Those Opulent Days: A Mystery

by Jacquie Pham

Jacquie Pham’s transportive debut, Those Opulent Days, delivers a classic historical murder mystery centered around the glamor, violence, wealth, and opium of 1920’s French-colonial Vietnam that meshes the structural brilliance of Lucy Foley’s The Guest List with the historical vitality of Vanessa Chan's The Storm We Made, and the upstairs-downstairs drama of Downton Abbey.


One will lose his mind. One will pay. One will agonize. And one will die.


Duy, Phong, Minh, and Edmond have been best friends since childhood. Now, as young men running their families’ formidable businesses, they make up Saigon’s most powerful group of friends in 1928 Vietnam’s elite society. 

Until one of them is murdered.

In a lavish mansion on a hill in Dalat, all four men have gathered for an evening of indulgence, but one of them won’t survive the night. Toggling between this fatal night and the six days leading up to it, told from the perspectives of the four men, their mothers, their servants, and their lovers, an intricate web of terror, loyalty, and well-kept secrets begins to unravel. 

As the story creeps closer to the murder, and as each character becomes a suspect, the true villain begins to colonialism, the French occupation of Vietnam, and the massive economic differences that catapult the wealthy into the stratosphere while the poor starve on the streets. 

Those Opulent Days is at once both a historical novel of vivid intensity and a classically structured, pitch-perfect murder mystery featuring a robust cast of characters you won’t soon forget.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Mystery Thriller, Book Club, Audiobook

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2024

About the author

Jacquie Pham is a Vietnamese-Australian writer of adult fiction. She currently lives in Sydney with two very goofy dogs. Don’t tell them, but Jacquie also loves cats.

She can be found on social media @jacquiepham.

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when I find a historical fiction novel that I can really dive into and learn from. Not only interesting for me as a reader unused to history of this era - the French colonisation of Vietnam, it was a lesson learned in the extreme wealth and poverty contrast. Entitlement and mistreatment of those under your control, and turning a blind eye to terrible unkindnesses, unafraid to cause the life of another. There were many moments I drew breath in this dramatic story of violence, greed, lust and opium and alcohol fuelled madness.

Four best friends have grown up together, their friendships as complex as their childhoods. One will not be alive at the end of an evening, opening with an eerie prediction:
“One will lose his mind. One will pay. One will agonize. And one will die.”

The story works backwards, weaving together the stories of the boys, their entitlements and desires. One patriarch in particular was dreadful, she was sinister, racist and vile with these beliefs laid bare in front of young innocent offspring at a time so important to a child's growth.

An excellent debut, engaging and compelling, I felt the intricacies of the boys' dependency on their privilege, the desire to keep their friendship taught and the deep faults which were ultimately brought on from colonialism, and the overtaking of one country to another, again, spewed forth by greed. Lots of surprises here, and a maturity of writing wrapped into a debut.

Thank you Ultimo for my physical copy to read and review.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a brutal, brutal book, and you probably shouldn't go into it expecting a mystery, like I did. It's basically about how traumatized men with power take out their trauma on the people below them in power and status, and almost no one escapes; which is to say, it's literary fiction in a trench coat and fedora. If you're interested in a beautifully-written book about the horrors of colonialism in 1920s Vietnam, THEN you should read this. For a satisfying murder mystery, I would give it a miss.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished copy gifted by the publisher

What I liked
- the historical setting in Vietnam
- exploration of power imbalance between race and class
- while there are multiple povs, the four main characters are very distinct. The supporting cast is equally memorable. Phenomenal work especially as a debut

What didn’t work for me
- frankly most of the characters are despicable. It’s not necessarily a weakness of the book just something to prepare for
- I don’t read that much mystery/suspense and even I guessed all the twists 😅

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really good. On the surface a murder mystery, but really a deep dive exploration and expose on the racial and class complexities during French colonial era Vietnam. I'm totally unfamiliar with this bit of history, so that was all fascinating to learn about.

[Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacquie Pham’s Those Opulent Days is a historical fiction novel set in 1920’s French-colonized Vietnam (known as An Nam at the time and its citizens, Annamites - though this isn’t super clear from the book). The story follows 4 childhood friends from affluent families, and one night, one of them is found dead. The timeline then backtracks to the past 6 days and is told from the perspective of the four friends, their servants, and family members.

Fair warning, this book was a very intense read - there’s violence, sexual assault, opium and alcohol abuse, and lots of murders (victimization of innocents and servants) involved.

Each character is represented very well, with a distinct voice and a complex background. It’s clear that the author has done a lot of historical research into French-colonized Vietnam, so I wish that the book actually leaned into this more, especially since these stories are so uncommon and it would’ve helped with world-building and immersing the reader in a different time period. The book does repeatedly touch on the fact that French people are superior no matter the wealth or influence of the Ammanite elite, but it is pretty surface level, and doesn’t go into details of cruel exploitation of their land, labor, and people. The author has a talent for writing and is able to make you feel sympathetic for the main characters and dislike them at the same time. The author also brings to light important issues, like the subjugation and violence towards women that are often silenced and dismissed in times of colonial strife. The book also shows the cyclical nature of abuse - starting from the French to the Annamite elite men to women to the common Annamite workers as well as the abuse transferred from parent to child to servants.

This is marketed as a murder mystery, which I feel actually hampers the story development, as it is restricted by some formulaic structure that is common to mysteries. The story actually takes a bit of time to pick up initially because of all the exposition from past connections with each character.

I was actually confused as to which boy was murdered until near the end of the novel, not sure if this was intentional. Because murder is treated in a cavalier manner in the book (there is plenty of murders described) and most of the characters are pretty despicable people (again, I think this is a restriction from the murder mystery element as they need a reason to kill one of the main characters), it was hard to care about why or who murdered one of the boys. There are some characters who were less terrible, so I wish their stories would’ve been developed more but were a little more neglected since it was too obvious they were not the killer.

Overall, an illuminating read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing an ARC for review.

[Theresa Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those Opulent Days by Jacquie Pham was quite the chameleon of a novel. I had a certain set of expectations going into this one that leaned towards quaint, but to my delight, it was a lot darker and, at times, downright frightening. The tension rippled off the pages, particularly as the novel neared its tragic end.

Four friends, as close as brothers, and yet, there are preferences and divisions, particularly as three are Vietnamese and one is a French colonial. Set in 1927, in French occupied Vietnam, this is both a mystery and historical fiction that examines political and social issues that existed within Vietnam at the time.

The elite rich were an entirely different entity. There were times when I flinched at the entitlement that they exhibited, the lack of humanity towards servants, the disdain towards anyone below their own station. The things they did without remorse. It was shocking.

This is fundamentally a story about friendship, but it's also a story about privilege and wealth, the benefits and the costs, the fragility of everything that hinges on the gross oppression of one type of people over another. It was an excellent novel that I was gripped by and recommend widely.

Thanks to Ultimo Press for the review copy.

[Bill Silva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Outlier review…I found the writing stilted and awkward, and the novel has an identity crisis: is it a mystery, a romance, a social novel, historical fiction? It tries to be all of these, and doesn’t do any of them very well. I was disappointed.

[Karima chermiti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Rich in Atmosphere, Crowded in Cast

Those Opulent Days is a sprawling, atmospheric mystery that clearly benefits from Jacquie Pham’s attention to historical and cultural detail. The setting—opulent, distant, and textured—lends the story a grandeur that feels immersive, grounding each scene with a deep sense of place and time. It’s clear the author did the work, and I appreciated how much that enriched the tone of the book.

That said, the sheer number of characters, many introduced even well into the latter half of the novel, made it feel more like a parade than an ensemble. Each voice is distinct—Pham has a talent for giving her characters unique rhythms and perspectives—but I found myself unable to connect with, or even particularly like, any of them. It made for a reading experience that was more intellectually interesting than emotionally engaging.

