Philanthropists by Rozlan Mohd Noor

This is my second time reading an Inspector Mislan novel after The Soulless. Instead of going back and reading the author's earlier works that I spotted on Libby, I decided to skip ahead. Because why not, kan? 😂

The timing felt just right too. I was reading this while discussions about UNHCR refugees and illegal immigrants were making headlines around the country, which made some of the themes in the book feel even more relevant.

Inspector Mislan has just returned to the D9 Special Investigations Unit after spending eight months recovering from an attempted murder. Not long after his return, he and his team are assigned to investigate a double murder. Two men have been shot dead inside a house. Nothing appears to be missing, not even bundles of drugs found at the scene. Their first assumption is that it could be a drug deal gone wrong. The problem is that the deeper they dig, the harder it becomes to identify both the killer and the motive.

What I liked was how the author never rushes to connect this suspicious case to the previous one, despite the similarities in the MO being hard to ignore. Instead, he allows the investigation to unfold at its own pace, letting the clues emerge naturally.

Things become even more complicated because the story takes place during the Covid 19 pandemic. With the MCO being extended, an NGO suddenly comes under scrutiny after receiving a large donation from an unknown source. From there, more evidence begins to surface.

The story is packed with police procedural details and the realities of bureaucracy. It also touches on xenophobia, illegal immigration, drugs, PTSD, vigilantism, and the challenges of living through a pandemic. And the ending? Mind blown. Literally. 🫣

I wonder why the television adaptation of the Inspector Mislan series has yet to make it to our screens. Or is it still stuck somewhere in development? 

Gosip by Marwilis

Semasa saya baru berjinak-jinak membaca novel English, Jackie Collins adalah antara penulis kegemaran saya. Jadi bila baca novel ni rasa mengimbau kembali gaya penceritaannya yang penuh dengan dunia glamor dan skandal. Fun fact, penulis ini adalah ayah kepada novelis, Ahadiat Akashah. Jadi, faham-faham sajalah lenggok bahasanya. Saya rasa kalau cerita ini dimuat naik di Wattpad pada zaman sekarang, memang boleh dapat view yang tinggi, no pun intended. Ceritanya fast-paced sebab banyak dialog diselitkan. Latar dan vibe cerita seperti awal 90an walaupun penulis menyatakan ia berlaku sekitar tahun 2000an. 

Mengisahkan Cat atau nama sebenarnya Siti Khatijah seorang peragawati yang baru di pentas peragaan dan dunia lakonan. Rezekinya bagaikan datang bergolek ditambah dengan kecantikan dan bakat yang datang seiring.

Lufti pula ialah pengurus Cat dan orang yang bertanggungjawab memperkenalkan Cat ke dunia glamour ini. Seperti biasa kalau ada gula pasti ada semut yang nak menghurung. Ramai orang kenamaan mahu mendekati tapi untuk Cat menerima lelaki yang biasa-biasa tiada dalam agendanya.

Namun apabila Dato' Jamal seorang jutawan mencuba nasib, Cat dan Lufti menjadi gelap mata dengan segala kemewahan yang ditawarkan. Dari situlah gosip tentang Cat tersebar. Kebanyakkannya bersifat negatif. Itulah secara ringkas kehidupan yang Cat sendiri mahu. Konflik mula menarik apabila anak Dato'Jamal, Lily merupakan musuh lama Cat sejak zaman sekolah muncul. Kedua-duanya mahu membuktikan siapa yang jatuh dulu dan endingnya amat memuaskan hati.

Secara keseluruhan, ada nada kritikan pedas terhadap realiti dunia hiburan tempatan. Selain itu, penulis juga memperlihatkan peranan wartawan hiburan dalam membentuk imej seseorang artis serta cabaran untuk kekal relevan dalam industri yang sarat dengan muslihat dan persaingan. 

#bookreview #gosip #marwilis #bookrecs #bookstagram

Big Trouble in Little Paradise by Nathaniel Sario

Another underrated story from Fixi. I give this one 5 ⭐.

What I love most about this book is the writing. The author has a way of making me feel intrigued from the very beginning. You can tell he did enough research to make the story believable and give me a glimpse of what the characters are about to experience.

Darat Kumut is a small town in Tawau. Tourists are drawn to its quiet atmosphere, tranquility, serenity, beautiful scenery, friendly locals, luxurious resorts, and casino. On the surface, it seems like the perfect getaway. Yet, every place has its dark side.

Wesley Moysin was once a news reporter. Looking for a fresh start, he moved to Darat Kumut and began working at All Convenience Store, owned by his aunt. Not long after settling in, he had a confrontation with Tommy Asandu, a local troublemaker who seemed to attract nothing but problems wherever he went. 

A few weeks later, Tommy's body was found floating near the jetty. The autopsy concluded that he had died from a heroin overdose.

The problem is, Wesley is not entirely convinced.

He suffers from memory blanks and cannot remember what he was doing on the night Tommy died. Still haunted by trauma from his previous job, he struggles to trust his own memories. His co worker's aunt at the store who also a celebrated crime novelist, encourages him to write again and investigate Tommy's death. Perhaps uncovering the truth will help him get back on track.

As Wesley digs deeper, he discovers that Tommy's death may be connected to the disappearance of a girl several months earlier and a drug trafficking operation. A single suspicious death turns into two homicides and before long, Wesley's life is in jeopardy. 

At first, I thought this would be another straightforward crime story. But the author really showcases his talent here. The protagonist is compelling, the pacing is sharp, and the world building makes Darat Kumut feel alive. As a whodunit, the novel does a great job of keeping readers guessing. Kudos!