The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

The story of a British woman, Claire, who marries a dull British government man who gets a position in post-war Hong Kong. She takes on a job as a piano teacher to a very wealthy Chinese family, the Chens. She gets entangled in the mystery and drama revolving around the Chens and their driver, Will. The story goes back and forth between the past and present (present in the book is early 1950's).

Very entertaining.

Ms. Hempel Chronicles by Sarah Shun-lien Bynum

This is actually a collection of related short stories, written from the point of view of a teacher. I read the first two right after seeing the movie, "The Class" and it was quite fitting. Teachers should ALL read these first two stories.
A very talented writer.