Malaysian Murders and Mysteries

by Martin Vengadesan, Andrew Sagayam

This book brings together 42 of the nation's most well-known and notorious criminal cases - and investigates over a century of crimes and murders that have gripped the attention of the entire nation and beyond. The cases go as far back as 1875, beginning with colonial-era intrigues that remain unresolved to this day, to the swift and sudden demise of a North Korean man at KLIA in 2017 and a mysterious epidemic that killed 15 villagers in a remote Kelantan outpost in 2019.

Based on the authors' meticulous research and consultations with several Malaysia's most eminent historians and criminal lawyers, crime reporters and police officers, this compilation breathes new life into some of the cases and sheds new light on the notorious events.

Infamous cases The Missing Millionaire, Jim Thompson (1967), The Robin Hood of Sentul, Botak Chin (1976), The Slaying of a Beauty Queen, Jean Perera (1979), Pop Singer Witch Doctor, Mona Fandey (1993), The Mystery of the Mongolian Model, Altantuyaa Shaariibuu (2006), The Missing Plane, MH370 (2014)

Genres: Nonfiction

237 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Martin Vengadesan is associate editor at Malaysiakini. He began his journalism career in 1996 with The Star, specialising in stories about music, art and entertainment.

He is co-author of the best-selling true crime book Malaysian Murders & Mysteries with fellow journalist Andrew Sagayam. His second book was the dystopian science fiction novel Malaya 2057: A Thousand Moons Have Passed.

In 101 Albums You Need To Hear Before I Die he revisits his past as a music journalist.

He was formerly general treasurer of the National Union of Journalists and a vice-president of the Youth Wing of Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

As a musician, he has also recorded five albums in the folk-rock, psychedelic rock and progressive rock genres.

A father of three, he is the son of former diplomat Ambassador Dato’ R Vengadesan and was born in Finland before growing up in nine countries across four continents.

Reviews

[Dyana Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Malaysian murders and unsolved cases compiled, and told to you by news reporters. If only more inside stories of each cases were revealed...

[Min]

Imo if you're more interested in the crime, the Wikipedia articles would be more comprehensive, but the book makes up for it with the interviews. The cases were presented with utmost respect; some of them even made me tear up because of how real and human they were written :( Unfortunately the book also lacks in candour, for obvious and understandable reasons

[Wong Kah Hoong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. There are so many disturbing stories I didn't know about Malaysia. However, some of the chapters felt too short for me - as if they were rushed. More time could have been taken to develop the story and more details given. If you want a recommendation of excellent storytelling, just google MrBallen. He doesn't write but he is a good storyteller. This book would have benefitted from a prose like his.

[Emelyn Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're curious about the more obscure cases from pre-2000s, give this a go. However, I'd have liked some input from criminologists. Most of the crimes I can find on Wikipedia.

Also, our news are not the most impartial, so reliability is questionable on certain cases.... 'ahem' You'll know which ones are those.

[ames · Rating 5 out of 5]

was disturbed by the fact that i am aware of most of the cases (turns out my mom's fear is not delulu, all these time she was just updating to me the ongoing crime at the time???)
i am now horrified and paranoid i will now assume every man who made eye contact with me has the intention to murder me (not that i haven't been thinking about that all these years)

[Syed Muhammad Danial · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book about murders and mysteries that happened in Malaysia from the time of colonialism until the present day. What makes it more interesting is the analyst and commentaries from scholars such as Prof Khoo Kay Kim and also Prof Shamsul Amri. Must read for everyone who like this type of genre!

[znchaudz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My English teacher's son wrote this book. ❤️ u Datin Christie

[Yu Jie · Rating 2 out of 5]

all the stories felt rushed, not much detail was added. writing style seemed childish too, giving a school textbook vibe. the cases were interesting but i felt that i didn't get the full picture.

[Eiju adnan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a nice book, but beware, this book isn't based on facts or historical data. It was based on the personal point of view of the writers. Some stories looked biased.

[Yee · Rating 5 out of 5]

When reading all these cases, I cannot deny that sometimes, I just hate humans.

Book Review: Malaysian Murders and Mysteries by Martin Vengadesan & Andrew Sagayam.

[Berna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but the case descriptions were too short for my taste.