend this book.

[Alex Cantone · Rating 3 out of 5]

He loved the smell of secrecy and conceit that permeated DFAT. They really did consider themselves a special breed, he mused, artisans trained to make gunfire sound harmless.

The Mandarin Code, co-written by journalists Steven Lewis and Chris Uhlmann, is a political thriller/satire set mostly in Canberra around Parliament and the circle of embassies. The title can be taken many ways, with the new Chinese Embassy under construction by Chinese nationals only, and “mandarins” in change of Australian government departments. In the opening pages Chinese national Lin An, tries to defect and his body is found washed up in Lake Burley Griffin, by visiting schoolchildren. When two officials from the embassy front up to take the body the pathologist refuses on the grounds that the paperwork is incomplete, blindsiding them as to what the autopsy revealed.

Meanwhile, a gung-ho new President of the United States is committed to an election promise, accusing the Chinese of currency manipulation and in Australia a faltering Labor government is in the process of selling off a gasfield offshore from Darwin to the Chinese, to bankroll a new mental health scheme, having already depleted the defence budget. Then Australia is hit with three cyber-attacks in a month, first on the air traffic system along the eastern seaboard, then the ANZ Bank in Melbourne and finally Vodaphone (data and voicemail) south of Perth.

This is one of those books where you need a notepad to keep tabs on all the characters. Some are important and easily overlooked in the early pages, others appear as cameo roles, say a few words, make a call, then disappear. The main character, Harry Dunkley, is a veteran political reporter for “The Australian” and it’s his insight and connections plus access to a secret file by one-time friend Kimberley Gordon, a staffer with the Defence Signals Directorate who was murdered, that is central to the plot.

I found this heavy-going, partly due to the action constantly switching between Canberra (Melbourne / Sydney / Perth) and Washington / Beijing. There is a swath of characters, including leading members of the media circus (reporters, shock jocks, TV current affairs hosts; - probably for local consumption as overseas readers are unlikely to have heard of them); while political leaders are caricatured mercilessly (the women especially) with one leadership aspirant morphing from “Bruce” Landry to “Barry” then back to “Bruce” again.

There are historic references to the “Dismissal” of the Labor Whitlam Goverment in 1975 and the conspiracy theory of Washington’s involvement, and that certainly senior bureaucrats feared an erosion of the freedoms we take for granted.

‘Never ever forget the sacrifice made over generations to ensure this country stayed free,’ Dancer stressed. ‘People like Keating argue that the First World War wasn’t our fight. Well, sometimes a fight chooses you...’

So why bring up the Sheffield Shield?

The strength of the book lay in the cyber-attacks rather than political backstabbing. And I was at a loss to understand how the brinksmanship of the US Pacific fleet sailing through the Taiwan Strait, in a standoff with the Chinese is left hanging. Verdict: messy.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the first book in this series - THE MARMALADE FILES - was a laugh out loud experience, what with scheming Foreign Ministers, dumped Prime Ministers scheming revenge and ... well you name scheming in recent Federal Politics and there will be a version of that in these books.

A series that might work best for followers of Australian Federal Politics, THE MANDARIN CODE continues dredging the depths of the ridiculousness laid bare in that first book. Because of that much of the humour is slightly more subdued here - unless you've not read the first book of course. Mind you, it won't require a close following of the Canberra goings on to realise that this Foreign Minister is recognisable, even with locked in syndrome. Despite only being able to communicate by blinking, electronic messaging therefore, that's not going to stop her, rising Lazarus-like, controlling and generally being a pain in the rear for a Prime Minister under pressure from all sides.

Many of the reasons why this Prime Minister is under pressure are of his own making - the sense of desperation and craziness is palpable and the schemes dreamed up sufficiently insane as to be utterly believable. The interference of foreign powers, the likelihood of foreign spies, even the building of embassies with foreign labour, and obviously nefarious intent, well it's funny in one way and rather sobering in another. In fact, that's probably the whole point of these books. Whilst we're giggling away at the sheer lunacy of politics, the idiocy of politician's behaviour and the insanity of their beliefs and missions, we really should also be squirming - a lot.

