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kcfromaustcrime's review
5.0
WAKING THE TIGER is set in 1939 Singapore. Dripping with sense of place and time, there's something vaguely reminiscent of Chandler's styling, and the excellent Inspector Le Fanu series by Brian Stoddart in the characterisation and plot.
Inspector Maximo Betancourt is working a new beat, that he never wanted. Following the disappearance of his own wife, everything has collapsed around him, including his career. Once a rising star of the Singapore CID, he's been relegated to the Marine Division, adjudicating dockyard disputes and conducting goods inspections.
The discovery of an unidentified Japanese woman, murdered in the shadow of a warehouse owned by one of Singapore's most powerful families, Betancourt investigates, defying orders and social norms, bringing him into conflict with some of the most powerful people in Singapore. In the end, the fate of his wife, and his future with his much-loved young daughter fight the dead woman for attention.
An excellent plot and strong mystery elements are enhanced by the social history lesson that comes with WAKING THE TIGER. Subtly presented, as part of the overall story, this novel touches on the cultural tensions within Singapore and the politics of the time, particularly the attitudes of the ruling classes (including the British) and the way that the tensions sit across the entire region. It all went to a really strong sense of place and time, avoiding at all times that sense of sitting through a lecture.
Part of the success of WAKING THE TIGER was that sense of balance - informative and rich in detail, without being laggy or dragged down by it. Populated by excellent, flawed characters with plenty of their own problems to be getting on with that remain engaging and lively company. Set in a place and time that's beautifully evoked, never once resorting towards tell, not show, WAKING THE TIGER was a very entertaining and rewarding read.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/waking-tiger-mark-wightman
Inspector Maximo Betancourt is working a new beat, that he never wanted. Following the disappearance of his own wife, everything has collapsed around him, including his career. Once a rising star of the Singapore CID, he's been relegated to the Marine Division, adjudicating dockyard disputes and conducting goods inspections.
The discovery of an unidentified Japanese woman, murdered in the shadow of a warehouse owned by one of Singapore's most powerful families, Betancourt investigates, defying orders and social norms, bringing him into conflict with some of the most powerful people in Singapore. In the end, the fate of his wife, and his future with his much-loved young daughter fight the dead woman for attention.
An excellent plot and strong mystery elements are enhanced by the social history lesson that comes with WAKING THE TIGER. Subtly presented, as part of the overall story, this novel touches on the cultural tensions within Singapore and the politics of the time, particularly the attitudes of the ruling classes (including the British) and the way that the tensions sit across the entire region. It all went to a really strong sense of place and time, avoiding at all times that sense of sitting through a lecture.
Part of the success of WAKING THE TIGER was that sense of balance - informative and rich in detail, without being laggy or dragged down by it. Populated by excellent, flawed characters with plenty of their own problems to be getting on with that remain engaging and lively company. Set in a place and time that's beautifully evoked, never once resorting towards tell, not show, WAKING THE TIGER was a very entertaining and rewarding read.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/waking-tiger-mark-wightman
pluginsteadman's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jojoinabox's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cassiecat's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
4.5⭐️
Gore score 0
This is a debut historical mystery with a police inspector as the main character. I was keen to listen as the book reached the shortlist for the CWA daggers. It’s a shame it didn’t win.
The narrator is Adrian Hobart, he does a good job with the narration, I liked the sound effects.
The book cover has a striking oriental vibe which fits well with the Singapore location and relevant to the story.
It’s set in Singapore in 1939. The inspector is Max Betancourt a Chinese British subject. He comes across as surly,but he really grew on me during the book. He has his demons, as his wife Anna was taken by a criminal fraternity, following which his life spiralled out of control.
A Japanese woman is found dead, it looked like suicide, however Betancourt is convinced it’s murder. This is only one piece in the jigsaw, a good complex plot follows covering a range of themes.
Due to the period setting it occasionally uses some terms that are now offensive.
I found that the story seemed to digress a little at times, but not enough to lose my interest.
The audiobook held my attention well, I feel this format is well suited for the book, as it’s pace is slightly slower.
The book is on the gentler side of the gore score, so it was a bit of a surprise that I enjoyed it so much.
It looks like it might be the start of a series, the main story is completed, but there’s a thread which is left open. I look forward to the next one, I would want to continue with the audiobook version so 🤞
In conclusion this impressed me a lot. I think it’s a combination of the writing style, location,period setting and a good engrossing intertwined plot, plus although the main character is a policeman it’s not a police procedural. I highly recommend it.
I was given a promo code by Hobeck books.
meeble_deans's review
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
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