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Dishonoured: A brutal murder... And a revenge that lives on.
In a tale that spans the generations, from Colonial India in 1857 to the swinging 60s of London, a murder must be avenged.
"A brilliant novel... it simmers over the flame as combustible as a dry match."
When an English colonel loses his beloved wife at the hands of a blood thirsty mob in Imperial India, he exacts a terrible revenge on the Indians he holds responsible. Jagat Rai swears in turn never to rest until Mills and his kin have been made to pay for the death of his father.
Over a hundred years later, in the bustle of 1960s London, the oath survives merely as an amusing anecdote for Major Phillips Mills, the colonel’s great-great grandson. However, when he and his new bride return to India, memories of past dishonour are stirred once more – rekindled by the fierce desire for revenge for Shiva Rai, latest bearer of his family’s unfulfilled oath.
But amid the seductive jasmine a force more powerful than hatred hampers Shiva’s determination, a forbidden love that goes against the grain of history, a love that must be paid for - a life for a life - twenty years later…
Reader reviews
"A clever storyline that looks at history and events from the past as well as present day interpretation. it invites the reader to reflect on the issues of power and the resulting consequence of the past."
"A brilliant book. I loved it."
"A brilliant novel... it simmers over the flame as combustible as a dry match."
When an English colonel loses his beloved wife at the hands of a blood thirsty mob in Imperial India, he exacts a terrible revenge on the Indians he holds responsible. Jagat Rai swears in turn never to rest until Mills and his kin have been made to pay for the death of his father.
Over a hundred years later, in the bustle of 1960s London, the oath survives merely as an amusing anecdote for Major Phillips Mills, the colonel’s great-great grandson. However, when he and his new bride return to India, memories of past dishonour are stirred once more – rekindled by the fierce desire for revenge for Shiva Rai, latest bearer of his family’s unfulfilled oath.
But amid the seductive jasmine a force more powerful than hatred hampers Shiva’s determination, a forbidden love that goes against the grain of history, a love that must be paid for - a life for a life - twenty years later…
Reader reviews
"A clever storyline that looks at history and events from the past as well as present day interpretation. it invites the reader to reflect on the issues of power and the resulting consequence of the past."
"A brilliant book. I loved it."
- GenresHistoricalFictionNovels
446 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1996
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About the author
Maria Barrett
29 books8 followersMaria Barrett has published 12 novels, widely translated and sold worldwide. She also writes romantic fiction under the name of EVIE HILL.
Maria's latest novel is the first in an historical crime series set in New York in 1907.
Maria's latest novel is the first in an historical crime series set in New York in 1907.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 26, 2017
This was the book which started my interest in India; this interest then shaped my whole life and gave me my best friends, the most amazing people in the world.
June 9, 2022
J'ai choisi ce livre malgré le résumé pas forcément super car je voulais lui laisser une chance puisque j'aime beaucoup tout ce qui se passe en Inde.
Ce fut une bonne surprise car l'histoire était bien mieux que ce que le résumé laissait imaginer (il faut dire, il n'est vraiment pas top, ce résumé...). Les sentiments des personnages sont un peu rapides à évoluer, ils tombent un peu amoureux sans qu'on ait de réelle évolution, mais cela ne nuit pas à l'histoire globale car il se passe trop de choses pour qu'on puisse s'attarder sur chaque couple du livre.
Bref, une bonne surprise et je recommande le livre.
Ce fut une bonne surprise car l'histoire était bien mieux que ce que le résumé laissait imaginer (il faut dire, il n'est vraiment pas top, ce résumé...). Les sentiments des personnages sont un peu rapides à évoluer, ils tombent un peu amoureux sans qu'on ait de réelle évolution, mais cela ne nuit pas à l'histoire globale car il se passe trop de choses pour qu'on puisse s'attarder sur chaque couple du livre.
Bref, une bonne surprise et je recommande le livre.
May 5, 2022
Two generations of deep rooted misunderstanding. A Romeo and Juliet/Pachinko twist on a British/Indian forbidden relationship. Picked up for free at an airport, finished in 3 days. 7/10
October 28, 2025
#190 - 2025
Genre: Historical Fiction
Genre: Historical Fiction
October 30, 2012
started off slow but I really liked it by the end.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews