A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder by Shamini Flint
Welcome to Inspector Singh, a new detective in the ever-expanding world of crime fiction.
Singh is in trouble. He has been sent from home to KL in order to investigate the murder of a wealthy Malaysian businessman. The accused is the famous Singaporean model Chelsea Liew. Singh’s assignment is to ensure that she is really guilty before she is executed. It appears an open and shut case. She had motive and opportunity. Unfortunately she claims that she didn’t do it, and Singh believes her. Therein lies the problem. The Malaysian police think the crime is solved, so they aren’t very helpful. Every clue that Singh turns up, seems to point to Liew’s guilt. What is really the truth?
Crime novels rise and fall on two things – the appeal of the investigating officer and the credibility of the solution. Agatha Christie had that right when she created such memorable personalities as Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Flint’s Singh has a wonderfully human desire for comfort and familiarity, grumpy nature when sleep deprived or hungry, but also a true determination to discover the truth. And the solution is very neat. It fits within the culture and personality of the victim and real plausibility.
The next volume of this three part series is due out in November. Watch for it.
