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Lost Treasure of the Lanfang Republic
Finalist for the 2022 Epigram Books Fiction Prize
“What if I told you that the first modern republic in the world was not America or France, but a gold-rich state founded in the middle of undeveloped west Borneo in 1776?”
Entrepreneur Hector Yan sets off on a perilous journey after the mysterious murder of his aunt, travelling from Singapore to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and west Kalimantan, in a desperate effort to uncover a priceless treasure. His path mirrors that undertaken by his famous late uncle, who was obsessed with uncovering a lost treasure within the thick jungles of Borneo. In a tale interwoven with the rich tapestry of Southeast Asia, Hector races against time to prevent his enemies from uncovering the explosive secret that could change the world as he knows it…
“What if I told you that the first modern republic in the world was not America or France, but a gold-rich state founded in the middle of undeveloped west Borneo in 1776?”
Entrepreneur Hector Yan sets off on a perilous journey after the mysterious murder of his aunt, travelling from Singapore to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and west Kalimantan, in a desperate effort to uncover a priceless treasure. His path mirrors that undertaken by his famous late uncle, who was obsessed with uncovering a lost treasure within the thick jungles of Borneo. In a tale interwoven with the rich tapestry of Southeast Asia, Hector races against time to prevent his enemies from uncovering the explosive secret that could change the world as he knows it…
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Published October 1, 2022
14 people want to read
About the author
Tan Lip Hong
4 books2 followersDr Tan Lip Hong is a general practitioner in private practice in the heartlands of Singapore. He spent five years in Leicester, England, studying for his medical degree, and while there produced his first novel, The Russian Pigeon, which won the Commendation Award at the 1988 NBDCS Book Awards. He wrote his second novel, The Singapore Squint, while back from England in 1992. He is also the author of several published non-fiction works, contributing chapters in A Nation Awakes: Frontline Reflections and Teacher Thinker Rebel Why: Portraits of Chee Soon Juan. His third novel, Lost Treasure of the Lanfang Republic, was a finalist for the 2022 Epigram Books Fiction Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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May 20, 2023https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
The mysterious murder of his aunt sets Hector Yan off on a perilous journey from Singapore to the metropolises across Southeast Asia in a desperate effort to uncover a priceless treasure and the reason behind his aunt’s murder. His path mirrors that of the arduous expeditions undertaken by his late uncle decades past, in his life-long obsession to uncover the trove.
Hot on his heels is Inspector Kwok, a twenty-five year veteran of the Singapore Police Force, about to embark on one of the most consequential and dangerous cases of his career.
In Hong Kong, antiquities expert Anastasia Hartanto is sucked headlong into an expedition that had been abandoned twenty years ago due to mayhem and murder, an expedition that could result in untold riches and fame.
And in the shadows lurk brutal Ezekiel, on his path of obsessive homicidal revenge, who is intent to use all of his wits and unconscionable cruelty to stay one step ahead of the law and his enemies to reach the treasure first.
The paths of these actors intertwine and converge explosively in the wild jungles of Borneo where the treasure is thought to lie, long lost to antiquity, as each of them race to find their destiny…
The mysterious murder of his aunt sets Hector Yan off on a perilous journey from Singapore to the metropolises across Southeast Asia in a desperate effort to uncover a priceless treasure and the reason behind his aunt’s murder. His path mirrors that of the arduous expeditions undertaken by his late uncle decades past, in his life-long obsession to uncover the trove.
Hot on his heels is Inspector Kwok, a twenty-five year veteran of the Singapore Police Force, about to embark on one of the most consequential and dangerous cases of his career.
In Hong Kong, antiquities expert Anastasia Hartanto is sucked headlong into an expedition that had been abandoned twenty years ago due to mayhem and murder, an expedition that could result in untold riches and fame.
And in the shadows lurk brutal Ezekiel, on his path of obsessive homicidal revenge, who is intent to use all of his wits and unconscionable cruelty to stay one step ahead of the law and his enemies to reach the treasure first.
The paths of these actors intertwine and converge explosively in the wild jungles of Borneo where the treasure is thought to lie, long lost to antiquity, as each of them race to find their destiny…
April 26, 2023
When evidence of an archeological find fortuitously lands on Hector’s lap, his relentless quest begins, not least because everyone who crosses path with him is in grave peril. His sojourns transport the reader to a myriad of locales in Asia, punctuated with the author’s own touch of realism. It speaks volumes of the writer’s insightful knowledge of South East Asian history, geography, architecture and culture. Our unwitting protagonist’s expedition a la Indie Jones is, without a doubt, an unputdownable page-turner that rivals any international thrillers one can find on the fiction shelves. The Lanfang Republic by local writer Dr Tan Lip Hong, is the most gratifying read I have had in years. We look forward to more of such rare gems from him, no pun intended.
August 13, 2023
Being an avid reader of literary works of Asian writers, I have the immeasurable pleasure of getting acquainted with Dr Tan’s novels in the early years of his nascent authorship. The latest installment from him promises to be unlike your quotidian nature stroll in the woods. It is a tale of a man with a dogged resolve to search for answers over the murder of a loved one that takes the reader on an immensely gripping ride through the jungles of Borneo. Dr Tan’s enthralling pièce de résistance will have you on the edge of your seat.
July 21, 2023
This is the first book I read in my retirement and what a great choice. This book has everything - a great archaeological adventure that criss crossed South East Asia with unexpected twists, suspense, murders, betrayal, gun battles, romance, an ending I did not see coming, and much much more.
For readers who loves history it is full of interesting historical facts too.
The only reason it did not get a 5 stars from me is because I thought it was a little descriptive at times.
I highly recommend this book to readers who love
an action packed story.
For readers who loves history it is full of interesting historical facts too.
The only reason it did not get a 5 stars from me is because I thought it was a little descriptive at times.
I highly recommend this book to readers who love
an action packed story.
January 28, 2023
Lots of twists and turns in plot and content. Filled with lots of Singapore flavour yet, beautifully added with classic mystery elements.
August 10, 2023
Sorry I just keep thinking about how bad this book is…
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews