Crazy Rich Asians meets The Help!From Reese’s Book Club veteran Balli Kaur Jaswal comes a wildly entertaining and sharply observed story of three women who work in the homes of Singapore’s elite, and band together to solve a murder mystery involving one of their own.
“Tender and heartfelt, Now You See us also manages to be laugh-out-loud funny. An uplifting story of courage and hope that will keep you enthralled until the very last page.”—Jean Kwok, New York Times bestselling author of Searching for Sylvie Lee
"A truly irresistible read. Intricately plotted, propulsive, and provocative, NOW YOU SEE US showcases an author at the peak of her talents."--Kirstin Chen, New York Times bestselling author of Counterfeit
Corazon, Donita, and Angel are Filipina domestic workers—part of the wave of women sent to Singapore to be cleaners, maids, and caregivers.
Corazon: A veteran domestic worker, Cora had retired back to the Philippines for good, but she has returned to Singapore under mysterious circumstances. Now she’s keeping a secret from her wealthy employer, who is planning an extravagant wedding for her socialite daughter.
Donita: Barely out of her teens, this is Donita’s first time in Singapore, and she’s had the bad luck to be hired by the notoriously fussy Mrs. Fann. Brazen and exuberant, Donita’s thrown herself into a love affair with an Indian migrant worker.
Angel: Working as an in-home caregiver for an elderly employer, Angel is feeling blue after a recent breakup with the woman she loves. She’s alarmed when her employer’s son suddenly brings in a new nurse who may be a valuable ally...or meant to replace her.
Then an explosive news story shatters Singapore’s famous tranquility—and sends a chill down the spine of every domestic worker. Flordeliza Martinez, a Filipina maid, has been arrested for murdering her female employer. The three women don’t know the accused well, but she could be any of them; every worker knows stories of women who were scapegoated or even executed for crimes they didn’t commit.
Shocked into action, Donita, Corazon, and Angel will use their considerable moxie and insight to piece together the mystery of what really happened on the day Flordeliza’s employer was murdered. After all, no one knows the secrets of Singapore’s families like the women who work in their homes…
Author Info
The daughter of a diplomat, Balli Kaur Jaswal was born in Singapore and grew up in Japan, Russia, and the Philippines. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Hollins University in Virginia and a PhD from Singapore’s Nanyang Technical University. Her essays and op-eds about diaspora, censorship, racism, and sexuality have appeared in the New York Times, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, The South China Morning Post, Harper’s Bazaar, and Salon.com. She lives with her family in Singapore, where she is a professor at Yale-NUS.
Reviews
"A truly irresistible read. Intricately plotted, propulsive, and provocative, Now You See Us showcases an author at the peak of her talents." — Kirstin Chen, New York Times bestselling author of Counterfeit
“Vivid, provocative and finely observed, Jaswal draws the often hidden lives of domestic workers in Singapore into the light. And not without the crack of thunder. It sparkles with humanity and humour.” — Kara Gnodde, author of The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything
“Tender and heartfelt, Now You See us also manages to be laugh-out-loud funny while offering searing commentary on misogyny, race, and class. An uplifting story of courage and hope that will keep you enthralled until the very last page.” — Jean Kwok, New York Times bestselling author of Searching for Sylvie Lee
"Heart-wrenching, funny, and fabulous!" — Julia Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of Bridgerton
"An entertaining tale with unforgettable characters that manages to also offer an insider’s trenchant social commentary." — Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan, author of the international bestseller, Sarong Party Girls
"Jaswal’s well-crafted novel blends mystery, social commentary, and human drama into a fascinating amalgam that highlights the plight of decidedly unseen women undertaking cheap labor that exposes them to all sorts of abuse. The story feels authentic and is timely." — Booklist
“A playful yet profound novel [that] moves easily from heartfelt to humorous…what may seem to be a singular story about first-generation London-bred Punjabi women evolves into a story universal to us all.” — USA Today on The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters
“Jaswal tackles serious themes (arranged vs forced marriage, traditional vs modern culture) with a light and funny touch. A page-turner your commute will thank you for.” — Glamour Magazine on Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows
“By turns erotic, romantic, and mysterious, this novel of women defying patriarchial strictures enchants.” — Kirkus Reviews on Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows
“Charming. . . . This is a sparkling read.” — Publishers Weekly on Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows
“An absolute delight…sad, joyful, and exciting all at the same time.” — Bookpage (starred review) on The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters
“I loved this novel—it’s so big-hearted and earthy and funny. Best of all, it turns many preconceptions upside down, and opens up a world that so many of us have only glimpsed. A rattlingly good story.” — Deborah Moggach, author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, on Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows
