Mar 14, 2013 10:44 PM
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Serial killing is going on in the city Singapore. Young single career women are the target. The trade mark of the killer is that he cuts the victim's hand. Miss Moorthy (Savitri Moorthy), is an School teacher who is known for her detective attitude. She didn't take this serial killing that serious till one of her colleague, Evelyn Ngui got murdered. The serial killer is now get caught by Miss Moorthy, accidentally! He confesses all killing except as that of Evelyn Ngui's. Postmortem report reveals Evelyn was pregnant. Miss Moorthy is investigating the case on her on initiative. There are five or more suspects, all waiting to pass Miss Moorthy's investigating eyes. Guess who done it!
The writing style of the novel is more of the classical detective novels, analytical investigation. Then, the set us is quite fresh, surrounding a school, working women's accommodation and the life around it. The best plus of the novel is that it gives sufficient time to consider the case with several suspects. Each time, we will think yes, this person may be the villain/villainess. This is a plus of the novel.
On the minus side, there is nothing much new in the murder mystery in essence. It all happens in a simple way. The author failed to create any horror when the serial killing was happening. Also the way the main suspect was caught was so silly. Even the climax was little lame like a PTA meeting. Just before the detective announces the suspect, it is already evident to the reader. I mean, the clues and explanations were overdone by the author. Had the climax and suspense was presented with little more perfection the novel would have had a lasting impression which Miss Moorthy fails to create.
The way Miss Moorthy attack the serial killer was so childish. One another flaw for the novel is that, it considerably ignores the presence of Police and investigative agencies in the city. Also, Miss Moorthy treats her suspects like school children and surprisingly all suspects behave like school children, naughty, fearsome and funny. The set up compel us to take the enquiry in the childish manner, like a school drama at the best.
The language is so friendly and the narration is quite simple. We get a feeling that Miss Moorthy is somebody whom we know already. The author gives a set of character to Miss Moorthy and to the society she lives in. This was interesting. Miss Moorthy is a small scale feminist but a very small scale knowing the limitations she is around. When her mother advises her like she is a little school kid, Miss Moorthy obediently hears and agrees all what she says. Then what she does is a different question. Also, when somebody says, if the purpose of the serial killer was rape, she could understood, Miss Moorthy explodes. The author take this side very funny and we often smile at the humor which intended with it. Sadly this doesn't contribute much to the main purpose of the novel, i.e. in solving the crime.
Overall, the novel is an average to good read but fail to reach the very good tag for different reasons. Time pass read don't take it too hard.
My rating: 2.5 stars
