A Chinese Remedy – Mercenaries in Suits Book 1 received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Shawe Ruckus.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
A Chinese Remedy – Mercenaries in Suits Book 1 was first published in the summer of 2021.
What’s the book’s first line?
‘When fate runs against your favour, you could choke on your own spit.’
– This is the self-reflection of a young woman who encountered a fire that displaced her from her flat in Central London, leading to a series of unexpected events that result in her death.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
When a wealthy Asian businessman’s sister winds up dead, an unlikely consultant is drawn from Tokyo, but can he uncover whether the young woman was suicidal or if she died at the hands of another?
Forced from her flat by a nearby fire in Central London, Joyce Peng seeks refuge with her ex-girlfriend Tilly Wurman, a now married pharmacist. And, when Joyce begins acting strangely, seemingly obsessed with methods of suicide, Tilly grows concerned. However, when Joyce winds up dead a few days later, her brother isn’t convinced that his sister’s state-of-mind lead to her end.
Elsewhere, in a different London borough, Catherine Roxborough is settling in after returning from a year abroad in India. But her relief at returning is short-lived when a mysterious scarred figure attempts to break-in, leaving Catherine screaming in terror.
This isn’t an ordinary day’s work for M&A consultant Chance Yang, especially when his boss, Felipe Kazama, seems to know more about Joyce Peng’s death than he’s letting on, and personal feelings begin to cloud Chance’s judgement. And, as the reluctant fixer finds, the deeper he delves into the cases, the harder it becomes to uncover the truth.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I have always wanted to write a modern cosy whodunit featuring everyday protagonists that encounter cases but can’t rely on police assistance.
Part of the storyline draws from my own experience during the Holborn Fire in Central London in 2014 that disabled a large part of the CCTV network and created chaos for local residents.
Readers who are familiar with daily life in London might find the setting welcoming as I also drew extensive details from my time living in the city as a foreigner, a student, and an outsider. And, for readers who aren’t familiar with the city, I endeavoured to paint a picture so vivid that they will feel as they are right there walking the streets with Chance.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
This book is for anyone who is looking for a modern cosy whodunit with international intrigue, plenty of funny anecdotes, as well as a surprising, twisting end. Attentive readers will always find the keys to the tiniest clues.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Chance Yang and Felipe Kazama are not your common detectives and investigators. In fact, they call themselves ‘part-time fixers’ or ‘mercenaries in suits’.
Chance is partially based on an urban legend I heard from a City banker about an inspiring graduate who landed his dream job in investment banking yet got dragged into a deep vortex of corporate scandals and contract killing.
The creation of Felipe is based on a lecturer that I had in university who is from a humble background and always told us titbits of the innermost part of the posh London Circle.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
A Chinese Remedy is the first mystery book I have written. Previously I had a short stint writing sci-fi.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I cook and try and fail at gardening. I also like to research for my other series – Princess Rouran Adventures. And as a part of this role as a writer, I sometimes sit through lengthy lectures on the philosophy of medicine as a member of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in London, where Agatha Christie learnt how to poison.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
A friend once suggested that we should spend a seventh of our spare time developing and cultivating a hobby and that is what I try to do with my writing.