Book Number 6 in the Inspector Singh series is called A Calamitous Chinese Killing. It is an enjoyable tale of a Singaporean policeman investigating the murder of a Singapore student in Beijing. The student was the son of an eminent diplomat at the Singapore embassy in the Chinese capital. This diplomat asks for Singh to investigate and so the larger-than-life inspector is thrust into a world he’s not familiar with once again.

Luckily, Singh obtains a great local sidekick called Li Jun, a former policeman who is able to translate for Singh and explain the nuances of Chinese society.

No part of Chinese society remains untouched by this story, including the treatment of Falun Gong members who are re-educated and also become unwilling participants in the organ donor business. This part is described in quite graphic detail.

Most of the characters are either killed, arrested, or scarred for life by events in the book. But at least the bad guys get their comeuppance.

Inspector Singh is a good, well-written character, who has weaknesses as well as an iron determination to find out the truth and a fearless disregard for people in positions of power, even if those people can threaten him with an unsavoury end.