Malice on the Mekong

by Nancy Swing

Anjali Rao is a chocoholic Hindu grandmother who likes a gin-and-tonic now and then. The wife of a U.N. diplomate, she's been trying to keep a low profile in Vientiane, Laos, because of something that happened at her husband's previous post. And that's boring. All this changes when the body of a controversial foreign hostess is found floating in the Mekong. The dead woman's Embassy and the Lao Government seem to rush to declare her death an accident, but the expatriate community doesn't believe it. Unforeseen events pull Anjali into investigating, and soon she's rushing around in her beloved Deux Chevaux, finding more malice than she thought possible. As Anjali sorts through the facts and lies, she discovers the expatriate community is hiding more than one secret. And one of them is downright dangerous. If you're a mystery-lover, this twisty plot has surprises right up to the end. And if you've ever wondered what it might be like to live in an exotic locale, this insider's view of Vientiane shows the ins and outs of expatriate life.

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2016

Reviews

[Michelle Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite

Malice on the Mekong is a mystery by Nancy Swing. Anjali Rao, the wife of a U.N. diplomat, finds living in Ventiane rather dismal and thinks her life is stagnant too. When Sofia, a diplomat’s overbearing wife, drowns, an embassy official asks Anjali to discreetly use her influence among the expatriates to find out if Sofia’s death was actually an accident as there is speculation.

What Anjali learns while chatting with the expats is how bullying Sophia was to everyone she met. Not many persons mourned her death and some had good motives for wishing her harm. Her sleuthing takes a new turn when the house staff gives information that makes Anjali doubt who her friends really are.

Nancy Swing was inspired to write Malice on the Mekong, which reflects on parts of her life while residing in other countries due to her career. Although fiction, the author enlightens readers with a realistic account of what life in the diplomatic community can be like, and how culture, protocol, politics, and personal grudges affect them. She also describes very poignantly the loneliness that some feel, especially wives, while residing abroad.

I was reminded of the quote “When in Rome, do what the Romans do,” mainly with the protagonist’s attempts to solve the mystery. The story is an interesting one, although it moves at a slow pace leading up to the conclusion. Malice on the Mekong is a nice, light mystery with a brightly coloured book cover that I liked.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great mystery with the added suspense of a different culture and lifestyle! I am so proud to call this author a college friend and sorority sister. Im not surprised that she is such a good story teller. I also enjoyed the Far East setting of this story and learning more about expats living in these countries. The characters are interesting. The mystery is full of twists and turns. The role of women in the 1990’s is fascinating yet brave. It’s challenging to read about unfamiliar places and names, but that adds to the mystery. Can’t wait to read Nancy Swing’s next book which takes place in our beloved West Virginia.