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Singaporean Mystery #4
Meddling and Murder
Aunty Lee is on the case!
There is nothing Rosie ‘Aunty’ Lee, amateur sleuth and proprietor of Singapore’s best-loved restaurant, loves more than solving other people’s problems. So when Beth Kwuan, an ambitious businesswoman, tells Aunty Lee her maid has disappeared, Aunty Lee is happy to let her own maid, Nina, help.
Only as the weeks go by, little clues make Aunty Lee worry. And as she digs into what is really going on behind the closed doors of Beth’s grand house, she starts to wonder—did Beth’s maid just run away, or did she meet a darker fate?
Now the race is on for Aunty Lee to get to the bottom of the mystery…and save Nina before it’s too late!
There is nothing Rosie ‘Aunty’ Lee, amateur sleuth and proprietor of Singapore’s best-loved restaurant, loves more than solving other people’s problems. So when Beth Kwuan, an ambitious businesswoman, tells Aunty Lee her maid has disappeared, Aunty Lee is happy to let her own maid, Nina, help.
Only as the weeks go by, little clues make Aunty Lee worry. And as she digs into what is really going on behind the closed doors of Beth’s grand house, she starts to wonder—did Beth’s maid just run away, or did she meet a darker fate?
Now the race is on for Aunty Lee to get to the bottom of the mystery…and save Nina before it’s too late!
248 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2017
203 people are currently reading
547 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
May 19, 2022
Singapore - the safe city or is it?
Murders, strange deaths, household break-ins give Aunty Lee many puzzles to solve when she is not cooking delicious meals.
A disappearing act
Of course the stupid woman had been living in a dream, a fantasy. Look at that too short dress (now hitched up, exposing cheap polyester panties) and the way that silver belt and fake gold necklace clash. Those pointed narrow shoes look like torture to walk in. All things considered, putting her down had been a mercy.
She had dressed up like an actress on opening night, ready to be the centre of attention. But the worksite was deserted by the time her big moment came.
Rolled up in blue plastic sheeting then stuffed into the disposal container, she made a surprisingly small bundle. The day’s garbage went back in over her, then the wooden planks over the dumpster pit.
Tomorrow the remaining construction debris would be shovelled in before concrete was poured into the foundation. This was the accepted way of cutting down on disposal fees in land starved Singapore.
Enter the villain
Jonny Ho looked like he could have played the lead in one of the Taiwanese or Korean soap operas … the good but falsely maligned son who returns to avenge his foolish father and rescue his true love, who is on the verge of marrying a no-good rich playboy who will drink and gamble away her family fortune. Of course Jonny Ho would also look right playing the no-good rich playboy. Very often the evil villains in these shows were very good-looking too.
The con-man Jonny Ho was carving out his own evil empire in Singapore and deceiving everyone except for Nina and Aunty Lee. A fun, cozy mystery.
Enjoy!
Murders, strange deaths, household break-ins give Aunty Lee many puzzles to solve when she is not cooking delicious meals.
A disappearing act
Of course the stupid woman had been living in a dream, a fantasy. Look at that too short dress (now hitched up, exposing cheap polyester panties) and the way that silver belt and fake gold necklace clash. Those pointed narrow shoes look like torture to walk in. All things considered, putting her down had been a mercy.
She had dressed up like an actress on opening night, ready to be the centre of attention. But the worksite was deserted by the time her big moment came.
Rolled up in blue plastic sheeting then stuffed into the disposal container, she made a surprisingly small bundle. The day’s garbage went back in over her, then the wooden planks over the dumpster pit.
Tomorrow the remaining construction debris would be shovelled in before concrete was poured into the foundation. This was the accepted way of cutting down on disposal fees in land starved Singapore.
Enter the villain
Jonny Ho looked like he could have played the lead in one of the Taiwanese or Korean soap operas … the good but falsely maligned son who returns to avenge his foolish father and rescue his true love, who is on the verge of marrying a no-good rich playboy who will drink and gamble away her family fortune. Of course Jonny Ho would also look right playing the no-good rich playboy. Very often the evil villains in these shows were very good-looking too.
