What do you think?
Rate this book
Inspector Mislan Latif #6
Philanthropists: Inspector Mislan and the Executioners
While COVID-19 rages, the killings don’t stop—a new Inspector Mislan thriller for fans of Michael Connelly, James Ellroy, and John Burdett.
Eight months after the assassination attempt that nearly ended his life, Inspector Mislan Latif is back on twenty-four-hour duty with his assistant, Detective Sergeant Johan Kamaruddin, when the call comes in: double murder in a house in the police district of Sentul. The two dark-skinned men were killed identically, execution-style. In the master bedroom of the rental, in plain sight on the bed, is almost three pounds of drugs, while no identfying documents, wallets, phones, and the like are to be found. No shots were heard, or the neighbors won’t admit to hearing them, but someone called the killings in to notify the police. In the area, drugs are rampant and also foreign nationals, legal and illegal. If the vics were foreign, without papers, where do they start?
Just as Mislan and Jo begin to dig into the case, they face an unprecedented hurdle. COVID-19 is spreading in the country at an alarming rate, prompting a nationwide Movement Control Order. Pursuing their leads in spite of the new restrictions, the investigators come into contact with members of the underworld and the refugee community, before realizing that the real culprits may be closer than they think.
Eight months after the assassination attempt that nearly ended his life, Inspector Mislan Latif is back on twenty-four-hour duty with his assistant, Detective Sergeant Johan Kamaruddin, when the call comes in: double murder in a house in the police district of Sentul. The two dark-skinned men were killed identically, execution-style. In the master bedroom of the rental, in plain sight on the bed, is almost three pounds of drugs, while no identfying documents, wallets, phones, and the like are to be found. No shots were heard, or the neighbors won’t admit to hearing them, but someone called the killings in to notify the police. In the area, drugs are rampant and also foreign nationals, legal and illegal. If the vics were foreign, without papers, where do they start?
Just as Mislan and Jo begin to dig into the case, they face an unprecedented hurdle. COVID-19 is spreading in the country at an alarming rate, prompting a nationwide Movement Control Order. Pursuing their leads in spite of the new restrictions, the investigators come into contact with members of the underworld and the refugee community, before realizing that the real culprits may be closer than they think.
264 pages, Hardcover
Published March 7, 2023
14 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Rozlan Mohd Noor
15 books58 followersRozlan Mohd Noor served as a police officer in the Royal Malaysia Police for 11 years as a crime investigator and court prosecutor before joining the private sector. He has published several crime/thriller novels. Six of them feature Inspector Mislan as the main protagonist, with Posthumous Child (2022) being the latest. The Inspector Mislan novels are now published internationally by Arcade CrimeWise, New York, starting with 21 Immortals in 2020 and DUKE in 2021. In 2022, the Inspector Mislan books were optioned as a mini-series by UK-based production company Envision Entertainment.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 28, 2020
In the midst of the pandemic and during our political crisis; two men found dead in a Sentul house, shot by two bullets each with untouched stash of drugs found at the crime scene. Inspector Mislan and Detective Sergeant Johan of Special Investigations (D9) were called to lead the investigation in finding the real truth behind the crime.
Descriptive, quite thrilling and realistic. Love that it gives the insight of Malaysian police procedural (policies, procedures, legislation act and bureaucracy stuff), issues on foreign immigrants also the devastating economic impact during the MCO implementation and the new norm.
Intriguing characters and their teamwork was too admirable, I love Chew (the crime forensic guy) and Audi was a pleasure here (love her since DUKE)-- they helped a lot. Well developed characters with stylistically taut narrative-- witty and detailed.
From a double murder to drug dealing to some 'noble criminality', Philanthropists was so neat and enormously satisfying-- full credit to its storytelling, phrasing, narrative exposition and how the case been disclosed. The closure was sudden but sharp and straightforward.
"Human life is precious, sacred. There are always the thoughts that keep you awake at night: 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺? They say you will get over it, but the truth is, unless you are heartless, you never will."
(Was actually glad to know Mislan was okay cause reading Soulless previously almost making me believe that there'll be no more of Inspector Mislan series.)
Descriptive, quite thrilling and realistic. Love that it gives the insight of Malaysian police procedural (policies, procedures, legislation act and bureaucracy stuff), issues on foreign immigrants also the devastating economic impact during the MCO implementation and the new norm.
Intriguing characters and their teamwork was too admirable, I love Chew (the crime forensic guy) and Audi was a pleasure here (love her since DUKE)-- they helped a lot. Well developed characters with stylistically taut narrative-- witty and detailed.
From a double murder to drug dealing to some 'noble criminality', Philanthropists was so neat and enormously satisfying-- full credit to its storytelling, phrasing, narrative exposition and how the case been disclosed. The closure was sudden but sharp and straightforward.
"Human life is precious, sacred. There are always the thoughts that keep you awake at night: 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺? They say you will get over it, but the truth is, unless you are heartless, you never will."
(Was actually glad to know Mislan was okay cause reading Soulless previously almost making me believe that there'll be no more of Inspector Mislan series.)
April 14, 2023
Inspektor Mislan dan pembantunya menyiasat kes pembunuhan berganda di Sentul. Walaupun pada mulanya kes itu seolah-olah menemui jalan buntu kerana ketiadaan petunjuk, namun Inspektor Mislan tidak berputus asa cuba mencari petunjuk daripada pelbagai sudut yang berbeza.
Garis masa yang digunakan dalam naskah ini adalah semasa PKP yang pertama. Penceritaan yang baik daripada penulis membuat SH terimbau kembali pada waktu itu. Tekanan yang diceritakan dalam waktu itu memang dapat dirasakan.
Suka dengan watak Inspektor Mislan yang seolah-olah mendapat kekuatan dan kebahagian apabila bercerita tentang kes yang disiasatnya. Dan dia sangat kritis dalam berfikir dan boleh menerima cadangan dan juga buah fikiran orang lain. Sebab kadangkala kalau seseorang yang terlalu terjebak dengan kes ataupun buah fikirannya sendiri, dia sukar untuk menerima usul daripada orang lain.
SH kurang berpuas hati dengan penamat cerita ini. Kurang 'umphh' dan kurang impak. Ada beberapa keadaan yang sudah dapat diagak di akhir cerita ini. Namun masih sebuah naskah yang seronok untuk dibaca.
Garis masa yang digunakan dalam naskah ini adalah semasa PKP yang pertama. Penceritaan yang baik daripada penulis membuat SH terimbau kembali pada waktu itu. Tekanan yang diceritakan dalam waktu itu memang dapat dirasakan.
Suka dengan watak Inspektor Mislan yang seolah-olah mendapat kekuatan dan kebahagian apabila bercerita tentang kes yang disiasatnya. Dan dia sangat kritis dalam berfikir dan boleh menerima cadangan dan juga buah fikiran orang lain. Sebab kadangkala kalau seseorang yang terlalu terjebak dengan kes ataupun buah fikirannya sendiri, dia sukar untuk menerima usul daripada orang lain.
SH kurang berpuas hati dengan penamat cerita ini. Kurang 'umphh' dan kurang impak. Ada beberapa keadaan yang sudah dapat diagak di akhir cerita ini. Namun masih sebuah naskah yang seronok untuk dibaca.
August 15, 2022
This is my second reading of the Inspector Mislan series, and I don't think I will read the rest of the series in the future. I didn't find the writing to be enjoyable, and there wasn't anything likable about the main character, making it difficult to care about his story.
I also don't like the font type that's been chosen for the body of this book.
I also don't like the font type that's been chosen for the body of this book.
October 22, 2020
"Philanthropists" is the 6th series from Inspector Mislan Latif Series and this is my first read from Rozlan Mohd Noor's writing. Looking at the number of series, I should read the earlier 4 titles from the Inspector Mislan Latif Series (since I have finished reading Soulless a few days ago) but I can do that later. From various comments received, the series are all not related from one to another. They are standalone. I can take up more time to look for the 4 earlier series then.
The story is cool, natural and public-friendly. What I meant about "public-friendly" is, as an ordinary Malaysian citizen, I do not know the real job scope covered by the police officers or investigators during the criminal investigation process. All I knew was from my random knowledge shown in “Gerak Khas” - the Malaysian local TV Action Drama. Other than that, I imagine Mislan as Horatio Caine in CSI Miami. As an experienced person in this field, Rozlan vivified the scenario of how the Crime Investigation Team in Malaysia worked. Since imagining Horatio Caine is too much, I imagine Syafiq Kyle as Inspector Mislan instead.
The narration is very up to date with the current situation and issues. He dedicated this book to all front-liners. As we all know, Malaysia is also battling with Covid-19. The narration loaded with momentous. Perhaps when Malaysia has fully recovered from this Covid-19, I would like to reread this book in remembrance of Malaysian and front-liners during the hard trial in Movement Control Order. Not only that, Rozlan loaded the current political situation. Quite funny for me when reading the names of the characters used. Ismail Sabri is there. Even Amir Muhammad is there too!
Back to the storyline, the story is about the investigation of Mislan and the murder of two unidentified victims. Mislan was assigned to resolve the case. I was intrigued and could not stop thinking about the plot flows. I followed Mislan everywhere in the book and almost lost my patience. Luckily, The Superintendent Puan Samsiah is very professional and calmed me along with my reading. To me, the first 35% of my reading was slightly slow maybe due to the long difficulties of identifying the clues and because of the setting was in MCO which resulted to the limited movement of Mislan and Johan to conclude the task. My level of excitement burst when the next clue sparked. My reading geared up and the speed became fast when I entered the Forgotten Children of Kuala Lumpur Foundation's part. Wah! I am not going to give spoilers here but trust me, the book made me lost my sleeping time! You need to expect the unexpected!
As the author of the book, Rozlan gave us the clue begins with the title of the book - "Philanthropists". What do you know about "Philanthropists"? It means one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare. All you need to understand is why the crime happened and what was the relationship between the ack of philanthropic and the murders. I was impressed with the conclusion in this book because it divides my own opinions into two judgments; between having sympathy and defending the perpetrators of crime and revenge or; go against their actions and stand by Mislan. But we should go back to the basic rules of life that the goal will never legalize the intentions. Criminals remain as criminals. We can not deny that. Whatever it is, Mislan and team have done a great job. Their job is tough.
Characters are all super cool and natural. Like I said earlier, imagining Syafiq Kyle with his assistance, acting like Horatio Caine and his assistant Eric Delco in action. With their laboratory team with all super hi-tech lab gadget. Too much of imagination, huh? LOL. Also, I feel proud when Rozlan placed Samsiah a higher rank, supervising Mislan. Not to say seeking gender equality but, thank you Rozlan for appreciating ladies as part of important roles in your book. The reading takes even faster when the storytelling goes by active conversations between characters. Overall, characters combination were all amazing.
Commenting on the little romance part between Mislan and Dr Nur Safia – Ah! Come on Rozlan? Why did you leave me at a cliff-hanger? What happened to both of them? Did he get back to Safia? Or he prefers to forget whatever happened between them and let it go? I have been following this from Soulless and still getting no clues of what happened to them. Will there be any continuance to their little romance? Arghh! I hope so!
For the writing style, Rozlan uses simple English, straight forward and easy to understand. Despite its language and verse are synonym towards the investigation terms, abbreviations and processes, it is not difficult because, in every situation, Rozlan prepared the readers with the necessary explanation in the storyline. So, I do not have to ask any Police Officers or Crime Investigators nearby, what the author was talking about.