The mystery itself was predictable, yet well-handled. There’s a professionalism to the plotting that kept me turning pages, even if the twists didn’t surprise. What did surprise me was the ending—a gut-punch that elevated the entire narrative. It was sharp, unflinching, and made me sit with the story long after I finished.

Ultimately, I admired more than I loved this book. It’s ambitious and beautifully crafted, but its emotional coldness and crowded storytelling kept me at arm’s length.

[Saloni · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subject matter is super interesting but I can't get over the writing style. Every sentence is so redundant and the themes aren't weaved throughout the story but instead it's like you're being smacked in the face with them. There are some really beautiful sections of prose but they are overshadowed by the majority being so redundant (semicolons can be overused!!). As for the characters they were okay but I didn't feel anything for anyone and downright despised half of them (a little more than I was supposed to). The setting and imagery were very very vivid, but to an extent that it just seemed like flowery writing. The mystery was kind of a let down too (maybe my standards are too high after too much golden age detective fiction) but I guess the ending did surprise me.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took quite a while to get into the storyline. Roughly half way through I became more invested... The ending was different to what I expected and overall it was quite a clever record of events.

[Laura]

This has been marketed as a historical murder mystery, which is really misleading. While a murder starts off the book, the story really isn't about who caused the death or why, though there is a final reveal. Instead, it's a story about the brutality of colonialism and men, following a group of damaged people who inflict ever greater damage on the people around them. Very atmospheric, but far darker than I expected.

[Dodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jacquie Pham's book, Those Opulent Days, takes place in 1920s Vietnam. This is a well-crafted, descriptive novel with convincing dialogue from the four main characters. It didn't merit a more glowing review from me because it is too dark. Edmond, especially, is contemptible. I had to step away from the action more than once.

[Michelle Korting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decided to read this book based off other reviews. Very well written. It reminded me of Upstairs-Downstairs.
A good mystery.

[Amy apple · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was poorly written and ultimately disappointing. It marketed itself as a mystery, but the only real mystery was what it was trying to be. It lacked the tension and intrigue of a proper thriller, and while there were moments that leaned toward historical drama, those elements also fell flat.

I struggled to connect with any of the characters—many of whom felt inconsequential to the already thin plot. There was little emotional depth or development to anchor the story. The names were also just weird when you threw in Tattler…

Overall, the book seemed to aspire to be many things at once, but never committed to any one direction. The result was a muddled narrative with no clear identity.

[Shari Mellin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit difficult to follow, as the chapters go back and forth in time. Also the characters aren't very likable. It is well written, and one definitely gets a picture of Viet Nam in that era, including their relationship with the French people living there. Should be an interesting book group discussion.

[Lauren | TransportedLFL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Grove Atlantic for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

Set in 1920's Vietnam, this book focuses on four best friends. They are all wealthy boys who attend the same school and learn of a prophecy suggesting poor endings for each of them.

The book is told out of chronological order. We jump back and forth from learning the prophecy is true in that one died, to a countdown of days leading to the murder and earlier flashbacks. Just as it's told with multiple timelines, it's told from multiple perspectives. All four men have perspectives, as do some of the women in their lives, including their mothers and lovers.

The book raised some very interesting questions of predestination and free will. And it also explored class issues and the intersection of colonialism and racism quite well.

This wasn't the greatest fit for me. I always appreciate reading historical fiction in order to learn more about another time. But I felt we got a very narrow view of 1920's Vietnam. Moreover, it was a particularly dark portrayal with no redeemable characters. I also missed having an Author's Note to explain the research process and facts behind the fiction.

I think this would be a better fit for those who appreciate dark psychological thrillers.

CW: graphic violence, SA, abduction, addiction and alcoholism, racism

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vietnam in the 1920’s was something I knew very little about. This book deals with French colonialism and the classes that result from it. At times it is brutal especially in its dealings with the lower class and this explains why there was eventually a civil war. The history of Vietnam was more interesting to me than the mystery. I found it hard to like the characters who all seemed spoiled and self serving. The prose was very good and I found myself admiring a “turn of phrase” rather than the action it was describing. I had to go back and read the section again to get back into the story. This only happens to me when the writing is exceptional.

[Barb reads......it ALL! · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really tough one to rate. 1920's French occupied Vietnam, the only sons and heirs to the area's greatest fortunes, live charmed but strained lives. Translated from Vietnamese, I thought the beginning was disjointed and as it coalesced for me, the story became darker and darker still.
Definitely need a palate cleanser after this one.

[Mal Warwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHO WAS MURDERED, AND WHO DID THE DEED, IN COLONIAL VIETNAM?

Wherever Europeans established colonies, there was always at least a handful of the local elite who prospered. Europeans rarely learned the local languages or worked with any of the millions of poor people they ruled—except when they hired them as household servants.

But there was always a need for managers, interpreters, police officers, and others whose proximity to the European elite set them a level far above others. And that gap was inconceivably greater for a privileged few locals who had acquired great wealth and power in the years before the Europeans arrived.

That’s the case with the three men whose lives we observe in Jacquie Pham’s superb debut novel, Those Opulent Days. The events at the heart of the story take place in 1928 in colonial Vietnam in what later came to be known as the country’s South.

THREE YOUNG VIETNAMESE AND A FRENCH DIPLOMAT’S SON

Those Opulent Days centers on the relationships among three privileged Annamese men and Edmond Moutet, the son of a senior French diplomat. Duy’s wealth derives from opium. His family produces the drug and sells it through a network of opium dens favored by French and Annamese alike. Phong is the son of a “renowned chemist” who had grown wealthy through his chain of pharmacies. And lastly Minh. “His father was Khải Siêu, making him the richest heir to the biggest rubber plantation in Cochinchina, richer than Duy and his family’s opium business, and certainly richer than Phong and his chemist father. . . They were the only three amongst a handful of Annamite students who were as wealthy as the French children.”

And as students, the four young men visit a fortuneteller, who advises them that “‘The four of you. One will lose his mind. One will pay. One will agonize. . . [And] one will die.'” And so it is. Years later, “Die, one of them did. A death by poison.” And Those Opulent Years tracks the years before and after that murder, as the identity of the murdered man emerges and, finally, that of the killer.

OBSCENE WEALTH AND DESTITUTION AMONG THE CHARACTERS

Others join the four men on the list of characters in Those Opulent Days. The most notable among them are León Moutet, Edmond’s father. He epitomizes the French colonial elite to whom even the governor defers. Minh’s mother, Madame Như, a vainglorious older woman who treats her servants as lower than human. Two of the servants in Madame Như’s household, Hai and Tattler, who gain her attention in different ways. And a Frenchwoman named Marianne, who raised Edmond in his mother’s absence and considers him her son. All eight become deeply involved in the mystery that unfolds in a series of flashbacks and flash forwards. And a surprise awaits us in the end.

WHEN THE FRENCH RULED INDOCHINA

French Jesuit missionaries first visited Indochina early in the 17th century, and traders became involved in later years. But the French conquest of the region began only in the 19th century. First, the region of present-day South Vietnam then known as Cochinchina. Then, progressively, Cambodia, Tonkin and Annam (today’s central Vietnam), and Laos. All these areas together comprise the French-ruled Indochinese Union when the events in Those Opulent Days unfold in 1928. (After 1949, Vietnam became a single country, under French control until 1954, when American influence began.)

As Jacquie Pham portrays in the novel, French rule was openly racist and brutal, and resistance frequently flared up, always savagely repressed. The revolt by workers on a rubber plantation owned by Minh’s family that Pham describes was typical of the continuing growth of revolutionary consciousness among millions of the desperately poor people forced into virtual slavery by the French.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jacquie Pham is a Vietnamese-Australian writer of adult fiction. She currently lives in Sydney. Those Opulent Days is her debut novel.