The con-man Jonny Ho was carving out his own evil empire in Singapore and deceiving everyone except for Nina and Aunty Lee. A fun, cozy mystery.
Enjoy!
June 8, 2022
My favorite of the series so far! There's so much going on in Rosie's life, it seems impossible to keep up but it all comes together in a very satisfying ending. All the trademark food talk and Singaporean locales and personalities are here and add to my enjoyment of this mystery. I figured out early on who the killer was (I think it was written that way) but this didn't take away from the story. Great way to end the series (although I hope there are more).
May 30, 2017
I think I've just stumbled upon the Miss Marple Of Singapore. Can't wait to get to the rest of the series.
January 19, 2024
Decisamente il caso più bello di questa serie, che vede per protagonista Rosie (Auntie) Lee, l'anziana e arguta singaporiana che, da quando è rimasta vedova, ha deciso di aprire un ristorante di cucina tipica locale, aiutata dalla sua colf filippina, Nina (che per lei è quasi una figlia). In questo caso, la moglie del figliastro Mark - Selina, che è incinta e quindi sta un pochino fuori dai piedi - diventa socia in affari per l'istituzione di una nuova scuola materna che avrà sede in casa di una cara amica di Auntie Lee ormai defunta, Patty. Il progetto è della sorella di Patty, Beth, che è sempre stata molto austera e critica nei confronti della sorella minore (Patty) e delle sue amiche (Auntie Lee ed Helen). Patty, dopo la morte del primo marito, aveva sposato un imprenditore cinese molto più giovane di lei, poi aveva cominciato a evitare le amiche, finché non è morta di cancro. Jonny Ho - questo è il suo nome - è un affascinante intrallazzatore, che cerca di defraudare e ricattare tutte le donne che conosce, ma Auntie Lee, che apparentemente sembra cadere nelle sue trappole, riesce a smascherarlo.
Per buona parte del romanzo si soffre per la situazione di Nina che, "prestata" da Auntie Lee a Beth per pulire gli ambienti della nuova scuola da quando Julietta - la colf filippina di Beth - è fuggita via (o scomparsa, non si capisce bene), diventa praticamente sua prigioniera, essendo costretta a dormire in un cubicolo con una piccolissima finestrella per l'aria, senza cellulare e rinchiusa a chiave durante la notte. E sì, perché, a quanto pare, le leggi singaporiane riguardanti le collaboratrici domestiche filippine sono davvero severe, per cui la situazione di Nina in casa di Auntie Lee potrebbe essere considerata fuori legge. E naturalmente, il sentimento che c'è tra la giovane filippina e l'ispettore di polizia Salim Mawar - che Auntie Lee continua a incoraggiare - è proibitissimo, e non solo a causa della diversa religione dei due.
Tra sparizioni, testamenti veri e fasulli e varie puntatine di Auntie Lee al posto di polizia (sempre con le sue specialità per gli agenti), si conclude questa serie che mi ha catapultato nel sud-est asiatico, nel crogiolo di culture che è Singapore, con tutta la sua aria esotica e la stupenda figura della sua protagonista, un po' impicciona, ma tenerissima.
Per buona parte del romanzo si soffre per la situazione di Nina che, "prestata" da Auntie Lee a Beth per pulire gli ambienti della nuova scuola da quando Julietta - la colf filippina di Beth - è fuggita via (o scomparsa, non si capisce bene), diventa praticamente sua prigioniera, essendo costretta a dormire in un cubicolo con una piccolissima finestrella per l'aria, senza cellulare e rinchiusa a chiave durante la notte. E sì, perché, a quanto pare, le leggi singaporiane riguardanti le collaboratrici domestiche filippine sono davvero severe, per cui la situazione di Nina in casa di Auntie Lee potrebbe essere considerata fuori legge. E naturalmente, il sentimento che c'è tra la giovane filippina e l'ispettore di polizia Salim Mawar - che Auntie Lee continua a incoraggiare - è proibitissimo, e non solo a causa della diversa religione dei due.
