Picture a Singaporean-born storyteller who swapped blueprints for mysteries, crafting tales that whisk you to the smoky, jazz-filled streets of post-WWI Britain—meet Christopher Huang! A master of historical mysteries, Huang blends intricate puzzles with the scars of war, creating stories that linger like fog over London. His journey from architect to author is as captivating as his novels, proving reinvention is an art form.
The Making of Christopher Huang
Born in Singapore, Christopher Huang grew up in a vibrant, multicultural city, an only child in a sprawling family tree. After serving two years of National Service as an Army Signaller, he moved to Canada at 17, drawn to Montreal’s charm. There, he studied architecture at McGill University, spending over a decade designing domestic spaces. But a lifelong love for Golden Age detective fiction—think Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers—simmered beneath the surface. Laid off at 40, Huang seized the chance to chase his dream, trading drafting tables for manuscripts and proving it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
Christopher Huang’s Unforgettable Stories
Huang’s debut, A Gentleman’s Murder (2018), introduces Lieutenant Eric Peterkin, a half-Chinese, half-British sleuth navigating 1924 London’s elite Britannia Club. When a wager turns deadly, Peterkin unravels a web of secrets tied to WWI’s lingering wounds. Praised for its Golden Age homage and vivid PTSD portrayals, it earned a 2018 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Silver Award and a TV development deal. Its sequel, A Pretender’s Murder (2025), dives deeper into wartime espionage, with Peterkin probing a colonel’s death amid family intrigue.
Unnatural Ends (2023), a standalone, swaps Peterkin for a Shakespearean family drama. Three adopted siblings compete to solve their tyrannical father’s murder to inherit his estate, uncovering horrifying truths about science and justice. Huang’s style shines: meticulous historical detail, complex characters, and puzzles that keep you guessing. His settings, from London’s gritty alleys to rural estates, pulse with post-war tension, while themes of race, identity, and trauma add depth to the whodunit.
Why Christopher Huang Matters
Huang’s mysteries do more than entertain—they resurrect the Golden Age with a modern lens, weaving social issues like racism and shell shock into timeless puzzles. His outsider perspective, shaped by his Singaporean-Canadian roots, infuses Eric Peterkin with a unique voice, challenging the era’s norms. Readers and critics, from Publishers Weekly to cozy mystery fans, celebrate his ability to transport and provoke thought, making him a fresh voice in historical fiction. As his works inspire TV adaptations and sequels, Huang’s star is rising, proving small stories can leave big footprints.
- Born: Singapore, date undisclosed
- Key Works: A Gentleman’s Murder (2018), Unnatural Ends (2023), A Pretender’s Murder (2025)
- Awards: 2018 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Silver for A Gentleman’s Murder
- Fun Fact: Once mistook ‘psychic fair’ for ‘psychic ferret,’ inspiring a quirky character!
About Christopher Huang
Ready to unravel a mystery? Snag A Gentleman’s Murder and dive into Christopher Huang’s thrilling world of clues, courage, and post-war intrigue!