The Angsana Tree Mystery

'One of Singapore's finest living authors' South China Morning Post '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 ________________ The next book in the Mystery Tree series, exploring Singapore after the Japanese retreat and in the aftermath of WWII. Singapore 1949 When all the angsana trees on the island bloom at the same time it's a glorious fragrant display that lasts only one day... and the next morning Su Lin comes across an old friend laughing hysterically while holding her dead lover on the thick carpet of yellow flowers by the quarry pool that was their childhood haunt. She instantly realises her friend could not be the killer as she could not have sliced so cleanly through the man's throat with no weapon in sight. As she tries to help her friend, Su Lin has to figure out where her own loyalties lie. Angsana blossoms aren't the only things disappearing overnight in post-war Singapore as the newly returned British-increasingly on edge because of anti-colonial uprisings in nearby Indonesia-rush to change laws and revoke permits and positions. But more pressingly, Su Lin has to prove her friend's innocence and stop a calculating killer from murdering again... ________________ Praise for Ovidia Yu: '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 great authentic feel. Ovidia Yu's teenage Chinese sleuth gives us an insight into a very different culture and time. This book is exactly why I love historical novels' Rhys Bowen 'A wonderful detective novel . . . a book that introduces one of the most likeable heroines in modern literature and should be on everyone's Must Read list' Scotsman 'Unassuming, brilliantly observant' SCMP 'Ovidia Yu's writing helped me peel back the layers to understand Singapore. The story and Chen Su Lin's initiative and tenacity, set against a backdrop of wartime Singapore, intrigued both the historian and the mystery lover in me' Kara Owens CMG CVO, British High Commissioner to Singapore

For years, the wishing box has remained silent.A gift from the dragon, Dragalileo, its secret was known to fewuntil Irwan unknowingly releases the mystical music along with his wish for a best friend. His traveling days long behind him, Grand Uncle Dragalileo sends Speare Morgan to answer this summon, thus renewing the friendship between dragons and humans. Soon after, Speare Morgan hears the music of the wishing box coming from a distant land. How was this possible? Together with Irwan, they set out to investigate. The music leads them to the City of Azra. To win his daughters freedom, Mubarak, the courts musician had finally succeeded in recreating the mystical music as demanded by the sultan. In search of the Sun Sapphire that resides in the Kingdom of Flames (a stone that can only be found by the dragons), the sultan orders Speare Morgan to bring him this stone by the rising of the full moon. Should they fail, Mubarak shall pay with his life. But where is the Kingdom of Flames? How will they find it? What awaits them there? Above all, what secrets does the Sun Sapphire conceal? Hence begins the adventure.

'One of Singapore's finest living authors'South China Morning Post '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 ________________ Has Su Lin summoned a tree demon who is now killing on her behalf? The overpoweringly fragrant flowers, snakelike vines and deadly fruit of the cannonball tree are enough to keep most people away. But when a piece of expensive photographic equipment is found nearby, on closer inspection Su Lin discovers the body of Mimi, her horrible relative who has been trying to blackmail her. Su Lin is not the only one to realise how much easier this death makes things for her in the new normal of life in Syonan (Japanese Occupied Singapore). And then more fortuitious deaths follow. But is someone really killing people on her account? As Su Lin contends with the fear and rancour of those around her, the resentment of former friends and a whistling demon, can she hope not only to survive but untangle the cannonball tree's secrets to prevent further deaths... and possibly turn the tide of the war? ________________ Praise for Ovidia Yu: '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 great authentic feel. Ovidia Yu's teenage Chinese sleuth gives us an insight into a very different culture and time. This book is exactly why I love historical novels' Rhys Bowen 'A wonderful detective novel . . . a book that introduces one of the most likeable heroines in modern literature and should be on everyone's Must Read list' Scotsman 'Unassuming, brilliantly observant' SCMP 'Ovidia Yu's writing helped me peel back the layers to understand Singapore. The story and Chen Su Lin's initiative and tenacity, set against a backdrop of wartime Singapore, intrigued both the historian and the mystery lover in me' Kara Owens CMG CVO, British High Commissioner to Singapore