Honestly, I am not a fan of Crime Fiction or Detective Fiction genre, but Rozlan Mohd Noor opened me to a new interesting genre which I look forward to exploring more. Frankly speaking, "Philanthropists" does not need influencers to influence others to read it because the author himself has proven that his great masterpiece is the main reason why readers MUST read it.
My utmost appreciation goes to UntitledBC for organizing this BlogTwit Tour with PHILANTHROPISTS: Inspector Mislan and the Sentul Double Murder and Buku Fixi for providing me a copy of PHILANTHROPISTS in exchange for my honest review.
The story is cool, natural and public-friendly. What I meant about "public-friendly" is, as an ordinary Malaysian citizen, I do not know the real job scope covered by the police officers or investigators during the criminal investigation process. All I knew was from my random knowledge shown in “Gerak Khas” - the Malaysian local TV Action Drama. Other than that, I imagine Mislan as Horatio Caine in CSI Miami. As an experienced person in this field, Rozlan vivified the scenario of how the Crime Investigation Team in Malaysia worked. Since imagining Horatio Caine is too much, I imagine Syafiq Kyle as Inspector Mislan instead.
The narration is very up to date with the current situation and issues. He dedicated this book to all front-liners. As we all know, Malaysia is also battling with Covid-19. The narration loaded with momentous. Perhaps when Malaysia has fully recovered from this Covid-19, I would like to reread this book in remembrance of Malaysian and front-liners during the hard trial in Movement Control Order. Not only that, Rozlan loaded the current political situation. Quite funny for me when reading the names of the characters used. Ismail Sabri is there. Even Amir Muhammad is there too!
Back to the storyline, the story is about the investigation of Mislan and the murder of two unidentified victims. Mislan was assigned to resolve the case. I was intrigued and could not stop thinking about the plot flows. I followed Mislan everywhere in the book and almost lost my patience. Luckily, The Superintendent Puan Samsiah is very professional and calmed me along with my reading. To me, the first 35% of my reading was slightly slow maybe due to the long difficulties of identifying the clues and because of the setting was in MCO which resulted to the limited movement of Mislan and Johan to conclude the task. My level of excitement burst when the next clue sparked. My reading geared up and the speed became fast when I entered the Forgotten Children of Kuala Lumpur Foundation's part. Wah! I am not going to give spoilers here but trust me, the book made me lost my sleeping time! You need to expect the unexpected!
As the author of the book, Rozlan gave us the clue begins with the title of the book - "Philanthropists". What do you know about "Philanthropists"? It means one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare. All you need to understand is why the crime happened and what was the relationship between the ack of philanthropic and the murders. I was impressed with the conclusion in this book because it divides my own opinions into two judgments; between having sympathy and defending the perpetrators of crime and revenge or; go against their actions and stand by Mislan. But we should go back to the basic rules of life that the goal will never legalize the intentions. Criminals remain as criminals. We can not deny that. Whatever it is, Mislan and team have done a great job. Their job is tough.
Characters are all super cool and natural. Like I said earlier, imagining Syafiq Kyle with his assistance, acting like Horatio Caine and his assistant Eric Delco in action. With their laboratory team with all super hi-tech lab gadget. Too much of imagination, huh? LOL. Also, I feel proud when Rozlan placed Samsiah a higher rank, supervising Mislan. Not to say seeking gender equality but, thank you Rozlan for appreciating ladies as part of important roles in your book. The reading takes even faster when the storytelling goes by active conversations between characters. Overall, characters combination were all amazing.
Commenting on the little romance part between Mislan and Dr Nur Safia – Ah! Come on Rozlan? Why did you leave me at a cliff-hanger? What happened to both of them? Did he get back to Safia? Or he prefers to forget whatever happened between them and let it go? I have been following this from Soulless and still getting no clues of what happened to them. Will there be any continuance to their little romance? Arghh! I hope so!
For the writing style, Rozlan uses simple English, straight forward and easy to understand. Despite its language and verse are synonym towards the investigation terms, abbreviations and processes, it is not difficult because, in every situation, Rozlan prepared the readers with the necessary explanation in the storyline. So, I do not have to ask any Police Officers or Crime Investigators nearby, what the author was talking about.
Honestly, I am not a fan of Crime Fiction or Detective Fiction genre, but Rozlan Mohd Noor opened me to a new interesting genre which I look forward to exploring more. Frankly speaking, "Philanthropists" does not need influencers to influence others to read it because the author himself has proven that his great masterpiece is the main reason why readers MUST read it.
My utmost appreciation goes to UntitledBC for organizing this BlogTwit Tour with PHILANTHROPISTS: Inspector Mislan and the Sentul Double Murder and Buku Fixi for providing me a copy of PHILANTHROPISTS in exchange for my honest review.
April 26, 2023
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Imagine Harry Bosch patrolling the gritty streets of Kuala Lumpur or CSI Malaysia, and you arrive at an approximation of the challenges faced by Inspector Mislan Latif. Back on a 24-hour stint of duty at the Special Investigation Unit after surviving a gunshot and attempted assassination eight months ago, this is the sixth stellar outing for this dedicated detective.
Known as a maverick but loyal and of the highest integrity, Mislan is able to contend with the ever-present bureaucracy of the department. Each story is self-contained and can be enjoyed as a standalone, as Noor flawlessly supplies any necessary backstory. Each narrative is rich with characterization of supporting characters and expounds on the unique, exotic color and flavor of Malaysia.
Back in the saddle with his feet on his desk and just starting to take a quick snooze, Mislan’s phone rings, requesting his presence along with his assistant, Detective Sergeant John Kamaruddin. There has been a double murder in a home in the police district of Sentul. They find two dark-skinned immigrant men killed in identical execution style in the master bedroom of the rental. Somewhat perplexing is the presence of three pounds of drugs lying undisturbed on the bed. There are no identifying papers, wallets, or phones. None of the neighbors heard a shot or disturbance, and yet an anonymous source called the police. This local area is noted for its abundance of drugs as well as legal and illegal foreign nationals. This appears to be a crime with no motive and is possibly unsolvable. The two victims were apparently dealers of heroin and meth, supplied from the Golden Triangle by the Thai-Myanmar Syndicate.
As Mislan begins his investigation, COVID-19 is spreading rampantly through the country, and a nationwide lockdown is implemented, impairing Mislan’s resources and investigation. Businesses are shutting their doors, food is becoming difficult to obtain, and yet Mislan and his colleagues continue to eat well. The native cuisine almost becomes a separate character in the narrative. Mislan is continually trying to obtain his favorites: roti canai (a popular type of flatbread) and nasi lemak (considered a national dish: fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk). Soon after the murder, a cellphone connected to one of the victims is used to call charities offering to donate huge amounts of cash with no questions asked. The investigation takes them into the burgeoning underworld as well as the refugee community. Consideration has to be given to the possibility of a connection between the killers and the police force.
Themes explored include hostility towards immigrants and the Rohingyan community, distrust of the government and police force, impediments resulting from bureaucracy, and the far-reaching effects of COVID-19. Rozlan Noor, himself a veteran crime investigator of the Malaysian police force, effortlessly utilizes his experience to provide a complex and convoluted narrative with plausible twists that escalate into a compelling and propulsive page-turner. His terse and insightful prose allows the reader to feel the grit and color of the dark streets of Kuala Lumpur as Mislan relentlessly builds a case, no matter where it leads. Intrigue and suspense are incrementally ratcheted up to an explosive denouement.
This gem will appeal to fans of international crime and police procedurals, as well as aficionados of Jo Nesbo and Ian Rankin. Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
Published at MysteryAndSuspense Magazine...
December 1, 2022
Philanthropists is the latest book in the Malaysian-based Inspector Mislan police procedural series. Set in Kuala Lumpur, we get a veritable crossroads of the Far East with Chinese, Thai, Indian, and over 100,000 ethnic Rohingya refugees from Myanmar trying to coexist.
Mislan is a complex character who is surviving a divorce and is having PTSD from a gut shot he took in a previous story. Mislan is lonely, but a determined investigator known for being a singleminded bloodhound.
The timeline is quite important here as the country, like the rest of the world, is going into the 14 day to slow the spread Covid lockdowns and there are shortages of everything as desperate people stock up on necessities.
At first the double murder doesn’t appear to fall under the purview of the special unit Mislan works under. Eventually though there are two many odd things about this killing to ignore- like the thousands of dollars worth of drugs in plain sight at the crime scene or the execution style shootings or the fact no neighbor heard anything. But where the trail will lead not even Mislan could hazard a clue.
Mislan is a complex character who is surviving a divorce and is having PTSD from a gut shot he took in a previous story. Mislan is lonely, but a determined investigator known for being a singleminded bloodhound.
The timeline is quite important here as the country, like the rest of the world, is going into the 14 day to slow the spread Covid lockdowns and there are shortages of everything as desperate people stock up on necessities.
At first the double murder doesn’t appear to fall under the purview of the special unit Mislan works under. Eventually though there are two many odd things about this killing to ignore- like the thousands of dollars worth of drugs in plain sight at the crime scene or the execution style shootings or the fact no neighbor heard anything. But where the trail will lead not even Mislan could hazard a clue.
April 26, 2023
Book Review
Philanthropists
Rozlan Mohd Noor
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Imagine Harry Bosch patrolling the gritty streets of Kuala Lumpur or CSI Malaysia, and you arrive at an approximation of the challenges faced by Inspector Mislan Latif. Back on a 24-hour stint of duty at the Special Investigation Unit after surviving a gunshot and attempted assassination eight months ago, this is the sixth stellar outing for this dedicated detective.
Known as a maverick but loyal and of the highest integrity, Mislan is able to contend with the ever-present bureaucracy of the department. Each story is self-contained and can be enjoyed as a standalone, as Noor flawlessly supplies any necessary backstory. Each narrative is rich with characterization of supporting characters and expounds on the unique, exotic color and flavor of Malaysia.
Back in the saddle with his feet on his desk and just starting to take a quick snooze, Mislan’s phone rings, requesting his presence along with his assistant, Detective Sergeant John Kamaruddin. There has been a double murder in a home in the police district of Sentul. They find two dark-skinned immigrant men killed in identical execution style in the master bedroom of the rental. Somewhat perplexing is the presence of three pounds of drugs lying undisturbed on the bed. There are no identifying papers, wallets, or phones. None of the neighbors heard a shot or disturbance, and yet an anonymous source called the police. This local area is noted for its abundance of drugs as well as legal and illegal foreign nationals. This appears to be a crime with no motive and is possibly unsolvable. The two victims were apparently dealers of heroin and meth, supplied from the Golden Triangle by the Thai-Myanmar Syndicate.
As Mislan begins his investigation, COVID-19 is spreading rampantly through the country, and a nationwide lockdown is implemented, impairing Mislan’s resources and investigation. Businesses are shutting their doors, food is becoming difficult to obtain, and yet Mislan and his colleagues continue to eat well. The native cuisine almost becomes a separate character in the narrative. Mislan is continually trying to obtain his favorites: roti canai (a popular type of flatbread) and nasi lemak (considered a national dish: fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk). Soon after the murder, a cellphone connected to one of the victims is used to call charities offering to donate huge amounts of cash with no questions asked. The investigation takes them into the burgeoning underworld as well as the refugee community. Consideration has to be given to the possibility of a connection between the killers and the police force.
