When I lived in Singapore, I was fascinated by the diversity of the people. It was a melting pot of ethnicity and most everyone got along. I could see a series of titles utilizing that theme. The Thief from Johor, The Tamil Traitor, The Royal Messenger, The Chinese Boxer, The Shah’s Puzzle, The Assassin from Penang, etc.
I loved Singapore and I wish I could return. Of course, it’s very modern now. I would miss the monkeys in the trees and the old men gathered in the coffee shops with their songbirds.
Even the Singapore I knew 25 years ago has changed out of sight. The shops full of curiosities in HOlland Village have been replaced by upper end boutiques all selling the same unwearable clothes. The fortune teller with her sticks is long gone... So glad I experienced the last of old Singapore.
Do they still have the big, open, multi-level market in West Lake? I once lost my toddler son in that place. That is sad news about Holland Village. They still had the night-soil men going around early in the mornings when I lived there. Singapore was finally reaching its full strength when I left in 1989. It had a transit system and computers in the government offices.
I was actually thinking of something similar, naming the books after different locations on the Malay Peninsula, or other locations in Southeast Asia if the characters come from, or travel, farther afield. So many evocative place names!
because to my mind that evokes palm trees and rattan window shutters and rotating ceiling fans and using shady to imply more than 1 meaning of that word. Of course, my favorite is Singapore Sins! Inappropriate, I know, but it sounds mysterious and intriguing and good winning over evil. Hope I didnt totally miss your goal!
From a discoverability perspective, they will need 'mystery' or 'investigates' or something like that in a series title. Although I love the suggestions - very evocative (and Singapore Sins is a winner), there is a possibility they may not be staying in Singapore... so I need to be a bit more universal. Many thanks for the input!
Excited about the new series. Can't wait to read it!!! I don't have a potential name for your upcoming series as yet, but if I think of one, I'll sent it to you.
I wonder if referencing flowers or perhaps wildlife from Singapore would work? I love the idea of a theme for the titles and I'm really excited to get a chance to read more of Curran & Harriet.
I'll be very excited to see the new series. You asked for ideas, so. . . I know it's longer, but how about the Harriet Gordon and Robert Curran Mysteries? I don't like the inequality of using her first and his last name (even though that's how they're identified in the stories), because he respects her in ways women were rarely respected back then (and now, if truth be told, but that's another issue).
Re: a title word for each book in the series, hard to suggest anything without knowing more about them. I suppose "Singapore" is too long and unwieldy. What about "Secret" or something similar -- "Secret of the Old Convent," "The Fortune Teller's Secret," etc. Or "Hidden."
Hi Alison great news that Harriet is returning - I was very disappointed when the series ended. However I did understand the difficulties you had in getting the books published. So onto the new series Harriet and Curran. I’m not sure if you intend to keep the whole series named as the “Harriet and Curran Mysteries”. Perhaps then to name each book with a different place or identity name as say “Murder in Singapore” book 1 or “Sins in Singapore” book 2 “Assassination in Penang” book 3. I have borrowed places from your previous commenters. Any old hoo just some thoughts for you. Please also don’t forget us audio buffs who need a good narrator! Looking forward to this new series!
When I lived in Singapore, I was fascinated by the diversity of the people. It was a melting pot of ethnicity and most everyone got along. I could see a series of titles utilizing that theme. The Thief from Johor, The Tamil Traitor, The Royal Messenger, The Chinese Boxer, The Shah’s Puzzle, The Assassin from Penang, etc.
I loved Singapore and I wish I could return. Of course, it’s very modern now. I would miss the monkeys in the trees and the old men gathered in the coffee shops with their songbirds.
Even the Singapore I knew 25 years ago has changed out of sight. The shops full of curiosities in HOlland Village have been replaced by upper end boutiques all selling the same unwearable clothes. The fortune teller with her sticks is long gone... So glad I experienced the last of old Singapore.
Do they still have the big, open, multi-level market in West Lake? I once lost my toddler son in that place. That is sad news about Holland Village. They still had the night-soil men going around early in the mornings when I lived there. Singapore was finally reaching its full strength when I left in 1989. It had a transit system and computers in the government offices.
I look forward to the new Harriet stories.
I was actually thinking of something similar, naming the books after different locations on the Malay Peninsula, or other locations in Southeast Asia if the characters come from, or travel, farther afield. So many evocative place names!
That is a thought... although some readers weren't too keen when I set a book in Kuala Lumpur! I will never please everybody :-)
I'm kind of leaning toward:
Singapore Saga
Tales of Singapore
Tales from Singapore
Singapore Songs
because to my mind that evokes palm trees and rattan window shutters and rotating ceiling fans and using shady to imply more than 1 meaning of that word. Of course, my favorite is Singapore Sins! Inappropriate, I know, but it sounds mysterious and intriguing and good winning over evil. Hope I didnt totally miss your goal!
Denise Kaye
From a discoverability perspective, they will need 'mystery' or 'investigates' or something like that in a series title. Although I love the suggestions - very evocative (and Singapore Sins is a winner), there is a possibility they may not be staying in Singapore... so I need to be a bit more universal. Many thanks for the input!
Excited about the new series. Can't wait to read it!!! I don't have a potential name for your upcoming series as yet, but if I think of one, I'll sent it to you.
Thank you so much for your support :-) I am still thinking...
I wonder if referencing flowers or perhaps wildlife from Singapore would work? I love the idea of a theme for the titles and I'm really excited to get a chance to read more of Curran & Harriet.
I'll be very excited to see the new series. You asked for ideas, so. . . I know it's longer, but how about the Harriet Gordon and Robert Curran Mysteries? I don't like the inequality of using her first and his last name (even though that's how they're identified in the stories), because he respects her in ways women were rarely respected back then (and now, if truth be told, but that's another issue).
Re: a title word for each book in the series, hard to suggest anything without knowing more about them. I suppose "Singapore" is too long and unwieldy. What about "Secret" or something similar -- "Secret of the Old Convent," "The Fortune Teller's Secret," etc. Or "Hidden."
Many thanks for your input Susanna. It's a bit of a toughie!
I am leaning toward the Gordon & Curran Mysteries... but I'll keep working on it.
Not going to use Singapore because they not stay there - who knows? An adventurous pair like those two could go anywhere!
I like Gordon and Curran better than Harriet and Curran, for sure! :-)
Hi Alison great news that Harriet is returning - I was very disappointed when the series ended. However I did understand the difficulties you had in getting the books published. So onto the new series Harriet and Curran. I’m not sure if you intend to keep the whole series named as the “Harriet and Curran Mysteries”. Perhaps then to name each book with a different place or identity name as say “Murder in Singapore” book 1 or “Sins in Singapore” book 2 “Assassination in Penang” book 3. I have borrowed places from your previous commenters. Any old hoo just some thoughts for you. Please also don’t forget us audio buffs who need a good narrator! Looking forward to this new series!
Regards Rosemary