The Enigmatic Madam Ingram

Miss Cassidy #2

by Meihan Boey

Finalist for the 2023 Epigram Books Fiction Prize

In this exciting sequel to the multi-award-winning novel, The Formidable Miss Cassidy, Letty Ingram, a half-Malayan lady raised in the UK, has suffered under a strange curse her whole life. Her beautiful and fearsome mother, from an unknown island in the Malay Archipelago, is the key to the mystery. Letty arrives in Singapore in 1906 to seek the help of the Chinese medium, Madam Kay. But Madam Kay’s whole family gets involved, including her sister, her father…and their unusual mutual friend, the formidable Miss Cassidy.

Author Meihan Boey illustrates the lengths Letty will go to in order to save her own soul, and reveals how Miss Cassidy's past has caught up with her, in the shape of a worthy opponent: a terrifying jungle spirit the native folk call the Bungadarah.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Audiobook, Magic

456 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2023

About the author

Meihan Boey is the author of novels The Formidable Miss Cassidy (co-winner of the 2021 Epigram Books Fiction Prize and winner of the 2022 Singapore Book Award for Best Literary Work) and The Enigmatic Madam Ingram (finalist for the 2023 Epigram Books Fiction Prize), and science fiction novella The Messiah Virus. She is also the vice president of the Association of Comic Artists of Singapore and has scripted several comics, including Supacross and The Once and Marvellous DKD. She is a dedicated comic book and manga fan, an enthusiastic gamer, a persistent triathlete, and not yet a Super Saiyan, though she keeps trying.

Reviews

[Briony · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
I liked going back to the world of Miss Cassidy, the folklore is really interesting and I like how all the different cultures mythology converge and mix.
This one follows Madam Ingram, who is trying to reveal parts of her life that she’s missing and how her life intersects Miss Cassidy.
The settings are mainly in Singapore and Scotland. We get more of Miss Cassidy’s lore and character development for her, flaws and all. Mister Kay is featured and we get a little more development with their relationship.
The book is layered and the reveals come all throughout the book. Your understanding of the plot and lore has to build up as you read on, so the mystery works really well.
I’m really intrigued to pick up the next one is the series.
Thanks to Bolinda Audio on NetGalley for the audiobook to review.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Still ! The concept is so cool ! I want to like it more

[starduest · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a little all over the place and seemed to drag on a bit, which is a shame as the concept was interesting and introduced new characters

[Kam Yung Soh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastical tale that further expands the world inhabited by Miss Cassidy. Goddesses and female spirits (and the occasional male ones) from various western and Asian pantheons mix in this story about the relationship between a terrible spirit that wants to be loved by her 'daughters' and her daughters desire for their freedom from her. Into this conflict steps Miss Cassidy and her mortal 'companion', Mr. Kay, whose efforts may help to resolve it; or not.

Unlike the previous book, which is a linear tale mainly told from Miss Cassidy's viewpoint, this one is multilayered in both time (past and present) and with multiple viewpoints. It starts off with the first person viewpoint of Madam Ingram, who travels to Singapore to find Madam Kay (the daughter of Mr. Kay) for help with her ailment that has caused her to be labelled a madwoman in the west. The story then skips backwards in time as Madam Ingram starts recalling her past life with her mother and father, including events that she has strangely forgotten about.

The story then alternates with third person viewpoints from Miss Cassidy and Mr. Kay. As the story develops, it turns out that Miss Cassidy has encountered Madam Ingram and her mother in the past, while Mr. Kay is pulled into the half-world between the mortal and spiritual realms in an effort to resolve the mystery around a bizarre dancing spirit that may be related to Madam Ingram.

As the past (and present) slowly comes into focus for Madam Ingram, Miss Cassidy and Mr. Kay, it becomes apparent that they are facing a possessive and powerful spirit that wants her daughters to return to her and will not let Miss Cassidy (or others) get in her way. It would require all the help Madam Ingram can get from Miss Cassidy, Mr. Kay and others to face her mother and decide her own fate.

While the main tale is mysterious and grim in the telling, the atmosphere of the book itself is light-hearted and humorous, especially the bantering between Mr. Kay and Miss Cassidy. The goddesses featured in the book also inject some fun in the story via their interactions with Miss Cassidy. In this world, there are rules about how the various gods, goddesses and spirits can interact with each other and with the human world: breaking (or bending) the rules will eventually land Miss Cassidy in a lot of trouble.

By the end, the tale would involve journeys to the British Isles, France and India before returning to Singapore to focus on the final confrontation. It would also (somewhat unexpectedly) involve characters and situations encountered by Miss Cassidy in the first book, before being resolved in a manner that would leave both mother and Madam Ingram content with the resolution.

This is a story that starts with a mystery and ends with a mighty resolution that, of course, sets things up for the third part of the series.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Enigmatic Madam Ingram by Meihan Boey and Narrated by Paula Masterto is a vast story tied up into a gorgeous novel of myths and legends, magic and mystery all balanced over multiple timelines

The narration by Paula Masterto is excellent, especially with being faced with a wide cast and diferent cultural and geographical references and dialogues. Nasterto's timbre is velvety and well suited to the narrative

*Note, I will be reading book 1 - The Formidable Miss Cassidy after this but this book is eually surefooted as a standalone

Letty Ingram travels to Singapore to find the formidable Miss Cassidy to free her from her childhood curse which has tormented her into adulthood. It is only when she is overtaken by an "episode" that Miss K and her father establish clarify what is very, very secial about Miss Cassidy and how she can help

This is a stunning story, full of magic and mystery (I loved the Seelie/ puppy encounter - so well done) yet it also acknowledges social themes of intolerance of other cultures in turn of the century soceit. The book travels from as far away as a child's imagination, to Scotland, Singapore, London and Paris, each having the metropolilatan and magical layers, light and dark

I absolutely loved this audiobook and it has encouraged me to get the series in print as it is utterly enthralling and thoroughly enjoyable. This book would appeal to readers of any genre, from Romanatsy to Cosy Mystery, Fantasy, Historical Fiction and beyond

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, narrator and Bolinda audio for this stunning ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[Zed Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sequel to The Formidable Miss Cassidy started off strong, with Letty Ingram, a half-Scottish half-Malayan woman, seeking out Madam Kay, one of the twins from the previous book, for help with her curse. The setup was intriguing and I thought that this would be a rare sequel which was better than the previous book.

Unfortunately, the middle portion of the book did not work for me. It seemed like most of the plot was progressed by random ghosts telling either Letty, Mr Kay, or Miss Cassidy, past events pertinent to the current situation. While the antagonist this time has the power to erase memories, I can't help but feel that there should be a better way to tell this story than what was written.

There was also some strange Malay being used. For example, it is stated that adik refers specifically to a younger female sibling. This isn't true. Adik is gender neutral, and can refer to either a male or female sibling. Another line I found strange was hati hati si merpati, which is repeated several times and roughly translates to "beware the pigeon". There were no birds of any sort in this story that I can remember.

That said, I can read Malay so I had no trouble, but I'd imagine other readers having some problems understanding what is being said as I don't think the meaning of the Malay utterances can be gleaned from context.

However, Mr Kay and Miss Cassidy are still quite cute in their relationship. I couldn't suppress my smile when I was reading their banter. I'm looking forward to the next and final book, which seems poised to conclude their relationship, one way or another.

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isn't this cover gorgeous??

Reposting my review. Re-read and yes, I know book 3 is out but I cannot bear to end this trilogy.. so I am holding onnnnn for nowwwww... also holding out for the audiobook so I can read and listen together.

Book 100 of 365 ~ 2026

Book 298 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

@mei_the_force - How very dare you be so frigging talented and produce such a brilliant follow-up! *mindblown*

I inhaled this. Then life got in the way which annoyed the crap out of me and today I went home early and ploughed through the rest.

the characters are well developed IMHO and I am TOTALLY OBSESSED WITH @formidablemisscassidy AND MR KAY.

As per the first book, I read and listened to the book - @misspolly1998 is indeed perfection! Every character is richly brought to life by this talented narrator.

#book298of350 @harpercollinsinternational @formidablemisscassidy #amreading #singlit #tbrpile #instareads readstagram reading bookreview bookreviewer booklover booksAreLife booksForTheWin booknerds thisbookfairyisreading bookstagram bookstagrammer bookstagramfeature bookshelf booksofinstagram bookish bookworm goodreads booklovers bookaddict theSGbookfairyReads theSGtrekkiereads bookaholic bookchallenge2025 reviews lovebooks

[Cfabrication · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial for an advance reading copy of this book.

Rating:
Plot: 5 stars. Complex, but balanced, loose ends tied up, except for an appropriate what’s next?
Characters: 4 stars. The major characters, Miss Cassidy, Mr. Kay, Madam Ingram, are fully inhabited, as much as semi-mystical beings can inhabit a human form. The next tier, Mr. Kay’s daughters, the various deities, Aminah, are less fully developed. They serve roles and are constrained by those roles. The various spirits and shades come and go, giving their messages, providing aid if they can.
Overall: 5 stars

The Intrepid Miss Cassidy, first in this series, was a charming introduction to the world of spirits in Singapore. For a novel set in a world with ghosts and ghost series, it was remarkably straightforward.

The Enigmatic Madam Ingram is at a whole different level of subtlety and complexity. We are back in Singapore and Scotland, but we move forward and back in time, sometimes in Scotland, sometimes in London, sometimes in Singapore.

The complex plot is revealed slowly, with the actions of each character becoming clearer and clearer as we wind our way through the story.

I loved how various traditional aspects of both Malaysia and western mythology were woven (literally and figuratively) together.

The secrets of the characters and the way those secrets are slowly revealed is integral to the plot, so no spoilers.

I thought The Intrepid Miss Cassidy was delightful. I think The Enigmatic Madam Ingram is exponentially better.

[Jacqueline SG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprised that there actually is a book 2 and that it is thicker than book 1. Despite very much interested to read further developments between Mr Kay and Miss Cassidy, series always make me apprehensive, will it be better than its predecessor? As the benchmark is already set high. Then it is thicker, which is ominous. Is the author and team trying to milk the success of the first book by adding unnecessary pages? So here's what I find.....

It's like the Mathematics problem sums in Singapore Primary school. The same format, just replace the numbers!

Honestly, the mystery is cleverly created so it is a page turner like the first. The mix of magical and mythical beings is exactly the same as the first which made it rather staid.

Then, it gets tricky to carry the plot when the dead don't stay dead! When the threads get tangled up, the story falls apart. So this one is on the verge. Hopefully book 3 will not be a failure.

[Ty Wo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up after reading the 1st part of the trilogy - The Formidable Miss Cassidy - and thought to myself that it would be hard to top that. I was wrong. The Enigmatic Madam Ingram expands upon the colonial Malaya / Scotland multiverse by bringing us to India, Paris and London. Old characters come back (mostly as ghosts) but there are some fresh faces which add to the plot. My only complaint would be that it dovetails a bit too nicely at some parts - for one the Cik Pon that they caught at Bendemeer House is also somehow related to the new spirit in this book? A little too.. convenient. My favourite character here is Billy Bronn - seems the kindest character in the book that is just swept away by the whole narrative. But anyway I don't want to spoil the book for you, it's still a fantastic read nonetheless. Am looking forward to the Mystical Mr Kay and I hope that the author doesn't jump the shark!

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Enigmatic Miss Ingram by Meihan Boey is a cleverly written novel that beautifully intertwines myth and magic against the rich backdrop of historical Singapore. One of its greatest strengths lies in how Boey breathes depth into her characters, so much so that even the supposed monsters of folklore carry an unexpected emotional weight.

Her prose is elegant and evocative, making the world feel immersive and alive. However, the multi-layered storytelling, especially with its frequent shifts through flashbacks, can at times be difficult to follow. I occasionally found myself a little lost in the structure, though that may simply come down to my own inability to focus rather than a flaw in the writing itself.

Overall, it’s a beautifully crafted and imaginative read, elevated by Boey’s lyrical style and her ability to humanise even the most mythical of beings. I was eager to read this after devouring the first in the series, and now I look forward with great anticipation to #3

[Miriam Boucher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can sum up my opinion of this book with one word: Hunh????
A fluent knowledge of Malaysian is required to read this book. As I do most of my reading while on an elliptical, I obviously did not have access to a translation application, so I spent a lot of time going "what was that all about"?
Most of the main characters have three names. Use of names was not consistent. I kept having to go "who was that again? what was their relationship to the other characters? What was I supposed to know about this character?".
POV (Point of view) changed frequently. Frequently a new chapter started with "I". I am not so naive as to assume that the name including in the chapter heading was the narrator for that chapter so I had to spend a considerable amount of time figuring out who "I" was.
Subplots seemed to come and go randomly without resolution.

[Kappie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books I stumbled onto through the "available now" filter, and I'm so glad that I did. It absolutely stands on its own merits (although now I certainly want to read its prequel!) as it combines traditions and gods from multiple cultures to weave a story about love, and being human, and the resultant (self-)destructive tendencies of both. Reminiscent of American Gods in that certain gods, big and small, are dislocated, and in that certain characters, despite attempts to the contrary, are not as deep as they appear at first glance, The Enigmatic Madam Ingram is nevertheless very much its own tale with some eminently lovable folks in it. I quite enjoyed the narrator as well.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC; all opinions mine.)

After really enjoying the first book in this Miss Cassidy series by Meihan Boey, I was excited to check out book 2. Like book 1, this book is unpredictable, with lots of twists and turns and drama with our brave and powerful heroine Miss Cassidy. I really love when I'm reading a book where a heroine is facing difficulties, but you just know she is more than up for the challenge; it's so comforting. While there's a lot to appreciate about this book, I found myself bothered by the blips in the story--some aspects just don't feel fully cohesive. Overall, I didn't feel as much momentum with book 2. I'd still recommend trying the series if you're into any of the above; your mileage might vary with book 2!

[Rune · Rating 5 out of 5]

was provided with an advanced listener copy of this work from NetGalley free of charge in return for an honest review. The Narration for this work is excellent and I am pleased to say that it is the same as the first book so that the characters we are familiar with all sound like they should. The new ones have their own manners of speaking and voices which makes it easy to tell who is talking at any given time.

I was thoroughly pleased to see this book and very excited to see if Miss Cassidy ever got to see and speak with Mr. Kay and his daughters ever again. Getting to know The Lady Letty Ingram was also wonderful.
The story is beautifully done and so well written I loved every moment of this read and can not wait for the next in the series they are enchanting tales.

[Vanessa Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely breathtaking, I can barely find the words to describe the world that Meihan Boey has brought to life through mere words on paper. I was taken away by her first book and was waiting earnestly for the second, and had naively assumed it might not match up to its predecessor. However, she managed to switch it up with the introduction of refreshingly different characters, elements and storylines, whilst still keeping the mesmerising and fantastical wonder of the first book. I might even say it is better!

I am utterly devastated that I will have to wait a long while before a third book, but I cannot wait to see what this author writes next.

[Wong Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good and thought-provoking and incandescent and brilliant that I’m now on a personal mission to introduce it to as many people as possible. In some strange way, I already have - this book, like many of its bewitching characters, has an inexplicable ability to draw others in from its appearance alone. Near-total strangers and friends who rarely ask about my reading habits made it a point to find out just from seeing me carry it around. If that’s not a sign of this book’s magic, I don’t know what is.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am touched by how MeiHan Boey encapsulates the spirit and culture and workings of the Malayan life, the hardworking multicultural flavours of different languages and races living together, the values that bind families across generations. “But the Kay twins were wives and mothers now, and wives and mothers cannot tarry forever. Madam Kay and Mrs De Souza, with a good, strong grip on each other’s hands, were determined to stay the course.…” I can see it all, feel it all, things and people and food and folktales I grew up with. Lovely

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't find this as engaging as the first book - I only kept reading bc I wanted Mr. Kay and Miss Cassidy to be together, and the first book left that unclear. Madam Ingram was interesting, and I liked all the ways the various characters overlapped and intersected, but I found the mythology harder to follow than in the first book (I think 3 different Ingram women, all with some sort of magic, all with multiple names, was too much to keep track of, particularly in an audiobook).

Still planning to read the third book, assuming it is the last book in the series.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very strong 4. Very quirky but I liked it - spirits and goddesses and all manner of female powers. Set largely in Singapore, which appeals to me personally. I wasn't sure I was quite following it at first (lots of characters with multiple names and identities) but the threads just about remained connected enough for me!

[Kes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read; does a good job at expanding Miss Cassidy’s world. Wasn’t that keen on the “will they won’t they” relationship with Mr Kay; but the reactions are believable.

To be honest I felt the resolution dragged out a bit; but the ending kind of felt earned. So 4/5 stars but rounded up because it’s Singapore.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

absolutely loved this. especially seeing the different myths and legends across cultures intersect (letty’s beloved guardian animal was such a wonderful illustration of this intersection). i can only hope there’ll be many more stories written about this world.

[Humaira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, engaging and immersive! I loved this sequel to Miss Cassidy and am very much looking forward to the next one.

It builds on the first book so much more and you get to see a more diverse cast of characters with all the old favourites too.

Highly recommend!

[Sisiely · Rating 5 out of 5]

the writing wraps around you and take you into this new strange yet familiar setting. full of mystic and charm.
the many characters and their backstories and how they are intertwined keep me engrossed. looking forward to the third installment.

[sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it would be hard to top The Formidable Miss Cassidy, but Meihan Boey has proven that it is possible. i love this universe and i love how well-researched the folklore and Asian spirits are. Bravo, MHB 🥹

[Dhevarajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An immersive continuation of the Miss Cassidy series that weaves in rich threads from Europe, India and Southeast Asia. I enjoyed looking up the various mythological and historical references. The story felt a little convoluted at times and I had to double back and retrace my steps to keep track.

[Karyn Silverman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loving this series and the wild adventures it takes the reader on. Less Miss Cassidy in this one, but the Kay twins are grown now and delightful side characters and Mr Kay and Letty Ingram anchor the book wonderfully.

[Vanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad to have finished this because this book was unnecessary long. It peaked my interest at the start because of the mysteries and questions that needed unravelling but I ended up getting annoyed because there were just too many layers.

[Fern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun mashup of western myths and Asian monsters.

[Bren | Wordwanderlust]

I'll pick this up again when im in a better headspace to read it