Review: A Real Page-Turner
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 21, 2011
Others have given good synopses of the plot.  Suffice it to say that the mystery stems from events which happened in what is now Malaysia in the 1950's and 1960's.  The author gives us a good feel for the ex-pat lifestyle during that time and an introduction into the political events that were taking place in the area.  That in itself makes the book worth reading.The detective is Diana Rivers, a mystery writer, who, with her husband, takes a holiday in Malaysia at hotel which is a former rubber plantation.  The mystery unfolds as Diana reads the diaries and other papers having to do with the former owners and inhabitants of the plantation, and that's my only real criticism -- the narrator is constantly changing, and I had to keep checking to see who was the speaker this chapter.Nit picking aside, the writing is good and the plot moves right along.  Some people may think that the book is a little short, but I think that's preferable to something that drags on and on.  The plot has lots of twists and turns, some of which strain credibility, but the book is definitely a good read.  I will be reading more of Ms. Mortimer's books.