Spiritual Philosopher/Teacher Founder – Higher Spiritualism Incorporated Tasmania, Australia Born. October 29th 1942. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Parents Arthur George Lowndes CBE. & Alison Lee Adams (Peter). Dual Citizenship – America & Australia Pseudonym – Rev. Ann Swerman. Spiritual Name – “Sri Sunkara” Education Church of England, Sydney Grammar School graduate Certificate 1959, (Private Military School). Wool Classer, Jackeroo, Chartered Accountant, Commando AMF, Martial Artist, South East Asia 1965, Middle East War 1967, Real Estate Broker – Australia, USA – Hawaii – California - Texas, Series 7 Investment Counselor New York, Yellow Cab Driver Las Vegas/Nevada, Property Manager, Developer. Ex-Celebrant/Minister. Doctorate PhD. Spiritual Path World traveled, 47 years since aged twenty seeking Spiritual evidential answers to life’s mysteries. Astral Travel as youth, awareness consciousness existed outside of the brain, hence no death as we are taught. Joined and studied teachings most Main Stream Religions seeking inner common links. Thirty years scientific research into “does human personality survive death? ”, is their absolute proof? Taught Metaphysics, investigated Mediums and Psychics and Indigenous Spiritual understanding North American Indian Nations, Papua, New Guinea, Belize, New Britain, Vanuatu, remote Australia. Studied world’s most scientifically tested physical phenomena medium over twenty years, Spiritual founder “Higher Siritualism” a movement dedicated to Social change and human upliftment. Achievements Happy Marriage Two sons (Mark - Bronze Medal, Matthew - Silver Medal in Jnr. Olympics Tai Kwon Do.) Mark is the Artist and Matthew the Photographer, both Film Makers. Correct Belief System Australian Club - Good Member since 1968 American Citizenship 1982 Cherie & Kim ordained as Ministers in California in 1975, Kim’s Doctorate thesis on “common denominators present in all religions” 1979. Rejects all Religion. Established Spiritual Centres of Study in Las Vegas/Nevada, Los Angeles – San Diego/California, New York, Hawaii, Denver/Colorado, Blue Mountains/Australia, Tanna/Vanuatu. Suicide Prevention Counselor – www.hispirit.org.au Founder John From Movement Incorporated – Charitable Support – Solar Panels/Water. Researched, prepared, identified evidence, contacted inner Higher levels of awareness, isolated for seven years to prepare Spiritual Revelations. 65 Titles ready for Publisher plus Artwork – Movies and Documentary Scripts/concepts. Mission & Purpose Spiritual Mission, “Freedom From Religion” to share the knowledge hidden from humanity.

LONGLISTED FOR THE CWA 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 _________ Mirza, a secretive neighbour of the Chens in Japanese Occupied Singapore, is a known collaborator and blackmailer. So when he is murdered in his garden, clutching a branch of mimosa, the suspects include local acquaintances, Japanese officials -- and his own daughters. Su Lin's Uncle Chen is among those rounded up by the Japanese as reprisal. Hideki Tagawa, a former spy expelled by police officer Le Froy and a power in the new regime, offers Su Lin her uncle's life in exchange for using her fluency in languages and knowledge of locals to find the real killer. Su Lin soon discovers Hideki has an ulterior motive. Friends, enemies and even the victim are not what they seem. There is more at stake here than one man's life. Su Lin must find out who killed Mirza and why, before Le Froy and other former colleagues detained or working with the resistance suffer the consequences of Mirza's last secret. _________ 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 great authentic feel. Ovidia Yu's teenage Chinese sleuth gives us an insight into a very different culture and time. This book is exactly why I love historical novels' Rhys Bowen 'A wonderful detective novel . . . a book that introduces one of the most likeable heroines in modern literature and should be on everyone's Must Read list' Scotsman 'Unassuming, brilliantly observant' SCMP

First in a delightfully charming crime series set in 1930s Singapore, introducing amateur sleuth Su Lin, a local girl stepping in as governess for the Acting Governor of Singapore. 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 Su Lin - 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 a killer is stalking the corridors of Government House. It now takes all Su Lin's traditional skills and intelligence to help British-born Chief Inspector Thomas LeFroy solve the murders - and escape with her own life. 'Simply glorious. Every nook and cranny of 1930s Singapore is brought richly to life, without ever getting in the way of a classic puzzle plot. But what's a setting without a jewel? 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 great authentic feel. Ovidia Yu's teenage Chinese sleuth gives us an insight into a very different culture and time. This book is exactly why I love historical novels.' Rhys Bowen

The author probed memories from his childhood and early youth to structure tales that border and, quite often, delve deep into the macabre. The book comprises three separate stories, but they all share a common and debilitating theme: Revenge. The stories tellingly make the point that when the need for revenge transgresses into an obsession, it acquires an all-consuming sweetness. Shocking as this theme might be, the author probes it with profundity and, not infrequently, with scintillating humour.