[Shaina Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upon finishing this book, the first thing I did was contact Miss Pham and demand she provide compensation for the absolute heartbreak she’d caused.

This novel is grim, it is unapolegetic and does not shy away from depicting the absolute horrors of 1920s Vietnam. Every character is so tragically flawed, each committing sins that paint them under the morally grey light that’s reflective of this period. But what Jacquie does so flawlessly is weave together a heartbreaking tale of murder, of betrayal, of love and jealousy, yet somehow amongst the sins of these characters, your heart still breaks for what they lose

One will lose his mind. One will pay. One will agonize. And one will die

Characters

The unique thing about this tale, is that Jacquie's prose guides you through the perspectives of our core four - Duy, Minh, Phong and Edmond - alongside their maids, their lovers, and family relations. This is the first time I'd read a novel from the perspective of so many eyes, but Jacquie does it so well that I lost myself entirely.

All these perspectives paint an intricate picture of the harsh period that they are set within. Every character suffers under the weight of the French Colonial period in Vietnam, regardless of societal status.

Every character is flawed to the brim, and wholly unlikeable, yet you can't resist somehow rooting for them to still gain their happy ending. They commit sins that frustrated me, that angered me, that had me convinced I hated them, yet I read on, unconsciously hoping they still reach redemption.

Themes

Colonialism
This novel does not shy away from depicting the horrors and consequences of colonialism. It is set during the French colonial period in Vietnam, a period I was not familiar with before. I was met with the blatant racism, the discrimination and hostile actions between the French and Vietnamese. Likewise, I was met with the struggle with our French boy Edmond, as he tried to reconcile his race with his desire to keep his friendships with Duy, Phong and Minh.

Class
The consequences of status and class is incredibly depicted here. From the power play between master and maid, to the elitism felt through the higher ups in society, and the greed they possess. Money twists people, twists them so that they are shells of themselves, and this is depicted through the characters, both through the POVs of the rich and the poor

Overall

This book is the first of it's genre I've read. I don't often read literary, historical mystery fiction, but I am so glad that I picked this one up. The heartbreak had me deeply reflect on the sacrifices our ancestors have made for the life we have, especially being a person-of-colour. This novel has certainly opened the door for me in historical fiction. Thank you Jacquie, and amazing well done for this being your debut <3

[E Birch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a well-written book but I didn’t personally enjoy it as much as I was expecting. The setting and descriptive writing were strong, but I did not feel invested in the plot of the novel or what happened to most of the characters. At the same time, I thought the authors treatment of the intersection of race and class (like the working class tirailleur’s chapter) was complex and left me with a lot to think about. While the book certainly showed the racism and violence of French colonial rule, it also depicted the complicity of upper-class Vietnamese families.

The book was billed as a thriller/mystery but the pacing did not come across that way to me. The chapters dove into the protagonists’ resentments and backstories to the point where the “mystery” did not drive my interest forward. For me, it felt like the narrative would flash to “that night” then take a long detour talking about the four heirs’ substance abuse, resentments, and the violence they enacted on others. Those chapters were very difficult to get through and (in my opinion) took away from the pacing of the story. Each of the four male main characters seemed to have a central pain or resentment that they returned to over and over again. It was difficult to empathize with them when the author showed the deprivation and cruelty that the people around them were suffering, though I suppose that was the point. The characters were all so despicable that there was an abundance of motives for murder and, coupled with the pacing of the novel, I didn’t feel invested in what happened to them.

At the same time, though I didn’t find the central “mystery” effective, if you consider the book as a historical fiction novel many of the character vignettes were compelling, particularly Tattler/Sen’s flashbacks to surviving famine as a child. The author wrote vividly and made the setting feel very physical and real. I noticed that physical sensations like queasiness, sweatiness, and hunger came up a lot. The portrayal of 1920s Vietnam’s was rich and intriguing.

Though I wouldn’t call listening to this audiobook an enjoyable experience, I am still thinking about some of the characters and scenes and I’m glad to have read the book. I am interested to see what this author writes next.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘The four of you. One will die.’

Set in French-colonial Vietnam (then known as Annam) during the 1920s, this murder mystery held my attention from beginning to end. Duy, Phong, Minh and Edmond, sons of wealthy families, have been best friends since childhood. One day they visited a seer, who prophesied:

‘The four of you. One will lose his mind. One will pay. One will agonize. […] One will die.’

Unsettling.

Later, in 1928, responsible for their families’ businesses, the four of them get together in a family mansion for the evening. Only three of them survive.

‘But denial was the sole emotion they all excelled in. Time passed in a silent blur.’

Who killed the fourth, and why? The story unfolds slowly in a world of privileged colonial glamour (for some), drugs and the power of the wealthy. We learn about each of the four young men, their family businesses, their own ambitions as well as the expectations of their parents.

The focus is on the six days leading up to the murder and involves multiple perspectives. The multiple perspectives provide some insight into the gulf between the wealthy and their servants, the racism and (from some) intentional cruelty.

Ms Pham paints an uncomfortable picture of colonial privilege and exploitation. The colonisers are powerful: those colonised are not. Violence, drug and alcohol abuse are all included, and it is clear that the lives of the powerful are important, while the less important are treated as entirely interchangeable and disposable.

For me, while the murder mystery became less important than the setting, I did find the conclusion satisfying. Be warned though, that this is not a novel for the squeamish.

I finished the novel determined to learn more about the history of this period.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Marles Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

“One will lose his mind. One will pay. One will agonize. And one will die.”
This was such an lavish story that brought together the impact of family, friendship, class warfare, in a time of history with Vietnam was struggling to find itself between the impact of colonialism and its own trueness and origins. The picture painted on Vietnam in this time was as its title suggests, purely opulent. It was also a time where corruption, bad money, and opium was the name of the game.
Duy, Phong, Minh, and Edmond were friends since childhood. A favourite fortuneteller one of their mothers provided a prediction of the longevity of life for these four boys, And this book is the vantage point from which we read about how each of them - Now in adulthood as some of the most powerful men in Saigon - met their downfall. The power that was at disposal of each of these families was phenomenal. With a note, with a look, any carefully planted rumour, anything could happen including a life spared or a life lost. Duy, Phong, Minh, and Edmond are distinctive characters and they're also quite ruthless merciless, even towards each other at the very end. The actions of Madame Như to ‘protect’ her son were abominable, even if they were done out of love for him, and the way in which the relationship between two of the friends was dismantled was so bleak.
I felt as though when I read this book that I was able to picture Vietnam in the 1920s so well and not only cry hear the sounds on the streets and in the darkened alleyways in the clubs but all of my senses were heightened as I read each chapter. Using the prophecy from the fortune teller was quite clever as well, because it allowed that superstitious element to cloud the actions and judgement of every character in this story.

Thanks #ultimopress for the #gifted copy.

[Karine · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are introduced to four childhood friends, who bonded during their stay at a boarding school for the elite. And then we rejoin them when they are in their twenties, trying to craft some kind of life within the boundaries set by their respective families. Needless to say that it doesn't work out for neither of them, as their formative years are in an environment ruled by cruelty and an enormous disparity between the wealthy and the poor.

Vietnam in the 1920's was exploited by the French and they hold the whole population, including the elite in their power. In this social fabric, no-one is safe from the horrors of abuse, torture or death and it makes a extremely bleak read. Although very well written (and hence the four stars), I found it very difficult to read on at times. Difficulties turn into despair, bringing out the worst in people and there isn't a moment of hope or relief, only a struggle for survival, both for the poor and the rich. For those opulent days, they are not. There is only fear for one's life in a setting where no-one can fulfill any potential.

Although it is a difficult read through the hopelessness of every character, I still wanted to continue reading as I found the style very compelling and the general setting of 1920 Cochincina and its diverse characters very well crafted. As a whole, the book was completely different than I expected, not only through its bleakness, but also the lack of a real mystery. For me the book is a period piece and all about character development and immersion in another time and place. The murder is more a vehicle to carry the plot, than a true mystery in the classic sense.

