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Akal Singh #2
A Shipwreck in Fiji
Fiji, 1915: when a purported sighting of Germans on the run from WWI turns deadly, Sergeant Akal Singh must (reluctantly) take up the investigation in this vibrant follow-up to A Disappearance in Fiji.
Sergeant Akal Singh, an unwilling transplant to Fiji, is just starting to settle into his life in the capital city of Suva when he is sent to the neighboring island of Ovalau on a series of fool’s errands. First: investigate strange reports of Germans, thousands of miles from the front of World War I. Second: chaperone two strong-willed European ladies, Mary and Katherine, on a sight-seeing tour. And third: supervise the only police officer currently on Ovalau, an eighteen-year-old constable with a penchant for hysterics.
Accompanied by his friend Taviti, who is visiting his uncle, the local chief, Akal sets off on these seemingly straightforward tasks. Instead, they become embroiled in a series of local issues: the gruesome death of an unpopular local and the imprisonment of a group of Norwegian sailors in Taviti’s uncle’s village. To add to Akal’s woes, Katherine, the charming aspiring journalist, harbors an agenda of her own. Will Akal be able to keep her—and himself—out of trouble before anybody else gets killed?
Nilima Rao’s debut, A Disappearance in Fiji, was a critical darling and award-winner, ending up on multiple best-of-year roundups. This next installment in the Sergeant Akal Singh series has all the charm and sparkle of the first book, with even more fascinating historical insight into the realities of life on Fiji at the start of the twentieth century.
Sergeant Akal Singh, an unwilling transplant to Fiji, is just starting to settle into his life in the capital city of Suva when he is sent to the neighboring island of Ovalau on a series of fool’s errands. First: investigate strange reports of Germans, thousands of miles from the front of World War I. Second: chaperone two strong-willed European ladies, Mary and Katherine, on a sight-seeing tour. And third: supervise the only police officer currently on Ovalau, an eighteen-year-old constable with a penchant for hysterics.
Accompanied by his friend Taviti, who is visiting his uncle, the local chief, Akal sets off on these seemingly straightforward tasks. Instead, they become embroiled in a series of local issues: the gruesome death of an unpopular local and the imprisonment of a group of Norwegian sailors in Taviti’s uncle’s village. To add to Akal’s woes, Katherine, the charming aspiring journalist, harbors an agenda of her own. Will Akal be able to keep her—and himself—out of trouble before anybody else gets killed?
Nilima Rao’s debut, A Disappearance in Fiji, was a critical darling and award-winner, ending up on multiple best-of-year roundups. This next installment in the Sergeant Akal Singh series has all the charm and sparkle of the first book, with even more fascinating historical insight into the realities of life on Fiji at the start of the twentieth century.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published April 29, 2025
About the author
Nilima Rao
3 books201 followersNilima Rao is a Fijian Indian Australian who has always referred to herself as "culturally confused." She has since learned that we are all confused in some way and has been published on the topic by Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service and now feels better about the whole thing. When she isn't writing, Nilima can be found wrangling data (the dreaded day job) or wandering around Melbourne laneways in search of the next new wine bar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
March 14, 2026
I really enjoy Nilima Rao's books. Rao has come into her own on this 2nd Fiji mystery. The young woman shows an insight and sensitivity to the characters and her depictions of native Fijians and the Indian migrants to these islands. Most of the Europeans come off a short sighted and having a high sense of their own superiority.
The main protagonist is Sgt. Akal Singh from India, and who along with his Watson, Fiji Constable Taviti Tukana solves crimes in early 1900s Fiji, then a colony of Britain. A quick trip to escort two white women to Ovalau turns into the capture of German raiders and the investigation of a double murder.
I would describe this book as "a real good time".
The main protagonist is Sgt. Akal Singh from India, and who along with his Watson, Fiji Constable Taviti Tukana solves crimes in early 1900s Fiji, then a colony of Britain. A quick trip to escort two white women to Ovalau turns into the capture of German raiders and the investigation of a double murder.
I would describe this book as "a real good time".
November 9, 2025
A Shipwreck in Fiji by Nilima Rao
Synopsis /
Fiji, 1915: when a purported sighting of Germans on the run from WWI turns deadly, Sergeant Akal Singh must (reluctantly) take up the investigation in this vibrant follow-up to A Disappearance in Fiji.
Sergeant Akal Singh, an unwilling transplant to Fiji, is just starting to settle into his life in the capital city of Suva when he is sent to the neighbouring island of Ovalau on a series of fool’s errands. First: investigate strange reports of Germans, thousands of miles from the front of World War I. Second: chaperone two strong-willed European ladies, Mary and Katherine, on a sight-seeing tour. And third: supervise the only police officer currently on Ovalau, an eighteen-year-old constable with a penchant for hysterics.
Accompanied by his friend Taviti, who is visiting his uncle, the local chief, Akal sets off on these seemingly straightforward tasks. Instead, they become embroiled in a series of local issues: the gruesome death of an unpopular local and the imprisonment of a group of Norwegian sailors in Taviti’s uncle’s village. To add to Akal’s woes, Katherine, the charming aspiring journalist, harbors an agenda of her own. Will Akal be able to keep her—and himself—out of trouble before anybody else gets killed?
My Thoughts /
A Shipwreck in Fiji is a smart, engaging historical mystery that transports you straight into the heart of colonial Fiji, 1915. Written by Fijian Indian Australian, Nilima Rao, the author explores themes like the clash between traditional Fijian culture and British colonialism, as well as exploring the political tensions within the colony.
At the series centre is protagonist Sergeant Akal Singh, a Sikh police officer exiled to Fiji after a scandal in Hong Kong wrecks his career. As a working member of the Fijian police department, Sing is caught between British colonial rulers who don’t trust him, Indian labourers who hold him at a distance, and Fijians whose world he can’t easily enter. Akal is sharp and driven, yet quietly haunted by his past, and part of the series’ pull for this reader is wondering whether solving this case will help him carve out a place for himself — or leave him even more adrift. Readers will really connect with this character.
At the start of the novel, Singh is sent to the island of Ovalau on what he believes are simple, almost demeaning errands by his superior officer, Inspector General Jonathan Thurstrom. Singh believes Thurstrom is punishing him for a past perceived indiscretion. His task list includes: investigating mysterious reports of German soldiers on the island; chaperoning two Australian women who are on a sightseeing tour; and supervising the young sole police officer on the island.
Accompanied by his friend and fellow officer, Constable Taviti Tukana (whose uncle is a local chief), Akal arrives in the town of Levuka to find that the man who reported the sighting of the Germans has been gruesomely murdered. This immediately transforms Akal's straightforward assignment into a complex murder investigation.
The European sailors, initially claiming to be Norwegian, are imprisoned by Taviti's uncle's village for the capital offense (under local tribal law) of killing and eating a sea turtle. The men are suspected of being the shipwrecked German party. In the meantime, budding journalist, Katherine Clancy, the niece of Hugh Clancy, owner of the local newspaper, has her own agenda and a keen interest in the case, often putting herself and Akal in a difficult position due to the strict racial and class tensions of the time period.
As the investigation unfolds, Akal and Constable Tukana find themselves caught between the local authorities, the reported sighting of the European sailors, and their own conflicting responsibilities.
A series that will serve you best if read in order, book #2 is an excellent addition to the series. Rao has written a genuinely engaging mystery with realistic characters and a setting that is beautifully described. The inclusion of themes surrounding tribal culture and island life added to the depth and authenticity of the story.
Synopsis /
Fiji, 1915: when a purported sighting of Germans on the run from WWI turns deadly, Sergeant Akal Singh must (reluctantly) take up the investigation in this vibrant follow-up to A Disappearance in Fiji.
Sergeant Akal Singh, an unwilling transplant to Fiji, is just starting to settle into his life in the capital city of Suva when he is sent to the neighbouring island of Ovalau on a series of fool’s errands. First: investigate strange reports of Germans, thousands of miles from the front of World War I. Second: chaperone two strong-willed European ladies, Mary and Katherine, on a sight-seeing tour. And third: supervise the only police officer currently on Ovalau, an eighteen-year-old constable with a penchant for hysterics.
Accompanied by his friend Taviti, who is visiting his uncle, the local chief, Akal sets off on these seemingly straightforward tasks. Instead, they become embroiled in a series of local issues: the gruesome death of an unpopular local and the imprisonment of a group of Norwegian sailors in Taviti’s uncle’s village. To add to Akal’s woes, Katherine, the charming aspiring journalist, harbors an agenda of her own. Will Akal be able to keep her—and himself—out of trouble before anybody else gets killed?
My Thoughts /
A Shipwreck in Fiji is a smart, engaging historical mystery that transports you straight into the heart of colonial Fiji, 1915. Written by Fijian Indian Australian, Nilima Rao, the author explores themes like the clash between traditional Fijian culture and British colonialism, as well as exploring the political tensions within the colony.
