-Crossing two popular genres: The novel crosses historical fiction with mystery, both popular genres that sell well.

-Timeliness: The racism against and fear of immigrants depicted in the novel is also prevalent in America today.

-Addresses important issues that will resonate with modern readers: The repression of human rights was the force behind Congress’s Immigration Act of 1924 that banned entry from all Asian countries; took away the inalienable rights of Asian Americans to own property; created anti-miscegenation laws making biracial marriages illegal, and even forbade Japanese students from attending white schools-actions that have been made relevant today by the actions of the US’s current administration.