The Paper Bark Tree Mystery (Su Lin)

SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA SAPERE BOOKS HISTORICAL DAGGER

"Simply glorious. Every nook and cranny of 1930s Singapore is brought richly to life." - Catriona McPherson

"Charming." - Rhys Bowen

"One of the most likeable heroines in modern literature." - Scotsman

Su Lin is living her dream as an assistant at Singapore's brand new detective agency. However, her world is upended when Bald Bernie, the agency’s head, decides to replace her with a new secretary—one who is not only pretty but also privileged and white. The replacement leaves Su Lin facing the reality of not only being sidelined but also of being disrespected in her own field.

When Bernie is found dead in the filing room, Su Lin is not the only one struggling to mourn him. The situation becomes even more complicated when her best friend's father is accused of the crime. Determined to clear his name, Su Lin takes matters into her own hands and begins her own investigation.

As Su Lin delves deeper, she uncovers startling revelations about Bernie. It appears he might have been involved in covert operations, trading stolen diamonds for explosives intended for enemy forces. This discovery casts doubt on whether he was truly the honorable Englishman he appeared to be.

Adding to the turmoil, a notorious assassin commits his most heinous crime yet and vanishes without a trace, with rumors suggesting he may be dangerously close to Singapore. Beneath the stifling heat of Singapore's cloudless summer, the city is shaken by political unrest and chaos.

The tragedy strikes Su Lin’s personal life, propelling her into a relentless quest for the truth. In a world filled with darkness and animosity, uncovering the truth comes at a steep price. Su Lin must weigh how much she is willing to sacrifice to expose it.

Praise for Ovidia Yu:

"One of Singapore's finest living authors." - South China Morning Post

"Chen Su Lin is a true gem. Her slyly witty voice and her admirable, sometimes heartbreaking, practicality make her the most beguiling narrator heroine I've met in a long while." - Catriona McPherson

"Charming and fascinating with a great authentic feel. Ovidia Yu’s teenage Chinese sleuth provides insight into a very different culture and time. This book is exactly why I love historical novels." - Rhys Bowen

"A wonderful detective novel... introduces one of the most likeable heroines in modern literature and should be on everyone’s Must Read list." - Scotsman

"Unassuming, brilliantly observant." - South China Morning Post

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