Waking the Tiger: SHORTLISTED FOR A JOHN CREASEY (NEW BLOOD) DAGGER 2022! (Betancourt Mystery Series Book 1)

Well written ,Singapore on the 1930s , not predictable

I was encouraged by the reviews and indeed this is a good, indeed compelling, story. What irritated me was the patchy accuracy. Others dislike the insertion of Moseley. That bothered me less than the tin ear for what white women could and couldn’t do at that time. Too often current sensibilities are imposed to sell a narrative. That is a choice. But I like the story less as a result.

Set in Singapore in 1939 this book is an intricate thriller that has murder, riots, spies and more all within the context of preparing for WW2 to extend to the Far East. I couldn’t put it down.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Didn't want it to end. I hope Mark Wightman will treat us to the further tales of Max Betancourt, or Singapore in the 30s.

The best of this book is a picture of what Singapore may have Bernice before world war 2 and the Japanese invasion.The cultures, the food ,the shipping the city all come to life in a tale that weaves in historical figures into a other that may be fictional but brings with it an element of logicThe main weakness for me were the main characters -Betancourt is not someone I could be convinced by ,just didn't feel a rounded character nor Evelyn or several of the main charactersI suspect there may be more featuring them and perhaps they will grow on me .I would certainly read more by this author

This is an excellent novel. The setting in both place and time is both unusual and very effectively evoked. It is atmospheric and felt realistic.Betancourt, the principal character, is a clever creation. He straddles the societal divisions in Singaporean 1930s society; his dilemma makes him an empathetic leading character while his backstory and the characters with whom he interacts keep the reader’s interest to the end. For once in a crime novel, there are no unrealistic coincidences or implausible plot developments: everything feels real and the obvious research behind the novel is worn lightly so that the reader does not feel bludgeoned by information.Wightman writes very well indeed: his prose is fluid and poised and the plot is clever and surprising.I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to the next one.

The story is very well constructed, the characters are easy to vision and the pace throughout is just about right. Betancourt is a great lead, and other characters build an engaging cast of heroes and villains as the plot progresses through murder, thuggery, trafficking and a lighter line involving a horse. The authors description of a humid, late 30s, colonial Singapore and the terminology used is rewarding....a location/period that I haven't really considered for my detective reading material. I have read a lot of detective novels over the years and many become predictable and "samey", but this is different and engaging enough to keep me hooked right through. For a first novel, this is an excellent read and I look forward to enjoying another tale from Mark Wightman.

This is a very interesting and well written novel. I live in Singapore, so was immediately attracted to the setting. The protagonist, Betancourt, a Eurasian detective is both likeable and sympathetic. The plot and characterisation are good and the novel flows nicely. Not sure why the author had to introduce Oswald Mosely into the story, as he never visited Singapore and it did not seem to be essential to the plot. On the whole a very enjoyable read.