The Angsana Tree Mystery

Su Lin #8

by Ovidia Yu

Singapore 1949

When all the angsana trees on the island bloom at the same time it's a glorious fragrant display that lasts only one day... and the next morning Su Lin comes across an old friend laughing hysterically while holding her dead lover on the thick carpet of yellow flowers by the quarry pool that was their childhood haunt. She instantly realises her friend could not be the killer as she could not have sliced so cleanly through the man's throat with no weapon in sight.

As she tries to help her friend, Su Lin has to figure out where her own loyalties lie. Angsana blossoms aren't the only things disappearing overnight in post-war Singapore as the newly returned British-increasingly on edge because of anti-colonial uprisings in nearby Indonesia-rush to change laws and revoke permits and positions.

But more pressingly, Su Lin has to prove her friend's innocence and stop a calculating killer from murdering again...

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Asia, Crime

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 6, 2024

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about this series is learning about the regional history. The British are back, but their Straits Settlements have been dissolved with Singapore now a Crown Colony. The Battle of Surabaya (which I’d never heard of) is a plot reference, so now I have another historical nugget to explore. I also enjoy catching up with the recurring characters like LeFroy, the Shankar family, and Su Lin’s steely grandma. Also, the food descriptions are wonderful; I’d love to read this while eating a bowl of laksa. I’m hoping the author continues the series into Singapore’s independence.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 bk 98. This series continues to hold my interest as the author allows her characters to show strengths and weaknesses, to demonstrate the natural flow of friendships and family relationships, and to solve mysteries that result in all levels of society. Angsana Tree is a strong book in this series, one that generates consideration of the issues she raises.

[uyên · Rating 3 out of 5]

the cousin leask storyline really turned me off

[Damon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-done cozy historical mystery. Su Lin is back, a few months after the events of the previous book to solve a mystery in post-war Singapore. The British are back and in charge, and social pressures are straining Singapore's reeling society. Su Lin gets tangled up in a murder involving her own family, an over-zealous British investigator, and her romantic interest.

If you've made it this far into the series, you know what to expect. There is a crime to be solved, the mystery, like previous entries, is well-constructed, and the narrative is driven as much by character development as the mystery itself. I particularly liked the focus on the Parshanti character, and how her wartime experiences changed her relationships. Also, this book gives some good attention to the Le Froy character (who I think is a stand-in for independent Singapore's fist chief-of-police Le Cain, but I could be wrong, any Ovidia Yu fans out there to confirm or refute this?)

Also, with Yu books, you get PLENTY of reminders of Singapore's multicultural society, culinary diversity, and botanical variety (we are up to 8 books, but I imagine that Singapore has more types of trees than Yu could possibly write to). The nit-picky reader may tsk-tsk at a couple anachronisms, but for anyone who has lived and learned about life in Southeast Asia, this book should be a fun return to a rich setting.

[Bren | Wordwanderlust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this if you enjoy:
👑Singaporean Literature (Singlit)
👑Mystery-Thriller novels
👑Southeast Asian Historical Fiction (post war Singapore)


We’re back again with more Singlit recommendations! This time, from a genre that I have recently been drawn to—Mystery/thriller novels! First off, thank you to Definitely Books Singapore for the review copy, I loved it so much! The Angsana Tree Mystery by Ovidia Yu was a refreshing novel for me, and I loved how she was able to expertly intertwine historical fiction with mystery, cultural nuances, and thriller elements into her novel. I have not usually read book like this in the Singaporean context, so I was truly proud to see how local authors have been exploring so many different genres lately! Also, this book is only one of the many others in her Crown colony series, so I think i will like this one even more after ive started the series from scratch. Anyways, back to the book!

In the Angsana Tree Mystery, The story revolves around protagonist Su Lin, a smart and resourceful woman who gets caught up in a murder investigation involving an Angsana tree, a symbol of Singapore’s greenery and heritage. As Su Lin unravels the mystery, We are also introduced to various aspects of colonial Singapore from the eyes of a young local woman who is set on proving her friend’s innocence and putting an end to the killer’s schemes. I loved how Yu was able to paint a vibrant picture of life in colonial Singapore, while also addressing the underlying concerns of the British’s presence in post-war Singapore. Something that stood out to me was how Yu’s exploration of heritage, crime, and culture complemented one another perfectly, and it seemed as though the book was not primarily a mystery novel, but also one that addresses cultural exploration.

And omg if you follow our reviews closely, you’ll know that we LOVEE strong female protagonists. Su Lin was truly amazing, as she stood out as a reliable and tenacious heroine. As someone witty and fiercely determined to solve the murder, I admired how headstrong she was throughout the novel. And the writing?? SO GOOD. Yu definitely knows how to write complex characters well and it shows.
Overall, The Angsana Tree Mystery is such a thrilling and genuinely fun read, and I cant wait to read her other books in the series. If you love nuanced mystery novels set in historical contexts, you will definitely love this one!✨

[Ema · Rating 3 out of 5]

Su Lin has an uncanny knack for discovering mysterious murders. On her way to visit a family friend, she found a dead man slit by his throat in the quarry which was owned by Pang Tai. Pang Tai's daughter, Mei Mei happened to be there by the body, covered in blood and showed signs of trauma. Su Lin is convinced that Mei Mei didn't kill the man and is unlikely to protect someone.

