Murder in the Pacific

George Wong returns for another chilling murder mystery in the second book of this award winning series. In the heart of Vanuatu's Tanna island, Hu Lee, the leader of an aid agency, meets a tragic end, fatally stabbed amidst a tsunami evacuation drill. With no witnesses, Sergeant George Long, visiting for the wedding of Constable Jayline Oli, is thrust into the role of lead investigator. Ordered by his superiors in Vila, he delves into a perplexing case that draws the attention of the Vanuatu Government, police force, and Chinese Embassy. As George and partner Jayline Oli dig deeper, a web of debts owed to Lee surfaces, revealing a growing list of potential motives and suspects. Their path to the truth is fraught with obstacles. Hindered by uncooperative local law enforcement, an unexpected visit from a Chinese Embassy official, and the unsettling possibility of family involvement, George and Jayline must traverse Vanuatu's rugged terrain – from the historic town of Lenakel to the summit of Mt Yasur, an active volcano. As the investigation unfolds, George's mixed heritage adds another layer of complexity, further entangling him in a case that becomes increasingly personal. While George's own life unravels and with stunning landscapes as a backdrop, the duo races against time to untangle a web of secrets and deception …

The third instalment of Matt Francis' award winning murder mystery series. In the serene setting of Vanuatu's Santo Island, tranquility shatters when the lifeless body of a French farmer, Guy Simeon, is discovered on the pristine white sands of Champagne Beach. As they delve deeper, a labyrinth of secrets, coercion, and lies emerges. Simeon's missing wife and strained relationship with his son paint a complex picture of his troubled life. Moreover, his financial woes and grievous interactions with locals only deepen the pool of suspects. From the bustling port town of Luganville to the idyllic beaches and azure waters of Santo, George and Jayline tirelessly pursue leads, but find themselves entangled in a web of confusion with no clear motive, weapon, or suspect in sight. 'Ifira Point' the first book in the series won the 2024 Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction. Praise for the series: 'A tour de force both in its vivid descriptions of warts-and-all Vanuatu and its ability to suck the reader into the frustrating investigation of its likeable detective. A thoroughly enjoyable read.' COLIN COTTERILL, best-selling crime fiction author 'I was really intrigued because the place setting is an integral "character" of the book.' EMILY WEBB, best-selling author.

WINNER OF THE NED KELLY AWARD FOR BEST DEBUT CRIME FICTION Esther Paul is 12 years old. She is reported missing on Vanuatu local radio. Two days later her body is found floating in the sea. Senior Constable George Wong of the Vanuatu National Police Force drops his current case to investigate her disappearance and tragic death. Limited forensics in Vanuatu means George and Probationary Constable Jayline Oli do not know if they are looking at a murder or an accident. The wound to Esther's head suggests the later. Given the precarious state of the Vanuatu Police Force George and Jayline have their work cut out, being transported in Port Vila's most decrepit and unsafe taxi van driven by Jayline's aspiring boyfriend. George's own unrequited love for a Vanuatu radio newsreader also impacts the investigation. From Mele Beach at one end of Port Vila to Pango at the other, George and Jayline experience Vanuatu's broken roads, empty restaurants, confusing cultural norms as well as the extravagances and corruption of foreign aid as they attempt to solve the mysterious death.