We read 21 Immortals for the January 27, 2023 Meeting.
There are no spoilers for the top part of this post – the beginning of this post is only a repeat of the information provided about the book that was provided at the start of the month, before the meeting. But…..
Near the bottom of the page – there is a place for our participants to leave comments about the book, and spoilers will likely be included. Don’t scroll down to the comments area, until you have finished the book.
21 Immortals is a contemporary police procedural set in the capital of Malaysia, written by Rozlan Mohd Noor, a former crime investigator with the Royal Malaysia Police. It is the first of four in his Inspector Mislan Latif series.Called to a wealthy neighborhood of Kuala Lumpur, Inspector Latif finds a crime scene unlike any he has encountered before: pristine, the victims are a family seated at dinner, smiles fixed to their faces, frozen mid-gesture around the traditional Chinese New Year meal. Only it’s not that time of year. It makes an eerie, chilling tableau of death, but signifying what? The celebrity of the father, fashion magnate Robert Tham, has already drawn a media throng, and soon the upper echelons of the police have taken an interest, bringing pressure to solve the crime quickly.
But every clue points to another unknown.
At the same time, rival units of the police are seeking to co-opt and, he suspects, bury the case. Inspector Latif’s investigation takes him to every level of this modern, multi-ethnic, American-pop-culture-influenced society, to where moneyed power and influence demand their say.
Maverick, hard-boiled yet tender, a single father raising a young child, Mislan must rely on his team to find a way to ensure the course of justice.
Learn more about Rozlan Mohd Noor and his books…
- Here are some insightful background comments in Publisher’s Weekly back in 2020. (no spoilers)
- There has been some talk of developing the Inspector Mislan series into video, but that remains to be seen. We have seen before how rights are purchased amongst some PR, and the project languishes.
Here is the summary of scores for the book: Average 77
Two final scores above represent slight changes. I am one of those – I thought about this for two days and decided to lower my score (reported in the meeting as 82 to 80). I hope to write more comments in the comment area below in a few days. I think Selena lowered the score she wrote ahead of the meeting as 88 (in comments below) to 87 in the meeting.
Still accepting participant comments on the book. Add your views to the written record of those that have already left a reply.
Please write your book reactions and score where it says “LEAVE A REPLY,” below. You can also [nicely] comment on any other participant’s thoughts.
21 Immortals ~
It wasn’t till half way through the book that the action seemed to pick up ~ book could have been edited a bit more also to shorten it . Technology as ‘modus operandi’ was relevant to the times we live in and kept me thinking and exploring definitions in order to follow the ‘mystery’ of how the victims were killed.
The only character that appeared strong was Superintendent Samsiah ~ Milan Lan’s boss ~ She seemed knowledgeable, organized and had a realistic attitude ~ She was able to deal with the politics of the system and managed to keep Mislan (Lan) motivated. Mislan, yet another divorced cop and single parent lacked the strength of character that I tend to look for in the main character. (He is Not a Harry Bosch) His relationships were not developed in depth ~ perhaps given the list of so many other characters.
Two characters that seemed rather ‘cartoon like’ were ~ Audi ~ the reporter and Hubble ~
Dialogue written well but once again lacked depth ~ I think that this is a ’sign’ of the times ~ quick talk ~ whether texting, email or conversation ~ most people especially younger ones want fast action, instant ~ get up and go ~ no real thinking or exploring ~
The setting ~ unfamiliar to me yet seemed to work ~ the culture a bit different and the food which often speaks for the culture I found not very healthy and at times was not even familiar with what they consumed ~ What was the drink his son liked so much?
Ending ~ ‘mystery lady’ ~ Man Sweet Yan (Jennifer?) ~ very convenient and did the trick to end the book ~ oh well. Some how this book did not flow smoothly.
Wouldn’t read another book by author and my grade is 75 ~ (for half decent writing) ~ but needs another edit or a talk with Mike Connolly ~ lol.
My thoughts on 21 Immortals in no particular order:
1. This book got my attention immediately with a totally weird “murder” scene” and very acceptable though very simple (see #2) writing. In spite of many complications, dead end trails, and a lot of rambling and irrelevant (but interesting) details on food and locations and people, the book kept my attention throughout.
2. It is interesting and unusual that this book was written in very simple declarative sentences (subject, verb)…as if it was a script giving instructors to the actors. (Children’s books are written like this!)
“That’s it then,” she says…..She leaves with the PR dolls following….
Mislan continues looking at the monitor for a moment longer….
Mislan drops his backpack next to his desk, lights a cigarette, and calls home….. His son had just taken his bath…
3. As in so many mystery books—especially police procedurals—the senior officials are difficult people and their integrity and personalities are questionable. It was nice, however, that Mislan’s immediate supervisor was supportive and helpful…especially at the end.
4. As in several of our books this year, the main suspect eludes arrest—at lease for the moment. Mislan is unable to bring the case to a satisfactory closure—leaving we readers hanging too. He is forced to walk away disappointed in his result. Fortunately, his superior (Superintendent Samsiah) covered his rear flanks and had planned for this eventuality and a more powerful agency steps in to pursue the case further. Ultimately, Mislan is happy in the knowledge there are some good people who will and do further justice.
My score is 88.
My first thought about this months selection was how am I going to get through this book? determined to do so .Too many characters to follow which for me was difficult. I did enjoy Inspector Latif. I felt he was engaging and real as was his boss and Dr. Safia. leaving the case unsolved was not very satisfying. All I ll I did not enjoy the book. I did however enjoy all your information, maps etc.thank you. My score is 75.