A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Atlantic Monthly Press and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacquie Pham’s debut novel, Those Opulent Days, is a dark and emotional historical drama.

The year is 1917 and Vietnam is controlled by the French. Four wealthy school boys; Duy, Phong, Minh and Edmond, sneak out to visit a fortune teller. Her prediction: “One will lose his mind. One will pay. One will agonise. And one will die.”

Eleven years later and each of these young men is now running their families’ businesses. They are Saigon’s elite and nothing can touch them, until one of them is murdered. Switching between the night of the murder and the days prior and told from the POVs of the four men, their mothers, servants and lovers, the reader uncovers secrets, corruption and betrayal set amidst the violence, racism and classism of this era.

Jacquie has written a compelling and intriguing story with an unforgettable cast of characters. The historical aspect and the family dramas were my favourite parts of this novel. I knew little about the French rule of Vietnam, but was shocked by the violence towards the Vietnamese working classes, both from their French masters and these powerful Vietnamese families. Servants were treated like animals, beaten and killed for the smallest misdemeanours, it was at times difficult to read.

Although marketed as a mystery, I thought this was a little misleading, as until the last part of the book, it was very much in the background. Because of this, I had to adjust my expectations part way through, as it was not the crime read I had expected. However, once I did this, I was able to immerse myself in this world of decadence and its dark underbelly and ended up really enjoying the book.

I would recommend this read to historical fiction fans, but please be aware that it may contain triggers for some.

[✰ Justine ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought about ti constantly when I wasn't reading too. However, I have some issues with it.
First: This is not a mystery. There is a murder and the I found myself wondering what happened-- but not really. This book is more like a tragic historical fiction. It's a story about race relations, colonial Vietnam, and class. The mystery part fades into the background.
This book also deserves a HUGE trigger warning for violence, gore, abuse, and an especially disturbing vomit scene. You've been warned.
Another issue I had with the book was the the author used the word facade a lot. That seems like a silly issue to have but it made the book feel more like a second or third draft to repeat this very specific word sooooo many times. Literally so many times. Another issue was the use of the word "step-brother" when the author meant "half-brother." These small error took me out of the story and "broke the 4th wall" in a sense because it made me think about the fact that this is a work of fiction written by a person who overuses the word facade and confused the terms step brother and half brother.
Okay now onto the good parts.
I really did find the plot and narrative to be very compelling and interesting. I didn't mind the way it went back and forth in time (although I did get confused at first by that). I loved that the characters were all deeply flawed and I appreciated learning something about colonial Vietnam-- something I have genuinely never thought of before. I enjoyed the complicated feelings of rooting for a character while also hoping they get what they deserve and karma bites them back.
Overall, I recommend this book, but again, it won't be everyone's cup of tea, don't expect a mystery, and huge trigger warning!!

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is going to make waves when it’s released.
Such a spectacularly written book with a multi-layered storyline that captivates you but also leaves you ruminating long after you've read it.

Nothing was sugar-coated in this book. Full of raw and harsh realities of what happened during the French colonial rule of Vietnam.

The mystery aspect definitely has you on the edge of your seat to figure out what happened.

But to me the real beauty of this book is the very honesty, very brutal, very stark and very intellectually written accounts of - the major inequalities of the distribution of wealth, the perceived superiority of the French during the rule, the fragility of elitism and power of the Vietnamese that were part of the upper class, the absolute disregard of the lower class & so many more realities of what a nation under colonial rule endures.

There’s so much more I could say about this book.

Jacquie truly did an incredible job with this book and I cannot wait to read more of what she writes in the future.

Historical fiction is a genre that is so close to my heart, I just love the way authors give you a glimpse into the past in a way that truly transports you to that time. The characters are fiction but you always know what’s being written was the realities of actual people. It’s a genre that has to be done a certain way else it’s going to fall flat and Jacquie Pham is truly a writer that did historical fiction justice.

