Inspector Singh Investigates: A Calamitous Chinese Killing: Number 6 in series

First sentence: Justin Tan stood at the main junction of the old hutong, a neighborhood of old courtyards dating from Imperial times, and stared down narrow alleyways that disappeared quickly into Darkness.Justin Chan the 23-year old son of the first secretary at the Singapore Embassy in China has been murdered. Chinese security believes it was a robbery gone wrong. The young man’s mother isn’t satisfied. Inspector Singh has been sent to solve the crime hopefully without causing an international incident.We open with fear, danger, and many questions. The contrast from that, to meeting inspector Singh and his wife is very well executed. Still another shift leaves one impressed by how effectively Flint changes both the scene and the tone of the story.Finch has such a captivating voice one finds oneself wanting to read and share passages with someone else - "A murder investigation was not laser-like in its intensity, following a certain path to the truth. It was a bright white beam that lit up hidden corners and dark where the family skeletons where hidden." She also adds just the right touch of the metaphysical--"She flinched at his words and the hairs on Singh’s neck stood up along the base of his turban. Suddenly, it was as if was a presence in the room, erase come to demand did the policeman from Singapore do his duty and not be so keen to accept the official version of the events."Injections of subtle humor, often as part of Singh's narrative, are a delightful offset to the story—“Singh's stomach growled its concurrence before he had a chance to speak... He decided that, remarkably, he was prepared to eat more Chinese food. What was happening to him? Next, have to call himself a food tourist and write a travel book." It is also interesting to learn some of the elements of being a Sikh even though inspector Singh is a very poor example of a practicing Sikh. Yet, for all his foibles, it's hard not to admire him-- "It might be the Chinese way to label a person - terrorist, communist capitalist, a government activist - and then forget about his essential humanity, his inalienable rights. He wouldn't fall into that trap." The story is also a stark reminder of the system of oppression and injustice which exists in many countries today.The suspense, danger, intrigue escalate at a nice pace. As it grows it's a pleasure to watch Singh put together the pieces of the puzzle one by one. The inclusion of a very good plot twist makes things more fascinating still. Yet we also feel Singh’s frustration at not being able to put all the pieces together in a way he could initially prove.“A Calamitous Chinese Killing” is yet another good read in an excellent series with an ending that is satisfactory and yet rather sad.A Calamitous Chinese Killing (Pol Proc-Insp. Singh-China-Cont) - G+ Flint, Shamini – 6th in series Virago - 2013

I liked this book more than the Indian Cadaver book which was my favorite.Inspector Singh is sent out of the country again to China to solve another impossible case. He is given a very helpful assistant who has a great connection in the police department.There is more action, more murder, and a little bit more humor as Inspector Singh hears his wife in his head.This book reminded me a lot of a book titled Death of a Read Heroine which also took place in China.I liked this book so much I have pre-ordered the next book, "Inspector Singh Investigates: A Frightfully English Execution" which will be out on April 7th. I wonder if he'll make it to Canada or the U.S. next?

I've read all of Shamini Flint's Inspector Singh books, and find them all fascinating. What a great character! i don't personally feel a reader has to find out which of her many Singh books was first as each Singh "case" pretty much stands on it's own. Why don't you just start with this one. The setting is Beijing, China and is about as far as a natural place for the portly cop to find himself. After reading this one, I don't feel totalitarian China is the place for me.

Amusing, informative, heart-breaking story of modern China disguised as a murder mystery. Told intelligently by a gifted storyteller, the plot includes characters from the varied social strata of China and answers the question, "How does a Singapore detective solve a murder in communist China today?" That question is the challenge throughout the novel and makes the reader grateful for our democratic system!

Very good story about modern China. Even quite up to date similarities to a true life recent murder of a British man and the mayor of a large city (Neil Haywood/Bo Xilai). Inspector Singh even discovers he likes Szechuan food.

I do like the twists and turns in this one. And even though you know who are the overall bad guys, the story leads the reader on a journey as twisting as the tiny lanes in a traditional hutong. The Chinese attitudes to the police, the guanxi behaviour, the fear of those with power is so well described, you know the author has done her research. As always, I enjoyed it. But...do I detect a softening of the Inspector's attitude to his much maligned wife? I look forward to the next one.......what about one set in a small English fishing village.....now there would be a challenge for the eternal search for a decent spicy curry, with pappadams of course.

Singh at it again, This time in China. As in other books, I like the cultural differences comments as well as his relationship with his wife. Subtle and absolutely sets the tone and makes this such a funny and interesting read.

This book is one of best of Inspector Singh's cases. Loved the way he unraveled clues despite being in a strange country and having no official standing.He managed to fight corrupt and powerful Chinese officials and maintain his integrity; while trying to prove that the random killing of a Singapore national was in reality a murder.

Inspector Singh is a peripatetic Singaporean Sikh detective whose boss seconds him to overseas assignments rather than work with him, further away the better.On this occasion he has been sent to Beijing to investigate the death of the son of the Singaporean ambassador to China. The young man was found beaten to death in a dark narrow street in one of the old hutong neighborhoods of Beijing. The official investigation returns a verdict of robbery gone wrong. Singh finds himself up against the rich and powerful elite in Beijing as he investigates the conflict between the poor residents of the historic hutong and those whose goal is modernisation. Shopping malls to replace the residents and their homes and a corrupt financial killing for powerful.This is a darker, more serious, and therefore more convincing novel than some of those which preceded it in the series. Subject of corruption in high places, organ transplant tourism and the disappearance of Falun Gong adherents are interwoven to create a gripping and disturbing picture of life in Beijing. A very good read.

I enjoyed the storyline and the shocking twists and turns. I believe the use of cheesy similes were intended for humourous affect, but I didn't like them. However, the development of Singh's wife's voice in his conscience was very amusing.Overall, an enjoyable read.

As usual Inspector Singh is involved in a complex case where nothing is quite what it seems and the stakes keep rising. The apparently random killing of a young man is, of course, nothing of the sort but powerful people want everything swept under the rug. Inspector Singh refuses to be swept and, aided by a translator, who became one of my favourite characters, navigates the back streets of Beijing to a successful conclusion. I recommend this to all lovers of mystery.

I love the Inspector Singh series and this book is one of many I have thoroughly enjoyed. The storylines are easy to follow. These books are all who-dunnits but are written in an easy and often comedic style set in the Far East/South East Asia. I would recommend this book, especially for those who enjoy a light detective story or who have travelled to the East.

Easy to read and worth reading the other books in the series. Good descriptions and Singh is a character. A good read