Tra sparizioni, testamenti veri e fasulli e varie puntatine di Auntie Lee al posto di polizia (sempre con le sue specialità per gli agenti), si conclude questa serie che mi ha catapultato nel sud-est asiatico, nel crogiolo di culture che è Singapore, con tutta la sua aria esotica e la stupenda figura della sua protagonista, un po' impicciona, ma tenerissima.
February 4, 2019
Meddling and Murder is my favorite Aunty Lee Singaporean mystery, by far!
I enjoyed the support and involvement in solving the mystery Aunty Lee received from her old friend Helen. I also appreciated the possible pathway Aunty Lee suggested to solve Salim and Nina's dilemma and make possible their marriage.
Now, I look forward to Selina either getting her comuppence and/or Mark finally putting Selina in her place (otherwise known as growing up, growing a backbone, and also sticking up for Aunty Lee - she is his stepmother, after all, and has been very good to him).
I enjoyed the support and involvement in solving the mystery Aunty Lee received from her old friend Helen. I also appreciated the possible pathway Aunty Lee suggested to solve Salim and Nina's dilemma and make possible their marriage.
Now, I look forward to Selina either getting her comuppence and/or Mark finally putting Selina in her place (otherwise known as growing up, growing a backbone, and also sticking up for Aunty Lee - she is his stepmother, after all, and has been very good to him).
July 30, 2017
I love Aunty Lee and I want to go and eat laksa in her cafe.
July 2, 2017
Singaporean author and playwright Ovidia Yu has returned with her fourth novel in her "cozy" series, "Meddling and Murder: An Aunty Lee Mystery". I somehow missed the third in the series after having read and enjoyed the first two. In "Meddling and Murder", Aunty Lee returns as the canny widow who is a fabulous cook and runs her own restaurant and catering service. Her old companions, Nina and Salim, Selina and Mark, and Cherril, and others are still with her. But Aunty Lee and her Philipina aide Nina are in a bit of a feud; Aunty Lee-style. Nina goes to work for the sister of an old friend, who basically keeps her in bondage and servitude and Aunty Lee can't seem to rescue her. Several people are murdered and Aunty Lee comes to the rescue. All is well til the next book in the series.
The "Aunty-Lee" series is not a regular cozy series, at least for the non-Singaporean reader. Ovidia Yu is a writer who seems to capture the time and place and the society of Singapore. She writes about the mixed society in Singapore today that is both open and restrictive. She doesn't write about the city-state in a macro-view, but rather a micro one, looking at a small part of Singaporean society. It can be very instructive to the reader who gets a taste of a foreign country, without having to deal with the hot, humid weather! Her descriptions of the food that Aunty Lee and her helpers cook and serve are mouth-watering and I'd love to find a Singaporean restaurant where I live.
I tend to rate a book that's part of a series based on what I've read before. I'm giving "Meddling and Murder" five stars because I believe that it continues Ovidia Yu's good writing.
The "Aunty-Lee" series is not a regular cozy series, at least for the non-Singaporean reader. Ovidia Yu is a writer who seems to capture the time and place and the society of Singapore. She writes about the mixed society in Singapore today that is both open and restrictive. She doesn't write about the city-state in a macro-view, but rather a micro one, looking at a small part of Singaporean society. It can be very instructive to the reader who gets a taste of a foreign country, without having to deal with the hot, humid weather! Her descriptions of the food that Aunty Lee and her helpers cook and serve are mouth-watering and I'd love to find a Singaporean restaurant where I live.
I tend to rate a book that's part of a series based on what I've read before. I'm giving "Meddling and Murder" five stars because I believe that it continues Ovidia Yu's good writing.
May 14, 2019
I have been in a horrible funk with books this past week and haven't been able to find anything that works for me. I've read one of this author's books before and thought it might make a light and amusing distraction.
Not in this case, not for me. There is a lot of dense info-dumping in the guise of dialogue early on in the book- in the first 20 pages, in fact. So many names, so many tangled relationships! And there's somehow a school being started by Aunty Lee's daughter-in-law that will then have something to do with a mystery plot? Plus commentary on how guest workers are treated in Singapore, which I actually found quite interesting and was ready to read about more, except this random school thing is being talked about instead. Reading the start of this book felt like being in a room where about five people are talking over each other, trying to be heard, and you can't quite manage to focus on any of them. I needed a bit more of a gentle lead in, maybe with more Singaporean food? Anyway, after I realized that I hadn't absorbed much, I skipped ahead, and read a sort of deus ex machina ending. So, not for me, not right now. I'll still try other books by this author.
Not in this case, not for me. There is a lot of dense info-dumping in the guise of dialogue early on in the book- in the first 20 pages, in fact. So many names, so many tangled relationships! And there's somehow a school being started by Aunty Lee's daughter-in-law that will then have something to do with a mystery plot? Plus commentary on how guest workers are treated in Singapore, which I actually found quite interesting and was ready to read about more, except this random school thing is being talked about instead. Reading the start of this book felt like being in a room where about five people are talking over each other, trying to be heard, and you can't quite manage to focus on any of them. I needed a bit more of a gentle lead in, maybe with more Singaporean food? Anyway, after I realized that I hadn't absorbed much, I skipped ahead, and read a sort of deus ex machina ending. So, not for me, not right now. I'll still try other books by this author.
Read
December 2, 2021One thing about all of these is that the people getting murdered are always terrible so it’s like “frankly they deserved it” but the people who are suspects are also usually terrible so it’s like “maybe they’ll be next”
September 19, 2019
Review to come
April 21, 2019
It's probably best not to start a series at #4, though it worked extremely well for Star Wars. If Star Wars had actually started at #1, it would be a no-go (at least in my opinion).
The first 30-40 pages were a mess. I was very confused as to what was going on. I couldn't find a voice in the characters, and it seemed people were just being stupid for "honor" or to prove some point. That (proving a fairly worthless point) continued on throughout most of the book. But then, I have to remember it's a different culture. Enjoyment improved slightly after that realization.
After this initial wandering, I started getting a sense of where things were leaning, if not going. I don't think anyone had a clue where things were going at this point.
In brief, Aunty Lee is coerced into loaning her maid, Nina, to an old school acquaintance, Beth, whose maid has run away. Or something. Beth is the sister of the dearly departed Patty, who Aunty Lee was actually friends with. Queue Johnny Ho, who was married to Patty. Johnny is a slick man, lots of talk and bravado. Did something happen to the maid? And why can't Aunty Lee talk to her own maid?
I wanted to know what happened, so I kept going. About 1/3 left is when it got going, or coming together. Whichever way, it made up for my perceived bad beginning.
Three-ish stars, give or take.
The first 30-40 pages were a mess. I was very confused as to what was going on. I couldn't find a voice in the characters, and it seemed people were just being stupid for "honor" or to prove some point. That (proving a fairly worthless point) continued on throughout most of the book. But then, I have to remember it's a different culture. Enjoyment improved slightly after that realization.
After this initial wandering, I started getting a sense of where things were leaning, if not going. I don't think anyone had a clue where things were going at this point.
In brief, Aunty Lee is coerced into loaning her maid, Nina, to an old school acquaintance, Beth, whose maid has run away. Or something. Beth is the sister of the dearly departed Patty, who Aunty Lee was actually friends with. Queue Johnny Ho, who was married to Patty. Johnny is a slick man, lots of talk and bravado. Did something happen to the maid? And why can't Aunty Lee talk to her own maid?
I wanted to know what happened, so I kept going. About 1/3 left is when it got going, or coming together. Whichever way, it made up for my perceived bad beginning.
Three-ish stars, give or take.
March 1, 2018
Aunty Lee, the Peranakan aunty is back to solve a murder and some other crimes. This is what Rosie Lee does best besides being famous for her Peranakan delicious cuisines. She cannot help not meddling since the crimes revolve around those people she knows. These are friends from her school days when she was younger.
Meddling and Murder is the fourth book in the Aunty Lee’s mysteries series written by Ovidia Yu. The familiar Inspector Salim and Rosie’s maid Nina Balignasay are in this story continuing from Ovidia Yu’s previous books.
As I read the book, I felt there was some similarity to a real-life case of a Chinese tour guide cheating on an unsuspecting elderly lady in Singapore. Despite this, the story evolved nicely to my satisfaction.
One aspect of Ovidia Yu’s storytelling is that the thought process of Aunty Lee, darting from one thought to another and back to the present, was harder to appreciate for its flow of the story. I got lost sometimes as to when it was her thoughts and when it was back to the present.
On the whole, I enjoyed reading Meddling and Murder with its Singapore flavour.
Meddling and Murder is the fourth book in the Aunty Lee’s mysteries series written by Ovidia Yu. The familiar Inspector Salim and Rosie’s maid Nina Balignasay are in this story continuing from Ovidia Yu’s previous books.
As I read the book, I felt there was some similarity to a real-life case of a Chinese tour guide cheating on an unsuspecting elderly lady in Singapore. Despite this, the story evolved nicely to my satisfaction.
One aspect of Ovidia Yu’s storytelling is that the thought process of Aunty Lee, darting from one thought to another and back to the present, was harder to appreciate for its flow of the story. I got lost sometimes as to when it was her thoughts and when it was back to the present.
On the whole, I enjoyed reading Meddling and Murder with its Singapore flavour.
April 13, 2019
2019 bk 120. Aunty Lee is back - and I miss her name in the title. In some ways this seemed the most intense of her books. We have a smooth talking con man who tries to take her money. A series of mysterious robbers. A needed plant for special dishes growing in giant drain pipes. Another giant drain pipe being used for body disposal. AND Sillyna hijacks Nina to work for an abusive woman. Aunty Rose Lee, without Nina, without her favorite police officer, has to work through the many mysteries with her normal assistants. I probably feel more strongly than ever that I want to hug her as she really comes to some important thoughts about her life and the people she loves. I hope there is a #5 - soon.
February 13, 2019
This fourth book is a disappointment for me. It wasn’t as good as the last three books. The author is putting too much effort in re-introducing the characters and their background which has been told in previous stories. I assume if a reader is following a series, the reader will begin from the first book and continue learning the characters from the series. This book ends up with a lot of repetitive stories about their past rather than focusing on the current storyline.
Meddling and Murder (Singaporean Mystery #4) by Ovidia Yu.
Meddling and Murder (Singaporean Mystery #4) by Ovidia Yu.
May 12, 2025
Meddling and Murder by Ovidia Yu is the 4th book in the Singaporean Mystery series. Rosie Lee, owner of Aunty Lee's Delights, is talked into letting her maid Nina help Beth Kwuan, a businesswoman planning to open a school Kidstarters, when her own maid Julietta disappears. Nina finds that she is virtually a prisoner and it takes all of Aunty Lee's skills to solve Julietta's disappearance and rescue Nina. A delightful Singaporean cozy mystery where we learn about Singaporean culture and especially the food. Aunty Lee continues her nosy meddling which she sees as just being helpful and kind and feels that all problems can be solved with her comfort food. Lots of fun and very entertaining.
October 3, 2017
I absolutely love this series! In this fourth book, Aunty Lee must contend with a too-slick man from Mainland China named Johnny Ho. Johnny Ho was married to Aunty Lee's friend, Patricia, who passed away recently. Johnny Ho and Patricia's sister have decided to open an exclusive school in Patricia's home and have sucked Aunty Lee's step-daughter-in-law into the project. Missing maids, captive maids, shady dealings, murder and lovelorn hearts all combine with delicious references to Singaporean food into a fun, fast-paced read.
November 30, 2021
I was surprised to find that this book was an Aunty Lee mystery because the cover and the title were nothing like the first three Aunty Lee series. But after reading it, I understood why: this had less to do with food than the first three in the series.
That being said though, we still got the Miss Marple-like Aunty Lee snooping around while using her age to her advantage and some mentions of local food and cooking to solving mysteries. But this book touched more on Singapore's cultures and racial issues than food. A Singaporean for example, cannot marry a foreign domestic helper.
I enjoyed this book, in fact I enjoyed the whole series that I actually read all four books in the series within a month! I never thought I'd find a murder mystery series that talks so much about colorful culture that is so familiar to me and about food. It's everything I love and adore rolled into one!
That being said though, we still got the Miss Marple-like Aunty Lee snooping around while using her age to her advantage and some mentions of local food and cooking to solving mysteries. But this book touched more on Singapore's cultures and racial issues than food. A Singaporean for example, cannot marry a foreign domestic helper.
I enjoyed this book, in fact I enjoyed the whole series that I actually read all four books in the series within a month! I never thought I'd find a murder mystery series that talks so much about colorful culture that is so familiar to me and about food. It's everything I love and adore rolled into one!
June 6, 2021
I loved Aunty Rosie Lee -so very like an aunty in all the way that she always feed you if not giving you unasked for advices. She's a very easily likeable character; somewhat like Miss Marple but more likeable than her, I think. Reading this series is always terrible because I'd be salivating at all the foods being cooked/eaten, aiyah!
In this instalment though, Nina wasn't as present as she was rather tied up and Inspector Salim was also rather inconspicuous so in a way, this isn't as usual where Aunty Lee investigates with her sidekick, Nina. She had to rely mostly on her own steam, however, despite missing the usual dynamics of the duo, Meddling and Murder is still a fantastic read for the Singaporean flavour and intricate mystery.
In this instalment though, Nina wasn't as present as she was rather tied up and Inspector Salim was also rather inconspicuous so in a way, this isn't as usual where Aunty Lee investigates with her sidekick, Nina. She had to rely mostly on her own steam, however, despite missing the usual dynamics of the duo, Meddling and Murder is still a fantastic read for the Singaporean flavour and intricate mystery.
November 6, 2021
What a fun mystery book. Set in Singapore, this series focuses on murders that Aunty Lee, a wealthy widow who owns her own bakery, stumbles upon. She’s a delight and is surrounded by family and friends who provide a colorful backdrop of characters. I enjoyed this one so much I immediately checked out an earlier book from the series to read right after it. I’m not sure which one I liked more – the author’s writing style has definitely been refined in later books. Some of the rough edges have been worked out, but I enjoyed the more in-depth characterization of the places and culture in the earlier book. Both were fun to read. 4/5 mystery scale
May 30, 2024
Oooh girl. I was STRESSED reading Meddling and Murder! Especially with the showcase of what foreign domestic workers can go through! I felt so terrible for Nina!
I also feel like Aunty Lee was a little out of character here, or maybe Ovidia Yu was trying to show that she is getting older? Aunty kept spacing out mid conversation and the Rosie I know would NEVER take no for an answer! But despite that, I will miss Aunty Lee! I read this series far too fast!
I also feel like Aunty Lee was a little out of character here, or maybe Ovidia Yu was trying to show that she is getting older? Aunty kept spacing out mid conversation and the Rosie I know would NEVER take no for an answer! But despite that, I will miss Aunty Lee! I read this series far too fast!
July 27, 2025
When Beth Kwuan's maid disappears, she asks to temporarily "borrow" Nina from Aunty Lee. But after a few weeks with no contact from Nina, Aunty Lee starts to worry, especially when Johnny Ho, Beth's handsome and flirtatious brother-in-law, starts to aggressively pursue a business partnership with Aunty Lee, promising her large profits.
This was a bit slow-paced, and Aunty Lee's "naivete" when it comes to Johnny and Nina seems forced, designed to move the plot along even in its implausibility. It was easy to guess the identity of the murderer. However I did enjoy the new characters of Aunty Lee's neighbors, especially their surprise at the end.
This series is nowhere near as good as the Su Lin series, but if she writes more I will continue it.
This was a bit slow-paced, and Aunty Lee's "naivete" when it comes to Johnny and Nina seems forced, designed to move the plot along even in its implausibility. It was easy to guess the identity of the murderer. However I did enjoy the new characters of Aunty Lee's neighbors, especially their surprise at the end.
This series is nowhere near as good as the Su Lin series, but if she writes more I will continue it.
April 4, 2025
very entertaining
June 3, 2017
When I first met Aunty Lee through Aunty Lee's Delights, I was immediately enthralled. I've never been to Singapore, but Yu's descriptions of the streets, sights, sounds and *smells* drew me in. I even went and made a vegan version from the achaar recipe listed in the back of the novel (you simply leave out the fish sauce). I felt the same way about Aunty Lee's Deadly Specials and Aunty Lee's Chilled Revenge.
I tore through Meddling & Murder, but it didn't sink me into Singapore the same way the previous books had. Perhaps because Yu had already drawn Singapore for her readers, there wasn't the same drenching of details that makes you feel as if you might look up and find that you actually *are* in Singapore. As far as the mystery component goes, there weren't any extremely unexpected twists. But again, I found it entertaining and tore through it in a few hours (staying up till the wee hours to finish it). And I'm still looking forward to the next book .
I received a free ARC through Netgalley.
I tore through Meddling & Murder, but it didn't sink me into Singapore the same way the previous books had. Perhaps because Yu had already drawn Singapore for her readers, there wasn't the same drenching of details that makes you feel as if you might look up and find that you actually *are* in Singapore. As far as the mystery component goes, there weren't any extremely unexpected twists. But again, I found it entertaining and tore through it in a few hours (staying up till the wee hours to finish it). And I'm still looking forward to the next book .
I received a free ARC through Netgalley.
June 4, 2019
As a sucker for cozies set in cultures I'm not familiar with, I found this book an absolute treat. It doesn't hurt that the protagonist is so very well done: Aunty Lee, an elderly widow in the tradition of Jane Marple and Jessica Fletcher runs a very successful restaurant, and sometimes meddles just a little in the lives of people she cares about. Her supporting characters are also charming, and, like Singapore, they're quite multicultural. Even the villains are well-motivated; I wound up feeling sorry for them.
The Singapore setting is marvelously realized, with passing details that intrigue foreigners with a native's knowledge. I mean, you can drive to Malaysia from Singapore? Who knew?
Meddling and Murder is a little more than that, though. It examines the effects of Singapore's stringent guest worker laws and the practice of human trafficking while still being delightfully entertaining. It would be a particularly good read for folks making up their minds about supporting immigration polices in their own countries.
In fact, it's a good read anyway. Highly recommended.
The Singapore setting is marvelously realized, with passing details that intrigue foreigners with a native's knowledge. I mean, you can drive to Malaysia from Singapore? Who knew?
Meddling and Murder is a little more than that, though. It examines the effects of Singapore's stringent guest worker laws and the practice of human trafficking while still being delightfully entertaining. It would be a particularly good read for folks making up their minds about supporting immigration polices in their own countries.
In fact, it's a good read anyway. Highly recommended.
June 16, 2018
3 1/2 stars. The fourth in the Aunty Lee series, Meddling and Murder -feels- different form its predecessors. Meddling gives fewer explanations into Singaporean life than its predecessors, which will be a welcome change for readers of the series, though will make the book a little more inexplicable than the other books in the series.
The uninitiated reader will probably bristle at Meddling's casual treatment of the hardships of Aunty Lee's Filipina sidekick, and in doing so, I think that Yu missed an opportunity to deliver a stronger social commentary on the treatment of helpers in Singapore. Yu's skillful treatment of class in The Frangipani Tree Mystery is, sadly, absent here. Regardless, Singapore produces few other mystery writers, making Yu required reading for fans of Southeast Asia and the genre. Thankfully, Yu gives the genre some much needed life.
The uninitiated reader will probably bristle at Meddling's casual treatment of the hardships of Aunty Lee's Filipina sidekick, and in doing so, I think that Yu missed an opportunity to deliver a stronger social commentary on the treatment of helpers in Singapore. Yu's skillful treatment of class in The Frangipani Tree Mystery is, sadly, absent here. Regardless, Singapore produces few other mystery writers, making Yu required reading for fans of Southeast Asia and the genre. Thankfully, Yu gives the genre some much needed life.
