Serangoon Road

When a US Navy sailor is stabbed to death outside a nightclub, CIA officials seek the help of the Cheng Detective Agency. Proprietress Patricia Cheng recruits Sam Callaghan, an Australian expat who grew up in Singapore, to exploit his ties to the local community and find the killer.

When Feng, arrives from China looking for the husband she hasn't seen since the war, no-one but she is even certain that he is still alive. But Sam knows what it's like to lose family and Patricia knows what it's like to lose a husband: both will move heaven and earth to solve the mystery of what happened to Feng's husband - but the case becomes even more immediate and mysterious when Feng is poisoned.

While delivering some photographs to a former Agency client Patricia is caught up in one of riots sweeping through the streets of Singapore. She is hurt. But this was no accident - she was deliberately attacked and the photographs stolen. Hafiz, a Malay photo journalist takes her to safety. When Hafiz is accused of being involved in the riots Patricia and Sam work to prove his innocence. The trail leads them to a secret MI6/Special Branch operation against subversives.

While trying to sort out Kang's gambling debts to Kay Song (the Red Dragons heir) Sam is reluctantly drawn into the detective agency's investigation into whether Claire Simpson's husband Frank has been taking kickbacks from clients. If the allegation is proved Frank’s boss, Maxwell Black, will kick Frank out of the company (and Singapore), separating and Sam and Claire forever.

While visiting a village hospital sponsored by West Pacific Exports, Claire discovers that its malaria medicine is ineffective. As Sam tracks down those responsible for the drug tampering, Claire learns a harsh lesson in political realities.

When a newborn baby is left on the doorstep of the Cheng Detective Agency, Patricia and Sam have to figure out what they're meant to do with him. Su ling confronts her fear and desire over a relationship with Conrad. Patricia receives a package containing Winston's fob watch which was believed stolen when he was murdered. And Kang does a deal with the Devil.