“Murder in Manchuria” with Scott D. Seligman

In partnership with the Museum at Eldridge Street, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is thrilled to introduce its distinguished MOCA TALKS speaker, Scott D. Seligman. He will discuss his riveting book Murder in Manchuria: The True Story of a Jewish Virtuoso, Russian Fascists, a French Diplomat, and a Japanese Spy in Occupied China. Venture into an enigmatic, unsolved murder set against the backdrop of a turbulent China on the cusp of World War II. The narrative unravels in Manchuria, sometimes referred to as China’s “Wild East,” highlighting the explosive mix of nationalities, religions, and ideologies. Central to the story is the tragic account of Semyon Kaspé, a promising Jewish musician. His abduction, torture, and eventual murder at the hands of antisemitic White Russians reveals deeper conspiracies, as they secretly follow the directives of their Japanese military overlords, drawn by Kaspé family wealth. As local authorities dawdle in their pursuit of the kidnappers, a tenacious French diplomat takes charge, embarking on a quest for justice.