2010 Global Reading Challenge: currently reading A BALI CONSPIRACY MOST FOUL

Yesterday I started my 12th book for Dorte's excellent 2010 Global Reading Challenge. I'm aiming for the 'Expert' level - to read two novels from each of the six continents, trying to read and review novels from 12 different countries if possible (and new-to-you authors), as well as two novels set in Antarctica - so a total of 14 books from 14 different authors (from 12+ countries).

So I'm closing in on completion - one South American, and one Antarctica-set book to go for me, once I finish the novel I'm currently reading.

Earlier this week I finished my first Antarctica-set thriller, ICE STATION by Australian author Matthew Reilly. I will post more about this book, which was incredibly mindless, verging on the ridiculous at times, but still kind of fun to read, soon.

Now I'm partway through A BALI CONSPIRACY MOST FOUL by Shamini Flint - a novel written by a Singapore-based author about a portly Singapore detective of Sikh origins who travels around Asia solving crimes. The first book in the series was set in Malaysia, and this one (which was published here in NZ late last year) is set in Bali (Indonesia), following the high-profile terrorist bombings there.

In A BALI CONSPIRACY MOST FOUL, Inspector Singh is back, but this time on secondment to Bali. A bomb has exploded and Singh has been sent to help with anti-terrorism efforts. But there's a slight problem: he knows squat about hunting terrorists. He's much better suited to solving murder! So when a body is discovered in the wreckage, killed by a bullet before the bomb went off, Singh should be the one to find the answers - especially with the help of a wily Australian copper by his side. But simple murders are never as simple as they seem - and this one has far-reaching global consequences...

I am enjoying the book thusfar - it's a bit of a change of pace from some of the grittier crime I read at times, even though there has already been plenty of blown-up bits of body etc - maybe it's just the authors 'light' style that makes it seem less serious?

So far it seems like a nice, 'lighter', mystery read - with interesting characters and settings. Has anyone else read any of Shamini Flint's work? What do you think?