I am so honoured to have been given an ARC of this.
THANK YOU NetGalley, Jacquie Pham, Grove Atlantic and Atlantic Monthly Press for giving me an ARC of this book!

[Elena L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

1920’s French-colonial Vietnam - the story centers around four rich heirs (and childhood friends) as they visited a fortune teller who predicted that, thirteen years later, one of the friends will be dead.

Beyond the typical murder mystery, the narrative is enriched by the historical context - Pham covers colonization, privilege, power and violence through the lives of the characters, whose success is built on repression and other's misfortunes. Pham crafts characters immersed in toxic relationships however they anchor each other by their existence. The characters are not meant to please one, rather, through their psychological episodes, the author paints a vivid portrait of the elite society tormented by glamour and addiction.

Deep secrets and dark motives populate the pages, and one's excitement comes from the engaging writing and moments of introspection that compel one to escape into the character's reality. I found satisfying the journey of unpeeling the character's past connections, even though it took some time to get there. The several POVs might feel distracting and I wish there was more time spent with the side characters. The examination of colonization and race can make the story hefty and while it might be formulaic at times, the ending quite surprised me.

THOSE OPULENT DAYS is for readers who enjoy a more purposeful murder mystery with a unique setting and despicable characters. I thought it was a solid debut and I am curious to see what Pham writes next.

[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Grove Atlantic . All opinions are my own ]

[anovelaccount (Kayla) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was unlike any book I’ve read before. The setting is 1920s Vietnam under French rule. So while it would fall under the umbrella of historical fiction, it’s also a well woven mystery.

The story unfolds from the perspectives of around 8 different characters. That sounds like a lot, and it is, but I *mostly* didn’t have any issues with it. In fact, as the book progresses, the many perspectives felt necessary to include pertinent information. I did initially struggle to keep some of the MMCs straight, but as more is revealed about them, this ultimately wasn’t an issue.

Right away, we learn that one of a group of four friends is dead, but we don’t know much else. The story begins to unravel and shifts between the night of the death and the days leading up to it.

I will say, none of the characters in this book were likable. 😅 In fact, a couple of them were literal psychopaths. All of them of them do bad things, ranging from mildly upsetting to downright heinous. And not a lot of good comes from any of it. By the end, I was left feeling…sad, maybe? I’m not quite sure, but definitely not happy or uplifted. There’s a lot of terrible events that occur, making it a darker read, so make sure you’re in the right headspace for that type of book before picking this one up!

All in all, I would recommend this book! It’s one I had to read slowly and had a bit of a hard time getting into. It’s heavy, so for that reason not hugely bingable. But a solid read, a solid mystery, and an important time and place in history to read about, especially because most in the Western world probably don’t know much about it—at least, I didn’t.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Those Opulent Days" by Jacquie Pham is classed as a murder mystery. The murder is a small element and colmination of the wider exploration of four friends....complex, loving, tolerant...the different faces of a long-term friendship. "One will lose his mind. One will pay. One will agonize. And one will die".
Duy, Phong, Minh, and Edmond have been best friends since childhood and are rich coming from the most influential families of 1928 Saigon. Well, except for the French of course, who govern Vietnam and treat the locals as second class citizens in their own country. All the more bizarre that Edmond is French and has continued his childhood friendships.
The book is narrated by the four men, their mothers, their servants, and their lovers. The cross section of perspectives reveal an intricate web of terror, loyalty, and horrific secrets.
Each friend has a distinct personality although all fragile and damaged by their upbringings. Finding solace in opium and alcohol is common. And as the fortune teller predicted, the final outcomes were dire for all.
An enjoyable read, although I lost a little momentum near the end. I was shocked by the actions of certain parties and the story telling was quite graphic in this respect but totally founded. Afterall, Saigon of this era was a violent, poor and conflicted place.
Thanks to NetGalley, Jacquie Pham and Grove Atlantic for my copy.