Constable The Betel Nut Tree Mystery

I love Asian backdrop books and although an easy read this was missing something, lacking in humour or suspense. Quality of the physical book itself was excellent. Contents couldn’t hold my attention enough to finish it though.

I discovered Ovidia Yu in a recent trip to Singapore, and I instantly became a fan of both of her series: old, wise and meddlesome Aunty Lee in modern Singapore, and young, clever and fierce Chen Su Lin in the British colony around Second World War years. Both belong with honors to the great family of female crime solvers along I discovered Ovidia Yu in a recent trip to Singapore, and I instantly became a fan of both of her series: old, wise and meddlesome Aunty Lee in modern Singapore, and young, clever and fierce Chen Su Lin in the British colony around Second World War years. Both belong with honors to the great family of female crime solvers along with Miss Marple, Tuppence, Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi, Isabel Dalhousie, and so many others who are able to mix female wisdom and humor with rich human whodunit plots. Painting the island of Singapore, Yu speaks a most universal language, at least to this Latin American fan.The Betel Nut Tree Mystery is the second in the series of the "Crown Colony". It can be read on its own, but I think is best to read it as part of the series, to follow the growth of the young heroine. I specially appreciated the accuracy of the historical frame, and the humor and delicacy in presenting political, social and racial tensions, cleverly woven in the murder solving plot.

unusual in every way set in singapore characters all with a personality quickly drew me in and will look for more by this writer

A great novel by a very good author.

I am eagerly awaiting book #5 in this series. I have devoured every one so far. The character Su-Lin has become a favorite. There is nothing ordinary about her. Don't think she's flashy though. She's very subtle. Great writing.