If you are a follower of politics then there's a strong chance you'll have a lot of success working out who is who and what real-life scenario they're actually talking about. Even with that keen interest, a bit of search engine exercising might be required to double check - some of these events are just crazy enough to make you wonder if you're imagining remembering. Given that all of the elements this reader checked, there wasn't one that the real-life parallel wasn't identifiable really makes you sit back and think a bit. Could it really be that real-life can be turned into a thriller, with events that just seem straight out of the pages of a comic spy novel? Yep. Seems so.

Having said that there are connections to real life everywhere, if you wanted to read this as purely fictional, as one of those mad, crazy political thrillers there's a great sense of humour, of the absurd and ridiculous - it would work as fun fiction as well. Sadly.

Combine the reality of no matter how bizarre you think politics can get, they can do more; with the insidiousness of cyber threats; and it came as no surprise that THE MANDARIN CODE wasn't as laugh out loud funny as the first book. It's certainly as ironic, telling and sharp. Maybe it's because the world it's sending up is a much more sobering place that there's enough here to make you laugh, but more to make you think, squirm and put your head in your hands and sigh a lot.

http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...

[Shinae · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting fiction book with a plot focused on political interference and deception. Set in Canberra, the novel is worth a read for those interested in Australian politics and the media landscape. While I found the insight into Australian politics (the authors are political journalists) quite unique and engaging, the book itself could have been better written and with more diverse and genuinely likeable characters. I also felt like the book ended abruptly, which could be a prompt to read the next book in the series, but I will likely not read the next one although I did enjoy the book overall.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. The plot is complex and the myriad of characters requires one to pay close attention but the book is a fascinating read. Big questions are raised about Australia in the Asian century, and you get a real glimpse of what it must have been like in the final days of the Gillard government (though, given the concurrent international events in the book, perhaps on steroids). The glimpse into the murky back dealings of Australia's intelligence community, while of course purely fictional, is also fascinating and seems plausible enough.

While the book leaves you hanging and has some annoying loose ends, it is a solid and thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun light read with crime, politics, wit and humour. I enjoyed working out who was who in Australian politics and all the local Canberra references. It was worth reading for the insights into the world of journalism in Australia alone. An easy read that kept me turning the pages, although the plot line became rather stretched towards the end.

[Annette Chidzey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Mandarin Code was an engaging and compelling read. Quite a page turner. I enjoyed the authors' familiarity with the political machinations that typify the modern political stage. Clear parallels with individuals and events that reflect the Australian political scene that would be so familiar to Uhlmann. Keen to read The Mandarin Files now.

[Womony Behrens · Rating 1 out of 5]

