The Enigmatic Madam Ingram

Miss Cassidy #2

by Meihan Boey

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 a terrifying jungle spirit the native folk call the Bungadarah.

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

477 pages, Kindle Edition

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

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[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.

[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!

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 @epigrambooks @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

[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.

[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.

[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 🥹

[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

[Katdakoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟 ambitious, full, rich.

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one even better than the first one! I got really swept away in the story, i love mythology!!

[Tabitha Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

[Ryo Siri · Rating 4 out of 5]

[3.75]

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good yarn

[A.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on audiobook

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.5/10

[Ulrika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will re-read at some point, I’m sure it’ll be a 5-star when I’m not so easily distracted.

[mm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boey has outdid her first instalment of the magic and spirituality of Singapore in 'The Enigmatic Madam Ingram'. I understood the fables and beliefs coming alive.
I believe there is a #3 and can't wait to read more about these protagonists.

Read as an NLB e-book.