The plot of this book was quite boring and didn’t flow well at all.
The ending was both weak and rushed
The dialogue was written so badly
A ooor read

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

It's the second book I read in this series and they were all thoroughly enjoyable.
I like the vivid setting, the well rounded characters and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
It's an engrossing an entertaining read that i recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of The Mimosa Tree Mystery, set in Singapore during the Japanese occupation of World War II.

Chen Su Lin used to work for the British Police and is now trying to get through the occupation unnoticed. This changes when the Japanese, in the guise of suspected spy Hideki Tagawa, arrest her uncle Chen and use it to coerce her into helping them solve the murder of known collaborator Mirza. She must navigate a web of lies, hidden agendas and treachery to keep her friends and family safe.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Mimosa Tree Mystery which is an interesting read both in plot and historical detail. It is told entirely from Su Lin’s first person point of view so the reader has no difficulty getting immersed in her story and perspective. Equally the reader knows what she knows so is able to hypothesise alongside her. It didn’t take me long to get involved in her world as she has a distinctive voice and a somewhat sly take on life. I haven’t read the previous novels in the series but I understand that this is quite a change in situation for her with the British gone and the Japanese in charge. The reader gets a great sense of the anger, uncertainty and above all fear this has engendered in Singaporean society. It’s a do what you have to to stay alive mentality, but if you can get one over on them, even better. I did like, however, that the Japanese characters are multi-faceted and one size doesn’t fit all.

The plot is not overly complicated in its premise but it is very detailed and sometimes gets lost in that morass with secret clues, codes, personal agendas and a distinct lack of trust. It seemed to me that it was trying too hard when a more simple investigation would have stood up equally well due to the quality of the characterisation and the difficult situation. Less would probably have been more in this case.

The Mimosa Tree Mystery is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.