Inspector Singh is a rotund, untidy and dedicated detective in Singapore. He is sent to Kuala Lumpur to support a Singapore national, Chelsea Liew, who has been accused of murdering her husband of twenty years. Political considerations mean that Chelsea, a high profile model, must be seen to be treated fairly and that is why the powers that be in Singapore have dispatched Inspector Singh to ensure that all is done to protect a citizen, albeit one who was married to a successful Malaysian businessman. It is not a popular assignment and that is why Singh has been assigned to it. He is not liked by the hierarchy for his awkward ways and disregard for rules. He is focused on finding the criminal, not playing a political game.

On arrival in Kuala Lumpur, he makes contact with the Malaysian police and they establish a working relationship that, at least with some members, comes to involve mutual respect.

Chelsea Liew had been married to Alan Lee for twenty years and had three sons. She had sued her husband for divorce, citing abuse and adultery. In a last minute bombshell Alan had revealed his conversion to Islam. This meant that in Malaysian law any children would have to be brought up by a practising Muslim, and this would make it impossible for Chelsea to keep the children without herself converting. Chelsea was furiously angry and vowed to kill |him for this. When Alan is murdered, she is the obvious suspect. But Inspector Singh's stubborn investigation discovers many undercurrents and family power struggles. He doggedly continues to support Chelsea, and discovers the truth and indulges in a bit of unconventional behaviour to ensure that justice is done.