Nury Vittachi is a journalist and author whose work is renowned for its comedic take on crime narratives. He captivates readers with witty observations and brisk storytelling, often drawing inspiration from Asian cultural nuances. His journalistic background infuses his writing with both perceptiveness and amusement. Vittachi skillfully blends detective plots with humor, crafting memorable reading experiences.
Marko and Miranda learn that Journey to the West--a magical books about a man traveling with the Monkey King--is based on a true story that's just as amazing. Join them as they go on an unforgettable trip to learn the secrets of ancient India and China.
There was once a kingdom in Asia known for its storytelling. But the peaceful inhabitants had to fight the unbeatable Mongol Horde, whose hands held a new invention: the first guns on Earth. Join Miranda and Marko in another thrilling adventure as they journey through time to the ancient Majapahit Empire, with its line of "trickster" princes.
Scientists are often presented as old men in white coats, but this series shows that great discoveries have been made by people of all ages and cultures - some are young people, and many are female.
- What if the moon disappeared when no one was looking at it? - What if time worked differently for each of us? - What if things you could touch were made out of ideas? - What if a decision you made now changed history 10 billion years ago? - What if experiments showed that another dimension exists? Quantum physics and relativity, two of the most important advances in modern science, are normally presented as a series of technical discoveries in 20th century Europe. Yet this brief, easy-to-read volume shows how they were underpinned by centuries of observations about the nature of reality from the great philosophies and faiths of humanity, from China to India to the Middle East. At each stage, the people involved found themselves saying: That's impossible! That makes no sense. And yet...
Hong Kong, 1980. A British police officer minutes away from being arrested by colleagues for sex crimes is found dead in his locked bedroom. There are multiple wounds to his chest; his used service revolver by his side. There's only one possible suicide. Yet a painstaking reinvestigation uncovers a different one involving a secret pedophile ring servicing the city's most powerful men, high-level cover-ups, international geopolitics and the involvement of a secretive unit of police officers tasked with tracking down and arresting homosexuals—the Witchhunters. The operation ultimately resulted in the tragic death of police inspector John MacLennan—a watershed moment leading to the eventual decriminalization of homosexual acts in Hong Kong in 1991. For decades, many people have suspected that the young officer died because of information he possessed. This book reveals for the first time what MacLennan knew.
A man lost in time, a mysterious portal, and a mountain of poems. Marko and Miranda must deliver an urgent message to the mysterious Cold Mountain. But how does one communicate with a mountain, why do the people they meet refuse to speak, and who is the eccentric stranger who writes poems on trees and rocks? Marko and Miranda might be faced with their most challenging adventure yet.
Sam Jam sat in a school library and challenged the school community to ask him about the origin of anything at all -- and pledged to use library resources to answer within 60 minutes. Children and adults delivered clever, funny, unexpected questions: Who owned the first pet dog? Who invented toilets? What was the first song? Were the first newspapers really made of rock? And who was the first human, anyway? Seeking answers, he and his young assistants discovered remarkable true tales: The tamer of wolves The tape measure that reached the moon The first instant message The man who took a picture of a sound The first newspaper -- which actually WAS made of rock And dozens more remarkable true stories. The result is a fun story collection about the origins of a huge range of things -- which also introduces young readers to the art and science of academic research. In these times of fake news, information overload, and too much homework, the ability to conduct fast, accurate research is one of the best skills any student can have -- and you can learn it in these pages.
C.F. Wong, a Feng Shui master, struggles to adapt to the fast-paced, noisy demands of the 21st century, which disrupts his need for tranquility. His clients rely on him for a range of issues, from locating missing persons to improving business fortunes. However, his latest challenge comes in the form of an intern, a persistent presence with an annoying cell phone, an awkward wardrobe, and an Australian accent, complicating Wong's already hectic life and work.
A murder in the Philippines, a kidnapping in Thailand, grand theft auto in Singapore; it's just another day at the office for CF Wong and his slacker assistant Joyce. More feng shui master than detective, Wong would much rather get paid, go home and put his feet up, but that's just not going to happen. They are in demand - all over Asia.
A dangerous supervillain is on the warpath and the terrified townsfolk need a hero to save them! Nerdy, homework-obsessed Jeri Telstar, the boy who did Good Things at Bad Times, seems like the world's least-likely until he discovers The Biggest Secret in the World. Jeri Telstar is a hero for today, balancing his need to get good grades with his desire to save the universe. This book is the first of a new series that gives modern youngsters a hero with whom they can identify. It will delight with the message that the most powerful forces in the universe are not flying fists but secrets found in books. Aimed at children (boys) aged 6 11 years.