October 19, 2018
I am most appreciative of books and series like these when I can communicate with a character and compare her, not with another character from a book, but with someone I’ve known in reality. Certainly, the reader does much to bring such a phenomenon about, but the writer must work hard as well, and Ms. Wu brings Auntie Lee to life in such a way that I know her, and knew someone very much like her, loved her so much for her loving, compassionate and giving ways, her understanding of the human condition and acceptance of how life flows despite our desires at times. This can be quite fulfilling for readers who are drawn in to such warmth while on the path to discovering the source of mayhem. It has been for me, and I look forward to many more journeys with Ms. Wu and Auntie Lee in the future.
June 4, 2017
this has been one awesome read for me. I missed Auntie Lee and her meddlesome way.
The author had done it again. Added some Singaporean spices into this novel. It was nail biting kind of intensity when Nina and Auntie Lee were separated from each other.
am surprised that locking up servant happens .
great unexpected ending .
thanks to this book, I learnt that Kesum have flowers. Didnt know that even though i planted them at home.
sad to see the ending of this series. I assumed It's the final book coz the author's latest book starts with a new character. hope will be able to get my hand on the new book soon.
The author had done it again. Added some Singaporean spices into this novel. It was nail biting kind of intensity when Nina and Auntie Lee were separated from each other.
am surprised that locking up servant happens .
great unexpected ending .
thanks to this book, I learnt that Kesum have flowers. Didnt know that even though i planted them at home.
sad to see the ending of this series. I assumed It's the final book coz the author's latest book starts with a new character. hope will be able to get my hand on the new book soon.
February 27, 2018
I adore books that explore a different culture or place on the globe and still delivers a great mystery.
This book does just that.
Set in modern Singapore, Auntie Lee is an older widow lady who manages a neighborhood restaurant (almost like a deli) who solves mystery on the side.
This is a totally delightful mystery, delving into Singaporean society, and it left me wanting to try some of the dishes that Auntie Lee gleefully described.
I would love to read the rest of the books in the series, however, I have this problem with paying more that $3 per book for a book I'm going to finish in less than a few days. I will snap them up if I see them on sale.
5 strong stars!
This book does just that.
Set in modern Singapore, Auntie Lee is an older widow lady who manages a neighborhood restaurant (almost like a deli) who solves mystery on the side.
This is a totally delightful mystery, delving into Singaporean society, and it left me wanting to try some of the dishes that Auntie Lee gleefully described.
I would love to read the rest of the books in the series, however, I have this problem with paying more that $3 per book for a book I'm going to finish in less than a few days. I will snap them up if I see them on sale.
5 strong stars!
March 25, 2019
A humorous mystery
This was an entertaining and interesting read The author provides a glimpse into her native Singapore along with a mix of old and new customs. Everyone knows an Aunty Lee - a lovable, smart and well intentioned woman, rather reminiscent of Christies’s Miss Marple. A myriad of schemes, business partnerships and mysterious deaths keep the reader intrigued as the cast of characters works together to unravel mysteries and answers questions. No spoilers here, just an invitation to read.
This was an entertaining and interesting read The author provides a glimpse into her native Singapore along with a mix of old and new customs. Everyone knows an Aunty Lee - a lovable, smart and well intentioned woman, rather reminiscent of Christies’s Miss Marple. A myriad of schemes, business partnerships and mysterious deaths keep the reader intrigued as the cast of characters works together to unravel mysteries and answers questions. No spoilers here, just an invitation to read.
October 17, 2018
I enjoyed this one, and I think it was probably the best in the Aunty Lee series of murder mysteries set in Singapore. Some of the previous editions, while still enjoyable, were a little bit too obvious who the killer was. But this one genuinely had my unsure who the killer was almost right to the end. If you like murder mysteries then you should enjoy this. And if you enjoyed the other books in the series then you'll definitely enjoy this.
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