The authors’ ability to predict the future is impressive: Writing in 2014, Uhlmann and Lewis created a US President who campaigned on restoring American manufacturing jobs and then surprised everyone by defeating the favourite (the Democrat candidate). President Jackson is loved by the Tea Party, has a primary school level understanding of foreign relations and history, he defends statues and symbols of the Confederates, and he even launches a trade war against China.
But political fortune telling is where Uhlmann and Lewis’ writing skills end.
This has got to be the most poorly edited published book in years. The first 25% of the book is endless biography and back story to the characters - the very stuff a good editor is supposed to put a red line through. Most writers would have had this waffle taken out, and I can only assume it was allowed to stay because of Uhlmann and Lewis’ profile.
There is a constant stream of unnecessary detail. Even characters who play no role in the story other than to ask a question at a press conference get a back story - usually a thinly veiled opportunity for Uhlmann and Lewis to give their opinions of various Press gallery colleagues. The descriptions of women characters range from the pervy male gaze to demeaning stereotypes (one ANZ executive knew she was having a bad day because her hair dryer went bung). The dialogue is forced, unrealistic and wooden.
I persisted because the first chapter hinted that there would be a good story eventually - but boy was it a chore sifting through those pages til Uhlmann and Lewis got to it. Their journalistic style of writing really lacks the flair and characterisation of a novelist - there is a very bare bones reporting of the facts style to most of what happens. I went from looking forward to sitting down with a good political thriller, to seeing it as something to grin and bear day by day until the authors got to the actual plot. As for their turn of phrase, Uhlmann and Lewis make Dan Brown look like Shakespeare eg. “He licked his lips at the prospect of entering the confessional, just as a piece of toast, burned beyond recognition, sprang from the toaster. It was his last piece of wholemeal, too.” or this gem as two characters look at a portrait of Joseph Banks: “He was a giant of his age.’ Dancer turned sharply, his gaze as intense as that of Banks. ‘And so superior to the pygmies who rule us now”.
Once the plot finally gets underway (about 40% of the way in), there is constant repetition - there are about ten pages dedicated to repeating the fact that there is a cyberattack underway. When the exciting part of the story finally begins, the authors adjourn for a discussion between PM and Greens leader about the salt content of Vegemite - if this is an attempt at satire, let’s say that Uhlmann and Lewis are no Micallef.
The conservative bias of both journalists (one a NewsCorp employee, the other a former conservative political candidate) comes through quite strongly and without any subtlety, so it will appeal better to people who share the authors’ worldview, especially when it comes to International relations. But no matter what your personal bias, this book is not a chore worth enduring. It has no suspense, is ridiculously long-winded and unimaginative.

[David Maywald · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mandarin Code by Steve Lewis and Chris Uhlmann is the second instalment in their Secret City trilogy, a series that masterfully weaves political intrigue, espionage, and the shifting power balances of the Asia-Pacific. Much like the first instalment The Marmalade Files, this novel is deeply rooted in Canberra, with Parliament House, the Press Gallery, embassies, and the city’s quiet suburbs providing a vivid backdrop. For readers familiar with Australia’s capital, the settings add a layer of realism and familiarity, grounding the high-stakes narrative in recognisable streets and institutions.

At the heart of The Mandarin Code lies the geopolitical competition between the United States and China, which frames the struggles of the Australian characters. Lewis and Uhlmann capture the essence of Australia’s strategic dilemma: its deep economic entanglement with China on one hand, and its long-standing security alliance with the United States on the other. The novel portrays this tension not in abstract terms, but through espionage, covert influence, and political manipulation. This shows how global rivalries manifest themselves within the corridors of Canberra’s power.

The Chinese strategy is depicted as long-term, subtle, and pervasive, relying on both overt diplomatic pressure as well as clandestine operations. The Americans, meanwhile, are shown as increasingly anxious about their waning dominance in the region, leaning on Australia to remain firmly in their camp... The interplay highlights Australia’s precarious position, caught between its largest trading partner and its security guarantor. These themes, though fictionalised, resonate strongly with contemporary debates on foreign interference, national security, and the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.

Overall, The Mandarin Code is both a gripping political thriller and a pointed reflection on Australia’s strategic challenges in an era of great power rivalry. The Canberra locations root the story in a tangible political world, while the US-China contest provides urgency and global significance. For readers interested in politics, espionage, or Australia’s role in the shifting geopolitics of the 21st century, Lewis and Uhlmann deliver a fast-paced narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

[Philip Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a mixed bag. So here goes:
The GOOD: Looking for all the allusions to real people is fun. Some of them leap off the pages: others are very subtle.
The pace is fast. Short chapters. Multiple plots lines, but enough switching so you don't lose track (mostly). Feels made-for-TV.
The BAD: If you have a reasonable knowledge of Aussie politics, it's easy to feel patronised by explanations. Admittedly, this represents a difficult choice for the authors. If they assume greater knowledge, doubtless they make the book less accessible to a wider audience.
It's too long. I reached a point abut 80% of the way through where I just wanted to speed read to the end.
The end then leaves you wanting. A sequel?

