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Ash Carter #3
Singapore Boxer
UNDERCOVER AGENT
Ash Carter goes undercover in central Malaya with a private militia providing protection against the Chinese terrorists. Some business owners appear happy with this protection while others are not.
Villagers are getting sick and the local doctor says the tin mining business is to blame. They’re poisoning the water. But no one will listen and everyone says she’s trouble. She tries to enlist Carter, but he’s there for a different reason.
One of the militia has disappeared and another is dead.
And then someone tries to kill Carter. As things escalate, he finds himself drawn into a world of intrigue, disputes and deception.
Will Ash Carter uncover the truth before it’s too late?
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2018
15 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 16, 2019
I’ll confess that often when I read I am ‘looking for literature’. This book isn’t literature. It has no pretension to be so. And it does me good to sit down and read a book like this. I had no expectations. I had a lovely personal inscription inside the front cover which warmed my heart when I opened it, although I knew nothing of the writer. So I had a look on Amazon. I saw that the Ash Carter series has a legion of loyal fans who were all giving good starred reviews. And thus I sat down contentedly to read this book. And it has done me the power of good!
Reading satisfies many different needs; intellectual, emotional and sometimes just the desire for escapism, some entertainment, something to take you out of your humdrum world and into a world you can enjoy vicariously through the precarious lives of others! Singapore Boxer is a book that satisfies that desire. That’s what Murray Bailey does and he does it damn well.
This is straightforward story telling at its best. It's an action packed adventure with an intelligent plot that is intricate enough to ensnare the reader but not so convoluted that the poor reader is lost. Its believable and factually stands up to scrutiny showing some conscientious research. The characters are substantial and real, especially Ash. The narrative is the work of an experienced writer who understands just how much to offer his audience. Scenes are set and described with the right amount of detail. Once you really get into the writer’s style you know that the details are salient to the plot overall without being obtrusive.
The story is well plotted with Ash, an ex military policeman, as an undercover man in Malaya seeking to solve a disappearance and a death and the source of some water poisoning that is threatening the health of local villagers. The tin mining industry seems to be at the hearts of these anomalies. Nothing is quite as it seems, with the potential for corruption, deceit, and arguments flaring all over and some nail biting, life threatening sequences.
If pushed I’d say it has a lot of appeal for male readers with plenty of fist and gun action but not gratuitously violent. But there are some strong female characters too who redress the balance by injecting a humanitarian aspect to story.
This may sound paradoxical as on one hand It’s a book to keep you on your toes as you do need to keep up with plot development but it’s also an entertaining and relaxing book that isn’t asking you to look for the meaning of life.
Given that this is the third Ash Carter thriller I am wondering why it hasn’t already been snapped up for film or TV. Someone out there is missing a trick!
My thanks to Murray Bailey for sending me a copy of this book and for the inscription. I’m a sucker for a signed copy!!!
Reading satisfies many different needs; intellectual, emotional and sometimes just the desire for escapism, some entertainment, something to take you out of your humdrum world and into a world you can enjoy vicariously through the precarious lives of others! Singapore Boxer is a book that satisfies that desire. That’s what Murray Bailey does and he does it damn well.
This is straightforward story telling at its best. It's an action packed adventure with an intelligent plot that is intricate enough to ensnare the reader but not so convoluted that the poor reader is lost. Its believable and factually stands up to scrutiny showing some conscientious research. The characters are substantial and real, especially Ash. The narrative is the work of an experienced writer who understands just how much to offer his audience. Scenes are set and described with the right amount of detail. Once you really get into the writer’s style you know that the details are salient to the plot overall without being obtrusive.
The story is well plotted with Ash, an ex military policeman, as an undercover man in Malaya seeking to solve a disappearance and a death and the source of some water poisoning that is threatening the health of local villagers. The tin mining industry seems to be at the hearts of these anomalies. Nothing is quite as it seems, with the potential for corruption, deceit, and arguments flaring all over and some nail biting, life threatening sequences.
If pushed I’d say it has a lot of appeal for male readers with plenty of fist and gun action but not gratuitously violent. But there are some strong female characters too who redress the balance by injecting a humanitarian aspect to story.
This may sound paradoxical as on one hand It’s a book to keep you on your toes as you do need to keep up with plot development but it’s also an entertaining and relaxing book that isn’t asking you to look for the meaning of life.
Given that this is the third Ash Carter thriller I am wondering why it hasn’t already been snapped up for film or TV. Someone out there is missing a trick!
My thanks to Murray Bailey for sending me a copy of this book and for the inscription. I’m a sucker for a signed copy!!!
December 30, 2022
My third foray into this series - and it just keeps getting better!
Ash Carter finds himself going undercover to investigate the murder of one man and the disappearance of a second; both were working for the militia so the obvious place to start is by getting himself hired. It's a tight set-up, with some unsavoury characters but Ash isn't easily scared off. The local doctor is pressurising him to look into why so many villagers in the surrounding area are getting sick. Convinced that the water supply is being tampered with, she wants to get samples to have them tested but he already has a job and needs to give it his full attention - and boy, does he need to keep his wits about him!
There is no lack of action in this third novel. Ash Carter is well able to look after himself and it's just as well with everything that's going on. As always, this author writes a tightly scripted mystery with plenty of possible conclusions and, as a reader, I find I need to keep my wits about me so as not to miss anything! Post war is a period I know little about and with each book I feel I have learned a bit more, which is very gratifying. A thoroughly good - and interesting - read; one which makes me keen to continue with this series and find out more about the main character. An easy five stars and my highest recommendation! *****
Ash Carter finds himself going undercover to investigate the murder of one man and the disappearance of a second; both were working for the militia so the obvious place to start is by getting himself hired. It's a tight set-up, with some unsavoury characters but Ash isn't easily scared off. The local doctor is pressurising him to look into why so many villagers in the surrounding area are getting sick. Convinced that the water supply is being tampered with, she wants to get samples to have them tested but he already has a job and needs to give it his full attention - and boy, does he need to keep his wits about him!
There is no lack of action in this third novel. Ash Carter is well able to look after himself and it's just as well with everything that's going on. As always, this author writes a tightly scripted mystery with plenty of possible conclusions and, as a reader, I find I need to keep my wits about me so as not to miss anything! Post war is a period I know little about and with each book I feel I have learned a bit more, which is very gratifying. A thoroughly good - and interesting - read; one which makes me keen to continue with this series and find out more about the main character. An easy five stars and my highest recommendation! *****
December 16, 2019
Great read
This is my favorite so far in the Ash Carter series. A good mystery that I was only able to solve part of and certainly had no idea about the final twist.
I look forward to the next book
This is my favorite so far in the Ash Carter series. A good mystery that I was only able to solve part of and certainly had no idea about the final twist.
I look forward to the next book
February 11, 2019
A well written, well paced and intriguing novel, Singapore Boxer follows our main character Ash as he investigates a suspicious death. To make it harder, there are other cases ongoing which need attention, including the potential poisoning of the local water supply.
Ash is a great main character, he is well written and easy to read about. His relationships with the other characters are consistent throughout and was one of the more believable main characters (having flaws that don't overtake the character). The story itself is solvable and is enjoyable, with a few red herrings thrown in along the way. I loved the plot development and the pacing of the story, although there were a few times where I wasn't as engaged as I had previously been, However, I still enjoyed it and will most likely look out for more by this author.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and LibraryThing for sending me a free copy in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Ash is a great main character, he is well written and easy to read about. His relationships with the other characters are consistent throughout and was one of the more believable main characters (having flaws that don't overtake the character). The story itself is solvable and is enjoyable, with a few red herrings thrown in along the way. I loved the plot development and the pacing of the story, although there were a few times where I wasn't as engaged as I had previously been, However, I still enjoyed it and will most likely look out for more by this author.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and LibraryThing for sending me a free copy in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
February 28, 2019
This is a great detective story that immediately draws you in from the first chapter, where we meet our man in Malaya taking part in a boxing bout. As he appears to be somewhat at a loose end, Ash Carter decides to take on an undercover assignment within a private security company, for whom he believes to be a representative of the insurers, Lloyds of London. However, all is far from what it seems and while ambling through the perfect commuter short chapters, twists and surprises keep Dear Reader from becoming complacent, as the disappearance of the agent seems it might turn out to be a murder. Gradually, the intrigue leads Ash Carter to learn of the possible subterfuge and corruption that surrounds the 1950’s plantation and tin mining communities with the threat of terrorists smoldering in the background. This is an enjoyable book that might seem to have a slightly slow beginning, but quickly holds Dear Reader well with the unfolding and winding, why and whodunit.
February 10, 2019
Ash Carter, ex-Royal Military Police, ex-Special Investigations Branch, has been approached by Lloyds of London to look into the murder of Sid Wilding. He had been an assessor from the company, sent to Malaya to investigate a claim of the theft of a payroll from a rubber plantation owner. The local police have been unable to discover what happened so Ash agrees to go undercover, accepting a job with a private militia which provides protection against Chinese terrorists to plantation and tin-mining-business owners.
This is the third book featuring Ash Carter and, having read “Singapore Girl”, the second in the series, I was prepared for the high-octane activities of the maverick main character, with his highly-developed sense of moral-duty and his relentless pursuit of justice! In the course of his investigations he uncovers a network of conspiracy, is exposed to numerous dangerous situations, threats to his life etc …. and yet still finds time to fit in some romance! The local doctor is dealing with increasing numbers of very sick villagers and is convinced that the tin mining business is responsible for poisoning the water. Needless to say, Ash is persuaded to help with her investigations!
Themes throughout the story include bullying, mysterious deaths, ubiquitous violence, mafia-style conspiracies, all of which contribute to a story which is full of twists and turns, numerous red-herrings and high-speed car chases before finally being resolved by a number of rather clever, if incredible, flashes of intuition from our protagonist!
As in the earlier book, I found all the characters to be rather stereotypical and one-dimensional but, having accepted this, it felt possible to suspend disbelief sufficiently to just “go along for the ride” in this easy to read, fast-paced story. To a large extent this was made easier by the fact that the author makes excellent use of his considerable research into the turbulent times of region during the early 1950s and the Malayan Emergency. Not only did he capture the conflicts of interest of the various factions and the political manoeuvrings, but he brought the contrasting landscapes, of Singapore and the jungles of Malaya, to life in a very evocative way. To a considerable extent the steamy heat and the torrential rain became “characters” in the story. I occasionally felt irritated by what felt like an excess of repetitive detail and found myself thinking that the story would have benefitted from a “less is more” approach!
Although this is an entertaining “escapist” read, its appeal for reading groups would probably be rather limited.
I won this book from the Library Thing Early Reviewers Scheme, in exchange for an honest review.
This is the third book featuring Ash Carter and, having read “Singapore Girl”, the second in the series, I was prepared for the high-octane activities of the maverick main character, with his highly-developed sense of moral-duty and his relentless pursuit of justice! In the course of his investigations he uncovers a network of conspiracy, is exposed to numerous dangerous situations, threats to his life etc …. and yet still finds time to fit in some romance! The local doctor is dealing with increasing numbers of very sick villagers and is convinced that the tin mining business is responsible for poisoning the water. Needless to say, Ash is persuaded to help with her investigations!
Themes throughout the story include bullying, mysterious deaths, ubiquitous violence, mafia-style conspiracies, all of which contribute to a story which is full of twists and turns, numerous red-herrings and high-speed car chases before finally being resolved by a number of rather clever, if incredible, flashes of intuition from our protagonist!
As in the earlier book, I found all the characters to be rather stereotypical and one-dimensional but, having accepted this, it felt possible to suspend disbelief sufficiently to just “go along for the ride” in this easy to read, fast-paced story. To a large extent this was made easier by the fact that the author makes excellent use of his considerable research into the turbulent times of region during the early 1950s and the Malayan Emergency. Not only did he capture the conflicts of interest of the various factions and the political manoeuvrings, but he brought the contrasting landscapes, of Singapore and the jungles of Malaya, to life in a very evocative way. To a considerable extent the steamy heat and the torrential rain became “characters” in the story. I occasionally felt irritated by what felt like an excess of repetitive detail and found myself thinking that the story would have benefitted from a “less is more” approach!
Although this is an entertaining “escapist” read, its appeal for reading groups would probably be rather limited.
I won this book from the Library Thing Early Reviewers Scheme, in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2018
From shiny Singapore to muddy Malay, this is very like a Graham-Greene B&W film of the noir side of the city and the dark and sinister jungles upcountry where rubber plantations and tin mines are the stage for violence, treachery, murder mystery, bullying, poisoning, and pretty women. Yet, as exciting as that all sounds, the story is low-key and as winding and surprising as the off-track trails the security force, aka soldier-of-fortune force, patrols. I liked the immediacy of it all, I felt I was there, and the intrigue kept me turning the pages. Involving a motley and riveting cast of characters from 1950s Singapore and Malay, this story also showed me an era I had not known about and I was fascinated. Very well written on top of it, with some delightful snippets of dry wit. Awfully good read.
December 29, 2018
I wouldn't say this is a page-turning thriller. I wouldn't even say it's a thriller. More like a detective story. Reading it, I was reminded a lot of the novels that Ross Thomas wrote. I've not read any of the other Ash Carter stories, but I might if they come around on some of the sites that offer ebooks free or at a discount. I have other things to read that I find more interesting, so I wouldn't pay full price for another installment. A lot of stories like this, with a detective as a main character, seem to have a final solution that is filling in clues that might not have been presented. Intuitive leaps by the detective. Not that this is a bad thing, and in this case, not off-putting for me. An interesting read, and easy to read.
November 4, 2022
Ash has been asked by an old friend to look into the disappearance of one of his operatives who had gone up to the Malayan tin mines north of Kuala Lumpur. His friend works for Lloyds of London and a parole that they had insured had been stolen. The man sent up to the mines had not been seen or heard from.
Ash goes up and joins the local private militia who patrol the area and protect the miners, mine companies and property from the local communist bandits. Once Ash joins the PPF and from the beginning he knows that there is something wrong with the PPF, the police and the local mine owners.
It's now Ash's job to find out that the operative and another member of the militia have been murdered but everyone agrees that they were suicides. He's got his work cut out for him.
Ash goes up and joins the local private militia who patrol the area and protect the miners, mine companies and property from the local communist bandits. Once Ash joins the PPF and from the beginning he knows that there is something wrong with the PPF, the police and the local mine owners.
It's now Ash's job to find out that the operative and another member of the militia have been murdered but everyone agrees that they were suicides. He's got his work cut out for him.
June 23, 2020
Ash Carter has gone into Malaya undercover to find out who killed a guy working for the private protection group. It is a group who protect the tin mines around the area from bandits. There is a police force but they do not cover some of the hard to get to areas. There were really two men killed from the protective force. Things are not as they seem though and soon he is realizing it will be hard to tell who is at fault without more information. With many twists and turns he finally finds the bad guys.
January 5, 2023
I was initially confused by this book as I hadn't realised it wasn't set in current times, once I got over that detail, I found it an enjoyable, fast-paced action novel. I don't feel bad for saying that it's unlikely to win any literary awards but it is a great adventure story, with plenty of action and definitely a 'page turner'.
I received this book in exchange for a review but I have since bought the other Ash Carter books myself as I find this sort of book a great bit of escapism!
I received this book in exchange for a review but I have since bought the other Ash Carter books myself as I find this sort of book a great bit of escapism!
March 7, 2019
Interestingly I liked this adventure of Ash Carter much more than the previous one, and once again I have to say I have no idea why. Fast pacing story, two dimensional but likeable characters, everything what a light, entertaining thriller needs.
March 9, 2024
Murder and mayhem have broken out on tin and rubber plantations in Malaya and Ash is asked to go undercover with a private security force to investigate. Starts slow but builds up speed. Good escapist read especially for those who have spent time in Singapore and Malaya.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews