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Ash Carter #1
Singapore 52
Chinese New Year 1952
Ash Carter had to leave the Middle East in a hurry. But when he arrives in Singapore he finds himself in the middle of a much bigger problem.
No one knows where, or when, or who but someone is planning an attack. Carter is told to make sure it doesn’t happen. With pressure from politicians and the army and with Chinese Secret Societies watching his every move, he has other plans. He is more interested in finding out who killed his friend.
Ash Carter had to leave the Middle East in a hurry. But when he arrives in Singapore he finds himself in the middle of a much bigger problem.
No one knows where, or when, or who but someone is planning an attack. Carter is told to make sure it doesn’t happen. With pressure from politicians and the army and with Chinese Secret Societies watching his every move, he has other plans. He is more interested in finding out who killed his friend.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 23, 2020
Chinese New Year 1952
Ash Carter had to leave the Middle East in a hurry. But when he arrives in Singapore he finds himself in the middle of a much bigger problem.
No one knows where, or when, or who but someone is planning an attack. Carter is told to make sure it doesn’t happen. With pressure from politicians and the army and with Chinese Secret Societies watching his every move, he has other plans. He is more interested in finding out who killed his friend
There are times when you really want to like a book: the setting is special , the characters seem interesting, the era is one you are interested, but then it just doesn't work !
But I just did not like this book, too slow, too much chatting not enough action, too predictable, no great twists, surprises, shocks, the pace was just so slow, very heavy going.
Predictable characters, just not enjoyable to me, I am sure many will enjoy it, but not for me...
Two stars
Ash Carter had to leave the Middle East in a hurry. But when he arrives in Singapore he finds himself in the middle of a much bigger problem.
No one knows where, or when, or who but someone is planning an attack. Carter is told to make sure it doesn’t happen. With pressure from politicians and the army and with Chinese Secret Societies watching his every move, he has other plans. He is more interested in finding out who killed his friend
There are times when you really want to like a book: the setting is special , the characters seem interesting, the era is one you are interested, but then it just doesn't work !
But I just did not like this book, too slow, too much chatting not enough action, too predictable, no great twists, surprises, shocks, the pace was just so slow, very heavy going.
Predictable characters, just not enjoyable to me, I am sure many will enjoy it, but not for me...
Two stars
September 12, 2022
Singapore 52 is the first book in the Ash Carter Military Police series. As suggested by the title, the action takes place in Singapore in 1952. Having swiftly left the Middle East, Carter now becomes the key player in preventing a violent attack by persons unknown. The date and location are unspecified but it will undoubtedly be bloody and deadly.
Carter has a personal reason for being in Singapore — his best friend Tom Silverman sent a telegram asking for his help with an investigation. However, upon arrival Carter learns his friend has been killed in car accident. It would appear Silverman was deliberately run off the road; but by whom and why?
I really enjoyed Singapore 52. The characters are skilfully brought to life and could quite easily be real people. The setting is breathtakingly described; both its atmosphere and landscape feel genuinely authentic and are testament to the author's considerable research and knowledge.
Protagonist Carter's two investigations run nicely alongside one another and keep the reader fully engaged. Love interest Su Ling brings an unsettling element to the story — can she be fully trusted or is she pulling Carter's strings, under orders from her powerful mobster boss Andrew Yipp?
Singapore 52 is a fantastic well-researched read and an exciting start to this fabulous series. I loved the Far Eastern setting and the dashing hero Ash Carter with his unswerving sense of justice. A must-read book in my opinion.
Carter has a personal reason for being in Singapore — his best friend Tom Silverman sent a telegram asking for his help with an investigation. However, upon arrival Carter learns his friend has been killed in car accident. It would appear Silverman was deliberately run off the road; but by whom and why?
I really enjoyed Singapore 52. The characters are skilfully brought to life and could quite easily be real people. The setting is breathtakingly described; both its atmosphere and landscape feel genuinely authentic and are testament to the author's considerable research and knowledge.
Protagonist Carter's two investigations run nicely alongside one another and keep the reader fully engaged. Love interest Su Ling brings an unsettling element to the story — can she be fully trusted or is she pulling Carter's strings, under orders from her powerful mobster boss Andrew Yipp?
Singapore 52 is a fantastic well-researched read and an exciting start to this fabulous series. I loved the Far Eastern setting and the dashing hero Ash Carter with his unswerving sense of justice. A must-read book in my opinion.
June 8, 2020
My thanks to Murray Bailey Books for the electronic copy.
This is the first book in the Ash Carter Thriller series and, if like me you happen upon this author's later books first, Singapore 52 is definitely worth going back to for scene-setting, background, and character development. It is a well-written and well-researched thriller which you will not be able to put down!
Ash Carter resigns his Captain's commission after 7 years of service with the Military Police (Special Investigations Branch) following a harrowing incident whilst in Palestine. His best friend Tom Silverman, an engineer at the docks in Singapore, sent Ash a telegram asking for his help in investigating some suspicious activity he had encountered. Two weeks later, now a civilian, Ash enters Singapore, but is immediately caught up in an affray in the city which results in his arrest. He is subsequently coerced into working for the Government through Secretary Coates in a security liaison role between the Army, based at Gilman Barracks, and the Police, headed by Inspector Rahman. The Secretary is convinced that someone is selling guns to possibly insurgents and Ash's job is to find them and prevent an attack.
When Ash goes to find his friend Tom he discovers that he had been killed in a road accident just the day after he had sent the telegram. After tearing the Police investigation to pieces Ash is convinced Tom was deliberately run off the road and killed.
The reader is taken on a wonderfully atmospheric journey through Singapore - its docks, colonial mansions and gardens, together with an insight into the poverty of the mixed population trying to make a living, whilst you follow Ash on his investigative journey, not least of all to trace the car and driver who killed his friend. He butts heads with the bullying Major Vernon at the Army Barracks. He's not welcome at the Naval base. He's exasperated by Inspector Rahman's non-cooperation. But he does make some influential local "friends" who help him, amongst whom is Su Ling - a beautiful Eurasian woman, and her employer, Mr Yipp.
Have any guns really gone missing and, if so, why can't he find them on the stores' inventory? Is there really an attack planned? Will he be able to avenge his friend's death?
Ash has a strong sense of justice and it's "no holds barred" when he's worked out what's really going on. This is twisty and surprising and keeps you guessing, because Ash doesn't tell anyone what he's thinking along the way.
Looking forward to reading Book#2.
This is the first book in the Ash Carter Thriller series and, if like me you happen upon this author's later books first, Singapore 52 is definitely worth going back to for scene-setting, background, and character development. It is a well-written and well-researched thriller which you will not be able to put down!
Ash Carter resigns his Captain's commission after 7 years of service with the Military Police (Special Investigations Branch) following a harrowing incident whilst in Palestine. His best friend Tom Silverman, an engineer at the docks in Singapore, sent Ash a telegram asking for his help in investigating some suspicious activity he had encountered. Two weeks later, now a civilian, Ash enters Singapore, but is immediately caught up in an affray in the city which results in his arrest. He is subsequently coerced into working for the Government through Secretary Coates in a security liaison role between the Army, based at Gilman Barracks, and the Police, headed by Inspector Rahman. The Secretary is convinced that someone is selling guns to possibly insurgents and Ash's job is to find them and prevent an attack.
When Ash goes to find his friend Tom he discovers that he had been killed in a road accident just the day after he had sent the telegram. After tearing the Police investigation to pieces Ash is convinced Tom was deliberately run off the road and killed.
The reader is taken on a wonderfully atmospheric journey through Singapore - its docks, colonial mansions and gardens, together with an insight into the poverty of the mixed population trying to make a living, whilst you follow Ash on his investigative journey, not least of all to trace the car and driver who killed his friend. He butts heads with the bullying Major Vernon at the Army Barracks. He's not welcome at the Naval base. He's exasperated by Inspector Rahman's non-cooperation. But he does make some influential local "friends" who help him, amongst whom is Su Ling - a beautiful Eurasian woman, and her employer, Mr Yipp.
Have any guns really gone missing and, if so, why can't he find them on the stores' inventory? Is there really an attack planned? Will he be able to avenge his friend's death?
Ash has a strong sense of justice and it's "no holds barred" when he's worked out what's really going on. This is twisty and surprising and keeps you guessing, because Ash doesn't tell anyone what he's thinking along the way.
Looking forward to reading Book#2.
January 18, 2024
Singapore 52 is book one of the Ash Carter series of action adventures.
This story is set in Singapore in 1952. Ash Carter is an ex-military police officer who has come to Singapore at the request of a friend. However, he discovers that his friend has died in a mysterious car crash, but after his own investigations, Ash believes it wasn’t an accident.
His arrival has not gone unnoticed and he is pressured to take a temporary job facilitating communication between the army, the local police and British political leaders. At this time, Singapore is a hotbed of activity with troop ships using it as a stop-off base; the tiny peninsula is home to thousands of people with a large mix of cultures making the place complex to navigate.
Ash uses his new role to help him solve the mystery of his lost friend, but he soon finds himself a pawn in a bigger game.
I liked the setting and the era of this story, it’s a place that I know little about. The mystery had a good number of twists and red-herrings, but it didn’t quite reach the high octane levels of similar style books in this genre.
This story is set in Singapore in 1952. Ash Carter is an ex-military police officer who has come to Singapore at the request of a friend. However, he discovers that his friend has died in a mysterious car crash, but after his own investigations, Ash believes it wasn’t an accident.
His arrival has not gone unnoticed and he is pressured to take a temporary job facilitating communication between the army, the local police and British political leaders. At this time, Singapore is a hotbed of activity with troop ships using it as a stop-off base; the tiny peninsula is home to thousands of people with a large mix of cultures making the place complex to navigate.
Ash uses his new role to help him solve the mystery of his lost friend, but he soon finds himself a pawn in a bigger game.
I liked the setting and the era of this story, it’s a place that I know little about. The mystery had a good number of twists and red-herrings, but it didn’t quite reach the high octane levels of similar style books in this genre.
July 12, 2022
Singapore 52 is the first book in Murray Bailey's Ash Carter series, although he's since written two books to date in the prequel Near East series. I've actually already read these and two of the later Singapore set novels so I know the series and particularly, Ash Carter himself quite well. However, Murray Bailey has recently updated and released Singapore 52 so I was keen to go back to the start of his life on the island.
The sense of time and place is always such a strong feature of these novels and Murray Bailey understandably takes time to really evoke the setting here. Ash Carter has only recently arrived in Singapore, having left Israel under quite a cloud. There are a few revelations about what led to his departure but not everything is fully disclosed, which has cleverly left me looking forward to finding out more in the Near East books. Now though, Ash is new in town and so we see the place through his eyes. The melting pot of nationalities is evident throughout and naturally, the resulting tensions. Right from the start, it becomes clear that the Japanese are still not welcomed by all in Singapore; this is only a few years after the end of WWII, of course. Meanwhile, many are concerned about China and the spread of Communism in the region – the Korean War and Malayan Emergency are both still ongoing, so it's no wonder that people fear Singapore could also fall.
Relations are strained between the various authorities on the island too and Ash is effectively coerced into a role as an independent working between the army and police. Ash isn't a diplomat and quickly makes his presence felt, upsetting various people while forming bonds with others. I enjoyed recognising some names and seeing how they first came to know Ash, especially one major character who has a big influence on him.
This is a slightly slower-paced thriller than the later books but I loved the complexity of the plot; Ash has a number of concurrent investigations which may be connected and it becomes increasingly evident that not only does he not know who he can truly trust, he's also constantly under covert surveillance. He was contacted by a friend shortly before arriving in Singapore but now he has been killed. Meanwhile, he is also tasked with stopping an imminent attack on the island, finding out if guns are being smuggled and investigating a scam involving a mysterious woman with a butterfly girl and drunk, amorous servicemen.
Singapore 52 is a tense, compelling read from start to finish; I was transported back to a time when Singapore was a heady mix of danger, glamour and change. Ash Carter is such a reliably interesting protagonist – I can't always predict what actions he will take but know I will empathise with what motivates him. Singapore 52 gave me a greater depth of understanding into the man and I highly recommend it both to newcomers to the series and those who have read the later books. I can't wait to read more!
The sense of time and place is always such a strong feature of these novels and Murray Bailey understandably takes time to really evoke the setting here. Ash Carter has only recently arrived in Singapore, having left Israel under quite a cloud. There are a few revelations about what led to his departure but not everything is fully disclosed, which has cleverly left me looking forward to finding out more in the Near East books. Now though, Ash is new in town and so we see the place through his eyes. The melting pot of nationalities is evident throughout and naturally, the resulting tensions. Right from the start, it becomes clear that the Japanese are still not welcomed by all in Singapore; this is only a few years after the end of WWII, of course. Meanwhile, many are concerned about China and the spread of Communism in the region – the Korean War and Malayan Emergency are both still ongoing, so it's no wonder that people fear Singapore could also fall.
Relations are strained between the various authorities on the island too and Ash is effectively coerced into a role as an independent working between the army and police. Ash isn't a diplomat and quickly makes his presence felt, upsetting various people while forming bonds with others. I enjoyed recognising some names and seeing how they first came to know Ash, especially one major character who has a big influence on him.
This is a slightly slower-paced thriller than the later books but I loved the complexity of the plot; Ash has a number of concurrent investigations which may be connected and it becomes increasingly evident that not only does he not know who he can truly trust, he's also constantly under covert surveillance. He was contacted by a friend shortly before arriving in Singapore but now he has been killed. Meanwhile, he is also tasked with stopping an imminent attack on the island, finding out if guns are being smuggled and investigating a scam involving a mysterious woman with a butterfly girl and drunk, amorous servicemen.
Singapore 52 is a tense, compelling read from start to finish; I was transported back to a time when Singapore was a heady mix of danger, glamour and change. Ash Carter is such a reliably interesting protagonist – I can't always predict what actions he will take but know I will empathise with what motivates him. Singapore 52 gave me a greater depth of understanding into the man and I highly recommend it both to newcomers to the series and those who have read the later books. I can't wait to read more!
July 10, 2022
I love the Ash Carter series by Murray Bailey and I feel very privileged to be part of the blog tour for the re-release of Singapore 52 which is the first in this action packed series.
To find out what happened to Ash before he arrived in Singapore, the author is currently working on a series of prequels which is fabulous news as having read this series I was not ready to let Ash go! After his arrest, he is persuaded to act as a liaison between the army, police and customs regarding ‘security matters’. There is rumoured to be an imminent security incident and he is employed to investigate and stop it. Following a brain storming meeting he begins his investigation. He will investigate this alongside his primary objective which is to find the truth behind his friend’s death.
Along the way he rubs shoulders with some of the most powerful men in Singapore and as well as seeing the best Singapore has to offer he also sees the darker side. There is a bit of a love interest too, but can she be trusted?
There is a lot going on in this story and many characters to follow and suspect, and the fast pace of the investigation never lets up, which keeps it so interesting. Who can he trust? Who is Madame Butterfly, the beautiful woman preying on drunk sailors? Who is the man who calls himself Jin? Well that was a twist I absolutely didn't see coming.
The story is written from the point of view of Ash, and we get plenty of summing up along the way by Ash’s thought process so there is no losing track. The author does a fabulous job of describing Singapore at that time in history.
And Hegarty, Ash’s trusted driver. He is a wonderful character who’s hobby is investigating the origin of expressions! do you know what it means to win ’hands down’? You will after reading this book!
An excellent start to this action packed series.
To find out what happened to Ash before he arrived in Singapore, the author is currently working on a series of prequels which is fabulous news as having read this series I was not ready to let Ash go! After his arrest, he is persuaded to act as a liaison between the army, police and customs regarding ‘security matters’. There is rumoured to be an imminent security incident and he is employed to investigate and stop it. Following a brain storming meeting he begins his investigation. He will investigate this alongside his primary objective which is to find the truth behind his friend’s death.
Along the way he rubs shoulders with some of the most powerful men in Singapore and as well as seeing the best Singapore has to offer he also sees the darker side. There is a bit of a love interest too, but can she be trusted?
There is a lot going on in this story and many characters to follow and suspect, and the fast pace of the investigation never lets up, which keeps it so interesting. Who can he trust? Who is Madame Butterfly, the beautiful woman preying on drunk sailors? Who is the man who calls himself Jin? Well that was a twist I absolutely didn't see coming.
The story is written from the point of view of Ash, and we get plenty of summing up along the way by Ash’s thought process so there is no losing track. The author does a fabulous job of describing Singapore at that time in history.
And Hegarty, Ash’s trusted driver. He is a wonderful character who’s hobby is investigating the origin of expressions! do you know what it means to win ’hands down’? You will after reading this book!
An excellent start to this action packed series.
June 16, 2020
I am back to the beginning of this series. So far they have each been very good. Ash Carter left Palestine over a cloud. He is in Singapore to help his friend. Now he is asked to help with several things. He finds out his friend is dead. He is to work as a liaison between the government, the police, and the military. Guns are stolen and it is believed there will be an attack. But every turn seems to be a dead body with more questions. Lots of twists and turns that will keep you wondering.
February 18, 2019
I would like to thank LibraryThing for providing a kindle copy of this book to read and impartially review.
Chinese New Year 1952 Ash Carter had to leave the Middle East in a hurry. But when he arrives in Singapore he finds himself in the middle of a much bigger problem. No one knows where, or when, or who but someone is planning an attack. Carter is told to make sure it doesn t happen. With pressure from politicians and the army and with Chinese Secret Societies watching his every move, he has other plans. He is more interested in finding out who killed his friend.
Ash is a former British Military Policeman, a sort of smaller less brutal and wandering "Jack Reacher" but the entertainment value is almost as good. Clever well written fast paced with more than enough action and plot twists to maintain this readers interest. Intriguing realistic engaging characters, with a real sense of history and the time and place.
Recommended.
Chinese New Year 1952 Ash Carter had to leave the Middle East in a hurry. But when he arrives in Singapore he finds himself in the middle of a much bigger problem. No one knows where, or when, or who but someone is planning an attack. Carter is told to make sure it doesn t happen. With pressure from politicians and the army and with Chinese Secret Societies watching his every move, he has other plans. He is more interested in finding out who killed his friend.
Ash is a former British Military Policeman, a sort of smaller less brutal and wandering "Jack Reacher" but the entertainment value is almost as good. Clever well written fast paced with more than enough action and plot twists to maintain this readers interest. Intriguing realistic engaging characters, with a real sense of history and the time and place.
Recommended.
May 24, 2022
I love Singapore and I'm a crime / thriller reader. Ker-ching! After reading Bailey's last book I pre-ordered this and wasn't disappointed. In fact I loved it.
So atmospheric I could feel the heat and smell the markets. It's a complex plot (3 actually) but it all comes together very satisfyingly. This is the start of a series so I can't wait for the next instalment featuring Ash Carter. Not quite Jack Reacher, but a damn good read.
So atmospheric I could feel the heat and smell the markets. It's a complex plot (3 actually) but it all comes together very satisfyingly. This is the start of a series so I can't wait for the next instalment featuring Ash Carter. Not quite Jack Reacher, but a damn good read.
July 15, 2022
Singapore 52 finds Ash Carter running from a spot of trouble in the Middle East in 1952. He has resigned his commission as an officer in the SIB of the British Army following an incident he would rather forget, and made a hasty exit to Singapore after receiving a message from his old friend Tom Silverman asking for his help. When he gets there he finds that Tom has recently been killed in a car crash in the middle of the night on an isolated road. Immediately suspicious that this might not have been an accident, Carter is determined to find out exactly what happened to his friend and why.
Singapore is a small place and Carter's reputation as a first-class investigator has preceded him. Before he can begin his search for Tom's killer, he finds himself drafted by the powers that be into heading up an investigation into rumours of an impending attack, possibly using guns stolen from the military. With pressure from both the political and military authorities to get this sorted as soon as possible, and more than a little interference from the Chinese Secret Societies concerned that Carter will begin poking his nose in their affairs, reassigned Captain Carter has his work cut out for him - especially as his main priority is to get to the truth behind his friend's death.
Meanwhile, Carter is unaware that he has a secret opponent called Jin who is making plays behind the scenes to manipulate him, and of course there is a beautiful woman to distract him from his investigations too...
Having previously read Singapore Killer and Singapore Fire (in which Ash Carter gets up to very exciting shenanigans in Singapore in the guise of a Private Investigator a few years ahead of the events of Singapore 52), it was an absolute delight to go back and get acquainted with the Carter that first set foot in Asia straight out of the Middle East. Having also read the two prequels that Murray Bailey has now written about Carter's time in the SIB in Cyprus and Israel (Cyprus Kiss and The Killing Crew), I found myself in the perfect position to draw on exactly what Carter's life was like when he was still serving in the Army as well. However, you can easily go straight into this book if you have not read any of Bailey's other books, as Singapore 52 is actually the first Ash Carter book that he wrote.
Bailey has an impressive knack of immersing you right into the nitty gritty of the post World War II landscape, and this book does a splendid job of referencing all the many vying interests in Asia at this time, calling on deep rivalries left over from the WWII, the influence of the battles still being fought, and the shifting power plays that hint at the political changes to come - and he ties it all together in the form of a pacy thriller that holds your attention throughout.
There are two main threads to this story, one following Carter's search for his friend's killer and the other the rumoured attack by unknown insurgents, with some lovely little subplots around intrigue and deception that tie them together. Bailey brings in all the evocative vibes of a setting rich in sights, sounds, smells and the clash of cultures that make up the exotic melting pot that was Singapore at this time, using them nicely to enhance the story.
Carter gets himself here there and everywhere as he solves the many mysteries at play, characteristically not always on the right side of the law, making friends and enemies in true righter-of-wrongs style. He is not perfect, and this does get him into trouble at times, but it is always in the name of justice which is just what you need in an engaging protagonist. I particularly enjoy how Bailey pitches Carter to appeal to anyone who loves an intelligent, well-crafted thriller of the Jack Reacher type while still retaining the right feel for a period piece, weaving in a little James Bond and the delicious noir feel of a Sam Spade to somehow bring everything out just right for a 1950's story.
This is a tale full of danger and suspense, with an unsettling whisper of menace from the sinister interjections of the mysterious Jin, who Bailey very cleverly contrives to keep a secret until the end of the story. It certainly kept me guessing, and had me turning the pages faster and faster as everything built to a tense climax when Carter finally puts all the little pieces together.
For me, Bailey has all the elements I look for in a thriller that both entertains and gives you a look at an intriguing period of history, and his books really do deserve to be more widely known. I thoroughly enjoyed stepping back in time with Ash Carter to 1952, and look forward to meeting up again with him very soon as I explore the delights of the Singapore books I have yet to read!
Singapore is a small place and Carter's reputation as a first-class investigator has preceded him. Before he can begin his search for Tom's killer, he finds himself drafted by the powers that be into heading up an investigation into rumours of an impending attack, possibly using guns stolen from the military. With pressure from both the political and military authorities to get this sorted as soon as possible, and more than a little interference from the Chinese Secret Societies concerned that Carter will begin poking his nose in their affairs, reassigned Captain Carter has his work cut out for him - especially as his main priority is to get to the truth behind his friend's death.
Meanwhile, Carter is unaware that he has a secret opponent called Jin who is making plays behind the scenes to manipulate him, and of course there is a beautiful woman to distract him from his investigations too...
Having previously read Singapore Killer and Singapore Fire (in which Ash Carter gets up to very exciting shenanigans in Singapore in the guise of a Private Investigator a few years ahead of the events of Singapore 52), it was an absolute delight to go back and get acquainted with the Carter that first set foot in Asia straight out of the Middle East. Having also read the two prequels that Murray Bailey has now written about Carter's time in the SIB in Cyprus and Israel (Cyprus Kiss and The Killing Crew), I found myself in the perfect position to draw on exactly what Carter's life was like when he was still serving in the Army as well. However, you can easily go straight into this book if you have not read any of Bailey's other books, as Singapore 52 is actually the first Ash Carter book that he wrote.
Bailey has an impressive knack of immersing you right into the nitty gritty of the post World War II landscape, and this book does a splendid job of referencing all the many vying interests in Asia at this time, calling on deep rivalries left over from the WWII, the influence of the battles still being fought, and the shifting power plays that hint at the political changes to come - and he ties it all together in the form of a pacy thriller that holds your attention throughout.
There are two main threads to this story, one following Carter's search for his friend's killer and the other the rumoured attack by unknown insurgents, with some lovely little subplots around intrigue and deception that tie them together. Bailey brings in all the evocative vibes of a setting rich in sights, sounds, smells and the clash of cultures that make up the exotic melting pot that was Singapore at this time, using them nicely to enhance the story.
Carter gets himself here there and everywhere as he solves the many mysteries at play, characteristically not always on the right side of the law, making friends and enemies in true righter-of-wrongs style. He is not perfect, and this does get him into trouble at times, but it is always in the name of justice which is just what you need in an engaging protagonist. I particularly enjoy how Bailey pitches Carter to appeal to anyone who loves an intelligent, well-crafted thriller of the Jack Reacher type while still retaining the right feel for a period piece, weaving in a little James Bond and the delicious noir feel of a Sam Spade to somehow bring everything out just right for a 1950's story.
This is a tale full of danger and suspense, with an unsettling whisper of menace from the sinister interjections of the mysterious Jin, who Bailey very cleverly contrives to keep a secret until the end of the story. It certainly kept me guessing, and had me turning the pages faster and faster as everything built to a tense climax when Carter finally puts all the little pieces together.
For me, Bailey has all the elements I look for in a thriller that both entertains and gives you a look at an intriguing period of history, and his books really do deserve to be more widely known. I thoroughly enjoyed stepping back in time with Ash Carter to 1952, and look forward to meeting up again with him very soon as I explore the delights of the Singapore books I have yet to read!
June 27, 2022
Singapore 52 - Murray Bailey
I love the Ash Carter series. I’ve read a few now, not in order as I just never do. It might help, but to be honest these books are great as standalones. This is the relaunch to celebrate it going permafree on Amazon - other apps are also available!
In Singapore 52 we meet Ash Carter as he arrives after the books set in Cyprus and the Middle East ( Cyprus Kiss, The Killing Game)
It is Chinese New Year 1952, Ash Carter had to leave the Near East in a hurry and a letter from a friend asking for help draws him there. But when he arrives in Singapore he finds himself in the middle of a much bigger problem. No one knows where, or when, or who but someone is planning an attack. Carter is told to make sure it doesn’t happen. With pressure from politicians and the army and with Chinese Secret Societies watching his every move, he has other plans. He is more interested in finding out who killed his friend.
Ash Carter is a great character, I have him as a mix of Bond, Jack Reacher, and Cormoran Strike - don’t ask me why 🤷🏼♀️🤣 he’s gritty, gung-ho, tough and believable.
Assigned as a liaison between the police and army, he is more interested in looking into the death of his friend, initially thought to be an accident. There is an underlying political undercurrent and Carter has to walk a tightrope with pressure from all sides. This is where we also meet the enigmatic Su Ling from the later books who I really like as good strong female character and it was interesting to see how their relationship develops.
With smuggling, awol soldiers and the mysterious Madame Butterfly, there are a lot of threads to this story but it gets very nicely tied up at the end, all ready for the next installment!
Full of action and intrigue, the Ash Carter series is worth getting sucked into!
I also loved the fact that I got a little snippet of the next book Singapore Girl to read at the end- I like a teaser!
Thanks to Murray Bailey for my copy of this book and spot on the blog tour!
I love the Ash Carter series. I’ve read a few now, not in order as I just never do. It might help, but to be honest these books are great as standalones. This is the relaunch to celebrate it going permafree on Amazon - other apps are also available!
In Singapore 52 we meet Ash Carter as he arrives after the books set in Cyprus and the Middle East ( Cyprus Kiss, The Killing Game)
It is Chinese New Year 1952, Ash Carter had to leave the Near East in a hurry and a letter from a friend asking for help draws him there. But when he arrives in Singapore he finds himself in the middle of a much bigger problem. No one knows where, or when, or who but someone is planning an attack. Carter is told to make sure it doesn’t happen. With pressure from politicians and the army and with Chinese Secret Societies watching his every move, he has other plans. He is more interested in finding out who killed his friend.
Ash Carter is a great character, I have him as a mix of Bond, Jack Reacher, and Cormoran Strike - don’t ask me why 🤷🏼♀️🤣 he’s gritty, gung-ho, tough and believable.
Assigned as a liaison between the police and army, he is more interested in looking into the death of his friend, initially thought to be an accident. There is an underlying political undercurrent and Carter has to walk a tightrope with pressure from all sides. This is where we also meet the enigmatic Su Ling from the later books who I really like as good strong female character and it was interesting to see how their relationship develops.
With smuggling, awol soldiers and the mysterious Madame Butterfly, there are a lot of threads to this story but it gets very nicely tied up at the end, all ready for the next installment!
Full of action and intrigue, the Ash Carter series is worth getting sucked into!
I also loved the fact that I got a little snippet of the next book Singapore Girl to read at the end- I like a teaser!
Thanks to Murray Bailey for my copy of this book and spot on the blog tour!
July 2, 2019
Ash Carter, ex-Royal Military Police detective has been coerced into working for the
Singapore government. The year is 1952 and both political and military tensions
are high. The great fear is that the “war” in Malaya will spill over onto the
island and that Chinese Communists are plotting against the government.
Carter is tasked to uncover the plan. Meanwhile he has his own personal agenda. He wants to find out who killed his friend.
My thoughts:
This is the first of Murray Bailey's Singapore series - book five is out this month and I'll be reviewing that in time for publication. I read this one so that I'd have a good sense of the character and period. I have to say that the atmosphere is fantastic and well established with smells, sights and sounds. The Singapore of today is very different but I found it easy to picture the scenes and can imagine this as a TV mini series.
Like Jack Reacher, discover Ash Carter.
I noted that some other reviewers have likened Murray's main character to Reacher. There are similarities: he's an ex-military cop, an innate sense of justice and willing to act upon it. He's not 6 foot 5 but he was an amateur boxer. He's tough but likeable. However this is no pastiche of Lee Child's novels. The writing has more details and depth and the plot more twisty and intriguing than the most recent batch of Lee Child novels.
My criticism - because there had to be one - is that the plot is complex. In fact there are three plots that interweave and left this reader struggling to recall all of the detail (although I confess it was probably because I was reading two other novels at the same time!). The plots all come together with a great climax during the 1953 Chinese New Year celebrations. Again this was wonderfully painted as well as exciting.
It's a good story and made me look forward to reading Singapore Ghost next. I give it 4 very sharp Black Daggers.
Singapore government. The year is 1952 and both political and military tensions
are high. The great fear is that the “war” in Malaya will spill over onto the
island and that Chinese Communists are plotting against the government.
Carter is tasked to uncover the plan. Meanwhile he has his own personal agenda. He wants to find out who killed his friend.
My thoughts:
This is the first of Murray Bailey's Singapore series - book five is out this month and I'll be reviewing that in time for publication. I read this one so that I'd have a good sense of the character and period. I have to say that the atmosphere is fantastic and well established with smells, sights and sounds. The Singapore of today is very different but I found it easy to picture the scenes and can imagine this as a TV mini series.
Like Jack Reacher, discover Ash Carter.
I noted that some other reviewers have likened Murray's main character to Reacher. There are similarities: he's an ex-military cop, an innate sense of justice and willing to act upon it. He's not 6 foot 5 but he was an amateur boxer. He's tough but likeable. However this is no pastiche of Lee Child's novels. The writing has more details and depth and the plot more twisty and intriguing than the most recent batch of Lee Child novels.
My criticism - because there had to be one - is that the plot is complex. In fact there are three plots that interweave and left this reader struggling to recall all of the detail (although I confess it was probably because I was reading two other novels at the same time!). The plots all come together with a great climax during the 1953 Chinese New Year celebrations. Again this was wonderfully painted as well as exciting.
It's a good story and made me look forward to reading Singapore Ghost next. I give it 4 very sharp Black Daggers.
September 19, 2019
Picked this one up from a recommendation by the author himself in a Facebook book group that I’m in. I generally have a soft spot for books set in this part of the world, as it’s close to home for me and scenes just seem so relatable as a result. This one was no different – I’m not sure I’ve read many books of this genre set in Singapore, plus this was set in the past so made for quite a fun read. Ash Carter is a likeable enough guy, though nothing about him really stands out (might grow on me in subsequent books, we’ll see), and as far as the depths of this particular book took us I thought he was a bit too cold for my liking. I thought even at the time where he exposed the culprit, or during his dates with Su Ling, he seemed to lack emotional connection.
Characters were introduced at the start of the book in quick succession, which got me confused for awhile, but later the plot starts to separate out into parallel storylines which helped for a bit. The nice thing is the way in which they were weaved together in the end, though the road there was a long and slow one. That is probably my one biggest criticism of this book, the pace was so darn slow in places. There was so much potential, with the different bits coming together, plus the loveline on the side, to create some action but it wasn’t really to be. Does pick up in the last quarter or so, and then it was a fun ride to the finish.
There’s sufficient mystery-man-ness in Carter’s character that makes me want to read on with the series to uncover more about him. The third book in the series is called “Singapore Ghost”, which puts me off slightly since I’m not one for ghost stories, but I’m going to at least read the second book and see how I feel. 3.5 stars, 4 on Goodreads since I’m still looking forward to another literary journey back to my part of the world reading the next in the series.
Characters were introduced at the start of the book in quick succession, which got me confused for awhile, but later the plot starts to separate out into parallel storylines which helped for a bit. The nice thing is the way in which they were weaved together in the end, though the road there was a long and slow one. That is probably my one biggest criticism of this book, the pace was so darn slow in places. There was so much potential, with the different bits coming together, plus the loveline on the side, to create some action but it wasn’t really to be. Does pick up in the last quarter or so, and then it was a fun ride to the finish.
There’s sufficient mystery-man-ness in Carter’s character that makes me want to read on with the series to uncover more about him. The third book in the series is called “Singapore Ghost”, which puts me off slightly since I’m not one for ghost stories, but I’m going to at least read the second book and see how I feel. 3.5 stars, 4 on Goodreads since I’m still looking forward to another literary journey back to my part of the world reading the next in the series.
June 15, 2024
What can I say! This moved along at a jolt all the way through, Captain Ash Carter has left Israel under a cloud but we don't know what that cloud is, his best friend Tom Silverman had sent him a telegram saying come out to Singapore immediately he needs his help. He swiftly goes to help his friend but when he arrives he discovers that he has died in a car crash. Carter smells a rat and sets about investigating his death, which turns out to be murder. The book is set in Singapore in 1952, hence the title.
There are a mountain of characters all coming in at the same time in the book and you need your wits about you to keep up! I was hampered slightly by not knowing anything at all about Singapore so was a little left behind getting into the history of the place back then. However, it didn't stop my enjoyment in the story. Carter also discovers there is a plan afoot to kill someone at the parade which is being held along the main road in the city in a week or so but they don't know who the intended victim is going to be. Also he meets up with a swanky young girl, who I thought was mistress material, and is looking into the disappearing guns from the nearby military base on the waterfront. The body count rises.
I think I could've done with reading up some of the history of Singapore before I began the book and things might have been clearer but I did enjoy it! And I didn't see that ending coming either! Oh and he also found out who murdered his best friend Tom.
There are a mountain of characters all coming in at the same time in the book and you need your wits about you to keep up! I was hampered slightly by not knowing anything at all about Singapore so was a little left behind getting into the history of the place back then. However, it didn't stop my enjoyment in the story. Carter also discovers there is a plan afoot to kill someone at the parade which is being held along the main road in the city in a week or so but they don't know who the intended victim is going to be. Also he meets up with a swanky young girl, who I thought was mistress material, and is looking into the disappearing guns from the nearby military base on the waterfront. The body count rises.
I think I could've done with reading up some of the history of Singapore before I began the book and things might have been clearer but I did enjoy it! And I didn't see that ending coming either! Oh and he also found out who murdered his best friend Tom.
July 10, 2022
Arriving in Singapore after fleeing a difficult situation in Palestine, former military policeman Ash Carter sets out to find his friend who recently sent him a cryptic telegram asking for his help.
Within hours of his arrival he finds himself arrested whilst trying to prevent a possible racist attack on a Japanese stall holder by a group of rowdy squaddies.
It seems that Ash’s reputation as an ace investigator has preceded him and he finds himself roped into a search for missing guns, a potential terrorist attack and more importantly for him the identity of his friend’s murderer.
The first book in the Ash Carter Thriller series delivers a wonderful plot, a group of memorable characters and a feast of twists and red herrings to keep the reader on their toes throughout.
Ash’s designated driver Sergeant Hegarty and his fondness for the origin of words and phrases is a delightful distraction from the more serious matters of murder, violence and theft.
Carter is not exactly your clean cut hero. He lets his feelings sometimes cloud his judgement and this brings a certain unpredictability to the outcome of some of the situations he finds himself in. This only adds to his charm as a lead character and keeps you on the edge of your seat as those situations develop.
My Book of the Year for 2022 so far, but I’ve got Book 2: Singapore Girl to read, so it may not be a title it holds for long.
Within hours of his arrival he finds himself arrested whilst trying to prevent a possible racist attack on a Japanese stall holder by a group of rowdy squaddies.
It seems that Ash’s reputation as an ace investigator has preceded him and he finds himself roped into a search for missing guns, a potential terrorist attack and more importantly for him the identity of his friend’s murderer.
The first book in the Ash Carter Thriller series delivers a wonderful plot, a group of memorable characters and a feast of twists and red herrings to keep the reader on their toes throughout.
Ash’s designated driver Sergeant Hegarty and his fondness for the origin of words and phrases is a delightful distraction from the more serious matters of murder, violence and theft.
Carter is not exactly your clean cut hero. He lets his feelings sometimes cloud his judgement and this brings a certain unpredictability to the outcome of some of the situations he finds himself in. This only adds to his charm as a lead character and keeps you on the edge of your seat as those situations develop.
My Book of the Year for 2022 so far, but I’ve got Book 2: Singapore Girl to read, so it may not be a title it holds for long.
January 3, 2023
Spoilers ahead.
An interesting period that I don't read often, Singapore post WW2 where the Brits were still around and fighting the communists. Ash Carter is an ex-special branch MP who went to Singapore after receiving a telegram from his friend. Once there, he's dragooned by a powerful Brit with unspecified powers to look into gun running.
The writing is easy to read and follow. The characters are fairly well fleshed out and interesting. The description of period Singapore was pretty interesting. So why on 2 stars and I dnf'd at 28%? A common mistake of authors: the plot wasn't interesting and he's taking too long to get to the point. So far, Carter has just been meandering around Singapore, just like the writing. Sure, people have been killed and he's progressing in his investigation but it's more of a broad advance rather than a pointed or direct advance.
The other thing was that there was too much dialog when it wasn't necessary. Using dialog to advance a plot is poor way to do so. Just too many people talking and the protagonist going here and there. At some point I just lost interest. If this was a TV show, I would have switched it off and done something else, as a book I just dnf'd it.
An interesting period that I don't read often, Singapore post WW2 where the Brits were still around and fighting the communists. Ash Carter is an ex-special branch MP who went to Singapore after receiving a telegram from his friend. Once there, he's dragooned by a powerful Brit with unspecified powers to look into gun running.
The writing is easy to read and follow. The characters are fairly well fleshed out and interesting. The description of period Singapore was pretty interesting. So why on 2 stars and I dnf'd at 28%? A common mistake of authors: the plot wasn't interesting and he's taking too long to get to the point. So far, Carter has just been meandering around Singapore, just like the writing. Sure, people have been killed and he's progressing in his investigation but it's more of a broad advance rather than a pointed or direct advance.
The other thing was that there was too much dialog when it wasn't necessary. Using dialog to advance a plot is poor way to do so. Just too many people talking and the protagonist going here and there. At some point I just lost interest. If this was a TV show, I would have switched it off and done something else, as a book I just dnf'd it.
August 5, 2020
This is the first in the Ash Carter series of 5 books, the 6th book to come out next year.
Set in 50's Singapore, Ash Carter a former member of the military police tries to uncover the truth behind his friends death. However, it is not as simple as that, as other ventures come in to play for Ash.
Fast paced, thrilling action from the get go. One thing leads to another and there isn't any room for dull moments. The twists and turns throughout keeps the reader gripped and intrigued until the exciting climax.
The book is atmospheric and well written. The mood is set through the authors clear and clever narrative. You get a real sense of the main character of Ash Carter from the start. He is a very strong character who is always on the go weaving in and out of danger most of the time.
Having read 'Singapore Killer' first, which is the 5th in the series, it was nice to go back to the beginning of how Ash Carter came into being and setting the scene for the books.
Although I do have to say I slightly preferred the entertainment value of 'Singapore Killer' than this first book.
In all, I believe this is a real page turner and recommended to anyone who loves a good action thriller.
Set in 50's Singapore, Ash Carter a former member of the military police tries to uncover the truth behind his friends death. However, it is not as simple as that, as other ventures come in to play for Ash.
Fast paced, thrilling action from the get go. One thing leads to another and there isn't any room for dull moments. The twists and turns throughout keeps the reader gripped and intrigued until the exciting climax.
The book is atmospheric and well written. The mood is set through the authors clear and clever narrative. You get a real sense of the main character of Ash Carter from the start. He is a very strong character who is always on the go weaving in and out of danger most of the time.
Having read 'Singapore Killer' first, which is the 5th in the series, it was nice to go back to the beginning of how Ash Carter came into being and setting the scene for the books.
Although I do have to say I slightly preferred the entertainment value of 'Singapore Killer' than this first book.
In all, I believe this is a real page turner and recommended to anyone who loves a good action thriller.
July 27, 2022
The author kindly gifted me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I have enjoyed several of Murray's books, and Singapore 52 is right up there with the rest. Ash Carter is a character you just have to like; recently having left the Army, he receives a note from a friend in trouble in Singapore and heads there only to discover that his friend has died in a suspicious car crash.
This sets Carter on a course of action that includes his temporary reinstatement to the military in his former rank of captain. He is following intelligence of a proposed attack, tackling organised crime, being undermined by unsupportive bosses and all whilst trying to discover what happened to his friend.
Carter is followed from the moment he arrives on the island and there are clearly several agendas in play. But whilst telling a gripping tale, Murray transports the reader to Singapore in the 1950s with his extensively researched narrative which is just a joy to immerse yourself in. A five-star, first rate read that I have every pleasure in recommending.
I have enjoyed several of Murray's books, and Singapore 52 is right up there with the rest. Ash Carter is a character you just have to like; recently having left the Army, he receives a note from a friend in trouble in Singapore and heads there only to discover that his friend has died in a suspicious car crash.
This sets Carter on a course of action that includes his temporary reinstatement to the military in his former rank of captain. He is following intelligence of a proposed attack, tackling organised crime, being undermined by unsupportive bosses and all whilst trying to discover what happened to his friend.
Carter is followed from the moment he arrives on the island and there are clearly several agendas in play. But whilst telling a gripping tale, Murray transports the reader to Singapore in the 1950s with his extensively researched narrative which is just a joy to immerse yourself in. A five-star, first rate read that I have every pleasure in recommending.
July 5, 2022
Having jumped ahead to the Ash Carter Near East books, I couldn’t wait to get the chance to read this series – and it was everything I expected!
Ash Carter, newly retired from the army and the SIB (Special Investigations Branch), had to leave the Middle East in a hurry. Arriving in Singapore, his only interest is in following up an appeal for help from his friend, but before long he finds himself involved with both the army and the police, charged with finding out if the rumours of an imminent attack are true. Desperate to help his friend, he wants to get the official business out of the way as speedily as possible – but will his plans work out?
As always, it didn’t take me long to be completely immersed in Murray Bailey’s story. Prior to discovering Ash Carter, I knew very little about post war events and I’m finding it all rather fascinating! It’s quite obvious that the author has done an enormous amount of research and he creates a vivid picture of events guaranteed to get the reader’s pulse racing. Extremely exciting, Carter is an admirable hero, fearless and unpredictable, but what keeps me coming back to these novels is the flawless and beautifully edited writing. It is a real treat to be so engrossed in a book that I just don’t want it to end. I always love to learn something new and took my delight from the tidbits on the origins of sayings throughout this book. It goes without saying that the rest of this series will be on my kindle in the near future. A real treat, this is one novel I cannot recommend highly enough and, therefore, happily give it all five sparkling stars!
I downloaded this novel for FREE via Kindle Unlimited and send my thanks to author Murray Bailey for my spot on this tour; this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.
Ash Carter, newly retired from the army and the SIB (Special Investigations Branch), had to leave the Middle East in a hurry. Arriving in Singapore, his only interest is in following up an appeal for help from his friend, but before long he finds himself involved with both the army and the police, charged with finding out if the rumours of an imminent attack are true. Desperate to help his friend, he wants to get the official business out of the way as speedily as possible – but will his plans work out?
As always, it didn’t take me long to be completely immersed in Murray Bailey’s story. Prior to discovering Ash Carter, I knew very little about post war events and I’m finding it all rather fascinating! It’s quite obvious that the author has done an enormous amount of research and he creates a vivid picture of events guaranteed to get the reader’s pulse racing. Extremely exciting, Carter is an admirable hero, fearless and unpredictable, but what keeps me coming back to these novels is the flawless and beautifully edited writing. It is a real treat to be so engrossed in a book that I just don’t want it to end. I always love to learn something new and took my delight from the tidbits on the origins of sayings throughout this book. It goes without saying that the rest of this series will be on my kindle in the near future. A real treat, this is one novel I cannot recommend highly enough and, therefore, happily give it all five sparkling stars!
I downloaded this novel for FREE via Kindle Unlimited and send my thanks to author Murray Bailey for my spot on this tour; this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.
March 3, 2025
old story in more ways than one...
1950s-ish? remnants of the japan/china kerfuffel with mentions here and there of the conflict in korea. the hero person lets on very little about himself, so is a nice change from the angst ridden patriots so many stories of this genre seem to draft into.lead roles, but the army/ navy rivalry up and down the ranks is a bit hackneyed and the obvious tension between the knockout love interest and our hero seems intentionally juxtapositioned to keep you wondering . fyi, it was easy to figure out who and why, thus only four stars. but, there's a lot of insight POV the effects that the u.s. had on China and her people and why. not to mention a lot of undefined Chinese references that Wikipedia couldn't unravel, so while the tale was mildly entertaining, it needed a lot more grit and muscle to talk me out of five...
1950s-ish? remnants of the japan/china kerfuffel with mentions here and there of the conflict in korea. the hero person lets on very little about himself, so is a nice change from the angst ridden patriots so many stories of this genre seem to draft into.lead roles, but the army/ navy rivalry up and down the ranks is a bit hackneyed and the obvious tension between the knockout love interest and our hero seems intentionally juxtapositioned to keep you wondering . fyi, it was easy to figure out who and why, thus only four stars. but, there's a lot of insight POV the effects that the u.s. had on China and her people and why. not to mention a lot of undefined Chinese references that Wikipedia couldn't unravel, so while the tale was mildly entertaining, it needed a lot more grit and muscle to talk me out of five...
November 23, 2018
Just couldn't connect.
There are times when you really want to like a book: the setting is special to you, the characters seem interesting, the era is one you are interested, but then it just doesn't work for you.
This was one of those. Everything was in place, a great setting, a hero who had a shady past and a multi layered plot. I was based in Singapore
In the late 60's early 70's and was quite excited to see how the excitement of the place translated to the page. Unfortunately it didn't and by the end I had no connection to the place. Likewise the lead character, I was left with no real empathy for who he was and worse, I didn't really care.
The book was readable and I might be tempted to buy the next in the series, just out of curiosity.
There are times when you really want to like a book: the setting is special to you, the characters seem interesting, the era is one you are interested, but then it just doesn't work for you.
This was one of those. Everything was in place, a great setting, a hero who had a shady past and a multi layered plot. I was based in Singapore
In the late 60's early 70's and was quite excited to see how the excitement of the place translated to the page. Unfortunately it didn't and by the end I had no connection to the place. Likewise the lead character, I was left with no real empathy for who he was and worse, I didn't really care.
The book was readable and I might be tempted to buy the next in the series, just out of curiosity.
July 13, 2022
This is a revised & republished version of the first Ash Carter book. I never read the original so cannot compare the two but what I do know is that in Carter there is a touch of Jack Reacher (not quite fully lone wolf though).
It’s 1952, Chinese New Year is looming & Carter finds himself in Singapore having left the Middle East sharpish. He is pulled in to a political/army conundrum; an attack is planned but it isn’t known when, where or by whom. Coincidentally, he is also investigating the unexplained death of his friend who had requested his help but he got there too late.
Well written with historical facts backing up the action. There is another side story which I did solve but still a recommended read.
It’s 1952, Chinese New Year is looming & Carter finds himself in Singapore having left the Middle East sharpish. He is pulled in to a political/army conundrum; an attack is planned but it isn’t known when, where or by whom. Coincidentally, he is also investigating the unexplained death of his friend who had requested his help but he got there too late.
Well written with historical facts backing up the action. There is another side story which I did solve but still a recommended read.
May 6, 2022
Asked by his friend to help solve a mystery, Ash Carter learns of his friend's death as he arrives in Singapore. He is also informed of a possible uprising among the Chinese communists and is tasked to discover the plot. The story is fast-paced as the protagonist tries to unravel several mysteries that he has uncovered and find out who killed his friend. Set in Singapore post World War II, this book is an exciting murder mystery with several plot lines. The author has rewritten the book instead of doing a screenplay.
July 26, 2022
3/5 Good
This is a series which I have read much of the latter part and found this to be an exciting, well written series.
Going back to start a series where you know much of the future of the characters isn’t easy but it was good to see the characters beginnings and help to add further flesh to them.
Singapore 52 is very enjoyable, and as a big fan of Murray Bailey I can see his trademark style beginning to flourish,
I know as a fan that the series gets better and better and this is a fine start to that excellent series.
This is a series which I have read much of the latter part and found this to be an exciting, well written series.
Going back to start a series where you know much of the future of the characters isn’t easy but it was good to see the characters beginnings and help to add further flesh to them.
Singapore 52 is very enjoyable, and as a big fan of Murray Bailey I can see his trademark style beginning to flourish,
I know as a fan that the series gets better and better and this is a fine start to that excellent series.
May 23, 2022
I would like to thank LibraryThing for providing a kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is the start on a new but very interesting series based in Singapore in the 1950s. I loved the setting of this book but I did find it hard to connect with any of the characters so I feel like I lost part of the story. There wasn't as much action as I thought there would be, but what action there was I did enjoy.
February 14, 2021
Ash Carter resigned as an MP and left the Middle east, leaving behind the bodies of those who had murdered an informant's family.
He lands in Singapore and assists investigates the murder of his friend and the possible civil uprising an a parade.
He ends up finding and killing the man who had murdered his friend.
He lands in Singapore and assists investigates the murder of his friend and the possible civil uprising an a parade.
He ends up finding and killing the man who had murdered his friend.
March 16, 2023
Looking forward to getting to know Ash Carter more in this series. A strong start, set in Singapore which is bought to life with great writing. Can Ash Carter get to the bottom of an attack that is being planned and will he find out how his friend got killed in a car accident. Full of intrigue, a great read.
May 20, 2023
I found this difficult to get in to at the start as it wasn’t the type of book I usually read but once I got going I quite enjoyed it. The main character was likeable and the co characters all fitted in well and it did keep the story moving forward. It had an interesting conclusion too. Overall a good read.
May 16, 2021
Serviceable post-WW2 mystery/intrigue/spy novel. Completed number 1 in series. Probably as far as will go. Setting: Singapore; main character is British army MP officer. “My name is Carter...Ash Carter.”
July 16, 2022
Singapore 52 is the first book in the series in which you follow Ash Carter who is in Military Police in Singapore in 1952.
The story is written from the point of view of Ash.
I really enjoyed the book. About to start the second. Can't wait to catch up and see what Ash is up to next.
The story is written from the point of view of Ash.
I really enjoyed the book. About to start the second. Can't wait to catch up and see what Ash is up to next.
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