Themes explored include hostility towards immigrants and the Rohingyan community, distrust of the government and police force, impediments resulting from bureaucracy, and the far-reaching effects of COVID-19. Rozlan Noor, himself a veteran crime investigator of the Malaysian police force, effortlessly utilizes his experience to provide a complex and convoluted narrative with plausible twists that escalate into a compelling and propulsive page-turner. His terse and insightful prose allows the reader to feel the grit and color of the dark streets of Kuala Lumpur as Mislan relentlessly builds a case, no matter where it leads. Intrigue and suspense are incrementally ratcheted up to an explosive denouement.
This gem will appeal to fans of international crime and police procedurals, as well as aficionados of Jo Nesbo and Ian Rankin. Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
Philanthropists
Rozlan Mohd Noor
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Imagine Harry Bosch patrolling the gritty streets of Kuala Lumpur or CSI Malaysia, and you arrive at an approximation of the challenges faced by Inspector Mislan Latif. Back on a 24-hour stint of duty at the Special Investigation Unit after surviving a gunshot and attempted assassination eight months ago, this is the sixth stellar outing for this dedicated detective.
Known as a maverick but loyal and of the highest integrity, Mislan is able to contend with the ever-present bureaucracy of the department. Each story is self-contained and can be enjoyed as a standalone, as Noor flawlessly supplies any necessary backstory. Each narrative is rich with characterization of supporting characters and expounds on the unique, exotic color and flavor of Malaysia.
Back in the saddle with his feet on his desk and just starting to take a quick snooze, Mislan’s phone rings, requesting his presence along with his assistant, Detective Sergeant John Kamaruddin. There has been a double murder in a home in the police district of Sentul. They find two dark-skinned immigrant men killed in identical execution style in the master bedroom of the rental. Somewhat perplexing is the presence of three pounds of drugs lying undisturbed on the bed. There are no identifying papers, wallets, or phones. None of the neighbors heard a shot or disturbance, and yet an anonymous source called the police. This local area is noted for its abundance of drugs as well as legal and illegal foreign nationals. This appears to be a crime with no motive and is possibly unsolvable. The two victims were apparently dealers of heroin and meth, supplied from the Golden Triangle by the Thai-Myanmar Syndicate.
As Mislan begins his investigation, COVID-19 is spreading rampantly through the country, and a nationwide lockdown is implemented, impairing Mislan’s resources and investigation. Businesses are shutting their doors, food is becoming difficult to obtain, and yet Mislan and his colleagues continue to eat well. The native cuisine almost becomes a separate character in the narrative. Mislan is continually trying to obtain his favorites: roti canai (a popular type of flatbread) and nasi lemak (considered a national dish: fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk). Soon after the murder, a cellphone connected to one of the victims is used to call charities offering to donate huge amounts of cash with no questions asked. The investigation takes them into the burgeoning underworld as well as the refugee community. Consideration has to be given to the possibility of a connection between the killers and the police force.
Themes explored include hostility towards immigrants and the Rohingyan community, distrust of the government and police force, impediments resulting from bureaucracy, and the far-reaching effects of COVID-19. Rozlan Noor, himself a veteran crime investigator of the Malaysian police force, effortlessly utilizes his experience to provide a complex and convoluted narrative with plausible twists that escalate into a compelling and propulsive page-turner. His terse and insightful prose allows the reader to feel the grit and color of the dark streets of Kuala Lumpur as Mislan relentlessly builds a case, no matter where it leads. Intrigue and suspense are incrementally ratcheted up to an explosive denouement.
This gem will appeal to fans of international crime and police procedurals, as well as aficionados of Jo Nesbo and Ian Rankin. Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2021
I got this book for free from Fixi (thank you very much) when they offered a free book when you got vaccinated. This book has been sitting on my shelf for so long and finally I had the urged to read it because I want to give this book to a friend who loves this author works dearly.
I was pleasantly surprised because the vibes almost felt like reading Keigo but a Malaysian version. We follow a story of two men found murdered which at first impression it might be related to illegal narcotics but it was more than that.
I loved how the author included the timeframe when the Covid-19 hits us with all the MCO, roadblocks, essentials, non essentials Covid-19 related and some political remarks. We as Malaysian definitely can relate to it.
There’s a lot going on behind the scenes of any crimes and I really enjoyed the terms and jargons used in this book. It’s something new to my knowledge. I really adored the team, Mislan, Johan and everyone working for this case. This book doesn’t shy away from the harsh truths and I totally dig it. I’ll definitely read more from this author in future.
I was pleasantly surprised because the vibes almost felt like reading Keigo but a Malaysian version. We follow a story of two men found murdered which at first impression it might be related to illegal narcotics but it was more than that.
I loved how the author included the timeframe when the Covid-19 hits us with all the MCO, roadblocks, essentials, non essentials Covid-19 related and some political remarks. We as Malaysian definitely can relate to it.
There’s a lot going on behind the scenes of any crimes and I really enjoyed the terms and jargons used in this book. It’s something new to my knowledge. I really adored the team, Mislan, Johan and everyone working for this case. This book doesn’t shy away from the harsh truths and I totally dig it. I’ll definitely read more from this author in future.
November 1, 2020
Philanthropists by Rozlan Mohd Noor
This is going to be a long review as this book covers 2 murders and also about the situation in Malaysia in the first few weeks when Covid 19 cases were reported in Malaysia.
Netflix has Social Distance for us to experience how people in the US are coping with Covid 19 , FIXI NOVO has Philanthropiststo remind us on how Malaysians were coping with Covid 19 when it hit Malaysia in March 2020 . This would be the perfect book to be read / reread in the future . The author mentioned a few significant things that happened in Malaysia during our first few weeks fighting against the global pandemic . Movement Control Order (MCO) , roadblocks , panic buying, shortage of Gardenia , the new norm , etc. The issue that was repeated many times was the importance of wearing a mask. I guess that is why the cover of the book is a picture of a surgical mask. The author wrote a lot about the frontliners and how Malaysians helped the frontliners and each other out during the MCO. I would like to thank the author for dedicating this book to the Malaysian Frontliners. This is definitely a book to be reread or read as a historical fiction for me.
To be honest, this is my first book I read written by Rozlan Mohd Noor. I actually have a few of his books but unfortunately I have yet to read it (TBR pile – Ops!) So for me , Philanthropists is my first. I would always try my best not to read anything regarding the author’s background because I prefer to get to know the author by reading their work. After reading (usually after a few chapters) then only I would read their biography.
I have read a lot of crime novels. My favourite crime authors would be James Patterson & John Grisham. After knowing that the book is about a double murder (not homicides) in Sentul, I was intrigued.
Inspector Mislan reminds me of Alex Cross ( a character similar to Inspector Mislan) written by James Patterson. Before this I only have a vague idea on how detectives/ policemen in Malaysia get the job done. After a few chapters in , I decided to read a bit about the author. With the author’s 11 years of experience as a crime investigator, I started to trust his reflection on why Inspector Mislans character acted in a certain way in the book and what the inspector had to go through in solving the case. So it is legit. With this in mind, I took my time to read this book ( it was not a very fast paced novel. One can decide to take a break before continuing. But I read a few reviews after I have finished the book saying that it was a fast paced read for most of them) I liked the idea on how Inspector Mislan is not interested in politics. “I joined the police force, not a political party,” (page 38)
The way the characters interacted with each other was well written. The inside jokes and how they treated each other like family really warmed my heart. They police force would help each other out even though they are from different departments , districts an rankings. What I find fascinating is that Inspector Mislan, regardless of his character he respected and followed orders from his boss , Superintendent Samsiah ( A lady!)
There were a lot of things that I learned from this novel regarding the procedures that take place during a murder investigation in Malaysia. The DOs and DON’Ts when one works in the police force. I also learned about firearms. How it work and it is illegal to own one in Malaysia. Then comes the viral part. “The sad part in our job is we cannot viral a video that protects our actions” (page 97)
I started to wonder about real crime/murder investigations in Malaysia . Does the Malaysian Police Force face the same problems like Inspector Mislan’s Team since now the power of viral contents are at a worrying stage. Some are taken out of context and this would always cause a lot of fake news and wrong perceptions from the netizens.
The plot ( SPOILER ALERT – abit lah ) At first the pace of the novel was kinda slow for me, because the investigation started to progress after I have read half way through the book . Then the plot suddenly thickened. What interests me the most is how the author included the situation in Selayang regarding the refugees and foreign workers. The author then slowly unfolded the mysteries. It was like peeling layers of an onion while crying. The authors exposed the background of the murderers. At this point I started to have mixed feelings. Unfortunately, the ending was so heartbreaking . “Noble criminality,” Mislan coins. “Oxymoron.” “There’s no nobility in criminality” (page 185) Niat tidak menghalalkan cara. Why the murders took place made me feel uncomfortable because I started to rationalize why the murderers did what they did. They had their own reasons and I started to pity them. But again. Niat tidak menghalalkan cara. I cried and my mind kept thinking about it. I have experiences giving food to the gelandangan in Kuala Lumpur. So it brought back a lot of sad memories. The saddest part about this book is when Inspector Mislan said “...Blame his cowardice on religion...” (page 292)
Overall I would give 4/5🌟 . The author took his time to write a crime novel which was set during the early stages of Malaysians facing Covid 19 head-on. I will definitely reread this book to remind me of what happened in Malaysia.The author brought up a lot of sensitive issues during the Covid 19 situation : the complications in politics, the philanthropists' problems and dilemmas , refugees , foreign workers and so much more. It was an eye opener for me.This is a well written novel that needs to be read by everyone. It has all the ingredients of a good novel. It was written in simple English , which is good for those who want to learn English and love crime novels.
This is going to be a long review as this book covers 2 murders and also about the situation in Malaysia in the first few weeks when Covid 19 cases were reported in Malaysia.
Netflix has Social Distance for us to experience how people in the US are coping with Covid 19 , FIXI NOVO has Philanthropiststo remind us on how Malaysians were coping with Covid 19 when it hit Malaysia in March 2020 . This would be the perfect book to be read / reread in the future . The author mentioned a few significant things that happened in Malaysia during our first few weeks fighting against the global pandemic . Movement Control Order (MCO) , roadblocks , panic buying, shortage of Gardenia , the new norm , etc. The issue that was repeated many times was the importance of wearing a mask. I guess that is why the cover of the book is a picture of a surgical mask. The author wrote a lot about the frontliners and how Malaysians helped the frontliners and each other out during the MCO. I would like to thank the author for dedicating this book to the Malaysian Frontliners. This is definitely a book to be reread or read as a historical fiction for me.
To be honest, this is my first book I read written by Rozlan Mohd Noor. I actually have a few of his books but unfortunately I have yet to read it (TBR pile – Ops!) So for me , Philanthropists is my first. I would always try my best not to read anything regarding the author’s background because I prefer to get to know the author by reading their work. After reading (usually after a few chapters) then only I would read their biography.
I have read a lot of crime novels. My favourite crime authors would be James Patterson & John Grisham. After knowing that the book is about a double murder (not homicides) in Sentul, I was intrigued.
