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sarah_mitra's review against another edition
3.0
This was light and fluffy (almost too much) but I appreciated learning about the mixture of cultures in Singapore during the 1930s. Having just read Dragon Springs Road (magic realism mystery set in 1920s China), I felt like this one paled in comparison.
The villain was clear from the beginning and it was so easy I couldn't figure out if the main character was playing dumb or really couldn't put two and two together. I also really didn't like how much the author kept referring to Dee-Dee as "a seven-year-old in a grown woman's body". She also used some pretty dated terms that, while probably used in the 30s, still felt off. It was infantilizing and disrespectful to people who aren't neurotypical.
The book also could have done with a better edit. Su Lin would say something to one character and then another person (who hadn't been there) would think about what she'd said.
Around the World in Women Writers: Singapore
The villain was clear from the beginning and it was so easy I couldn't figure out if the main character was playing dumb or really couldn't put two and two together. I also really didn't like how much the author kept referring to Dee-Dee as "a seven-year-old in a grown woman's body". She also used some pretty dated terms that, while probably used in the 30s, still felt off. It was infantilizing and disrespectful to people who aren't neurotypical.
The book also could have done with a better edit. Su Lin would say something to one character and then another person (who hadn't been there) would think about what she'd said.
Around the World in Women Writers: Singapore
sandylc's review against another edition
3.0
Very promising start to a series. The heroine is the epitome of plucky, with a bad limp from polio and a realistic attitude towards the racism of the day. Good mystery with interesting plot, characters and setting. On to the next one.
lkbeaulac's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
wolslaur's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
heidipolkissa82's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
A quick and compelling read. While the mystery itself is in the style of cozy old school British mysteries, the setting in 1930's Singapore and the detailed world view of the main character, an intelligent young Chinese woman polio survivor takes this novel to another level.
sara_shocks's review against another edition
4.0
Delightful historical mystery with a setting I personally have not read much about -- 1930s Singapore while it was still a British colony. Yu does an excellent job not only illustrating the physical components of the setting but also examining the various effects of imperialism, class, patriarchy, race and language. I look forward to reading more about budding lady detective Su Lin, and fortunately my library has more of this series.
pallavi_sharma87's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
A new cozy mystery series which I know I will adore!
Set in 1930s Colonial Singapore, Su Lin is a polio-crippled girl, who also happens to be the grand daughter of island's one of the major money lenders. Her parents are dead and she is cared for by her family's matriarch, her grandmother and her uncle. As her polio limp is considered "bad luck", she gets the benefit of education in colonial era. Though she is highly educated and she wants to be a journalist or a teacher or a secretary, her prospects are lowly works only like childcare, maid, cook etc or get married off ( as per her family).
During one of these prospects of work that is to be a maid to colonial policeman Thomas Le Froy, Su Lin gets entangled with a death at acting Governor Sir Harry Palin's household. She slowly finds out the complex characters and secrets in the house. Finally helping Le Froy to solve the murder mystery.
A delightful read! A good historical mystery.
And Frangipani Trees are common in south India and I remember playing with the flowers in my childhood. I think all the trees mentioned in this series are the around me even now. Happy to come across this series.
Happy Reading!!!
A new cozy mystery series which I know I will adore!
Set in 1930s Colonial Singapore, Su Lin is a polio-crippled girl, who also happens to be the grand daughter of island's one of the major money lenders. Her parents are dead and she is cared for by her family's matriarch, her grandmother and her uncle. As her polio limp is considered "bad luck", she gets the benefit of education in colonial era. Though she is highly educated and she wants to be a journalist or a teacher or a secretary, her prospects are lowly works only like childcare, maid, cook etc or get married off ( as per her family).
During one of these prospects of work that is to be a maid to colonial policeman Thomas Le Froy, Su Lin gets entangled with a death at acting Governor Sir Harry Palin's household. She slowly finds out the complex characters and secrets in the house. Finally helping Le Froy to solve the murder mystery.
A delightful read! A good historical mystery.
And Frangipani Trees are common in south India and I remember playing with the flowers in my childhood. I think all the trees mentioned in this series are the around me even now. Happy to come across this series.
Happy Reading!!!