Crown Colony novels

1936 in the Crown Colony of Singapore, and the British abdication crisis and rising Japanese threat seem very far away. When the Irish nanny looking after Acting Governor Palin's daughter dies suddenly - and in mysterious circumstances - mission school-educated local girl SuLin - an aspiring journalist trying to escape an arranged marriage - is invited to take her place. But then another murder at the residence occurs and it seems very likely that...

"Su Lin is doing her dream job: assistant at Singapore's brand new detective agency. Until Bald Bernie decides a 'local girl' can't be trusted with private investigations, and replaces her with a new secretary - pretty, privileged, and white. So Su Lin's not the only person finding it hard to mourn Bernie after he's found dead in the filing room. And when her best friend's dad is accused, she gets up to some sleuthing work of her own in a bid to clear...

"The overpoweringly fragrant flowers, snakelike vines and deadly fruit of the Cannonball Tree are enough to keep most people away, even without the reputation of the Serpent Shrine that stands beneath it. But when a piece of expensive photographic equipment is found nearby, on closer inspection Su Lin discovers the body of Mimi, the relation who has been trying to blackmail her. Su Lin is not the only one to realise how much easier this death--and...

"The next title in the Mystery Tree series, exploring Singapore after the Japanese retreat and in the aftermath of WWII."--