The latest series (#8) indicates the absence of the Japanese, while highlighting ongoing problems with the British attempts to 'stabilize' the administration including the opium ban, and introducing a new government official named Jack Wilson with a confidential mission, about Su Lin's dream to further study and live abroad, her inevitable romantic with former Chief Inspector Thomas Le Froy, her unresolved issues with her lively best friend, and of course her candid grandmother.

I found the story is predictable in the enjoyable way that cosy mysteries can be, leisurely pace and readable with set against the backdrop of Singapore in 1946 with all its colonial quirks

Thanks to @definitelybooks #pansing and Izah for the review copy. All views are my own 💙

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online store

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good entry in this exceptional series. I especially like the big overarching story elements about the characters, the historical context, and how each book is so deeply connected to the books that came before. Well-written mysteries, but so much more!

[Amy K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Yu’s prose brings to vivid life the Singapore of Su Lin, Le Froy, and the cast of recurring characters I have come to love so much. The mystery is twisty and complex, but it is the interpersonal mysteries that are so compelling for me.

[Paul Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Angsana Tree Mystery essentially serves as part two of The Yellow Rambutan Tree Mystery. Of course, it might be best to look at each of these Su Lin mystery books as parts of one overall large novel. It's in the reader's interest to go through them one by one by the dates they were published. With Angsana, it's still 1946 and postwar Singapore is continuing to feel the after effects of the Japanese occupation. This time, it revolves around the opium trade, which the British revived once they retook control and then banned, leaving people who bought licenses to process and sale opium without a business and their licenses not refunded. Into this state of affairs steps Su Lin, whose grandmother is dealing with a rival family, the Pangs, who had been involved with opium. Conflict erupts between the two and meanwhile Su Lin's great love, Le Froy, is under investigation by a vengeful Home Office inspector, Jack Wilson. The Shankars are still around, as is Dr. Leask and a new arrival, his brother, Larry. Characterization becomes important in this story, because Ovidia Yu decides to play with the reversal of first impressions--and sometimes the reversals of second impressions. It is something she has done all along in her Su Lin novels. But this time her technique carries over into just about every major figure.

By and large, this makes for an entertaining story. The one drawback is that Yu lapses back into a preachy tone every now and then--something she tended to do in the early novels but had largely left behind in the three stories set in World War II Japanese occupied Singapore. There is also an occasional lapse in dialog like this one, when Danny Pang utters: "Stinky had been staying with my family for years. My pal, my bro, you know?" Bro? Yikes! Way to spoil the atmosphere. This seemed hang over me for the rest of the novel, and it appeared very early on. Why? So this volume isn't quite as good as Yellow Rambutan, although it's still very strong. Now for what at the moment is the latest in the series, The Rose Apple Tree Mystery. What tree will come after that? I'd like to see a Flame of the Forest Tree Mystery, if that's not too long of a title.

[Louisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with a lot of the other reviewers that this isn’t the best in the series. I love the setting and the richness that the author usually brings to the stories, but I found Su Lin’s feelings and motives really confusing in this book.

And not believing Parshanti when she told her that Larry had assaulted her, and then forgiving him when he assaulted her too???? I think I can almost see what the author was trying to do in showing the complexity of the friendship between Su Lin and Parshanti but it felt so off to have everyone forgive Larry at the end because he’d been trying to get intel for the family?

And the final villain reveal was confusing too, I honestly felt by the end that I had no idea who was doing what, so the reveal fell flat for me.

In complete fairness, I think living through the occupation of Singapore would change a lot of things about how you view good and bad and how you interact with your friends and family, but I dunno, it just didn’t quite get there with this book.

[Emilie]

Su Lin's actions and motivations in response to this mystery were more opaque to me than in several previous books in the series. She didn't seem to particularly like the members of the family that owned the quarry where the murder happened, yet felt she needed to save them from whatever danger they were in. I didn't understand why she was going to such lengths for them.

Also, Su Lin didn't believe the explanation that her friend Parshanti gave for disliking her fiance's cousin. Why would you doubt her, Su Lin?

Her interactions with Le Froy were something of a saving grace for the book, but for me, they didn't make up for Su Lin's behavior otherwise. Su Lin's thoughts on her romance were funny, though. They'd confessed their love for each other when they thought they were going to die, and then ended up surviving, which made it all so very awkward, as far as Su Lin was concerned.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again I’m disappointed with the editing, the repetition, the plot holes where people who behave one way suddenly switch to a different personality. And anyone who’s a “bad guy” is excessively awful - rude, insulting, bombastic, nothing subtle about it.