Inspector Mislan reminds me of Alex Cross ( a character similar to Inspector Mislan) written by James Patterson. Before this I only have a vague idea on how detectives/ policemen in Malaysia get the job done. After a few chapters in , I decided to read a bit about the author. With the author’s 11 years of experience as a crime investigator, I started to trust his reflection on why Inspector Mislans character acted in a certain way in the book and what the inspector had to go through in solving the case. So it is legit. With this in mind, I took my time to read this book ( it was not a very fast paced novel. One can decide to take a break before continuing. But I read a few reviews after I have finished the book saying that it was a fast paced read for most of them) I liked the idea on how Inspector Mislan is not interested in politics. “I joined the police force, not a political party,” (page 38)
The way the characters interacted with each other was well written. The inside jokes and how they treated each other like family really warmed my heart. They police force would help each other out even though they are from different departments , districts an rankings. What I find fascinating is that Inspector Mislan, regardless of his character he respected and followed orders from his boss , Superintendent Samsiah ( A lady!)
There were a lot of things that I learned from this novel regarding the procedures that take place during a murder investigation in Malaysia. The DOs and DON’Ts when one works in the police force. I also learned about firearms. How it work and it is illegal to own one in Malaysia. Then comes the viral part. “The sad part in our job is we cannot viral a video that protects our actions” (page 97)
I started to wonder about real crime/murder investigations in Malaysia . Does the Malaysian Police Force face the same problems like Inspector Mislan’s Team since now the power of viral contents are at a worrying stage. Some are taken out of context and this would always cause a lot of fake news and wrong perceptions from the netizens.
The plot ( SPOILER ALERT – abit lah ) At first the pace of the novel was kinda slow for me, because the investigation started to progress after I have read half way through the book . Then the plot suddenly thickened. What interests me the most is how the author included the situation in Selayang regarding the refugees and foreign workers. The author then slowly unfolded the mysteries. It was like peeling layers of an onion while crying. The authors exposed the background of the murderers. At this point I started to have mixed feelings. Unfortunately, the ending was so heartbreaking . “Noble criminality,” Mislan coins. “Oxymoron.” “There’s no nobility in criminality” (page 185) Niat tidak menghalalkan cara. Why the murders took place made me feel uncomfortable because I started to rationalize why the murderers did what they did. They had their own reasons and I started to pity them. But again. Niat tidak menghalalkan cara. I cried and my mind kept thinking about it. I have experiences giving food to the gelandangan in Kuala Lumpur. So it brought back a lot of sad memories. The saddest part about this book is when Inspector Mislan said “...Blame his cowardice on religion...” (page 292)
Overall I would give 4/5🌟 . The author took his time to write a crime novel which was set during the early stages of Malaysians facing Covid 19 head-on. I will definitely reread this book to remind me of what happened in Malaysia.The author brought up a lot of sensitive issues during the Covid 19 situation : the complications in politics, the philanthropists' problems and dilemmas , refugees , foreign workers and so much more. It was an eye opener for me.This is a well written novel that needs to be read by everyone. It has all the ingredients of a good novel. It was written in simple English , which is good for those who want to learn English and love crime novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2021
Penceritaan penulis detail. Dari segi tugas seorang polis, bagaimana sesuatu siasatan dijalankan hingga ke jalan-jalan di sekitar Kuala Lumpur. Semua dijelaskan dengan terperinci.
Penulisan yang terperinci kadang kala boleh menyebabkan rasa bosan, tapi saya tidak merasakan ketika membaca novel ini.
Jalan ceritanya secara aksi (tembak menembak, kejar mengejar) tidak banyak, lebih kepada aksi di dalam minda. Ya, sepanjang membaca kisah ini, pembaca diajak untuk sama-sama menganalisis setiap maklumat berkaitan kes tersebut. Pembaca diperkenalkan dengan bagaimana seorang polis berfikir dan menyiasat serta cuba membuat kaitan dalam setiap maklumat yang diperolehi.
Emosi ketika membaca kisah ini agak mendatar. Bagaimanapun saya suka dengan kerjasama antara pasukan. Superintendant Samsiah such a great leader. Cara beliau mengendalikan pasukan dan memberi arahan menyerlahkan karisma seorang ketua.
Membaca novel ini, entah mengapa saya merasakan seperti melihat realiti kehidupan di luar sana. Penceritaan yang melibatkan keadaan semasa seperti situasi pandemik menjadikan kisah ini seakan realiti.
Secara keseluruhan, saya menyukai cerita ini walaupun rentaknya agak berbeza dengan novel thriller lain yang pernah saya baca. Novel ini mempunyai aura yang tersendiri. Awal cerita mungkin sedikit perlahan tetapi momentum tetap ada untuk terus membaca.
Penulisan yang terperinci kadang kala boleh menyebabkan rasa bosan, tapi saya tidak merasakan ketika membaca novel ini.
Jalan ceritanya secara aksi (tembak menembak, kejar mengejar) tidak banyak, lebih kepada aksi di dalam minda. Ya, sepanjang membaca kisah ini, pembaca diajak untuk sama-sama menganalisis setiap maklumat berkaitan kes tersebut. Pembaca diperkenalkan dengan bagaimana seorang polis berfikir dan menyiasat serta cuba membuat kaitan dalam setiap maklumat yang diperolehi.
Emosi ketika membaca kisah ini agak mendatar. Bagaimanapun saya suka dengan kerjasama antara pasukan. Superintendant Samsiah such a great leader. Cara beliau mengendalikan pasukan dan memberi arahan menyerlahkan karisma seorang ketua.
Membaca novel ini, entah mengapa saya merasakan seperti melihat realiti kehidupan di luar sana. Penceritaan yang melibatkan keadaan semasa seperti situasi pandemik menjadikan kisah ini seakan realiti.
Secara keseluruhan, saya menyukai cerita ini walaupun rentaknya agak berbeza dengan novel thriller lain yang pernah saya baca. Novel ini mempunyai aura yang tersendiri. Awal cerita mungkin sedikit perlahan tetapi momentum tetap ada untuk terus membaca.
October 29, 2020
Let me be honest, I jumped straight into this book without any expectation or whatsoever. Did it impress me? I wouldn’t say so. But is it bad? It’s not, really. Starting off, this book really gives readers a great insight on police officer’s life, how they’re dealing with cases, the process of investigations, the official terms in the field. With the author’s background, this is not surprising, he obviously knows what he’s doing.
I also love the main issues that are brought up in this book. So, throughout the investigation, 3 main things pop up. First is on refugees in Malaysia, specifically Rohingyas, how they’re surviving here in Malaysia and what are the society’s perception of them. Next is the abuse of power among the police officers and lastly drug addiction and the effects of it. These 3 main components build up the whole story, which I think is well discussed. However, the story itself feels weak to me, the connection is there, the issues brought up are well written but the plot feels flat somehow. It didn’t excite me or made me curious about who’s the culprit. When they actually suspected someone, I was ready to put my bet but then it turns out to be someone from completely different department and you might think, that’s good, it’s unexpected. But for me, it feels like, “What? Where does this person come from?” Then, the author ties everything together through drug abuse and why the culprits did what they did, which is pretty smart but it would be more thrilling if it’s one of them from Inspector’s Mislan’s department. This is just me, anyways.
In this book, the author also highlights on COVID-19 and the political scenario in Malaysia, which is very unnecessary. These two side topics are just there in the book for the sake of just being there. They did not contribute to the plot development or add on to anything. I feel like maybe because it’s what everyone is talking about these days, hence why the author includes these two topics in as side dishes. But honestly, I couldn’t care less, I skipped most of COVID-19 and politics related paragraphs as it’s what we all have heard in the news, it’s not something deeper or new, it’s old news that I don’t need to be reminded of. Nevertheless, credits to the author for trying to show appreciation to our heroes who are fighting every single day during this hard time.
Characters wise, they could be inconsistent at times. I see Inspector Mislan as a serious officer but then once in a while, he acts as if he’s a teenager or just not him. This also happens to some other characters, mostly they are very inconsistent, I’d say. Another thing, I’m not surprised to see this but I wish that local publishers could work better on the editing process. There are typos in this book, I won’t say there are many but because of the few glaring ones, it kinda frustrates me. It could be easily edited out if they took few more looks into the book before printing the books out.
Overall, it’s been a decent read. Could it be better? I think it could be. If you’re interested to read books on crimes and investigations, go ahead and pick this book up as it provides you the complete process and satisfaction of knowing how police officers work from the start of investigation till the end.
I also love the main issues that are brought up in this book. So, throughout the investigation, 3 main things pop up. First is on refugees in Malaysia, specifically Rohingyas, how they’re surviving here in Malaysia and what are the society’s perception of them. Next is the abuse of power among the police officers and lastly drug addiction and the effects of it. These 3 main components build up the whole story, which I think is well discussed. However, the story itself feels weak to me, the connection is there, the issues brought up are well written but the plot feels flat somehow. It didn’t excite me or made me curious about who’s the culprit. When they actually suspected someone, I was ready to put my bet but then it turns out to be someone from completely different department and you might think, that’s good, it’s unexpected. But for me, it feels like, “What? Where does this person come from?” Then, the author ties everything together through drug abuse and why the culprits did what they did, which is pretty smart but it would be more thrilling if it’s one of them from Inspector’s Mislan’s department. This is just me, anyways.
In this book, the author also highlights on COVID-19 and the political scenario in Malaysia, which is very unnecessary. These two side topics are just there in the book for the sake of just being there. They did not contribute to the plot development or add on to anything. I feel like maybe because it’s what everyone is talking about these days, hence why the author includes these two topics in as side dishes. But honestly, I couldn’t care less, I skipped most of COVID-19 and politics related paragraphs as it’s what we all have heard in the news, it’s not something deeper or new, it’s old news that I don’t need to be reminded of. Nevertheless, credits to the author for trying to show appreciation to our heroes who are fighting every single day during this hard time.
Characters wise, they could be inconsistent at times. I see Inspector Mislan as a serious officer but then once in a while, he acts as if he’s a teenager or just not him. This also happens to some other characters, mostly they are very inconsistent, I’d say. Another thing, I’m not surprised to see this but I wish that local publishers could work better on the editing process. There are typos in this book, I won’t say there are many but because of the few glaring ones, it kinda frustrates me. It could be easily edited out if they took few more looks into the book before printing the books out.
Overall, it’s been a decent read. Could it be better? I think it could be. If you’re interested to read books on crimes and investigations, go ahead and pick this book up as it provides you the complete process and satisfaction of knowing how police officers work from the start of investigation till the end.
October 25, 2020
Philanthropists by Rozlan Mohd Noor is a story about Inspector Mislan and the D9 (Special Investigation Division) team to investigate the culprits behind the double murder of Sentul. This is the sixth book in the Inspector Mislan instalment series but each can be read individually. This book is pretty fast paced and packed in with so many details and events that you must have your whole attention to the case because you might just loose a lead or a clue. This story will caught you off guard, hop on along the adventure of catching the murderers in the name of justice and the hurdles of change in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
I honestly didn't know what to expect the moment I picked this book up. I was obviously really excited to read more murder mystery books as I'm super into it lately so I grabbed the first chance I had to join this tour and I'm so glad and thankful for having the chance to be chosen. To be frank, I am really glad that I read this book and didn't rush to reach the end even though I was desperate to find out the perpetrators but I held myself back and devoured it slowly so that I could catch everything. The missing pieces and the clue that might lead to the criminals.
