Ghost Hunters of Geylang

by Xie Shi Min

A tale of love, betrayal and the supernatural set in the heart of Singapore’s most vibrant district.

At sixteen, Zhong Su Lynn dreams of becoming an official ghost hunter. She has battled supernatural creatures, from pontianak to shuigui, but her unconventional methods frustrate her grandfather, the legendary Zhong Kui. When Su Lynn discovers that her grandfather is building an undead army to forge his own underworld, her world unravels. To complicate matters, she falls for a jiangshi he created. Now, Su Lynn must join forces with other ghost hunters to free the jiangshi, stop Zhong Kui and restore balance—all while torn between love and her sense of duty.

398 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2025

About the author

Xie Shi Min is an award-winning writer who lives in a book fort. Her fiction has appeared in journals like Rambutan Literary and Cha. Her first book, Dragonhearted, was shortlisted for the Scholastic Asian Book Award in 2014 and published in 2016. It was also shortlisted for the Singapore Book Awards in 2017 and won the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book in 2018. In her spare time, she hugs fat cats. According to her, the fatter they are, the better.

Reviews

[Michelle Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially picked up this book thinking it would be very spooky, since it’s about ghost hunters in Geylang. But to my surprise, it turned out to be a very enjoyable and engaging read.

The story is set in a very Singaporean context, and I really appreciated the local flavour throughout the book. The cultural references and familiar settings make the story feel relatable and vivid.

What I didn’t expect was the humour. Despite the supernatural theme, the writing has a light, witty touch and I actually caught myself laughing at several moments.
Another interesting aspect was how informative the book felt. Through the story, I found myself learning about various ghosts and supernatural folklore that exist in the region. It made the reading experience not only entertaining but also culturally fascinating.

If you enjoy fiction with local Singapore flavour, a bit of humour, and supernatural elements, this is definitely worth picking up. A fun and unique read.

[XZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I genuinely enjoyed this book. How much? I borrowed it out of duty to expand my YA SingLit repertoire as a teens librarian and only put it off until the due date notice came, then finished it in 2 MRT rides. Out of the (very short) list of YA SingLit books I've read at this point in time, this is the best of them. I haven't had much faith in YA SingLit, but this book definitely shows that there's promise there.

Su Lynn is the granddaughter of an immortal ghost hunter. Naturally she wants to be recognized as one, but her Ah Gong isn't really doing that for her because he doesn't like how she's trying to talk down the ghosts instead of just striking. She gets tired of his punishments and finds his journal to see if she can figure out why he thinks the way he does. And that is how she opens a massive can of worms.

For a book about ghosts and ghost hunting, it doesn't force horror or gore elements, treating them like folkloric observations so it's more like a yokai compilation. I really appreciate that because I've come to terms with me being a massive coward.

The characters are likeable and not very "HELLO FELLOW KIDS", which I prefer. There was a moment where I thought she was becoming Singaporean Bella Swan though 🤣 Had a small issue where I couldn't reconcile the time frame of the book so I didn't know when this was taking place (felt like sometimes modern, sometimes kampung), but it didn't really take away from the story. The folklore and urban legends are really interesting to learn about! The diary entries were a fascinating substory too.

Unfortunately due to the orang minyak entry and possibly the diaosigui too this doesn't qualify for GRLs. But book buzz...possible ☺️

[Estee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good and fun book to read, even if you're not that interested in local folklore and ghosts. I didn't know what to expect and I'm not someone who's into supernatural stuff, but the compelling plot hooked me in. When I started reading the book, I did not want to put it down. I kept wondering what was going to happen next! The protagonist Su Lynn is such a relatable character, and I love how this coming-of-age book addresses various themes like inter-generational trauma, moral courage, the importance of friendship, and so much more.

I know that this book is probably meant for teenagers and young adults since the protagonist is sixteen, but I'd recommend it for adults of all ages. Older children could read it and enjoy it too, as long as they aren't afraid of the subject matter and have the guidance of their parents. Personally, I didn't think that it was too scary. The intrigue lay in uncovering the mystery and figuring things out along with Su Lynn. Overall, I highly recommend this page-turner and I wish I could read it all over again for the first time.

[Beany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the subtle romance, especially the almost-kiss scene with Cai Rong — that moment had me like, “omg?! Wait… oh no!” The growing chemistry between Su Lynn and Zi Ming is definitely something I want to see more of if there’s a sequel because there’s definitely something going on between them from the beginning of the book, the ending just sealed the deal for me. 
The author did a great job adding short write-ups about the types of ghosts, which helped me understand the story better. The inclusion of Japanese ghosts and flashbacks showing how Su Lynn discovered her third eye added nice depth.
I was skeptical at first because I had DNF’d a similar Singlit book, but this one completely won me over. 🫶🏻💕
It’s not scary, but still has enough spooky vibes to keep things interesting without nightmares. Overall, a cozy paranormal read👻
If you want a chill, fun paranormal adventure that’s easy to read yet engaging, this is a great pick!

[Rizal Nasir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I picked up this book to support the author, who is my friend. And the moment I read the first few pages, I knew I was going to be pulled in to Su Lynn's world. Obviously, as a fellow countryman, I thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed the local references of places, jargons and lore.

I don't really review anything... period, and I haven't been reading much of late. This book is just a perfect read for someone who isn't looking into something heavy. And I'm not discounting that this a lightweight read either. The pace is good and I loved how everything ties in together in the end. Loved it!

[Jazreel Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 11 daughter is totally in love with the book and finished reading it in one breakfast seating! I guess a good book is one which makes u stay glued to your chair and not be able to tear your eyes off the pages! Would surely recommend this book for avid readers. My daughter is already so looking fwd to any new books from the author!

[Ashley Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book from my school library because I wanted to support local author and the synopsis of the book piqued my interest. It was very refreshing to read a story based on the Southeast Asian supernatural myths and also on some Taoism. The ending was also really good and gave closure to the whole story.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love what you did with this story for several reasons, among which your reminder to us that in many ways, because of the free will afforded us, humans are capable of being much bigger monsters than any supernatural being could.

[Loa Hoang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book!

[Bren | Wordwanderlust · Rating 3 out of 5]

not entirely what i expected but a decent and fast read. younger readers may enjoy this better!

[Elaine YokeLin Yeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!
Home-grown talent, supernatural and romance thrown into it.
Better than Osamu Dazai!

[Shannae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost Hunters of Geylang is such a fun and charming read. I found myself completely drawn in by the richly imagined world; rooted in historical fiction but infused with a kind of dreamy, grounded magic that makes the setting feel alive. The way the ghosts are personified is so endearing that I couldn’t help but smile each time one appeared on the page.

The book is full of little delights: soft moments of romance that feel tender and unforced, and a lingering sense of mystery that never overwhelms but gently invites you deeper. What I loved most was how the lore of the world is revealed. Not all at once, but in these lovely, fleeting glimpses. It’s as if the author is sharing a secret, and as a reader, you get to feel like you’re part of something quietly sacred.

It’s personal, intimate, and full of heart. Highly recommended for anyone who loves local legends, ghost stories with soul, and a narrative that feels both magical and deeply human.

[Smellyfarrt · Rating 4 out of 5]

If a book is that captivating, you simply don't want to put it down and that's exactly how I felt about this one.

Having grown up listening to supernatural stories, I found myself relating to the various entities described in the book. It brought back nostalgic memories of my childhood, especially the legendary Jiangshi the hopping vampire which instantly transported me back to watching the classic Chinese horror-comedy films Mr. Vampire and Mr. Vampire 2.

My interest was piqued so much that I even googled to find out more about the lead actor, Lam Ching-ying, whose portrayal of the Jiangshi remains iconic. Of course, the Jiangshi in this story has been modernised.

Even so, it's engaging, nostalgic, and beautifully crafted.