Along with all the ingredients that make for a classic whodunnit murder mystery, the Post Office has added modern twists and turns and is set in the exotic and gritty metropolis of Jakarta, Indonesia.
In 1989, there was only one bar in Jakarta, Indonesia, which catered exclusively to a certain group of people. Its existence was spread solely through word of mouth to maintain the privacy of its patrons. That bar finally became a true safe haven for its clientele. Its customers called it 'The Post Office'. No one expected their discreet fun at The Post Office would be interrupted; until one of its patrons was found dead there. Was it an accidental death or was it something more sinister? Had the Post Office's notoriety jeopardized the clientele's safety? It was up to Detective Hamdi and his young protégé Pradaya to familiarize themselves with Jakarta's underground characters in order to solve the mystery at The Post Office.
Excerpt
In 1989, there was only one bar in Jakarta, Indonesia, which catered exclusively to a certain group of people. Its existence was spread solely through word of mouth to maintain the privacy of its patrons. That bar finally became a true safe haven for its clientele. Its customers called it 'The Post Office'. No one expected their discreet fun at The Post Office would be interrupted; until one of its patrons was found dead there. Was it an accidental death or was it something more sinister? Had the Post Office's notoriety jeopardized the clientele's safety? It was up to Detective Hamdi and his young protégé Pradaya to familiarize themselves with Jakarta's underground characters in order to solve the mystery at The Post Office.
Professional Reviews
Asian Agatha Christie
I prefer books that teach me about people, places, and times that are unfamiliar to me but for which I am intrigued. Murder at the Post Office delivers. The author gives me a glimpse of the gay scene in 1980s Jakarta by wrapping it in a fascinating murder mystery. It is true to the Agatha Christie British murder mystery genre by using a lot of the usual conventions which are familiar and by doing so showing that this style can be applied cross culturally. There is no whiz bang, shoot 'em up, high tech stuff that is so common in many murder novels nowadays. It hearkens back to a more person-oriented story line which allows the quirky characters to shine through. I really like the mentor-mentee relationship between the investigating detectives and hope that there will be future novels that will develop their characters and the supporting cast. I would highly recommend this book for other readers.
Dallas attorney Stan Turner hates criminal law but has a propensity for attracting murder cases anyway. So, it's no big surprise when a simple attorney-ad-litem appointment in family court evolves into a complex murder trial.
