A Frightfully English Execution

Oodles of people can produce light, cosy mysteries that are entertaining but difficult to take seriously. And oodles more can pen blood-soaked tales of death and darkness. But I can’t think of another author who so consistently delivers stories that offer insightful glimpses into unknown worlds in a tone that manages to be light without being mocking or in any way dismissive of the pain her characters are experiencing. Shamini Flint really is a terrific teller of tales.

In the seventh book of the series Flint’s disgruntled Singaporean protagonist heads to England for a Commonwealth conference on policing. To make matters worse than going to a cold climate to talk about policing rather than doing actual police work, his wife decides show more to accompany him. He brightens a little when told there is a cold case for him to look into; the unsolved murder of Fatima Daud some five years earlier. But – unfathomably in Inspector Singh’s eyes – he isn’t supposed to solve the case.

‘Surely the best solution is to catch the murderer?’

‘We are here to explore whether the investigation might have had more success if it had engaged with the wider community and submit a paper with recommendations to the conference.”

Despite his baffling bureaucratic orders Singh is soon investigating the murder itself rather than the politics which surrounded the original case and even his wife gets in on the act.

This book couldn’t have been more timely given that it also incorporates a modern-day potential terrorist incident planned for the UK. Flint provides an incisive view of how terrorists can be ‘made’ and manages to show the absurdity of that path without any of the broad brush strokes that are often applied to this topic. Flint pulls off a delicate balancing act and delivers real understanding of this complex issue that, one way or another, we all must deal with.

The book is not all about politics though. At its heart there is a ripper yarn that unfolds with a mixture of suspense, warmth and humour. And did I mention the suspense? It’s a nail-biter, made all the more poignant when Mrs Singh puts herself in danger. The couple’s relationship is explored in more depth here than in many of the earlier novels and we really get to see that it is more complex than it might previously have appeared. It’s so refreshing to see a series novel offer surprises about its core characters without resorting to soap opera elements.

In short, I loved everything about this book. Hope you do too. show less

I've loved this series since its inception (A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder). Inspector Singh's boss hates him but can't fire him because Singh has the highest rates of solved crime in all of Singapore. Instead, Singh is sent out to as many conferences or loaned out to as many other police organizations as possible. I've willingly followed on all of his adventures because watching this grumpy man solve crimes is so much fun, and while I'm having fun Flint has acquainted me with several Southeast Asian settings (perfect for the armchair traveler).

In A Frightfully English Execution, we not only get to watch Singh compare London to Singapore, we get to witness Mrs. Singh become interested in his cold case investigation and help him with show more it. Is she actually becoming interested in what her husband does for a living? Even though it makes me suspicious, it's refreshing to see a character like Mrs. Singh begin to behave a bit differently. Some of the best parts of this book are the interior monologues Inspector Singh and his wife have. These monologues contain truths, and they are very often hilarious. They are just like the uncensored thoughts you and I have and do not share with anyone else.

A cold case with possible ties to terrorism? Characters who do not behave the way you expect them to? A plot that is a convoluted (but not confusing) delight?

Shamini Flint has written another wonderful mystery, and I'm looking forward to the next time I see my old friend Inspector Singh. show less

Sent to London to attend a Commonwealth Policing Conference, Inspector Singh is asked to take part in a review of a cold case from five years before where the victim, a young estate agent, was killed at an empty house she was intending to show a buyer, after which her hands were cut off. The case heats up when another victim whose hands have been cut off is found. A serial killer? A copycat? Terrorism?

After a somewhat shaky start, this turned out to be the best of the series. My heart sank a little at the thought of revisiting Islamic terrorism, bu this story was funnier than the others in the series and also full of suspense with a terrific ending.

Inspector Singh, a Singapore police officer, is sent to London to attend a Commonwealth task force conference much to his annoyance. Apparently it's a punishment for a diplomatic kerfuffle he caused in China.
And so begins an exciting story about terrorist cells bent on jihad and a wife that wants to shop and meet Prince George.
Great characters and a well written story, will be looking out for more in this entertaining series.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Little, Brown Book Group via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.