‘A classy, and future classic, historical crime novel with all the nuance and intelligence of the best of the genre.’ Natalie Marlow, author of critically acclaimed Needless Alley
 
‘Wow. One of the best books I have read in a long time.’ Antony Dunford, author of Born the Same and CWA New Blood Dagger longlisted novel Hunted
 
The much-awaited follow up to Waking the Tiger, shortlisted for the 2022 Crime Writers’ Association John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger, the 2021 Scottish Crime Debut of the Year and the 2022 Ngaio Marsh Best First Novel Prize.
 
Singapore, 1940
A local fisherman finds the body of a missing American archaeologist
Detective Inspector Betancourt of the Singapore Marine Police is first on the scene. Something doesn't quite add up. He finds out that the archaeologist, Richard Fulbright, was close to deciphering the previously-untranslatable script on a pre-colonial relic known as the Singapore Stone. This was no accidental drowning.
 
Is there more to this case than archaeological rivalries?
Betancourt also discovers that Fulbright had been having an affair. He is sure he is onto something bigger than just academic infighting.
 
A government opium factory draws criminal interest.
In his investigations into the death, Betancourt finds his own life in danger, and now he has also put himself on the wrong side of British Military Intelligence, and he is unsure which set of opponents he fears the most...