I really like the small little conversations and thoughts the characters went around talking about politicians and basically just very normal everyday Malaysian complaints. Most of them are pretty accurate and I seem to have the same opinion so I didn't mind as much and it made the story lighter and not too serious at times. It was honestly a nice little attribute to the truth of what's actually happening right here in our country.
I don't have anyone I know or an acquaintance in person who are investigators or work in the police industry. But it was pretty fun to read this book and get a first glimpse of the procedures of investigating a case and getting to learn about some of the phrases and terms in this line of work that I never would have come across in my daily life.
I'm not going to say much but I was disappointed with how it ended. It felt a bit rushed and I really wished the killers got the punishment they deserved. It sucks so much more that the culprits had the advantage of working for the people and knowing the ins and out of it. They were simply too tired, had too much of the world of what's thrown at them and decided to take matters into their own hands.
This book was such a wild ride and I really enjoyed reading about Inspector Mislan, his assistant Johan and the rest of the team who worked hard day and night to solve this intriguing case of the Sentol double murder. If this is the kind of book that you're into, I really hope that you pick it and read for yourself. Just like the characters, you'd get frustrated by the dead end, constantly asking what the motives were for the murder and hoping for justice to be served no matter what your occupation is, the rank you hold because once you've done a bad deed, no matter what you will receive what you rightfully deserve.
I honestly didn't know what to expect the moment I picked this book up. I was obviously really excited to read more murder mystery books as I'm super into it lately so I grabbed the first chance I had to join this tour and I'm so glad and thankful for having the chance to be chosen. To be frank, I am really glad that I read this book and didn't rush to reach the end even though I was desperate to find out the perpetrators but I held myself back and devoured it slowly so that I could catch everything. The missing pieces and the clue that might lead to the criminals.
I really like the small little conversations and thoughts the characters went around talking about politicians and basically just very normal everyday Malaysian complaints. Most of them are pretty accurate and I seem to have the same opinion so I didn't mind as much and it made the story lighter and not too serious at times. It was honestly a nice little attribute to the truth of what's actually happening right here in our country.
I don't have anyone I know or an acquaintance in person who are investigators or work in the police industry. But it was pretty fun to read this book and get a first glimpse of the procedures of investigating a case and getting to learn about some of the phrases and terms in this line of work that I never would have come across in my daily life.
I'm not going to say much but I was disappointed with how it ended. It felt a bit rushed and I really wished the killers got the punishment they deserved. It sucks so much more that the culprits had the advantage of working for the people and knowing the ins and out of it. They were simply too tired, had too much of the world of what's thrown at them and decided to take matters into their own hands.
This book was such a wild ride and I really enjoyed reading about Inspector Mislan, his assistant Johan and the rest of the team who worked hard day and night to solve this intriguing case of the Sentol double murder. If this is the kind of book that you're into, I really hope that you pick it and read for yourself. Just like the characters, you'd get frustrated by the dead end, constantly asking what the motives were for the murder and hoping for justice to be served no matter what your occupation is, the rank you hold because once you've done a bad deed, no matter what you will receive what you rightfully deserve.
October 29, 2020
This is my 5th book by Rozlan Mohd Noor and is one of his best so far. As always, Rozlan has a way of weaving in the current events and the present sentiments of the people in the country into his story. It is a social commentary of sorts as he touches on everything from politics, refugee issues, drugs, the sufferings of the lower income due to the pandemic and many more. This subtle inclusion of these issues is one of the reasons why I’ve always enjoyed reading his books. I also love the insights into the workings of a police investigation. This is a near perfect Malaysian police procedural. Inspector Mislan takes centre stage of course, but his colleagues and superiors all play equally important roles and this gives the book a more realistic vibe as opposed to the usual lone wolf protagonist. I enjoyed the camaraderie between them and how each contribution is like a piece of jigsaw puzzle that comes together to make up the whole picture.
Inspector Mislan is a complex and flawed character with a past trauma that continues to haunt him and it is the people around him that provides the support and guidance he needs. There is nothing I can fault in this book; the premise, plot, pace, characters and writing style all combined makes for a very satisfying read. And the conclusion? It is heart wrenching and I still can’t help thinking about it. This book will linger with me for a while as all good books usually do.
Highly recommended for lovers of crime fiction and police procedurals.
If you want to know the workings of the Malaysian Police Force, this would be a great choice as the author was a crime investigator and court prosecutor with the Royal Malaysian Police.
Thank you to Untitledbc and Bukufixi for making me part of the Philanthropists Blogtwit Tour. Rozlan Mohd Noor is one of my favourite Malaysian authors and this book further confirms it.
Inspector Mislan is a complex and flawed character with a past trauma that continues to haunt him and it is the people around him that provides the support and guidance he needs. There is nothing I can fault in this book; the premise, plot, pace, characters and writing style all combined makes for a very satisfying read. And the conclusion? It is heart wrenching and I still can’t help thinking about it. This book will linger with me for a while as all good books usually do.
Highly recommended for lovers of crime fiction and police procedurals.
If you want to know the workings of the Malaysian Police Force, this would be a great choice as the author was a crime investigator and court prosecutor with the Royal Malaysian Police.
Thank you to Untitledbc and Bukufixi for making me part of the Philanthropists Blogtwit Tour. Rozlan Mohd Noor is one of my favourite Malaysian authors and this book further confirms it.
October 27, 2020
Tajuk: Philanthropist
Penulis: Rozlan Mohd Noor
Publisher: @bukufixi
Mukasurat: 301 mukasurat
.
Terimakasih buat @untitledbc & @bukufixi kerana memberikan peluang ini. Tak sangka terpilih untuk jadi pembaca dan reviewer untuk buku baru dari Fixi ini.
Ketahuilah bahawasanya buku ini berbahasa Inggeris. Tapi , izinkan saya reviu dalam bahasa Melayu. Ini merupakan buku English pertama yang ika baca pada tahun ini. Jadinya, ika bangga dengan diri sendiri sebab dapat habiskan buku ini dengan cemerlangnya.
Mengisahkan tentang dua lelaki yang ditemui mati dibunuh di sebuah rumah di Sentul. Dengan kesan tembakan dan dalam boleh dikatakan pembunuh tidak meninggalkan banyak petunjuk untuk dikesan. Yang menjadi misterinya pembunuhan tersebut mempunyai kaitan dengan dadah. Namun mengapakah tempat penyimpanan dadah tidak disentuh?. Dan terdapat juga misteri lain.
Dalam menangani kes itu, Inspektor Mislan Latif dan Detektif Sarjan Johan Kamaruddin dari Penyiasatan Khas (D9) menghadapi rintangan yang belum pernah terjadi sebelumnya: Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (MCO) di seluruh negara. Ianya menyekat pergerakan mereka untuk mencari lebih banyak petunjuk. Atau sebenarnya mungkinkah pembunuh tersebut dekat sahaja dengan mereka selama ini?.
Siapa minat cerita penyiasatan polis. Ini khas buat kalian. Kalian akan dibawa menyelusuri penggembaraan dalam menyelesaikan jenayah besar di Malaysia. Cerita ini terasa lebih dekat kerana kita tahu yang ianya berlatarkan negara kita. Jangan sangka dunia polis ini mudah. Risikonya tetap ada.
English yang digunakan penulis bukan kategori boombastik. Penulis mengunakan English yang mudah difahami. Sebab tu, ika sendiri rasa seronok membaca Philanthropist ini ❤️
https://ikashoid.blogspot.my
Ika akan update lebih di blog. Nanti boleh baca review penuh di sana. #ikareviewbuku
Penulis: Rozlan Mohd Noor
Publisher: @bukufixi
Mukasurat: 301 mukasurat
.
Terimakasih buat @untitledbc & @bukufixi kerana memberikan peluang ini. Tak sangka terpilih untuk jadi pembaca dan reviewer untuk buku baru dari Fixi ini.
Ketahuilah bahawasanya buku ini berbahasa Inggeris. Tapi , izinkan saya reviu dalam bahasa Melayu. Ini merupakan buku English pertama yang ika baca pada tahun ini. Jadinya, ika bangga dengan diri sendiri sebab dapat habiskan buku ini dengan cemerlangnya.
Mengisahkan tentang dua lelaki yang ditemui mati dibunuh di sebuah rumah di Sentul. Dengan kesan tembakan dan dalam boleh dikatakan pembunuh tidak meninggalkan banyak petunjuk untuk dikesan. Yang menjadi misterinya pembunuhan tersebut mempunyai kaitan dengan dadah. Namun mengapakah tempat penyimpanan dadah tidak disentuh?. Dan terdapat juga misteri lain.
Dalam menangani kes itu, Inspektor Mislan Latif dan Detektif Sarjan Johan Kamaruddin dari Penyiasatan Khas (D9) menghadapi rintangan yang belum pernah terjadi sebelumnya: Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (MCO) di seluruh negara. Ianya menyekat pergerakan mereka untuk mencari lebih banyak petunjuk. Atau sebenarnya mungkinkah pembunuh tersebut dekat sahaja dengan mereka selama ini?.
Siapa minat cerita penyiasatan polis. Ini khas buat kalian. Kalian akan dibawa menyelusuri penggembaraan dalam menyelesaikan jenayah besar di Malaysia. Cerita ini terasa lebih dekat kerana kita tahu yang ianya berlatarkan negara kita. Jangan sangka dunia polis ini mudah. Risikonya tetap ada.
English yang digunakan penulis bukan kategori boombastik. Penulis mengunakan English yang mudah difahami. Sebab tu, ika sendiri rasa seronok membaca Philanthropist ini ❤️
https://ikashoid.blogspot.my
Ika akan update lebih di blog. Nanti boleh baca review penuh di sana. #ikareviewbuku
January 8, 2022
"There's no nobility in criminality."
Finally, I've finished reading my first read of the year.
What can I say about this book, hmm?
Well, I really enjoyed reading this book. At first, it took me a while to understand what happened to Inspector Mislan's past adventures and so on since it's the latest book of the series, which I never thought it was a book series at first.
I liked the plot and the storyline too. Never expected who's the killers behind the double murder that's happening. There are a lot of information about police procedure and the fact the author was once a police officer make me feel amazed.
Not gonna lie, my favourite character in this book is definitely Detective Johan. For me, he's cheerful, happy-go-lucky and always there for his boss, Inspector Mislan (p/s: he's that young hottie and single police officer muah!)
The author also put the MCO situation in this book as the background plague situation. Hate you, CoViD19!
Will I read the previous books in the series? Yes I will! Absolutely gonna be my favourite new crime book series ever!
Rate: 4🌟
Finally, I've finished reading my first read of the year.
What can I say about this book, hmm?
Well, I really enjoyed reading this book. At first, it took me a while to understand what happened to Inspector Mislan's past adventures and so on since it's the latest book of the series, which I never thought it was a book series at first.
I liked the plot and the storyline too. Never expected who's the killers behind the double murder that's happening. There are a lot of information about police procedure and the fact the author was once a police officer make me feel amazed.
Not gonna lie, my favourite character in this book is definitely Detective Johan. For me, he's cheerful, happy-go-lucky and always there for his boss, Inspector Mislan (p/s: he's that young hottie and single police officer muah!)
The author also put the MCO situation in this book as the background plague situation. Hate you, CoViD19!
Will I read the previous books in the series? Yes I will! Absolutely gonna be my favourite new crime book series ever!
Rate: 4🌟
May 18, 2021
This one took me by surprise. Love it 🤗
March 27, 2025
Excellent. This is my first book of this author. Bought it while in KL. The story is good. The characters are good. The end is good. I would like to read the rest of the books in the series!
November 12, 2020
Two men were found murdered in a Sentul house. The readers follow the inspectors in trying to find out the truth.
Why did the murderer do it in an execution-style with the victim kneeling on the floor? If they were illegal narcotics, why did they left the drugs in the room? Why did the neighbours did not heard of the gunfires? At the same time, why were there anonymous donations made to charitable causes after the killings?
Throughout the book, the author laid out the geography of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur in a clear manner. We follow Inspectors Rozlan driving across different streets, viewing the daily activities of the citizen and finding for clues.
The book also touches on the Rohingya issue in Malaysia and doesn't shy away from racism and corruption remarks, even the minor ones that happen in our daily life.
However, the part on political dramas isn't anything new as they were all over the news and social media previously. There wasn't any deeper discussion about it, worse still it's not related to the investigation. So, it's pretty redundant and acts as a corner for gossiping. It gets tedious after some time and I skipped through the latter parts.
Also, the story is really draggy. There are tons of unrelated chatty dialogues among the staffs. I got bored with the repetition of investigation procedures. I couldn't relate to any of the characters and couldn't care more about them. I just want more thrills in my mystery/thriller!
Overall, I felt the author is more passionate about Malaysia politics and social problems than the mystery itself. This book is on the slower side and weak in plot and mystery.
Rating: 2.75 stars
p.s: It would be better to insert a list of abbreviations because I'm so lost with all the different terms for departments and rankings. Also, the editing can be improved, as there are several notable typos in it.
Why did the murderer do it in an execution-style with the victim kneeling on the floor? If they were illegal narcotics, why did they left the drugs in the room? Why did the neighbours did not heard of the gunfires? At the same time, why were there anonymous donations made to charitable causes after the killings?
Throughout the book, the author laid out the geography of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur in a clear manner. We follow Inspectors Rozlan driving across different streets, viewing the daily activities of the citizen and finding for clues.
The book also touches on the Rohingya issue in Malaysia and doesn't shy away from racism and corruption remarks, even the minor ones that happen in our daily life.
However, the part on political dramas isn't anything new as they were all over the news and social media previously. There wasn't any deeper discussion about it, worse still it's not related to the investigation. So, it's pretty redundant and acts as a corner for gossiping. It gets tedious after some time and I skipped through the latter parts.
Also, the story is really draggy. There are tons of unrelated chatty dialogues among the staffs. I got bored with the repetition of investigation procedures. I couldn't relate to any of the characters and couldn't care more about them. I just want more thrills in my mystery/thriller!
Overall, I felt the author is more passionate about Malaysia politics and social problems than the mystery itself. This book is on the slower side and weak in plot and mystery.
Rating: 2.75 stars
p.s: It would be better to insert a list of abbreviations because I'm so lost with all the different terms for departments and rankings. Also, the editing can be improved, as there are several notable typos in it.
December 26, 2024
Walaupun cerita ini dibaca dalam tempoh yang panjang, bersambung-sambung bacaannya, malah berselang dengan buku-buku lain, tapi debarannya tak susut.
Susunan plot, sangat kemas. Plot twist, dibuat ketika kita rasa kes ini hampir selesai. Tapi, ia berlaku sebaliknya. Kejutan dan keterujaan terhadap penemuan bahan kes sentiasa diperbaharui.
Watak baharu sebagai suspek, dengan identiti dan back-storynya menjadikan cerita ini menarik.
Penemuan dua mayat dengan kesan tembakan daripada dua pistol berbeza, dengan sejumlah dadah bernilai tak disentuh, di dalam sebuah rumah sewa menjadi awalan cerita.
Watak utama, Inspektor Mislan dan pembantunya, Sarjan Johan, dari D9 menemui jalan buntu di awal penceritaan. Saksi, bukti kes dan maklumat yang ada tidak membawa mereka ke mana-mana.
Kes yang dikenali sebagai 'Sentul Double Murder' ini melibatkan banyak jabatan polis. D9, D10, D11 dan terkait kes pembunuhan lama di Seremban.
Siasatan juga melibatkan refugee warga Rohingya di pasar Sentul.
Di sini, banyak pendedahan tentang jenayah yang melibatkan warga asing yang dilindungi di bawah UNHCR. Dan, bagaimana mereka menguasai pasar Sentul.
Kisah ini ditulis dalam latar COVID-19 melanda negara dan PKP (MCO) sedang berlangsung. Penulis (seorang bekas polis), mendedahkan bagaimana MCO membantu mengurangkan peratusan kadar jenayah dengan masyarakat dilarang/dikawal daripada keluar rumah. MCO dikatakan (secara gurauan), lebih hebat daripada pihak berkuasa dalam membanteras jenayah.
Penulisan ini agak details dengan pergerakan watak ke satu-satu tempat. Hampir setiap nama tempat, jalan dan restoran, disebut sepanjang 'penyiasatan'.
Dan, bagaimana polis memberkas polis. Dan, bagaimana prosedur berkaitan PDPA tetap diamalkan walaupun mereka memegang kuasa dan ia untuk menggerakkan siasatan. Ia tidak mudah. Setiap penglibatan jabatan, perlu ada kelulusan.
Melalui cerita ini, boleh nampak kehidupan polis dan cabaran yang mereka hadapi. Ya, mereka manusia biasa. Punya masalah. Punya perasaan. Punya maruah dan pegangan yang berbeza antara mereka.
Kerahsiaan sesama mereka juga ada batas dan tatacara.
Walaupun ia cerita crime thriller, tapi banyak emosi dimainkan. Ia juga membuat kita berfikir akan hal-hal kemanusiaan dalam menjalankan tugasan.
Apapun, cerita ini best! Kalau sebelum ini saya baca karya John Grisham, kali ini akan consider karya penulis tempatan (berbahasa Inggeris), Rozlan Mohd Noor.
Oh, ya! Makna Philanthropist itu sendiri membuatkan cerita ini mengundang pemikiran dan emosi.
Buku yang dicadangkan.
Susunan plot, sangat kemas. Plot twist, dibuat ketika kita rasa kes ini hampir selesai. Tapi, ia berlaku sebaliknya. Kejutan dan keterujaan terhadap penemuan bahan kes sentiasa diperbaharui.
Watak baharu sebagai suspek, dengan identiti dan back-storynya menjadikan cerita ini menarik.
Penemuan dua mayat dengan kesan tembakan daripada dua pistol berbeza, dengan sejumlah dadah bernilai tak disentuh, di dalam sebuah rumah sewa menjadi awalan cerita.
Watak utama, Inspektor Mislan dan pembantunya, Sarjan Johan, dari D9 menemui jalan buntu di awal penceritaan. Saksi, bukti kes dan maklumat yang ada tidak membawa mereka ke mana-mana.
Kes yang dikenali sebagai 'Sentul Double Murder' ini melibatkan banyak jabatan polis. D9, D10, D11 dan terkait kes pembunuhan lama di Seremban.
Siasatan juga melibatkan refugee warga Rohingya di pasar Sentul.
Di sini, banyak pendedahan tentang jenayah yang melibatkan warga asing yang dilindungi di bawah UNHCR. Dan, bagaimana mereka menguasai pasar Sentul.
Kisah ini ditulis dalam latar COVID-19 melanda negara dan PKP (MCO) sedang berlangsung. Penulis (seorang bekas polis), mendedahkan bagaimana MCO membantu mengurangkan peratusan kadar jenayah dengan masyarakat dilarang/dikawal daripada keluar rumah. MCO dikatakan (secara gurauan), lebih hebat daripada pihak berkuasa dalam membanteras jenayah.
Penulisan ini agak details dengan pergerakan watak ke satu-satu tempat. Hampir setiap nama tempat, jalan dan restoran, disebut sepanjang 'penyiasatan'.
Dan, bagaimana polis memberkas polis. Dan, bagaimana prosedur berkaitan PDPA tetap diamalkan walaupun mereka memegang kuasa dan ia untuk menggerakkan siasatan. Ia tidak mudah. Setiap penglibatan jabatan, perlu ada kelulusan.
Melalui cerita ini, boleh nampak kehidupan polis dan cabaran yang mereka hadapi. Ya, mereka manusia biasa. Punya masalah. Punya perasaan. Punya maruah dan pegangan yang berbeza antara mereka.
Kerahsiaan sesama mereka juga ada batas dan tatacara.
Walaupun ia cerita crime thriller, tapi banyak emosi dimainkan. Ia juga membuat kita berfikir akan hal-hal kemanusiaan dalam menjalankan tugasan.
Apapun, cerita ini best! Kalau sebelum ini saya baca karya John Grisham, kali ini akan consider karya penulis tempatan (berbahasa Inggeris), Rozlan Mohd Noor.
Oh, ya! Makna Philanthropist itu sendiri membuatkan cerita ini mengundang pemikiran dan emosi.
Buku yang dicadangkan.
January 26, 2023
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Skyhorse Publishing for an advanced copy of the latest in this police procedural series set in Malaysia.
A late night call brings a tired Inspector to a murder scene that is at once familiar, and different. Two immigrant men, both shot, with no identification left in a room, with a pile of drugs between them. A crime with no motive, nor meaning one of many that would probably be unsolvable. Of course this interests Inspector Mislan Letif of the Kuala Lumpur police, though there are many factors against him, all outside of the crime. The hostility against immigrants, a new government, that is not popular, his own health, and a bureaucracy in the police that seems to be against him. And COVID-19 which is just starting to make it's presence known. Everything is against him, but this is where Inspector Mislan thrives, smoking and eating well, even as the nation closes down around him and his team. Philanthropists: Inspector Mislan and the Executioners is the latest by retired police officer, Rozlan Mohd Noor in this long running, and gaining in popularity series.
During a 24-shift, Inspector Mislan is called to a murder scene in a neighbouring district where two bodies have been found, surrounded by drugs, living in a rental place owned by a company who rents to recent immigrants. Drugs are found on the scene, confusing authorities into why the two were killed. Mislan, recently returned from his own bout with being shot, senses something bigger than what they are seeing. Soon a cell phone tied to the victims is used to call charities offering them large donations, in cash with no questions asked. As the investigation starts to roll, Malaysia is placed in lockdown for COVID, tying up resources, but at the same time lowering crime rates. Mislan missing his son who is sheltering elsewhere devotes all his time to solving this case, one where violence is used to help the less fortunate, but may lead to an even worse crimes.
This is the sixth book in this series that I have enjoyed since reading the first one. Mislan is a very well drawn character, not macho, not mean, but thoughtful, a little lost from all the things going on in his life, a good investigator and a better man. The cast are all well drawn, with back stories, and even better continuing stories for a lot of them. I'm not much a fan of American police procedurals, but do enjoy ones set in different locations. Learning the different ways crime is investigated, along with what is legal and what is not is fascinating. The book takes in a lot about life in Malaysia, the immigrant crisis, their political crisis, and what there life was like in lockdown. The writing is very good, moves well, and keeps everything in line, with no surprise clues that make everything clear. Another great book in a series I really look forward too. Also the food that is mentioned is really a character in the story, and one of my favorite characters at that.
Recommended for fans of International crime books, and police procedural stories. Mislan is a very good character and one that I enjoy reading about. Also recommended for people with an interest in South Asia and the politics of the region. I look forward to the next book in the series.
