Book overview
‘A captivating and moving story, taking the reader close to Julia and Lim on their long journeys through loss and love, and full of the authentic feel of the Far East.’
— Kate Miller
A Historical Fiction Novel of War, Secrets, and Survival in 1950s Malaya
In the shadow of a forgotten war, two lives remain bound by silence.
Julia and Lim are children—and strangers to one another—when the brutal jungle conflict of 1950s Malaya tears through their world, leaving them orphaned and forever marked by violence and loss. The war ends, but the past refuses to let them go.
Years later, both have rebuilt their lives in England, determined to escape the ghosts of childhood and forge new identities far from the dense jungles and political turmoil of Southeast Asia. Scarred but resilient, they carve out separate futures—until fate unexpectedly draws them back together.
When circumstances force them to return to the land they once fled, the past resurfaces with dangerous urgency. In a homeland transformed by shifting loyalties, buried secrets begin to emerge from the shadows of war.
As memories collide with long-hidden truths, Julia and Lim are pulled into a tense search for answers. What really happened during those chaotic years? And who has been hiding the truth all along?
Now, in a race against time—and against their own unraveling sanity—they must decide how far they are willing to go for justice.
Because uncovering the truth may finally set them free…
or destroy everything they have fought to rebuild.
Perfect for readers of historical fiction, post-war drama, and emotionally powerful stories set in Southeast Asia, this gripping novel explores war trauma, identity, loyalty, and the cost of justice in the aftermath of a conflict the world has almost forgotten.
This book will appeal to fans of Dinah Jefferies and Kate Furnivall and hold readers' interest until the end.
Sarah Jane King is a historical novelist, short story writer, and blogger living in Hertfordshire. Her varied career—spanning the beauty industry and book trade—has given her plenty of inspiration for creating different characters for her stories. Sarah's ideas are also shaped by her travels around the world, including three years spent living in Malaysia, an experience that inspired her debut novel, Woman in the Red Cheongsam, a compelling and expansive tale about a jungle conflict in 1950s Malaya, betrayal, and the pursuit of justice.
Active within her local creative community, she is a member of Hertford Writers’ Circle and a keen supporter of Herts Book Festival. A firm believer that arts and culture can enrich lives and aid our mental health, she established a blog during the pandemic: About Time – An Exploration of Writing and Creative Arts.
Product Information
Publisher The Endless Bookcase
Publication date 27 Mar.
A great read, both a thriller political intrigues and an historic novel. Keeps you in suspense until the end. I could envisage this turning into a movie. Can recommend, especially those that have family links with the old colonies.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 April 2026
Fascinating story of how two lost souls come together, from their childhood in Malaya to meeting in the U.K decades later via extremely diverse paths. I found it to be a novel that is difficult to put down as i care about the outcome of the two main protagonists.... See more
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Unexpected circumstances
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 April 2026
Format: Paperback
This story had me hooked from the start. The characters personalities and the situations they found themselves in seemed very real to me and I couldn’t wait to find out what happens to them. I loved the description of Malaya and of the people. I could almost feel the heat... See more
Very evocative and descriptive. Interesting right from the beginning. Well done Sarah.
Format: Paperback
Am so excited to find a book I just want to read more and more of. The writer evokes such vivid images of Malay history. She brings the characters to life. I love this book.