Utube by Rozlon mohd noor.
Inspector mislan latif #3.
A brilliant read. A sensitive subject. I still enjoyed it. Sherry was my favourite. I'm looking forward to the next book. 5*.

In UTube: Inspector Mislan and the Emancipatist Conspiracy, Rozlan Mohd Noor has written another excellent police procedural, enjoyable both for the mechanics of the investigation (forensics, leg work, computer savvy - and a bit of luck) and for its detailed background in Kuala Lumpur. And, of course, for its food. It seems there is always food – from nasi lemak for breakfast to chili crab for dinner.

In this third book of the series, however, Rozlan takes a slightly different approach than in the first two. Rather than having Inspector Mislan and his team as the leads on a murder case, they are seconded to a cross-divisional investigation into a series of rapes that have been carried out in an oddly “organized” way, with videos posted to UTube shortly after. Inspector Sharifah Azlina Syed Abdullah (known as Sherry) and her team, from the Sexual and Child Abuse Investigation Division, have already been working on the rapes when the roommate of one of the victims gets killed, almost by mistake, after she surprises the rapists by coming home unexpectedly. As a result, Mislan and his team end up joining the already on-going investigation, and readers get to watch as Sherry’s and Mislan’s different styles and approaches clash, and sometimes mesh. And in the end, in spite of lots of interference from above, they piece together the picture of what is going on.

Having read the first two books in the series, I liked seeing familiar characters like Mislan, Detective Sergeant Johan Kamarudin, and Mislan’s amazing boss, Superintendent Samsiah. (Although I don’t think it’s necessary to have read the first two books before reading this one, it probably helps a bit.) It was also fun to hiss at the somewhat one-dimensional press-attention-seeking OCCI, Burhanuddin Sidek. But I think I enjoyed meeting the new team even more, including Sherry, Detective Deena Sofea Azman, thier boss Superintenent Lillian Wong Wee Sin, and the IT-techie Saifuddin Rahim. I hope we get to continue to see these folks in the ongoing series. All-in-all, UTube is a quick and fun read, and I look forward to more titles coming out in e-book. And my thanks to Arcade Crimewise and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

“UTube: Inspector Mislan and the Emancipatist Consipracy”, by Rozlan Mohd Noor, is the third book in the Inspector Mislan police procedural series, and second book to be reprinted in the series in 2021. After reading and loving “21 Immortals” mid 2020, and “DUKE” a little earlier this year, I was mentally prepared to wait one more year until the third book came out. But book miracles happen, and Inspector Mislan returned once again this year for another investigation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Previously published with the title “UTube: Inspector Mislan and the UTube Serial Rapes”, the book follows a new police investigation in which Inspector Mislan pairs with Inspector Sherry, from the Child and Sexual Abuse Department, to investigate what appears to be a series of rapes with a very similar MO and victimology. Plot wise that is enough said so as not to venture into spoiler territory. A whole cast of characters is back from the previous books, including: Mislan’s loyal partner, Inspector Sergent Johan; Mislan’s firm and dedicated boss, Chief Inspector Samshiah; and the annoying and joke of a Chief Inspector Burhannudin. Alongside them, new inspectors and detectives are introduced on the task force, and for the first time in the series, we get to see Inspector Mislan working as a team member, rather than acting on his own.

Similar to the previous books in the series, there are tantalizing Malaysian landscapes and foods. The hierarchy in the police department, the corruption and political affiliations, and the integrity of the police, all common themes in the previous two books, are, of course, touched upon again here. The dialogue and character development are authentic, clearly drawn from the author’s experience as a member of the police force. The short chapters and lack of lengthy descriptions make this book, like the previous ones, very compelling to read.

I whole heartedly recommend “UTube”, and the whole “Inspector Mislan” series for that matter, to fans of police procedurals and crime. While “UTube” can definitely be read as a standalone, as can the other books in the series, it is always fun returning to dear characters and getting thrown back into the world of a series. For that reason, I do recommend picking up the whole series and reading the books in order. Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing (Arcade Crimewise) for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review. I cannot wait for the fourth book to be out, and this time I am not mentally prepared to wait a whole year!

This is a well done procedural that despite being part of a series works well as a standalone. Inspector Mislan and DS Johan find themselves wrapped into a series of assaults against women that must be solved quickly. Someone is taping them and posting on the internet. It's complex and twisty but the best part, for me, is the setting. Mislan, Johan, and Inspector Sherry might all feel familiar to fans of this genre but gosh it's interesting to read a novel set in Kuala Lumpur. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A quick and entertaining read.

My thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for an advanced copy of this police procedural.

UTube, the third book in the Inspector Mislan Latif series, written by Rozlan Mohd Noor, finds the Malaysian police officer seconded to a task force investigated a series of brutal assaults. Adding to the task forces' pressure is that the crimes are being broadcasted on social media, causing further agony and fear in the city.

This is the second Mislan book I have read and I enjoy the character and his support characters immensely. Mislan can be annoying, as a partner he'd probably get you in trouble, and as an officer he would probably get a division sued. The character has such a drive, for justice, to answer the question why, why did this person need to suffer, why did this person carry out this plan, that I find most interesting. Mislan acts impulsively, in some cases unethically and illegally, but always for the best of intentions. That is more of an excuse than a reason, but he is willing to bear with the consequences right or wrong.

Also I can not stress the one character that seems inescapable in these books. Food. Characters are always eating, stopping for street food, or restaurants, buying food for suspects, or ordering in as they work the investigation. I will have to look up some of this food and how to prepare it correctly.

A very compelling entry in an enjoyable series. I can't wait to read more.

UTube by Rozlan Mohd Noor is a well-written and engrossing read with well developed characterizations. Well worth the time spent reading.

It was a book that left me guessing till the end. I remember reading the other books in the series as well