A late night call brings a tired Inspector to a murder scene that is at once familiar, and different. Two immigrant men, both shot, with no identification left in a room, with a pile of drugs between them. A crime with no motive, nor meaning one of many that would probably be unsolvable. Of course this interests Inspector Mislan Letif of the Kuala Lumpur police, though there are many factors against him, all outside of the crime. The hostility against immigrants, a new government, that is not popular, his own health, and a bureaucracy in the police that seems to be against him. And COVID-19 which is just starting to make it's presence known. Everything is against him, but this is where Inspector Mislan thrives, smoking and eating well, even as the nation closes down around him and his team. Philanthropists: Inspector Mislan and the Executioners is the latest by retired police officer, Rozlan Mohd Noor in this long running, and gaining in popularity series.
During a 24-shift, Inspector Mislan is called to a murder scene in a neighbouring district where two bodies have been found, surrounded by drugs, living in a rental place owned by a company who rents to recent immigrants. Drugs are found on the scene, confusing authorities into why the two were killed. Mislan, recently returned from his own bout with being shot, senses something bigger than what they are seeing. Soon a cell phone tied to the victims is used to call charities offering them large donations, in cash with no questions asked. As the investigation starts to roll, Malaysia is placed in lockdown for COVID, tying up resources, but at the same time lowering crime rates. Mislan missing his son who is sheltering elsewhere devotes all his time to solving this case, one where violence is used to help the less fortunate, but may lead to an even worse crimes.
This is the sixth book in this series that I have enjoyed since reading the first one. Mislan is a very well drawn character, not macho, not mean, but thoughtful, a little lost from all the things going on in his life, a good investigator and a better man. The cast are all well drawn, with back stories, and even better continuing stories for a lot of them. I'm not much a fan of American police procedurals, but do enjoy ones set in different locations. Learning the different ways crime is investigated, along with what is legal and what is not is fascinating. The book takes in a lot about life in Malaysia, the immigrant crisis, their political crisis, and what there life was like in lockdown. The writing is very good, moves well, and keeps everything in line, with no surprise clues that make everything clear. Another great book in a series I really look forward too. Also the food that is mentioned is really a character in the story, and one of my favorite characters at that.
Recommended for fans of International crime books, and police procedural stories. Mislan is a very good character and one that I enjoy reading about. Also recommended for people with an interest in South Asia and the politics of the region. I look forward to the next book in the series.
February 27, 2023
Philanthropists: Inspector Mislan and the Executioners by Rozlan Mohd Noor begins in early 2020 as Covid is just beginning to become a worldwide threat. In these early days just before lockdowns and societal disruptions, Inspector Mislan Abdul Latif of the Office of Special Investigations (D9) biggest issue is trying to deal with the fact that his young son is living with his ex-wife and he is still haunted by being shot a few months ago. While he would never admit it, he is lonely and the job is pretty much all he has in his life outside of the occasional call to his son. He thinks he has everything under control and nobody sees his loneliness. He thinks that nobody notices how there is a second or two of hesitation when he enters a crime scene and smells the spilled blood.
He would be wrong.
His assistant, Detective Sergeant Johan Kamaruddin certainly notices and did once again at their latest call out. Summoned to the scene of a double murder by Inspector Shahira Adanan, they arrived at just after 2:30 in the morning at a two-story house located across the city from their office. The last house on a dead-end road in a quiet neighborhood. At least, the neighborhood was quiet, until flooded by a horde of police vehicles with their flashing lights and chattering radios.
The home is sparsely furnished which leads Inspector Mislan Latif to believe that it is a rental. In the master bedroom there are two dead men lying on their side in bed facing each other. Each man has been shot twice. Once in the back and once in the back of the head. Both are shirtless.
While their wallets and other identification is missing, they were found with several different packages of various drugs stacked on the bed between them. No sign of their phones, electronic devices, mail or paperwork of any kind, or anything else that would identify them. All investigators have at this point are two very dead bodies and a pile of drugs.
Who they are is the first of many questions Inspector Mislan Latif and his team have to answer in the Philanthropists: Inspector Mislan and the Executioners. Things get complicated quickly as getting answers gets more and more difficult due to whom the victims were and the rapidly escalating threat of Covid.
A significant portion of the read is devoted to Inspector Mislan’s recollections of events in the various previous books. Especially the events of the last book, Soulless: Inspector Mislan and the Faceless Girl, which led to his being critically injured. If you have not read the proceeding books, it would be best to read them in order starting with 21 Immortals: Inspector Mislan and the Yee Sang Murders before you embark on this very good read.
My reading copy was a digital arc via NetGalley. Publication date is currently scheduled for March 7th.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2023
March 7, 2023
Another solid police procedural set in Kuala Lumpur…
It had been a while since I’d read one of Rozlan Mohd Noor’s Inspector Mislan books, so I was pleased to receive a review copy of the latest in the series from the publishers. Philanthropists: Inspector Mislan and the Executioners is, like the earlier books, a tightly plotted police procedural set in Malaysia – in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. And it’s well worth the read.
The case itself is intriguing – the bodies of two men are found, without ID or much in the way of personal effects, in a rented house in a suburb of KL. The men appear to be immigrants, so maybe their deaths are related to that? Or are they related to the sizable quantity of drugs found in the house? Are the landlords somehow involved in the matter? As Mislan and his colleagues investigate, in Mislan’s rather bulldog style, the case rapidly gets more complicated, attracting attention at high levels, so that Superintendent Samsiah (known as “Ma’am”) has to get involved. as well. (I think Ma’am might be my favorite character in the series…) But of course eventually they figure out who did it, and why.
Almost as interesting as the case, though, are some of the details of the characters’ personal lives. In the book or two that I missed, apparently a lot has happened: Mislan was shot and nearly died, his son has moved to live with his ex-wife, and of course, Covid… At one point, for example, Mislan wants to tail a suspect, and Ma’am points out to him that by the time he gets through the Covid roadblocks, the suspect will either be gone, or will have made him. At the same time, since Philanthropists is set at the beginning of the pandemic, it also brought back memories of how naïve most of us were back then – not fully understanding the scope and the seriousness of the times to come. And finally, as always, I learned a bit more about Malaysia and its people and politics – and of course, since this is an Inspector Mislan book, its food.
I do think I missed a bit having not read a couple of the previous books in the series. Not too much, since the author does a pretty good job of providing background, but enough that I’d recommend reading them in order. Personally, I’m definitely going to go back and pick up the ones that I missed. Also, please keep I mind that I try to fight star-flation a bit, so for me a four-star review is a solid recommendation to read this book. And again, my thanks to the publishers, Skyhorse Publishing/Arcade Crimewise, for the advance review copy.
It had been a while since I’d read one of Rozlan Mohd Noor’s Inspector Mislan books, so I was pleased to receive a review copy of the latest in the series from the publishers. Philanthropists: Inspector Mislan and the Executioners is, like the earlier books, a tightly plotted police procedural set in Malaysia – in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. And it’s well worth the read.
The case itself is intriguing – the bodies of two men are found, without ID or much in the way of personal effects, in a rented house in a suburb of KL. The men appear to be immigrants, so maybe their deaths are related to that? Or are they related to the sizable quantity of drugs found in the house? Are the landlords somehow involved in the matter? As Mislan and his colleagues investigate, in Mislan’s rather bulldog style, the case rapidly gets more complicated, attracting attention at high levels, so that Superintendent Samsiah (known as “Ma’am”) has to get involved. as well. (I think Ma’am might be my favorite character in the series…) But of course eventually they figure out who did it, and why.
Almost as interesting as the case, though, are some of the details of the characters’ personal lives. In the book or two that I missed, apparently a lot has happened: Mislan was shot and nearly died, his son has moved to live with his ex-wife, and of course, Covid… At one point, for example, Mislan wants to tail a suspect, and Ma’am points out to him that by the time he gets through the Covid roadblocks, the suspect will either be gone, or will have made him. At the same time, since Philanthropists is set at the beginning of the pandemic, it also brought back memories of how naïve most of us were back then – not fully understanding the scope and the seriousness of the times to come. And finally, as always, I learned a bit more about Malaysia and its people and politics – and of course, since this is an Inspector Mislan book, its food.
I do think I missed a bit having not read a couple of the previous books in the series. Not too much, since the author does a pretty good job of providing background, but enough that I’d recommend reading them in order. Personally, I’m definitely going to go back and pick up the ones that I missed. Also, please keep I mind that I try to fight star-flation a bit, so for me a four-star review is a solid recommendation to read this book. And again, my thanks to the publishers, Skyhorse Publishing/Arcade Crimewise, for the advance review copy.
September 15, 2024
Spoilers ahead. My first Malaysian detective novel and it hits all the right spots.
The writing is easy to read and follow. The characters are well done and likeable. The cultural references are interesting and fascinating. The plot is linear and easy to follow. The detective protocol is well plotted out. That's my summary in a nutshell.
Writing is a natural talent, it makes and breaks the book. Either the author has it or doesn't. The writing here holds you by the hand and you follow naturally.
I like the characters, they are well fleshed out and pleasant. This appears to be one of the later books in the series but I'll definitely read more.
I learned a lot about Malaysia and the little things which only a local would know, including food and cultural things.
The detective protocol is one that many authors fail at. In this book you watch as Inspector Mislan investigates the case, find clues and follow up on them leading up to the culprit, linearly, as it happens.
So why doesn't it get a 5 star? The writing lacks excitement unfortunately. It's a tad slow and I was able to pick up other stuff to do in between reading, which I usually can't if it's an exciting book. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.
Summary: Two unknowns are tied up and shot in a rental house. They are found dead with 3kg of drugs between their bodies. Following up rental records identifies them as migrants. But there's no ID and fingerprints are not in the base. Mislan checks out other deaths with the same MO (there's a database in the US called ViCAP for this purpose) and finds another one where two people are shot in the head. These are similar enough that Mislan considers them as connected.
Next, a charity for children reports that they have been given a cash donation. Mislan has already figured that the victims are connected to the drug trade and cash is missing from the scenes. He finds another donation to another charity. He figures that cash stolen from the murders have been donated to these charities.
He begins the process of identifying the donors by looking at CCTV at banks and questioning witnesses. In parallel, phone calls have been made with the victims' phones and he begins the process of tracking the phones and their users by looking at CCTV at the places of calls. Eventually he is able to ID the killers by these processes.
The writing is easy to read and follow. The characters are well done and likeable. The cultural references are interesting and fascinating. The plot is linear and easy to follow. The detective protocol is well plotted out. That's my summary in a nutshell.
Writing is a natural talent, it makes and breaks the book. Either the author has it or doesn't. The writing here holds you by the hand and you follow naturally.
I like the characters, they are well fleshed out and pleasant. This appears to be one of the later books in the series but I'll definitely read more.
I learned a lot about Malaysia and the little things which only a local would know, including food and cultural things.
The detective protocol is one that many authors fail at. In this book you watch as Inspector Mislan investigates the case, find clues and follow up on them leading up to the culprit, linearly, as it happens.
So why doesn't it get a 5 star? The writing lacks excitement unfortunately. It's a tad slow and I was able to pick up other stuff to do in between reading, which I usually can't if it's an exciting book. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.
