Aunty Lee’s Delights

At the start of the engaging first Singaporean mystery from Yu (Miss Moorthy Investigates), a body washes up on the resort island of Sentosa. The news of this grisly discovery catches the attention of respectable widow Rosie “Aunty” Lee, who is about to host a dinner party at her restaurant, Aunty Lee’s Delights. Meanwhile, the wife of Aunty Lee’s stepson receives a text message on her phone from the phone of one of the dinner guests, Laura Kwee: “Sorry not feeling well, can’t make it tonight.” Later, two police officers arrive at Aunty Lee’s to report that the body on the beach has been identified as Laura’s, and that it was probably in the water for at least three days. Aided by her equally endearing maid, Nina Balignasay, the perceptive Aunty Lee, who uses her Singaporean home cooking to put people at ease, sets out to solve the case. Fans of Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series will find a lot to like. Agent: Priya Doraswamy, Lotus Lane Literary. (Sept.)