[Sarah King-Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lewis and Uhlmann do it again! This book was a serious page turner for me. Even though this book was written five years ago or so, it still rings true today (the 45th US President for example). Dunkley is a well thought out character as well as Dancer and the new spook who was looking after Kimberley when she died.

[Andrew Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an unfortunate soul who is intimately aware of Canberra's seedy underbelly, I found Steve's series of books absolutely fantastic.
The TV series I'm afraid, doesn't do the original literary version justice. But nonetheless it's a gripping read.
So, it appears there is actual talent coming from the Press Gallery for once.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguingly familiar characters and a plot that bites

I would reccomend this for anyone who follows politics and who has more than once thought the public wasn't gettimg the full picture.

[Pip Snort · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as crafty or as entertaining as its predecessor, but still an interesting glimpse into the whims and vagaries of power and politics. Worth thinking through the idea that underlies this book - in politics there are no friends only enemies and rivals.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is supposed to be fiction, but it is far far too close to fact. A rather terrifying book. I couldn't put it down, and am already looking for the next book. I wonder whether Harry will expose the bad guys?

[Alice Bloomfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

The more things change the more they stay the same. A good book and interesting read, while it is set in 2011 it could equally be set today and be relevant. I’m curious to see where the next one goes.

[Andrew Highfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turner, full of political intrigue, and teasing connections to reality, including political movements in the US that seem prescient reading today.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy political thriller

[Selena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Should have read the first book

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great political drama.

[Barbara Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrifying

[Jillwilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, so who does this remind you of? The character was Prime Minister of Australia until cruelly deposed by a colleague. Often described as narcissistic, publicity-hungry and controlling. Has, for the last two years, been a victim of ‘Locked-in Syndrome’ (unable to move) but manages to communicate through blinking; and has maintained a furious rate of Twitter feeds and therefore a political presence during this enforced absence from Parliament.

The writers of this novel have had quite a lot of fun with this character, Catriona Bailey, Foreign Minister, AKA Kevin Rudd, with the hapless actual Prime Minister (in the novel a male Labor figure) with a majority on a knife-edge, falling polls and internal party sabotage at every turn. And then there’s the Leader of the Opposition; a character with some interesting sexual tastes. The novel centres on Australia’s precarious balancing act in terms of relationships with China and the USA. I was reading it last week during Clive Palmer’s outburst about the Chinese and wishing that Clive had an alter-ego in the novel but I think a fictional version of Clive would not be credible.

I enjoyed Googling aspects of the plot to see if that had in fact happened (it is true that Kevin Rudd installed at 35 million dollar ‘War’ Room with $3000 chairs.) In the book the embassy's use of imported labour prompts local union outrage. Co-writer Lewis was the journalist who “broke the story in real life thanks to a colleague who was chasing Darth Vader in early 2013.
"(News Ltd photographer) Gary Ramage sent up in a balloon to chase the Darth Vader balloon and by chance he happened to float over the Chinese embassy," Lewis said.
"He took about 40 photos. They showed workers clearly in breach of Australian building laws."
Darth Vader did not make it into the book, perhaps proving – even in the case of The Mandarin Code with its treachery, sin and satire – that the truth is eternally stranger than fiction.” (http://www.smh.com.au/national/public...)

It’s not the best-written book and there’s too many unnecessary characters But I enjoyed reading this insider’s view of Canberra and of political and international intrigue. Uhlman said “he and Lewis wanted to portray Canberra as a multi-layered city stacked with intriguing people, even though outsiders might see the national capital as a tad dry.”

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A body is pulled from Lake Burley Griffin and what would appear to be a suicide turns into an international conspiracy that could result in war between China and the United States of America with Australia trying to find a safe middle ground.
Harry Dunkley a veteran news reporter is given some juicy leaks that lead him on the story of a life time and possibly uncovering his best friend’s killer. The Australian Government is in turmoil and seems to be heading from one disaster to another.
The Mandarin Code is the second book in the Harry Dunkley series and I can honestly say I did not know there was a first book. This book can be read as a standalone without any knowledge of the first book.
There are layers upon layers of conspiracy, dodgy political deals, backstabbing and numerous grabs for power. While Dunkley is the character that the story hangs off there are several other players who you learn about. The problem for me was that each chapter seemed to introduce a new character and at times it was hard to figure out who was who. For a while I kept getting the Opposition Leader and Foreign Minister names confused. The characters on the whole were well crafted, the story was fun with twists and an enjoyable read.
If you are an Australian political junkie then this book is truly for you. Lewis and Uhlmann have taken some current well known Australian political figures given them a good twist and had some fun.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not having read the first Harry Dunkley book, The Marmalade Files, did not make a difference to the enjoyment of this book but I would like to now read it too. It all seemed to hit a bit close to home and I can't stop thinking about how scarily this could really be what Australian and world politics is really like - the under the table deals and manipulations, the innocence of the Australian public, the objectives of those outside our isolated little country and the ignorance of some of those with power and how their decisions can affect the world. Funnily this was published in 2014 and the US President who has just taken power is a businessman without political experience, who came from behind and won the Presidency. Very worryingly Donald Trump is pictured in this character and now Pauline Hanson and her rising profile in Australia is of huge concern too. Oh dear! After several trips to Canberra over the past couple of years, it was great to actually picture where certain events were taking place. Always fun to read a locally based story. This will definitely be a book I'll be passing around for others to read.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

With an interest in Australian politics and the machinations of Canberra, this book really appealed to me. It's quite a complex political thriller, with many characters and subplots, that requires some concentration to follow, buts it's well worth the effort. The central plot is about diplomacy and intrigue throughout a global security threat from China. The subplots are the best though, with scenes and people which will be familiar to anyone who follows politics, especially the dysfunction of the past five years. Cynical, entertaining and revealing. A great read!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a sequel and I haven't yet read the preceding novel, which possibly affected my perceptions of it. It's an easy to read, fast paced and mostly entertaining tale. Some of the political characters are fairly thinly disguised, which is a bit distracting and perhaps a bit lacking in imagination - although one could also say that adds to the fun.

The story weaves a tangled web and both journalists and politicians (and spies) all have some flaws on display. Some of the twists in the tale are a bit over the top, but as long as you don't take it too seriously, it's a good read.

[Elina · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fantastic follow-up to The Marmalade Files that goes even deeper into the darkness of politics behind closed doors. The suspense is really kicked up a notch and the stakes are raised in frightening ways. I wish I could say that the events are so serious they verge on unbelievable, but they really function to highlight the diplomatic tightrope on which we walk, and how seriously we should take the threat of cyberwar. These books are such fantastic political thrillers, I could not put them down.

[Andrew Carr · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a quick read, which is about the best that can be said for it. The plot doesn't make much sense (and it's finishes half done, be warned), and the deliberate use of real people as their characters quickly loses its charm.

Still, good to see some more Australian based political fiction coming in. With Paul Daley's 'Challenge', and Peter Cotton's 'Dead Cat Bounce', and of course ABC's The Code, it's good to see authors mining the rich potential of Australian politics.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Australian readers will easily identify the characters here and even though it is a work of fiction, there are many truths in this book. However, best to take it at face value and enjoy the twists and turns. Life in politics is never dull, it seems. Or life as a political journo. Lots of interesting moral questions too, if you want to go deeper.

[Jacq · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, especially as it's set in a rather familiar landscape... Although I have to admit I did spend three quarters of the book trying to figure out who was who, and probably didn't give the story the attention it deserved.