Summary: Two unknowns are tied up and shot in a rental house. They are found dead with 3kg of drugs between their bodies. Following up rental records identifies them as migrants. But there's no ID and fingerprints are not in the base. Mislan checks out other deaths with the same MO (there's a database in the US called ViCAP for this purpose) and finds another one where two people are shot in the head. These are similar enough that Mislan considers them as connected.
Next, a charity for children reports that they have been given a cash donation. Mislan has already figured that the victims are connected to the drug trade and cash is missing from the scenes. He finds another donation to another charity. He figures that cash stolen from the murders have been donated to these charities.
He begins the process of identifying the donors by looking at CCTV at banks and questioning witnesses. In parallel, phone calls have been made with the victims' phones and he begins the process of tracking the phones and their users by looking at CCTV at the places of calls. Eventually he is able to ID the killers by these processes.
April 30, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
"Philanthropists: Inspector Mislan and the Executioners", by Rozlan Mohd Noor, is the fifth and latest book in the Inspector Mislan police procedural series, published by Arcade Crimewise, an imprint of Sky Horse Publishing (@skyhorsepub ). Set eight months after the events of the previous book in the series, and during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia, "Philanthropists" follows Inspector Mislan and his assistant Johan investigate a double murder that looks to be connected to the drug world. As their investigation begins, so do the pandemic-related movement restrictions, and simple tasks become more complicated. Still, Inspector Mislan pushes through and is aided by all his loyal and dedicated co-workers.
As with the previous books, the writing style is very direct and comes without embellishment, much like Inspector Mislan himself. While each book follows a different case and can be read as a stand-alone detective novel, this one feels more like it's part of a series. There are multiple references to the cases and characters from the previous books, and while they are not detrimental to the story, they do give readers of the whole series a nice sense of familiarity. Inspector Mislan's character development is also very much influenced by the events of the previous books, especially "Soulless".
The most interesting aspect of "Philanthropists," to me, was its setting during the onset of the pandemic. Three years later, I still find it surreal how much of a global experience the initial stages of the Covid pandemic were. Reading about the Malaysian experience was very interesting. The usual vibrant descriptions of Kuala Lumpur from the previous books are replaced by descriptions of empty places and roadblocks to control movement. The mouth-watering food descriptions are still present, but only due to the citizens cooking for the frontline workers, as street food stalls are closed for business.
As anticipated, "Philanthropists" lived up to my expectations. I wholeheartedly recommend it, as well as the rest of the series, for fans of police procedurals and detective fiction.
"Philanthropists: Inspector Mislan and the Executioners", by Rozlan Mohd Noor, is the fifth and latest book in the Inspector Mislan police procedural series, published by Arcade Crimewise, an imprint of Sky Horse Publishing (@skyhorsepub ). Set eight months after the events of the previous book in the series, and during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia, "Philanthropists" follows Inspector Mislan and his assistant Johan investigate a double murder that looks to be connected to the drug world. As their investigation begins, so do the pandemic-related movement restrictions, and simple tasks become more complicated. Still, Inspector Mislan pushes through and is aided by all his loyal and dedicated co-workers.
As with the previous books, the writing style is very direct and comes without embellishment, much like Inspector Mislan himself. While each book follows a different case and can be read as a stand-alone detective novel, this one feels more like it's part of a series. There are multiple references to the cases and characters from the previous books, and while they are not detrimental to the story, they do give readers of the whole series a nice sense of familiarity. Inspector Mislan's character development is also very much influenced by the events of the previous books, especially "Soulless".
The most interesting aspect of "Philanthropists," to me, was its setting during the onset of the pandemic. Three years later, I still find it surreal how much of a global experience the initial stages of the Covid pandemic were. Reading about the Malaysian experience was very interesting. The usual vibrant descriptions of Kuala Lumpur from the previous books are replaced by descriptions of empty places and roadblocks to control movement. The mouth-watering food descriptions are still present, but only due to the citizens cooking for the frontline workers, as street food stalls are closed for business.
As anticipated, "Philanthropists" lived up to my expectations. I wholeheartedly recommend it, as well as the rest of the series, for fans of police procedurals and detective fiction.
February 20, 2023
Inspector Mislan Thriller
It’s been eight months since Mislan Latif almost lost his life in an assassination attempt. Not much can keep him away from work. Now he is back to his never-ending detective life along with his assistant, Johan Kamaruddin.
And what have these two gotten into now? Well, it’s an odd double murder. Two men have been killed execution-style. With nothing to identify them. No wallet, no phone, and no paperwork. However, the close to three pounds of drugs on the bed is an interesting clue.
Of Course, no one heard anything. No one knows anything, so who called the police? This is a bad area with drugs and foreigners operating illegally. So what now?
Glad you asked! Covid-19 is also happening all over. Which means some unexpected roadblocks. There are restrictions on moving about. People are afraid and no one is talking. The two are doggedly following leads and the going is slow, but when they go into the world of refugees and illegal activity, they may need to start looking closer to home.
Will this be the end of the duo? I have only read one other story by this author and it was one of the Inspector books. I enjoyed it a lot. This one I enjoyed this one as well.
NetGalley/ Skyhorse Publishing March 07, 2023
It’s been eight months since Mislan Latif almost lost his life in an assassination attempt. Not much can keep him away from work. Now he is back to his never-ending detective life along with his assistant, Johan Kamaruddin.
And what have these two gotten into now? Well, it’s an odd double murder. Two men have been killed execution-style. With nothing to identify them. No wallet, no phone, and no paperwork. However, the close to three pounds of drugs on the bed is an interesting clue.
Of Course, no one heard anything. No one knows anything, so who called the police? This is a bad area with drugs and foreigners operating illegally. So what now?
Glad you asked! Covid-19 is also happening all over. Which means some unexpected roadblocks. There are restrictions on moving about. People are afraid and no one is talking. The two are doggedly following leads and the going is slow, but when they go into the world of refugees and illegal activity, they may need to start looking closer to home.
Will this be the end of the duo? I have only read one other story by this author and it was one of the Inspector books. I enjoyed it a lot. This one I enjoyed this one as well.
NetGalley/ Skyhorse Publishing March 07, 2023
April 16, 2023
In this fifth installment of a series,Inspector Mislan is on the case once again, although this time he has to contend with more than everyday criminals. COVID-19 is rearing its ugly head and about to throw a monkey wrench in the work of the Office of Special Investigations (D9) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where Mislan and his partner, Johan Kamaruddin are working 24 hour shifts. Two bodies are discovered after an anonymous call alerts the police. The individuals have been killed execution style, but all their identity papers and cell phones are missing. One thing not missing is a big cache of drugs left at the crime scene. Who would kill these men and not take the valuable drugs? Mislan and Johan are hampered in their investigation by the lack of identification for the victims or even a clue for the reason of the killings. The onset of the COVID-19 infections provides a further roadblock to solving these crimes. This is an interesting police procedural set in Kuala Lumpur. I have to say the Foreign names of the characters and the locations set me back a bit, but the story proved interesting. This book, Philanthropists: Inspector Mislan and the Executioners was provided for review by Arcade Crimewise, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing.
December 28, 2020
Another latest novel from Unc Rozlan for this 2020 and he addressed the COVID and the new norm of how the police had to do their work.
Double homicide of two drug dealers in a rented house and the killer left the drugs in plain visible sight.
What does this all mean?
I love the plot twist as Inspector Mislan unravels the mystery behind this as he also faces challenges investigating.
Now an international writer with 4 books rewritten for a NY publisher, I find this book have been catered for the wider audience. Its no surprise that he writes to explains the local terms and the roads here in Kuala Lumpur.
Double homicide of two drug dealers in a rented house and the killer left the drugs in plain visible sight.
What does this all mean?
I love the plot twist as Inspector Mislan unravels the mystery behind this as he also faces challenges investigating.
Now an international writer with 4 books rewritten for a NY publisher, I find this book have been catered for the wider audience. Its no surprise that he writes to explains the local terms and the roads here in Kuala Lumpur.
February 28, 2021
Another thriller by the author of "Soulless". This book is not as exciting as Soulless, in my opinion, but still, writing a novel on two murders set in the time of a pandemic is not an easy task. The first half of the book has breathtaking tensions and suspense building up slowly. Roslan did an excellent job in outlining the ups and downs in the life of an Inspector/police officer. After the death of Sargeant Lai, the story starts flatten out and eventually settles down with a satisfactory ending. Another thing I like about the book is the honesty in bringing up the impact of Covid19 pandemic in Malaysia, nationwide MCO, refugees rights, and unforseen aftermaths of the political coup.
January 1, 2023
The sixth in the Inspector Mislan series, and in this instance it is not only criminals that the team have to contend with but Covid and all its implications. Mislan and his team investigate a double homicide, but as the investigation progresses, links to others are noted. Their investigations come full circle, much to their surprise and the outcome is not what is anticipated.
Noor brings all his knowledge from his own career in the police force to create well rounded characters and scenes that the reader will easily find themselves immersed. I am really enjoying this series and cannot wait for the next one!
Noor brings all his knowledge from his own career in the police force to create well rounded characters and scenes that the reader will easily find themselves immersed. I am really enjoying this series and cannot wait for the next one!
May 8, 2023
📖Book Review📖
🔫Philanthropists by Rozlan Mohd Noor
🔫Police procedural mystery/ thriller
🔫My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5.0
This is book 6 in the Inspector Mislan series. In this book, Mislan and DS Johan investigate a double murder case involving drugs while the world is facing Covid-19.
I enjoyed reading the police procedural in this book. The diversity in Malaysia affects the investigation. I don't know much about the country, so it intrigued me everytime it was mentioned.
The story felt a bit slow in the middle, but the twist was really good. This case made me think about what is justice, it was so sad in a way.
In the previous book, I didn't like Mislan, though I came to like him as this book explained his emotions and thoughts to his life a lot more. He is a rough but also very complicated character who has a relationship issue and is experiencing PTSD from an attempted murder in the previous book.
The background that Covid and lockdown hit worldwide affected their investigation and it is what all of us went through, so it made the story very real. Furthermore, the story mentioned the politics in Malaysia a few times dealing with Covid and criticism towards politicians are relatable and interesting.
I highly recommend this book if you like police procedural mysteries. It is well written and I can clearly see the author has a background as a crime investigator in Malaysia.
Thank you Skyhorsepub
for gifting me this book!
🔫Philanthropists by Rozlan Mohd Noor
🔫Police procedural mystery/ thriller
🔫My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5.0
This is book 6 in the Inspector Mislan series. In this book, Mislan and DS Johan investigate a double murder case involving drugs while the world is facing Covid-19.
I enjoyed reading the police procedural in this book. The diversity in Malaysia affects the investigation. I don't know much about the country, so it intrigued me everytime it was mentioned.
The story felt a bit slow in the middle, but the twist was really good. This case made me think about what is justice, it was so sad in a way.
In the previous book, I didn't like Mislan, though I came to like him as this book explained his emotions and thoughts to his life a lot more. He is a rough but also very complicated character who has a relationship issue and is experiencing PTSD from an attempted murder in the previous book.
The background that Covid and lockdown hit worldwide affected their investigation and it is what all of us went through, so it made the story very real. Furthermore, the story mentioned the politics in Malaysia a few times dealing with Covid and criticism towards politicians are relatable and interesting.
I highly recommend this book if you like police procedural mysteries. It is well written and I can clearly see the author has a background as a crime investigator in Malaysia.
Thank you Skyhorsepub
for gifting me this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews