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Su Lin #3
The Paper Bark Tree Mystery
Su Lin is doing her dream job: assistant at Singapore's brand new detective agency. Until Bald Bernie decides a 'local girl' can't be trusted with private investigations, and replaces her with a new secretary - pretty, privileged, and white. So Su Lin's not the only person finding it hard to mourn Bernie after he's found dead in the filing room. And when her best friend's dad is accused, she gets up to some sleuthing work of her own in a bid to clear his name.
Su Lin finds out that Bernie may have been working undercover, trading stolen diamonds for explosives from enemy troops. Was he really the upright English citizen he claimed to be?
Meanwhile, a famous assassin commits his worst crime yet, and disappears into thin air. Rumours spread that he may be dangerously close to home.
Beneath the stifling, cloudless Singaporean summer, earthquakes of chaos and political unrest are breaking out. When a tragic loss shakes Su Lin's personal world to its core, she becomes determined to find the truth. But in dark, hate-filled times, truth has a price - and Su Lin must decide how much she's willing to pay for it.
Su Lin finds out that Bernie may have been working undercover, trading stolen diamonds for explosives from enemy troops. Was he really the upright English citizen he claimed to be?
Meanwhile, a famous assassin commits his worst crime yet, and disappears into thin air. Rumours spread that he may be dangerously close to home.
Beneath the stifling, cloudless Singaporean summer, earthquakes of chaos and political unrest are breaking out. When a tragic loss shakes Su Lin's personal world to its core, she becomes determined to find the truth. But in dark, hate-filled times, truth has a price - and Su Lin must decide how much she's willing to pay for it.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2019
188 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
June 25, 2019
This is the 3rd in the Crown Colony series by Ovidia Yu set in the melting pot that is 1930s Singapore, a British colony living through turbulent political times with a war hanging in the horizon. Chen Su Lin is a bright young woman afflicted with a limp courtesy of childhood polio. part of a large extended family, currently living at her Uncle Chen's shop, her family's businesses includes black markets and money laundering. She is working as vital admin support at the Detective Shack, close to Detective Thomas Le Froy, set up by the British to control and put down any challenges to their colonial rule. The British Bernard 'Bald Bernie' Hemsworth was instrumental in seeing Su Lin lose her job, a local, especially a woman, is surely not capable of doing the job, and he wants her replaced by a white woman, Sarah Radley, although it is Dolly Darling who takes up the post. Su Li has been making a living instead by writing articles, teaching English to the Japanese Mrs Maki, and providing secretarial services through the British Mrs Catherine Lexington.
As you might imagine, Bald Bernie is not one of Su Lin's favourite people, but when she turns up at the Detective Shack to help Dolly, who is unqualified and unable to do Su Lin's old job, she is not that distraught when they discover the dead body of Bernie, a man almost universally disliked. The British are not going to let this go, he was representing the colonial powers, and they are determined, in the form of Colonel Mosley-Partington, to find the murderer. They are convinced the killer is an Indian 'terrorist' fighting for Indian Independence, Chirag Bose, responsible for the killing of Alan Weston, and attacking and scarring Sarah, working for Mrs Lexington that led to them moving to Singapore. The British do not trust the locals, afraid of the contagion of Indian rebellion spreading to Singapore, and paranoid about the Indian population and their 'links' with rebels. This has led them to arrest Su Lin's best friend's father, Dr Shankar, which has Su Li investigating, determined to clear him. It turns out Bernie is a race purist, misogynist, spiteful and self righteous. Su Li finds herself having to face further murders, stolen diamonds and poisoned birds, in this case, where little and nobody is as they seem.
Ovidia Yu does a great job in painting a picture of Singapore in the inter-war years, the nature of British colonialism, the inherent racism, their undoubted sense of superiority when it came to the locals, and their hysteria when it came to India, the fear of the potential loss of their jewel in the crown, and their consequent fears of Indians in Singapore as they arrest, imprison and harass them. They are continuing their policy of divide and rule in Singapore, it is barely surprising that so many locals are antagonistic about the exploitative colonial rule. In addition, the region is riddled with some Japanese with their own imperialistic ambitions. This a wonderful and twisted mystery, but for me the highlights of the novel are the rich local details of Singapore and the bigger regional political portrayal in this critical historical period. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
As you might imagine, Bald Bernie is not one of Su Lin's favourite people, but when she turns up at the Detective Shack to help Dolly, who is unqualified and unable to do Su Lin's old job, she is not that distraught when they discover the dead body of Bernie, a man almost universally disliked. The British are not going to let this go, he was representing the colonial powers, and they are determined, in the form of Colonel Mosley-Partington, to find the murderer. They are convinced the killer is an Indian 'terrorist' fighting for Indian Independence, Chirag Bose, responsible for the killing of Alan Weston, and attacking and scarring Sarah, working for Mrs Lexington that led to them moving to Singapore. The British do not trust the locals, afraid of the contagion of Indian rebellion spreading to Singapore, and paranoid about the Indian population and their 'links' with rebels. This has led them to arrest Su Lin's best friend's father, Dr Shankar, which has Su Li investigating, determined to clear him. It turns out Bernie is a race purist, misogynist, spiteful and self righteous. Su Li finds herself having to face further murders, stolen diamonds and poisoned birds, in this case, where little and nobody is as they seem.
Ovidia Yu does a great job in painting a picture of Singapore in the inter-war years, the nature of British colonialism, the inherent racism, their undoubted sense of superiority when it came to the locals, and their hysteria when it came to India, the fear of the potential loss of their jewel in the crown, and their consequent fears of Indians in Singapore as they arrest, imprison and harass them. They are continuing their policy of divide and rule in Singapore, it is barely surprising that so many locals are antagonistic about the exploitative colonial rule. In addition, the region is riddled with some Japanese with their own imperialistic ambitions. This a wonderful and twisted mystery, but for me the highlights of the novel are the rich local details of Singapore and the bigger regional political portrayal in this critical historical period. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
August 28, 2019
2019 bk. 269. Wow - Ovidia Yu continues to knock my socks off with a well constructed mystery detailing what life was like in Singapore as a Royal Crown Colony. In this, the 3rd book of the series, Su Lin, has lost her job with LeFoy as a result of the prejudices of his new boss. She is now working as an independent contractor for a new secretarial business in town. In addition, she is working for the Japanese vice counsel - teaching his wife English. There is concern among the British about the rise in Indian (India) nationalism, stolen diamonds, and a little concern about the Japanese. Su Lin is trapped in the middle when her replacement at the police station needs her help in learning the filing system. The two women agree to meet early one morning and upon going into the filing room find the dead body of the man who fired Su Lin. She is cleared of the murder but hangs on to the fringes as her world seemingly goes mad - her best friend's father is arrested, one of her police office chums is killed, the Vice Consul's wife seems to be recruiting her as a spy for the Japanese, and something is not right with the women running the Secretarial business. What is a woman to do - find the murderer of course. Excellent read! I'm looking forward to more stories of Su Lin.
November 16, 2023
There are trees that are far more dangerous than the paper bark tree. The banyan, for instance. The colonials love it for its shade and for its aerial roots, so perfect for hanging Christmas decorations from. According to Mr Meganck, banyans grow from fig seeds that establish themselves on the treetops before launching roots that compete with the host tree for nutrients and eventually strangle it to death from the top down, even as they admire its size and enjoy its shade. Rather like our colonial rulers were doing to us.
- The paper bark tree mystery by Ovidia Yu
.
.
Colonialism is never simple - so seeing the oversimplification of it in the book was frustrating. BUT if we are judging how Su Lin see the world and placed the blame entirely on her, we are also a tiny bit of being irrational. She was educated by the missionary ladies which at that time almost exclusively white considering the time and the place of it. She was raised to view and believe that white men can solved , lead and handled all things. However, she starting to see that it was not all true. She was being sidelined and removed from her position simply because she’s not white. She finally realised that this colonial government has always imposed a double standard on their subject. I know it was supposed to be a murder mystery but i think i was more focused on the racial divides itself - considering Europeans and Singaporeans co-existing but the other one was definitely in the upper echelons. Then, the war propaganda by Japan and its China’s invasion is spilling over to singapore. The Japanese claimed they wanted restore back what its rightful for Asian Countries from the British but forgot to mention that they are intending to do the same thing. The book foreshadowing Pre-World War 2 by highlighting the involvement of Indians with Japanese army. The fact that the author created character named Chirag Bose (which i assumed based on Shubas Chandra Bose) couldnt be more apt as he is stern nationalist, has been preaching Indians to take back their motherland and branded as Terrorist by British is just way too coincidental. Thus the story proceeded with many of Su Lin’s friends whose Indians are being suspected and arrested by the British officer under the suspicion of aiding and abetting terrorist. The racism towards Indian was apparent and it was made clear how these colonisers viewed them. Up to the point, Prashanti , Su Lin’s friend felt she should just go back to India instead of staying here. Overall, it was a decent murder mystery story. I was just not invested enough in it. We have triple murder that linked together but both Su Lin and Captain Le Foy could not made sense the connection until the very last minute. I now truly believe that murder mystery is not my genre hence why i find it hard to enjoy the book.
- The paper bark tree mystery by Ovidia Yu
.
.
Colonialism is never simple - so seeing the oversimplification of it in the book was frustrating. BUT if we are judging how Su Lin see the world and placed the blame entirely on her, we are also a tiny bit of being irrational. She was educated by the missionary ladies which at that time almost exclusively white considering the time and the place of it. She was raised to view and believe that white men can solved , lead and handled all things. However, she starting to see that it was not all true. She was being sidelined and removed from her position simply because she’s not white. She finally realised that this colonial government has always imposed a double standard on their subject. I know it was supposed to be a murder mystery but i think i was more focused on the racial divides itself - considering Europeans and Singaporeans co-existing but the other one was definitely in the upper echelons. Then, the war propaganda by Japan and its China’s invasion is spilling over to singapore. The Japanese claimed they wanted restore back what its rightful for Asian Countries from the British but forgot to mention that they are intending to do the same thing. The book foreshadowing Pre-World War 2 by highlighting the involvement of Indians with Japanese army. The fact that the author created character named Chirag Bose (which i assumed based on Shubas Chandra Bose) couldnt be more apt as he is stern nationalist, has been preaching Indians to take back their motherland and branded as Terrorist by British is just way too coincidental. Thus the story proceeded with many of Su Lin’s friends whose Indians are being suspected and arrested by the British officer under the suspicion of aiding and abetting terrorist. The racism towards Indian was apparent and it was made clear how these colonisers viewed them. Up to the point, Prashanti , Su Lin’s friend felt she should just go back to India instead of staying here. Overall, it was a decent murder mystery story. I was just not invested enough in it. We have triple murder that linked together but both Su Lin and Captain Le Foy could not made sense the connection until the very last minute. I now truly believe that murder mystery is not my genre hence why i find it hard to enjoy the book.
November 29, 2023
4.5 star
Su Lin has lost her dream job, the secretary at Police shack to a dumb English girl named "Dolly Darling". Because a new associate from Crown (who thinks so!) Bernard Hemsworth deems it security risk for a local girl to work at a British colony's police department. Not only here, Bald Bernie (Bernard) has poked his nose in many such places and is hated by almost everyone.
The story changes when Su Lin and Dolly finds Bald Bernie dead in police departments' archive room. Who hated him that bad to have him killed?
Set in the backdrop of raising Indian nationalism, illegal diamonds, smuggling and Japanese propaganda, the story twists and turns in a way that the reader keeps guessing the climax. There were so many elements in it that revolved around a few murders. So can't call this a murder mystery, strictly speaking, yet immensely enjoyable.
Happy Reading!!
Su Lin has lost her dream job, the secretary at Police shack to a dumb English girl named "Dolly Darling". Because a new associate from Crown (who thinks so!) Bernard Hemsworth deems it security risk for a local girl to work at a British colony's police department. Not only here, Bald Bernie (Bernard) has poked his nose in many such places and is hated by almost everyone.
The story changes when Su Lin and Dolly finds Bald Bernie dead in police departments' archive room. Who hated him that bad to have him killed?
Set in the backdrop of raising Indian nationalism, illegal diamonds, smuggling and Japanese propaganda, the story twists and turns in a way that the reader keeps guessing the climax. There were so many elements in it that revolved around a few murders. So can't call this a murder mystery, strictly speaking, yet immensely enjoyable.
Happy Reading!!
June 27, 2019
I know next to nothing about the history of Singapore, having visited it only fleetingly for one week years ago. This book has made me very interested in the foundations of it all. This is a third book in the series and although I think I would have been at an advantage if I had knowledge of the previous two, I was amply supplied with all the previous situations. I now live in Hong Kong and am studying Cantonese (or trying to, at this stage it is only the spoken part), and seeing a familiar word here and there as well as the heavy Indian quotient in the book felt rewarding. I think this will evoke similar responses even if people have a passing curiosity about the Asian regions during the war times. This story is based in India's Pre Independence era. There is a lot of influence that the actions of the people fighting for freedom in India seem to have on this island nation.
Su Lin(our leading lady) is a highly connected woman but tries to maintain a low profile while actively engaging her intelligence. At the start of this tale, she has been replaced at her own job but is back on location to help. She is an efficient cog in the detective machine investigating the sudden death of one of their own officials. One thing leads to another and a few dead bodies, a lot of theories and fear of 'Indians' starts up in the local British higher-ups. It is a very immersive experience and considering that this is the history of the author's own country, there is bound to be a lot of facts accurately represented. I liked it more for the socio-political commentary than the mystery which was not bad either. It was tied up in the above-mentioned commentary as well. I highly recommend this to all those people who like their mysteries/historical fiction to hold a lot of information about little known times and places.
P.S The Paperbark tree (mentioned in the title) is in abundance around the city where I live and I have a strange fondness for them, now having read (however indirectly) about all their plus points, I feel more in awe of them even if I saw them as mere spectators in this tale.
I received this as an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is completely based on my reading experience.
Su Lin(our leading lady) is a highly connected woman but tries to maintain a low profile while actively engaging her intelligence. At the start of this tale, she has been replaced at her own job but is back on location to help. She is an efficient cog in the detective machine investigating the sudden death of one of their own officials. One thing leads to another and a few dead bodies, a lot of theories and fear of 'Indians' starts up in the local British higher-ups. It is a very immersive experience and considering that this is the history of the author's own country, there is bound to be a lot of facts accurately represented. I liked it more for the socio-political commentary than the mystery which was not bad either. It was tied up in the above-mentioned commentary as well. I highly recommend this to all those people who like their mysteries/historical fiction to hold a lot of information about little known times and places.
P.S The Paperbark tree (mentioned in the title) is in abundance around the city where I live and I have a strange fondness for them, now having read (however indirectly) about all their plus points, I feel more in awe of them even if I saw them as mere spectators in this tale.
I received this as an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is completely based on my reading experience.
March 28, 2020
A really interesting take on the classic crime story. Period drama at its best in the written form.
This book had me gripped from the start with its believable characters and its wonderful tense setting.
I will definitely seek out more by this author.
This book had me gripped from the start with its believable characters and its wonderful tense setting.
I will definitely seek out more by this author.
September 1, 2020
Don't read this one for the plot, which didn't make a lot of sense, but the setting, Singapore in the 1930s, was pretty fascinating, and the main character, Su Lin, is definitely someone you want to meet.
October 18, 2020
This is the third book in the Tree series by Yu and i enjoyed this one as much as i had enjoyed reading the previous books. Here, we move further in time during the colonial period where the second world war is looming large on the horizon even as Singapore is not free from its dangers.
Su Lin is no longer working at the detective shavk because Bald Bernie wanted a suitable person (read a white person) at such a position of responsibility. But when Su Lin finds Bernie dead, she is determined to find who killed him. Add to the plot Chirag Bose, a young Indian revolutionary who has escaped to Singapore and who is believed to have killed Bernie. But Lin is sure there is something more about.
The book is full of political upheavels on Singapore as well as the fight for independence going on in India. Lots of tension happens because of the unfair treatment of Prakesh Pillai and Dr Shankar, who are both of Indian origin. I just wish there was more of inspector Le Froy in the book! Onwards to the next (and the latest) one now!
Su Lin is no longer working at the detective shavk because Bald Bernie wanted a suitable person (read a white person) at such a position of responsibility. But when Su Lin finds Bernie dead, she is determined to find who killed him. Add to the plot Chirag Bose, a young Indian revolutionary who has escaped to Singapore and who is believed to have killed Bernie. But Lin is sure there is something more about.
The book is full of political upheavels on Singapore as well as the fight for independence going on in India. Lots of tension happens because of the unfair treatment of Prakesh Pillai and Dr Shankar, who are both of Indian origin. I just wish there was more of inspector Le Froy in the book! Onwards to the next (and the latest) one now!
July 7, 2019
Filled with more twists and turns than a carnival ride, this third book in the Su Lin and Inspector LeFroy mysteries is a page-turner that takes the reader on a journey that leaves one breathless. Singapore in the 1930s was a seething cauldron of intrigue with spies at every turn and a British colonial rule that was barely hanging on to its authority. Su Lin has been replaced by a pretty but somewhat dim English rose and is feeling both let down by LeFroy and set apart from her friends in the Detectives Shack. Torn between her friendships she tries to protect everyone while keeping herself out of jail and keeping her fingers on the pulse of her community and the police. A great read from beginning to end.
July 3, 2019
It's the first book I read in this series and it was amazing.
It was liked travelling in space and time to a past Singapore, learning about a piece of the city story and the way of living.
The book is entertaining and engrossing. I liked the characters, the well researched setting and the plot.
It was a good mystery and it kept me guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It was liked travelling in space and time to a past Singapore, learning about a piece of the city story and the way of living.
The book is entertaining and engrossing. I liked the characters, the well researched setting and the plot.
It was a good mystery and it kept me guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
September 2, 2020
While I enjoy Ovidia Yu’s Aunty Lee books, I particularly like this series. I grew up with stories of Singapore during WWII. What this series does is to create an understanding of what it felt like to Singaporeans, of the impact of layers of racism and colonial ambitions. We have waited a long time to hear this voice and gain this understanding.
The characters feel real and I identify readily with Su Lin, her observations and struggles. Her observations about human behaviour and motivations are powerful.
The plot is relatively complex but held my interest. The mystery plays out cleverly through very personal drivers of ambition, greed, self-advancement and influence in the context of national movements and much bigger power plays. The final showdown is, perhaps, a bit too sudden.
As the third book in the series it is clearly leading up to the War itself. I’m not sure I’m quite ready for it but book 4 is due to be released next week, and these are stories both waiting to be told and needing to be heard.
Thank you Ovidia Yu.
The characters feel real and I identify readily with Su Lin, her observations and struggles. Her observations about human behaviour and motivations are powerful.
The plot is relatively complex but held my interest. The mystery plays out cleverly through very personal drivers of ambition, greed, self-advancement and influence in the context of national movements and much bigger power plays. The final showdown is, perhaps, a bit too sudden.
As the third book in the series it is clearly leading up to the War itself. I’m not sure I’m quite ready for it but book 4 is due to be released next week, and these are stories both waiting to be told and needing to be heard.
Thank you Ovidia Yu.
Want to read
October 23, 2023New-t0-me series that Marissa Lingen likes. For this one, she says:
"I think it’d actually be okay as a place to start, everything is inclued reasonably well. The setting is barreling toward WWII, but the protagonist is still navigating her immediate Singapore surroundings, infused with colonialism and politics, and of course murder."
Cozy historical mysteries, this one is a $3 Kindle. Think I'll give it a shot?
"I think it’d actually be okay as a place to start, everything is inclued reasonably well. The setting is barreling toward WWII, but the protagonist is still navigating her immediate Singapore surroundings, infused with colonialism and politics, and of course murder."
Cozy historical mysteries, this one is a $3 Kindle. Think I'll give it a shot?
November 4, 2023
I have to confess I didn't enjoy this third mystery in the series as much I enjoyed its predecessors. The plot seemed long, twisted and convoluted. At times I lost it completely as detail upon detail was unravelled. Ovidia Yu as ever describes a far-away place and time between the wars with compelling accuracy, but it wasn't enough to keep me gripped.
Four stars (just).
Would I read it again? No.
Four stars (just).
Would I read it again? No.
March 14, 2020
Su Lin is back in another cozy historical mystery. Paper Bark, more than its predecessors, foregoes lengthy character re-introductions, and efficiently sets up its mystery. The mystery itself is well-done, and Yu takes the opportunity to explore themes of colonial (white) privilege in historical Singapore, as well as the ongoing theme of differing cultural differences and interpretations. Yu takes the opportunity to open something of a story arc that may see the main characters through the second world war and the looming Japanese invasion of Singapore. A strong recommend for those looking for ways to see a vanished era.
July 27, 2021
Hmm, lots of thoughts on this one.
The discourse in this book is quite revealing of the slight(?) difference in views on the British Empire in Singapore and India.
The mysteries is this series are not the most engaging to me. What has been of interest is the period, characters and community the author has tried to reproduce, with liberal interpretations.
I cannot make head or tail of Su Lin here, she often comes across more as a plot device for historical commentary than a full fledged character.
People are constantly talking at her, her thoughts seem disjointed and her emotions glitch.
The discourse in this book is quite revealing of the slight(?) difference in views on the British Empire in Singapore and India.
The mysteries is this series are not the most engaging to me. What has been of interest is the period, characters and community the author has tried to reproduce, with liberal interpretations.
I cannot make head or tail of Su Lin here, she often comes across more as a plot device for historical commentary than a full fledged character.
People are constantly talking at her, her thoughts seem disjointed and her emotions glitch.
August 16, 2022
The Paper Bark Tree Mystery is the third book in the Crown Colony series and although I liked it I have to say I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous two. Maybe because this time Su Lin is on the outside of the detective squad or maybe because there is a lot more intrigue dealing with the upcoming start of WWII. I don't know something didn't click for me this time. I still for the most part enjoyed the story. The mystery was alright although who did it was kind of obvious. I will probably continue with the series.
September 8, 2019
I greatly enjoyed the first two books in this series but this one took a turn that just did not work for me. One of the best aspects of the series is the mutual respect that has developed between Inspector LeFroy and SuLin. However, the inspector was almost completely absent from this book until the end. I also missed SuLin’s grandmother. While the story held my interest it seemed at times a bit far fetched and hard to believe.
February 6, 2023
2.5 stars.
Where to begin… this ones a bit of mixed bag. The setting and historical aspects of Singapore are interesting as always. But the plot is a little convoluted, the mystery feels contrived and to say this book oversimplifies colonialism would be a major understatement. Being three books in I’m far too invested in these characters to give up now, so I'll continue with the series but I really hope the pacing and editing issues are addressed at some point.
Where to begin… this ones a bit of mixed bag. The setting and historical aspects of Singapore are interesting as always. But the plot is a little convoluted, the mystery feels contrived and to say this book oversimplifies colonialism would be a major understatement. Being three books in I’m far too invested in these characters to give up now, so I'll continue with the series but I really hope the pacing and editing issues are addressed at some point.
September 3, 2019
As good as the two preceding titles in this series in terms of period and place but less so in terms of its plot which at times seemed contrived and far fetched.
September 15, 2022
With the arrival of a new British supervisor transferred from India who exudes distrust of all non-Brits, "Bald Bernie" as he is called behind his back has had Su Lin removed from her post for someone who better fits the Detective Unit (aka who's white). Dolly is a nice lady, also recently arrived from India but completely hopeless when it comes to secretarial work, and she has no clue how to use the organizational system Su Lin set up for the office files. Dolly's former employer (a lady who runs a secretarial business and recently came from India with Dolly and another girl escaping the unrest there) has gladly taken Su Lin on in Dolly's place, and undoubtedly gotten the better end of the deal. Su Lin has taken pity on Dolly and agreed to meet her early in the day, before the office opens, to help her make sense of the organization system. But when they enter the dungeon where the files are kept they discover a nasty surprise in the form of a dead Bald Bernie. While there are a whole host of Singaporians Bernie has managed to anger in his short time there (especially Su Lin and all her former coworkers at the Detective Unit including Le Froy), he was also on the trail of a terrorist from India who he swore snuck into Singapore. The British have begun rounding up all Indian men to see who might have sympathies with the Indian Nationalist and ties to this terrorist. As friends of Su Lin of Indian descent get rounded up, it becomes clear that she must figure out who killed Bernie and get this terrorist off the island so her friends can have peace.
I really enjoy this series for the historical tidbits that get woven in. This book helps make Singapore right before WWII come to life. Su Lin is giving English lessons to the Japanese consul's wife, and learning some Japanese in return which her grandmother believes is a wise move if the winds are blowing the direction she thinks they are. The impact on the Indian population of Singapore by the Indian Nationalist movement and the fact that they are a close British colony was interesting to see, and something I'd never heard about before. The book displays the hodgepodge of cultures that meld in Singapore and how at times that is beautiful but also how it can be messy. The British on the island range from those who are super respectful of the locals and treat them as equals to the Bald Bernies who believe they are superior in every way and treat the locals like dirt. There's also a range of Japanese portrayed, showing the power struggles that were going on in Japan at the time and how non-aggressive politicians who didn't believe Japan was superior to everyone else were quietly disappearing (another thing I hadn't heard about before) or how the 1920s huge earthquake was used as a coverup to get rid of a whole bunch of undesirables. The mystery was well done and kept me guessing, but the historical tidbits woven in are what really make this stand out.
Notes on content: Occasional mild swears (some stronger British swears). No sex scenes. An unplanned pregnancy and termination of it is mentioned (no graphic details). Su Lin has to put up with people constantly assuming she is Le Froy's mistress because they can't imagine she has brains and skills that actually earn her a place at the detective unit. There are three murders, one death by self-defense, and a few more attempted murders. Two of those are described with some blood. Racism and prejudice factor in heavily with the plot of the book. Many people are arrested based on race alone, and some are violently interrogated. The book does a good job of showing how horrible this is.
I really enjoy this series for the historical tidbits that get woven in. This book helps make Singapore right before WWII come to life. Su Lin is giving English lessons to the Japanese consul's wife, and learning some Japanese in return which her grandmother believes is a wise move if the winds are blowing the direction she thinks they are. The impact on the Indian population of Singapore by the Indian Nationalist movement and the fact that they are a close British colony was interesting to see, and something I'd never heard about before. The book displays the hodgepodge of cultures that meld in Singapore and how at times that is beautiful but also how it can be messy. The British on the island range from those who are super respectful of the locals and treat them as equals to the Bald Bernies who believe they are superior in every way and treat the locals like dirt. There's also a range of Japanese portrayed, showing the power struggles that were going on in Japan at the time and how non-aggressive politicians who didn't believe Japan was superior to everyone else were quietly disappearing (another thing I hadn't heard about before) or how the 1920s huge earthquake was used as a coverup to get rid of a whole bunch of undesirables. The mystery was well done and kept me guessing, but the historical tidbits woven in are what really make this stand out.
Notes on content: Occasional mild swears (some stronger British swears). No sex scenes. An unplanned pregnancy and termination of it is mentioned (no graphic details). Su Lin has to put up with people constantly assuming she is Le Froy's mistress because they can't imagine she has brains and skills that actually earn her a place at the detective unit. There are three murders, one death by self-defense, and a few more attempted murders. Two of those are described with some blood. Racism and prejudice factor in heavily with the plot of the book. Many people are arrested based on race alone, and some are violently interrogated. The book does a good job of showing how horrible this is.
April 6, 2020
Su Lin has been forced out of the Detective Shack by a British administrator who didn't feel a local woman was capable of the job. Instead she was replaced by Dolly, a vapid, but lovely newcomer to Singapore who was completely incapable of the job. When Dolly asks Su Lin for help with the filing system, the two of them discover the dead body of Bald Bernie, the British administrator who fired Su Lin. After losing her job Su Lin no longer feels comfortable talking to LeFoy and some of his behaviors lead her to believe she can no longer trust him. As a result she tries to undertake an investigation on her own, but her youth and inexperience can occasionally place her and others in danger.
This book transports the reader to Singapore in 1938. Yu writes this historical setting with such beauty and respect for the place and people. The racism is so suffocating and infuriating, but such an important part of understanding what was happening in Singapore and India during this era. A couple of characters feel like cookie cutter evil villains, but even then Yu tries to provide a background that gives insight into the behaviors.
It can be easy to get frustrated with Su Lin so I try to keep in mind that though she may be educated and her family may run a criminal syndicate, she is still very young and her education was by missionary ladies. She is still so naive in so many ways. Given her age and lack of worldly understanding, she is incredibly brave and always will eventually manage to put the pieces together.
This book transports the reader to Singapore in 1938. Yu writes this historical setting with such beauty and respect for the place and people. The racism is so suffocating and infuriating, but such an important part of understanding what was happening in Singapore and India during this era. A couple of characters feel like cookie cutter evil villains, but even then Yu tries to provide a background that gives insight into the behaviors.
It can be easy to get frustrated with Su Lin so I try to keep in mind that though she may be educated and her family may run a criminal syndicate, she is still very young and her education was by missionary ladies. She is still so naive in so many ways. Given her age and lack of worldly understanding, she is incredibly brave and always will eventually manage to put the pieces together.
September 26, 2020
This is Book 3 of the Crown Colony series by Ovidia Yu. As the book opens World War II looms on the horizon. The Japanese have been making incursions into China. There is the possibility of an uprising against British rule in India. And Su Lin has lost her job at the detective shack. She was sacked in favor of white girl who arrived recently from India. Britain has sent over yet another incompetent bureaucrat who doesn’t believe that a “local girl” should have access to the sensitive information that goes through Inspector Le Froy’s office.
Su Lin has taken refuge in her uncle’s shop and is working as a typist for a British woman and as an English tutor for the wife of a Japanese diplomat. Nothing can keep her from investigating when she finds that same incompetent bureaucrat murdered in the file storage room though. Soon enough Su Lin is investigating on her own and eventually with Le Froy as people continue to be murdered.
This is currently my favorite cozy mystery novel series. The sociopolitical environment in Singapore in the late 1930’s is fraught with tension on all sides as the world readies for war and the British colonials are both more uptight but also distracted by the very real threat from Germany, Japan, and also the political uprising that threatens in India. Su Lin and the other Singaporeans are both affected by and removed from all of the tensions going on around the world. This whole novel feels like the world is bracing for a blow that has yet to come.
Su Lin has taken refuge in her uncle’s shop and is working as a typist for a British woman and as an English tutor for the wife of a Japanese diplomat. Nothing can keep her from investigating when she finds that same incompetent bureaucrat murdered in the file storage room though. Soon enough Su Lin is investigating on her own and eventually with Le Froy as people continue to be murdered.
This is currently my favorite cozy mystery novel series. The sociopolitical environment in Singapore in the late 1930’s is fraught with tension on all sides as the world readies for war and the British colonials are both more uptight but also distracted by the very real threat from Germany, Japan, and also the political uprising that threatens in India. Su Lin and the other Singaporeans are both affected by and removed from all of the tensions going on around the world. This whole novel feels like the world is bracing for a blow that has yet to come.
October 17, 2019
Not having read the first two Crown Colony mysteries, I had a harder time diving into this. (That and the smallness and lightness of the font, which made it hard for me to read continuously)
But once I did, it was a page turner. It's the period between the two world wars, Singapore is still a British colony while India is fighting to shake off colonial rule. The Japanese nationalists are trying to expand their reach throughout Asia, attempting to barter with the Indian Nationalist movement. Against this backdrop is Su Lin, a young woman whose dream is to be an investigative reporter and whose job at the Detective Unit has recently been given to a white woman. And then her ex-boss, who replaced her, turns up dead.
There seems to be an interesting family history that isn't explored in this novel--Su Lin's parents died when she was a baby. She grew up with her grandmother, who controls a black market, but Su Lin has been (self) banished from her grandmother's home so that her orphan status doesn't jeopardize her aunt's pregnancy. She occasionally references her grandmother's black market empire; I would have liked to read more about that--how does a widow control aspects of the black market in 1930s Singapore, a time when girls were expected to marry and be subservient to their men folk?
But once I did, it was a page turner. It's the period between the two world wars, Singapore is still a British colony while India is fighting to shake off colonial rule. The Japanese nationalists are trying to expand their reach throughout Asia, attempting to barter with the Indian Nationalist movement. Against this backdrop is Su Lin, a young woman whose dream is to be an investigative reporter and whose job at the Detective Unit has recently been given to a white woman. And then her ex-boss, who replaced her, turns up dead.
There seems to be an interesting family history that isn't explored in this novel--Su Lin's parents died when she was a baby. She grew up with her grandmother, who controls a black market, but Su Lin has been (self) banished from her grandmother's home so that her orphan status doesn't jeopardize her aunt's pregnancy. She occasionally references her grandmother's black market empire; I would have liked to read more about that--how does a widow control aspects of the black market in 1930s Singapore, a time when girls were expected to marry and be subservient to their men folk?
December 28, 2019
After being somewhat annoyed by the second book, I was in two minds about whether to read this. In the first third, I found the constant rhetorical questions Su Lin asks of herself rather grating - this is no different from the situation in the first two books, but it got more annoying here. You can see why Sherlock Holmes needed his Watson, in order to not have to be constantly asking himself questions to alert the reader to possible clues, suspects, and reasoning. However, Su Lin is rather isolated in her detecting, all the more so because she is no longer employed by the Detective Branch because a colonial administrator objects to a local having access to secret files.
As a result, I got a bit bogged down in the first third and missed some of the complications, however as the book continued I finally got more into it. I didn't guess who the culprit(s) was/were until approximately the 80% mark. I still think the plot was more complicated than complex, but I'm glad I finished it.
Last comment - not sure what to think of the jibe at the colonial administrator's demand for "crispy" beef rendang. On the one hand, I was like, ha! spotted the link to the recent brouhaha on some cookery show; on the other hand it was a bit too clever and threw me out of the story.
As a result, I got a bit bogged down in the first third and missed some of the complications, however as the book continued I finally got more into it. I didn't guess who the culprit(s) was/were until approximately the 80% mark. I still think the plot was more complicated than complex, but I'm glad I finished it.
Last comment - not sure what to think of the jibe at the colonial administrator's demand for "crispy" beef rendang. On the one hand, I was like, ha! spotted the link to the recent brouhaha on some cookery show; on the other hand it was a bit too clever and threw me out of the story.
September 19, 2019
The Paper bark Tree Mystery the third book of the Crown Colony Series.
🔸️
This wonderful story was set in the 1930s in Singapore🇸🇬. A woman named Chen Su Li who was a admin to a detective and was always afflicted with her childhood. This story was very intriguing as it was based in the british colony era whereby when Su Li loses a job it was the end of the world. She picked teaching English lesson to the fellow Japanese soldiers. To be honest i don't really want to spoil much of the story. I really recommend you to read this series.
🔸️
Make sure that you fasten your seatbelts as you will be travelling back in time for this wonderful lion city story. The way people suffered and struggle to make a loving out if nothing is something which i personally feel that we should not take it for granted.
🔸️
Cannot wait for the other books to be published cause i am intrigued to know what's next. It looks like i will have re read them before starting the new book. Mystery vibez are everything!
🔸️
Rating:🌜🌜🌜🌜
🔸️
This wonderful story was set in the 1930s in Singapore🇸🇬. A woman named Chen Su Li who was a admin to a detective and was always afflicted with her childhood. This story was very intriguing as it was based in the british colony era whereby when Su Li loses a job it was the end of the world. She picked teaching English lesson to the fellow Japanese soldiers. To be honest i don't really want to spoil much of the story. I really recommend you to read this series.
🔸️
Make sure that you fasten your seatbelts as you will be travelling back in time for this wonderful lion city story. The way people suffered and struggle to make a loving out if nothing is something which i personally feel that we should not take it for granted.
🔸️
Cannot wait for the other books to be published cause i am intrigued to know what's next. It looks like i will have re read them before starting the new book. Mystery vibez are everything!
🔸️
Rating:🌜🌜🌜🌜
February 4, 2024
Whether it is the plot that's muddled or my poor brain, I am not sure, but I couldn't follow who was a suspect, for what reason, to Su Lin or to Inspector Le Froy (which would be different lists at different moments in the book). I wasn't sure even at the end what the bird watcher was there for (and I would have liked to hear more from the librarian!)
Also, while I do like her as a character, it seemed unlikely that the British except for Le Froy would universally demean Chen Su Lin while the Japanese would see her as a potential asset. As another reviewer points out, that seems more like a plot device to introduce the theme of the struggle between British and Japanese empires for control in Asia than something that would have really happened.
It continues to be refreshing to read the history of the years leading up to WW II and have events in Europe be a sideshow. Hawai'i is mentioned once, but the U.S. as a whole is not, I think. For me, it's a mind-expanding way to look at the world, and I will continue with the series.
Also, while I do like her as a character, it seemed unlikely that the British except for Le Froy would universally demean Chen Su Lin while the Japanese would see her as a potential asset. As another reviewer points out, that seems more like a plot device to introduce the theme of the struggle between British and Japanese empires for control in Asia than something that would have really happened.
It continues to be refreshing to read the history of the years leading up to WW II and have events in Europe be a sideshow. Hawai'i is mentioned once, but the U.S. as a whole is not, I think. For me, it's a mind-expanding way to look at the world, and I will continue with the series.
November 9, 2025
I think the actual mystery of this book was confusing and all over the place. Some things happen in this one that made me really sad. But there are crazy twists and turns at the end that made it worth the read.
Not only that, but Ovidia Yu is really excellent at evoking this time and place and showing how the English treated the "locals." The extreme racism is hard to read, frankly. But it's important to understand and not forget.
There are also a lot of political machinations going on at this point as it gets closer and closer to the start of World War II. Indian Nationalists are fighting for their independence, but the Japanese are also making moves against China and determining their strategies with Britain.
One thing that disappointed me: one of my favorite things about this series is Su Lin's interactions with Le Froy, and Le Froy just seemed to shut her out for this book. Hopefully things will get back to "normal" in the next one.
It will be interesting to see how this series handles the war years.
Not only that, but Ovidia Yu is really excellent at evoking this time and place and showing how the English treated the "locals." The extreme racism is hard to read, frankly. But it's important to understand and not forget.
There are also a lot of political machinations going on at this point as it gets closer and closer to the start of World War II. Indian Nationalists are fighting for their independence, but the Japanese are also making moves against China and determining their strategies with Britain.
One thing that disappointed me: one of my favorite things about this series is Su Lin's interactions with Le Froy, and Le Froy just seemed to shut her out for this book. Hopefully things will get back to "normal" in the next one.
It will be interesting to see how this series handles the war years.
December 19, 2025
I have loved three other books in this series but this third was a disappointment. There’s a fair amount of repetition that I found annoying. However, the most disappointing part was that clever Su Lin isn’t thinking. She comes up with bizarre scenarios while ignoring what’s right in front of her. She’s not the same Su Lin I encountered before.
As always, I don’t read these for the mysteries but for the setting - Singapore as Japan is starting to invade all parts of Asia aside from China, where atrocities are committed daily and news filters out slowly if at all. The characters are always interesting and here we learn about Sgt Prakesh being drawn into the expatriate efforts to liberate India from English oppression. The Japanese are promising India that they’ll help overthrow the British. In Singapore, spies are trying to recruit locals to fight against the English colonizers, too.
I’m looking forward to the next in this series. I accidentally read book 5 in the series first, so I’m hopeful that my disappointment with book 3 won’t last throughout the rest of the series.
As always, I don’t read these for the mysteries but for the setting - Singapore as Japan is starting to invade all parts of Asia aside from China, where atrocities are committed daily and news filters out slowly if at all. The characters are always interesting and here we learn about Sgt Prakesh being drawn into the expatriate efforts to liberate India from English oppression. The Japanese are promising India that they’ll help overthrow the British. In Singapore, spies are trying to recruit locals to fight against the English colonizers, too.
I’m looking forward to the next in this series. I accidentally read book 5 in the series first, so I’m hopeful that my disappointment with book 3 won’t last throughout the rest of the series.
September 29, 2019
Thanks to author Ovidia Yu for a copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the third book in the series. I have read the first two and they are all charming. Delightfully narrated by Chen Su Lin, a young amateur detective who works in the office of a local police department in 1930s Singapore. Although an administrative assistant, she finds herself helping the police to solve murders although her goal is to become a journalist.
This entertaining novel contains a variety of suspects, murders, red herrings and clues, and concludes with a tense scene between Su Lin and the villains.
The story includes perhaps a little too much history of Singapore and its relationship as well as politics with Britain, Japan, India, and China. The author notes in a Q&A at the conclusion of the book that her next book will describe what happens to Su Lin during the war years. Looking forward to book #4!
This is the third book in the series. I have read the first two and they are all charming. Delightfully narrated by Chen Su Lin, a young amateur detective who works in the office of a local police department in 1930s Singapore. Although an administrative assistant, she finds herself helping the police to solve murders although her goal is to become a journalist.
This entertaining novel contains a variety of suspects, murders, red herrings and clues, and concludes with a tense scene between Su Lin and the villains.
The story includes perhaps a little too much history of Singapore and its relationship as well as politics with Britain, Japan, India, and China. The author notes in a Q&A at the conclusion of the book that her next book will describe what happens to Su Lin during the war years. Looking forward to book #4!
June 10, 2021
Su Lin is angry that her job at the detective unit has gone to a completely unqualified white girl, but Su Lin has gotten other jobs. She's doing typing and using other secretarial and office skills for Mrs. Lexington. She's also teaching English to an aristocratic Japanese woman, and learning Japanese in return. I think Su Lin's grandmother had a hand in encouraging Su Lin to learn Japanese, as she sees which way the wind is blowing. I suppose that would be "Divine Wind."
Su Lin isn't sad that the man who fired her, Bernie, has been killed, but she's determined to find out who killed him and why. She solves the cipher in Bernie's notebooks, and learns much more about Bernie. Others get more out of the information than Su Lin does.
Chief Inspector Le Froy is worried about the number of Japanese spies in Singapore. His British bosses don't want him to make such a fuss about it. Though he's proved to be absolutely right later on, being right is no help for him.
Su Lin isn't sad that the man who fired her, Bernie, has been killed, but she's determined to find out who killed him and why. She solves the cipher in Bernie's notebooks, and learns much more about Bernie. Others get more out of the information than Su Lin does.
Chief Inspector Le Froy is worried about the number of Japanese spies in Singapore. His British bosses don't want him to make such a fuss about it. Though he's proved to be absolutely right later on, being right is no help for him.
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