But I have never read anything about Singapore before, and the main characters - Su Lin and Le Froy - are compelling so I have stuck with this despite how dissatisfying the books have become.

Despite my complaints, I still recommend the series. The books about the pre-war period and the Japanese occupation of Singapore are more interesting than those after the Japanese have lost the war, but there’s definitely still tension now that the English have moved back in as the occupiers. By telling the stories as mysteries, the series can continue and expand on the historical aspects of Singapore.

I’ll be very sad to end the series. I hope it continues after book #10 (this was #8) but with better editing!!!

[Shweta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an average read for me, mainly because of too many references to the previous books in the series. I thought this would be an independent read, and picked it up on a whim but realized it soon enough that it was part of the series. Sadly, when the connection is expected, right out of the gate, it hinders readers ability to connect with characters, atleast for me that was the case. Even with that being biggest issue for me, it was a good enough read that I wasn't dragging my feet through it. I liked Su Lin and Le Froy's character, couldn't really understand that equation due to the issues described previously. Same was true about Su's relationship with pretty much everyone. But it was a nice little community and story thrashes you into different aspects and keeps you guessing.

[Douglas Drummond · Rating 3 out of 5]

My eighth Su Lin mystery, and I think the spark has gone out of Yu's writing. The war is over. The British are back and being typically (ie stereotypically) British again. Su Lin doesn't seem to have suffered any blow back from her time cooperating with the Japanese occupation. I found the dialogue to be stiff and unnatural. The mystery itself was rather prosaic. The romantic tension that used to exist between Su Lin and Le Froy no longer gives an added fillip. All in all, a bit disappointing.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Su Lin mystery! Love how all the characters and their relationships keep evolving as time passes and the society changes, and how Yu keeps creating original mysteries with surprising twists.

A bit of weird stuff in this one with one of the characters, where it seemed like some bad stuff was forgiven or overlooked or assumed to be one-off behaviors, even though they weren't. But maybe I missed or misread something? A minor part that didn't interfere with really enjoying it overall anyway, at least for me.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The war is over and the terror of the Japanese occupation a recent memory. Now the British are back in power and the people of Singapore are not impressed. For one of their first acts, the British government makes a lot of money selling licenses for processing opium. Then, a few weeks later, they make opium illegal. Su Lin has to deal not only with murder but also with a character who goes by the name of Stinky.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite book in the series, as some of Su Lin's actions didn't seem as believable. Why on earth did she care so much about a family that she specifically says she dislikes? And why doesn't she believe Parshanti? Even though they are not as close as they once were, their friendship arc is a bit off here.

Still very enjoyable and I look forward to the next installment.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books give a vivid sense of what it was like to live on an island that was an international crossroads and multicultural melange at a time when the Great Powers were contesting it. They also tell the continuing Chen family saga and the romance between Chen Su Lin and Thomas Le Froy. Along the way, they give us mysteries, investigations, and solutions that are more or less plausible.

I particularly liked the way this book demonstrated that people are not always what they seem, and also, that people can change for the better.

[Susan D. Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

The only thing missing in the Su Lin series are pictures of what these s trees really look like.
Now the story was fast as always. This is a writer who makes it very hard to stop reading when there are more pages to go.
Love her books

[Sharron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally I rate this series with four stars but the plot here was not well constructed and the degree of repetition made it bog down. Fortunately, the place and period detail and character development remained good.

[Patricia Gulley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this series. Good to be back with Su Lin and La Froy and their adventures in Singapore, this time after the war and the British back in charge. Empires and their assumed rights and culture clashes. Can't wait for the next one.

[Gary and Sandra Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books

I do hope this series continues, the characters in this book and indeed the whole series are richly woven into the storyline which gives it its appeal to the reader. You really feel for the characters and what the lives are like over the years.

[Jonathan Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yu is Amazing

What can I say? While eviscerating English and Japanese colonialism, she has fun with Chinese culture and created a handful of unforgettable characters. Yes, the mysteries may be a bit complicated but the reader is driven to the end, loving every minute. A joy!

[Michael Kott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of the series best!

[Feriel Temmar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series...

[Mary Helene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truth be told: I got confused. I think it was an effort to make the characters have some depth to them, but ...It just wasn't her best.

[mary farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good mystery and interesting people!

Set in Singapore at the end of WWII you get a great story of resilience and an inside look of lived experience.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is difficult to rate as the resolution is contrived but the historical facts and cultural details are fascinating.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy and enchanting mystery set in post-colonial Singapore with a gripping storyline and clever heroine.

I loved it. This was exactly what I needed. I want to read more about Su Lin and her adventures!

[annapi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Su Lin is visiting a rival family of her grandmother's to return a dish when she comes upon the daughter of the family matriarch beside a dead man. When the British police immediately accuse her of murder, Su Lin decides she must help find the murderer.

Another twisty mystery, and on the sidelines we are treated to further development of the relationship between Su Lin and Le Froy, as well as that of Parshanti and her fiance, and as always the fascinating historical background of Singapore.