Pearl of the Orient

by Christopher Nicole Book 1 in the Pearl of the Orient series.

First published 1988

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4.3(491)

During the early 19th century, Europe lies in tatters at the feet of Napoleon’s conquering army. Yet the Dutch and British continue to clash for supremacy in the Far East, where princes and traders vie for influence and riches among the people. Teng Lee, an opportunity seeking merchant, dreams of leaving China and settling down in paradise. He currently works as a roving diplomat between the struggling countries and colonies of Southeast Asia, but he longs to be free.

It’s not long before he senses a chance to set himself up forever after crossing paths with Stamford Raffles, a visionary young colonial official who dreams of conquests to expand Britain’s growing empire. After the beautiful Elizabeth Blaine is kidnapped by pirates, Lee sees a chance to play one country against another in an international chess game, where he is sure to emerge as the winner. Teng Lee’s diplomacy, commercial ambition and rescue of Elizabeth Blaine are placed within the Anglo-Dutch struggle for Southeast Asian trade and the political decisions from which British Singapore emerges.