Customer Reviews

The Feng Shui Detective

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Both this book and Vittachi's follow-on "The Feng Shui Detective Goes South" are spot-on when dealing with the issues of Feng Shui and how it fits into the daily lives of of individuals. His detective is likable but not devoid of normal foibles and mistakes.

The writing captures the sights/smells/sounds of life in the East very well. My only preference would have been for more focus on Hong Kong (Gongers are more superstitious than any group I've encountered) especially since the author has spent so much time there. But, this is a minor point. I've spent 4 years living in Hong Kong, 3 in Beijing and made long visits to Australia and Singapore (two months in each location) and can attest to the authenticity of the world that Vittachi has painted.

This book is a perfect blend of fun -- sometimes laughing out loud humor -- and Eastern philosophy. Where else can you learn that credit cards are bad Feng Shui and that you should always throw away as much stuff as you accumulate. C.F. Wong, the Feng Shui master and amateur detective hero, is the kind of delightful literary character that will live with you long after you have finished this book.

The only disappointing think about this book is that there are no other installments of this mystery series available, at least in the U.S. Here's hoping the publisher is working on solving that problem right now!

Singapore feng shui guru Mr. C.F. Wong receives negative vibes besides that emitted by his teenage intern Joyce McQuinnie as he inspects the apartment of the Tsai-Leibler family. A fire breaks out that Wong puts out, but the damage to the already badly aligned flat is outright devastating. Adding to the mess as his assistant calls it is a ghost who haunts Dr. Leibler's dental office though feng shui in a house of pain is difficult to accomplish.

A Malaysian witch doctor hires two of Wong's friends to help a doomed client. They in turn obtain Wong's aid as the customer seems fated to tragedy based on every known (and a few unknown) pseudo and occult consultation science employed by the Singapore Union of Industrial Mystics. Wong agrees to assist, but also seeks a kidnapped girl and tries to solve the murder of Dr. Leibler's hygienist with his only guide being that occidental teen who he still is not sure how he became her mentor. Everything seems to come together at the feng shui catastrophic edifice known as the Sydney Opera House, but though they are close to resolutions, the dynamic duo might not survive what they learn.

This feng shui amateur sleuth tale has a madcap story line that entertains readers with an east meets west blending of cultures inside several mysteries. The key to the tale is the relationship between Wong and McQuinnie that is father to daughter, teacher to student, and friend to friend. Though the cases are fun to follow, they act more like support to the lead duet who feng shui their way throughout the delightful plot.

Harriet Klausner

This is the first in the series of (currently) three novels about the unlikely pair of detectives. I can heartily recommend all three books, but the first one in the series introduces the characters in all their loveable diversity.

The main protagonist, CF Wong is a gentle and contemplative character who uses the art of Feng Shui to help him solve various crimes and mysteries. This gives us the best of a fascinating mystery within an unusual context. The author uses his wide knowledge and expertise of this 'trendy' art, but also sees the funny side to so many human experiences, so it is possible to learn a lot about Eastern culture while laughing your socks off!!

In the Feng Shui Detective, the serious, quiet CF is lumbered, as a favour to his boss, with a loud sassy Australian, and their incompatibility and cultural differences provoke hilarious communication problems and dilemmas.

It is East meets West in no usual format, but Nury Vittachi uses a wonderful combination of well-created characters and situations to look at the differences in cultures without labouring the point. The plot-lines are fun and each chapter is a different mystery which the characters have to solve.

I particularly like the beginning of each chapter which starts with a lyrical and mystical thought based in Eastern philosophy, written by CF Wong in a book he is supposedly writing. It is very musical and thought-provoking and a lovely contrast to the wacky events within the chapters.

This book is very unusual, and offers a variety of experiences; a hilarious romp, or an interesting look at cultures - or both at the same time! I can thoroughly recommend this author to anyone new to him.

I just need to know --- when's the next one coming out?????

First off, the main characters are actually Feng Shui Specialists, hired to analyze buildings, rooms, houses ,etc. to bring maximum harmony and beauty to their work. The criminal investigations come about through their work, and through noticing discrepencies in these spaces that do not conform to the highest Feng Shu Standards. Mr. Wong, the boss, is among the driest, most amusing individuals you'll ever meet, and his 18 year old sidekick, Joyce, is a perfect foil, whose modern English can get Mr. Wong slightly baffled. All very interesting, with some Chinese philosophy and stories thrown in at the beginning of each segment. The reviews, mainly from Asia and Australia, say this is a cult in the bud, and they are 100% right!

This is an entry in the "cozy mystery" category featuring C.F. Wong, feng shui master, and his assistant Joyce McQuinnie. The hallmarks of this genre are oddball characters and a goofy sort of humor. Vittachi tosses in a Singapore setting, which allows a mix of cultures and cultural viewpoints to be described and represented.

Vittachi's descriptive passages tend to feel a bit labored. However, the weakest point in the book is the characterization of Joyce. The presentation of her back story and her emotions very heavy-handed, and her background doesn't seem entirely consistent with what she knows and doesn't know. Her personality tends to change with the needs of the plotline and the need for laughs. She becomes more consistent towards the end of the novel, so hopefully Vittachi will work this out over time.

Another problem is that the reason why C.F. Wong keeps a horrid employee (not Joyce) around is utterly unconvincing. Oddly, C.F. Wong is given very little back story, even though we are told so much of Joyce's.

The novel improves as the author settles in, and the resolution of three or four mysteries is satisfying. His plotting abilites are good. I'm sure his followup books will improve as he gets more comfortable with the characters.

The book is a series of short stories about a Feng Shui Geomancer and his assistant. I really enjoyed the book. It has the right amount of information about Feng Shui without sounding like a textbook. It has mystery and humor and each story is short enough to read in one sitting.

The Feng Shui Detective stories are kooky and hilarious. Its all tongue in cheek good fun, I get the idea the author Nury doesn't take himself too seriously. I found Nury's portrayal of feng shui master & unwitting crimesolver C. F. Wong to be very authentic... he is the archetypical crusty old Cantonese "uncle" featured in abundance in Hong Kong movies. Nury's time in Hong Kong certainly gave him an edge in describing the beliefs and motivations of the character of Master Wong. Very believable!

IMO Singapore is a good pick as the background country for the East / West mish-mesh with our mix of Chinese, Indians & Malays. All us lot speaking English courtesy of the Brits. I'm from Singapore & I lived in Sydney for years too.

Have to admit certain fengshui revelations made by Nury had me rather anxious for a bit ^_^
(I'm Cantonese in ethnicity. This preoccupation in good luck must run in the blood)

I'm always looking for new mystery authors and I think I've found one in Vittachi. The Feng Shui Detective has exotic locale and engaging characters. I've bought this one, after reading the library copy, and have put the next in the series on my wish list.

Sri Lankan Nury Vittachi has lived in or traveled to many East Asian melting pot countries. His genius is to look, listen and laugh. This is what he was doing when I met him in Hong Kong--skewering the locals with his witty insights as a columnist for the local paper. The government was changing, though, and his wry comments were being taken seriously by the incoming regime. Sure enough, he was eased out soon after.
But no worries for someone who sees the funny side of the creative clash of cultures. He continues to write with his funny bone wherever he lives at the moment.

Set in Singapore, which Vittachi knows intimately, The Feng Shui Detective is based on the droll premise that feng shui can be employed to solve crime. It is the first of a series in which a mild-mannered Chinese antihero muddles along to solve a crime with help and hindrance offered by Singaporeans from India, Australia, Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere. These characters respond through the prism of their nationality--and it's always funny. The plot's not profound, but you get a lively taste of the rich mix of Singapore and Sydney, Australia. If you've been to these places you'll know he's right on. If you haven't, you'll want to board the next plane to taste, see and do for yourself.