Enjoyable murder mystery set in 1939 Singapore which at times seems like a small village given the speed with which gossip circulates in the colony. TEnjoyable murder mystery set in 1939 Singapore which at times seems like a small village given the speed with which gossip circulates in the colony. There’s the usual line up of corrupt colonial characters who lack any moral fibre and are only interested in money and power. The book also touches on the despicable trafficking of non-colonial immigrants being forced into prostitution and their constant battle with poverty, which leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
You also feel sympathy for the investigator, Inspector Max Betancourt, who has quite the backstory. He was abandoned by his parents as a child, his wife is missing, more or less estranged from his daughter, career down the pan, racially abused and heavily in debt. Can life get any worse for Max?...more
audiobook. An enjoyable introduction to the sharp minded Chen Su Lin, where the extremes of traditional and colonial behaviour clash in 1930’s Singapoaudiobook. An enjoyable introduction to the sharp minded Chen Su Lin, where the extremes of traditional and colonial behaviour clash in 1930’s Singapore. A bit more than just a cozy mystery as the author addresses social issues of the time including attitudes towards race, class and the oppression of women, by locals as well as the British....more
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