Love, loss and intrigue in the palace of a royal Malayan court
Northern Malaya, 1825. Princess Toh has been left in charge of the palace while her brother is away fighting, but her violent husband is causing trouble in her court. Meanwhile, Aashif, who was trekking through the jungle, stumbles upon a girl who has been brutally assaulted and left to die. Back at the palace, the traumatised young man decides to escape and seek freedom; together with Princess Toh’s maid, he sets out on a perilous journey. Distraught at this news, Toh pledges to do anything she can to bring the runaways home – even if that means resorting to help from the magical spirits that guard the kingdom. And all the while, a murderer is on the loose… The Last Great Love Song is a magical tale of secrets and lies, a bewitching story that will convince the reader of the power of love – and magic.
Paul Callan was born in Dublin, Ireland. As a young man, he abandoned his first attempt at becoming a novelist in pursuit of a business career. He has since written five historical novels, all of which combine intricate storytelling with exotic settings. His first, The Dulang Washer was longlisted for the IMPAC award in 2012. His most recent novel, The Secrets of the Sakura Girls, was published by Penguin Random House SEA in 2021. He lives between London and Kuala Lumpur.