At the series centre is protagonist Sergeant Akal Singh, a Sikh police officer exiled to Fiji after a scandal in Hong Kong wrecks his career. As a working member of the Fijian police department, Sing is caught between British colonial rulers who don’t trust him, Indian labourers who hold him at a distance, and Fijians whose world he can’t easily enter. Akal is sharp and driven, yet quietly haunted by his past, and part of the series’ pull for this reader is wondering whether solving this case will help him carve out a place for himself — or leave him even more adrift. Readers will really connect with this character.
At the start of the novel, Singh is sent to the island of Ovalau on what he believes are simple, almost demeaning errands by his superior officer, Inspector General Jonathan Thurstrom. Singh believes Thurstrom is punishing him for a past perceived indiscretion. His task list includes: investigating mysterious reports of German soldiers on the island; chaperoning two Australian women who are on a sightseeing tour; and supervising the young sole police officer on the island.
Accompanied by his friend and fellow officer, Constable Taviti Tukana (whose uncle is a local chief), Akal arrives in the town of Levuka to find that the man who reported the sighting of the Germans has been gruesomely murdered. This immediately transforms Akal's straightforward assignment into a complex murder investigation.
The European sailors, initially claiming to be Norwegian, are imprisoned by Taviti's uncle's village for the capital offense (under local tribal law) of killing and eating a sea turtle. The men are suspected of being the shipwrecked German party. In the meantime, budding journalist, Katherine Clancy, the niece of Hugh Clancy, owner of the local newspaper, has her own agenda and a keen interest in the case, often putting herself and Akal in a difficult position due to the strict racial and class tensions of the time period.
As the investigation unfolds, Akal and Constable Tukana find themselves caught between the local authorities, the reported sighting of the European sailors, and their own conflicting responsibilities.
A series that will serve you best if read in order, book #2 is an excellent addition to the series. Rao has written a genuinely engaging mystery with realistic characters and a setting that is beautifully described. The inclusion of themes surrounding tribal culture and island life added to the depth and authenticity of the story.
June 30, 2025
No sophomore slump here!
I really enjoyed this, as the plot revolved around one of the stranger bits of WWI history.
Sgt Akal Singh's 'exile' in Fiji continues, with him still in bad grace with police Inspector-General Thurstrom. Akal's assignment this time is three-fold: escort two Australian women to Levuka, bolster the very young police constable there, and squash the rumors of Germans in the vicinity. Fortunately, one of Akal's few friends, Fijian constable Taviti, is able to accompany him on this make-work expedition. And away they all go, from Suva to the island of Ovalau, to visit the old capital city, Levuka.
Of course, nothing goes exactly as planned. There's a murder; the victim is the shopkeeper who reported the presence of the 'Germans'. The young local constable quickly passes the investigation over to Akal. Taviti's visit with his uncle, the chief of a nearby village, develops major problems.
I enjoyed all of the twists and turns in the plot, as well as the glimpse of tribal village life, and the role of the village chiefs and how they interacted with the colonial government.
The author's notes at the end are just as interesting as the book itself.
I really liked the author's first book A Disappearance in Fiji and was so happy to read this second outing with Sgt. Singh. I will be waiting, hoping, for a third book.
I really enjoyed this, as the plot revolved around one of the stranger bits of WWI history.
Sgt Akal Singh's 'exile' in Fiji continues, with him still in bad grace with police Inspector-General Thurstrom. Akal's assignment this time is three-fold: escort two Australian women to Levuka, bolster the very young police constable there, and squash the rumors of Germans in the vicinity. Fortunately, one of Akal's few friends, Fijian constable Taviti, is able to accompany him on this make-work expedition. And away they all go, from Suva to the island of Ovalau, to visit the old capital city, Levuka.
Of course, nothing goes exactly as planned. There's a murder; the victim is the shopkeeper who reported the presence of the 'Germans'. The young local constable quickly passes the investigation over to Akal. Taviti's visit with his uncle, the chief of a nearby village, develops major problems.
I enjoyed all of the twists and turns in the plot, as well as the glimpse of tribal village life, and the role of the village chiefs and how they interacted with the colonial government.
The author's notes at the end are just as interesting as the book itself.
I really liked the author's first book A Disappearance in Fiji and was so happy to read this second outing with Sgt. Singh. I will be waiting, hoping, for a third book.
December 21, 2025
I’m enjoying the exploits of Sergeant Akal Singh immensely. Rao brings to life Fiji under British rule, the relationships between the cultures, the Fijian ways of doing things, the treatment of people of color in a very realistic manner.
This time we have Germans being sighted, Singh having to escort two English women to another island where suddenly he’s confronted by a murder. Not what his boss had thought would happen! It seems sidelining Singh to general non confronting duties just pushes the fates to come up with an alternative.
Another fab. Read from Rao
This time we have Germans being sighted, Singh having to escort two English women to another island where suddenly he’s confronted by a murder. Not what his boss had thought would happen! It seems sidelining Singh to general non confronting duties just pushes the fates to come up with an alternative.
Another fab. Read from Rao
September 19, 2025
Loved the story and narration. New to me author and I loved it. Definitely plan to read more by this author. Captivating mystery. Intriguing. Highly recommend.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
December 14, 2024
(Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley)
After thoroughly enjoying A Disappearance in Fiji, I was extremely pleased to find that Nilima Rao is developing this into a full-blown series. And A Shipwreck in Fiji immediately proved to be an absolutely wonderful follow-up that possesses the exact same charm of its predecessor. Simply put, I found it to be a wonderful blend of cozy mystery, and my personal favorite kind of historical fiction - one that takes me to a particular time and more specifically, a place that I've yet to travel to before, and allows me to experience it at a depth I never would have previously imagined. I'm already greatly looking forward to the third book in the series (and hopefully, more in the wake after that).
After thoroughly enjoying A Disappearance in Fiji, I was extremely pleased to find that Nilima Rao is developing this into a full-blown series. And A Shipwreck in Fiji immediately proved to be an absolutely wonderful follow-up that possesses the exact same charm of its predecessor. Simply put, I found it to be a wonderful blend of cozy mystery, and my personal favorite kind of historical fiction - one that takes me to a particular time and more specifically, a place that I've yet to travel to before, and allows me to experience it at a depth I never would have previously imagined. I'm already greatly looking forward to the third book in the series (and hopefully, more in the wake after that).
September 2, 2025
Cozy, quirky, and utterly charming.
A Shipwreck in Fiji by Nilima Rao is the second book in the Sergeant Akal Singh series, and it was such a joy to see all the characters return — including Constable Taviti and Dr Holmes.
Set against the rich historical backdrop of WWI in Fiji, the story follows a murder investigation intertwined with the mysterious arrival of German sailors on the island. Rao’s quirky characters and witty banter make every scene enjoyable, while the mystery keeps you turning the pages.
I especially loved how the novel delved into tribal culture and island life, giving the story depth and authenticity without
slowing the pacing. It’s the perfect blend of historical fiction, intrigue, and humor — a cozy read that transports you
straight to the heart of Fiji.
Thanks to the fabulous team at @echopublishing for the #gifted copy.
I can’t wait to see what adventures await Sergeant Akal Singh next!
A Shipwreck in Fiji by Nilima Rao is the second book in the Sergeant Akal Singh series, and it was such a joy to see all the characters return — including Constable Taviti and Dr Holmes.
Set against the rich historical backdrop of WWI in Fiji, the story follows a murder investigation intertwined with the mysterious arrival of German sailors on the island. Rao’s quirky characters and witty banter make every scene enjoyable, while the mystery keeps you turning the pages.
I especially loved how the novel delved into tribal culture and island life, giving the story depth and authenticity without
slowing the pacing. It’s the perfect blend of historical fiction, intrigue, and humor — a cozy read that transports you
straight to the heart of Fiji.
Thanks to the fabulous team at @echopublishing for the #gifted copy.
I can’t wait to see what adventures await Sergeant Akal Singh next!
July 26, 2025
Akal's superior has assigned him to babysit two Australian visitors and also follow a wild goose chase about sightings of Germans on Levuka.
I love how Nilima Rao takes a true event and expands on this to make a fictional story that is entertaining and compelling.
This installment has Akal unexpectedly investigating two murders.
There is quite a bit of backstory which, for me, slowed the story down. However, if you haven't read A Disappearance in Fiji this backstory is quite beneficial as it explains why Akal is stationed in Fiji and his reticence.
I enjoyed the addition of indigenous Fijian culture and traditions and the way Rao portrayed the clash between traditional Fijian and British laws and also how Taviti struggled with being caught between these two cultures.
A Shipwreck in Fiji is an astounding historical mystery read which reads well as a standalone.
I love how Nilima Rao takes a true event and expands on this to make a fictional story that is entertaining and compelling.
This installment has Akal unexpectedly investigating two murders.
There is quite a bit of backstory which, for me, slowed the story down. However, if you haven't read A Disappearance in Fiji this backstory is quite beneficial as it explains why Akal is stationed in Fiji and his reticence.
I enjoyed the addition of indigenous Fijian culture and traditions and the way Rao portrayed the clash between traditional Fijian and British laws and also how Taviti struggled with being caught between these two cultures.
A Shipwreck in Fiji is an astounding historical mystery read which reads well as a standalone.
December 20, 2025
I always love a slice of fiction that is inspired by true events, so I was delighted to see that Nilima Rao had based this 2nd book in the Sergeant Akal Singh series on the real-life capture of a German aristocrat/privateer in Fiji during WWI. All in all, I felt like I learned quite a bit about Fiji's history and geography from Rao's research, as well as a little of the culture of Fiji's indigenous people. And on top of that, it's a cracking good story.
October 24, 2025
I particularly appreciated the sociocultural elements about the native Fijian and diasporic Indian groups. This book depicts British colonialism to set the context.
I thought the pacing was slow and the plotting was "very" linear. Furthermore, the attraction between Akal and Katherine felt forced or contrived. And the repeated references to why Akal left India and then left Hong Kong were jarring and did not move the story along.
Overall, I thought this book was okay but I enjoyed the first book much better. I'm not sure if I'd read the third in this series. I may as they're light enough.
I thought the pacing was slow and the plotting was "very" linear. Furthermore, the attraction between Akal and Katherine felt forced or contrived. And the repeated references to why Akal left India and then left Hong Kong were jarring and did not move the story along.
Overall, I thought this book was okay but I enjoyed the first book much better. I'm not sure if I'd read the third in this series. I may as they're light enough.
October 2, 2025
This ebook was very cheap, and that worried me because I am now very engaged with this series, and I hope it is profitable enough to keep going. Rao chooses great settings, and the village life at the center of this one was every bit as engaging as the plantation setting of the previous. It was also welcome to give her protagonist Akal more of a fleshed out relationship with Taviti. I am not at all a fan of the romance subplot, but then, I basically never am.
May 28, 2025
I’m starting to choose the odd book by the artwork on the cover, something that I also do when choosing wines for purchase 😉
I saw this book reviewed in The Age and was struck by the cover artwork. I’m glad I was as this was a delightful read about an area (Fiji) that I’m not overly familiar with. History woven with tribal customs and colonial law processes made for a wonderful book to read. My only sadness is that it was book 2 which means I will just have to read Book 1.
I saw this book reviewed in The Age and was struck by the cover artwork. I’m glad I was as this was a delightful read about an area (Fiji) that I’m not overly familiar with. History woven with tribal customs and colonial law processes made for a wonderful book to read. My only sadness is that it was book 2 which means I will just have to read Book 1.
January 13, 2026
Slightly biased review because it was just so fun to read a book set in Levuka where my grandparents lived and I have visited several times. Even without the setting I would have loved this book though. Hugely likeable characters, a good little mystery, easy and fun to read, and lots of fascinating history and politics. Highly recommend.
June 8, 2025
This is such a wonderful second installation of Sergeant Akal's adventures in Fiji! I enjoyed it even more than the first, with some new insights into beloved characters and a twisty mystery as well as a cameo from a swashbuckling sea captain. Following on from the deep dive into the lives of indentured Indian plantation workers in the first novel, this one features workers remaining in Fiji after their contracts have finished, and also explores the lives and traditions of the native Fijians. It is SO well-researched and written - learning history has never been so fun or readable!
August 7, 2025
The delightful Sergeant Akal Singh is sent, quite reluctantly, to the neighbouring island of Ovalau to chaperone a young woman and her aunt. He's accompanied by the cheerful Taviti, who has not been home to the island in a while, and though reluctant, travels with Akal to the island.
The two first check n fon Ovalau first with a young and very green constable, who tells them there are reports of a group of Germans who are very far from home and the fighting in WW1.
Taviti takes Akal to meet his family and father, the local chief. Akal is welcomed by Taviti's family, and told by the quietly chief that Taviti should be home, focusing on his tribe, and not working as a police officer. Akal, though sympathetic, must rope Taviti into an investigation when a local shopkeeper is found murdered, and the Germans, once captured, claim to be Norwegians, and had nothing to do with the death.
Then, there are the other two matters:
-The "Norwegians" have killed and eaten a sea turtle, a death sentence for anyone not the chief.
-The two women, particularly the younger one, wants to be a reporter, and a friend to Akal. This touches off some deeply uncomfortable emotions in Aksl, as he was pushed out of Hong Kong because his benign friendship with a white woman blew up in his face.
Nothing is as it appears in any of the situations, and it will take careful questions and observation for Akal to find a way through all the tangled messes he's landed in.
Author Nilima Rao not only gives us interesting mysteries in this story, but also shows how difficult the relations are between the tribal people and the colonial government, which has disrespected and trampled and all over longstanding traditions. Rao also weaves in an actual case (the marooned Germans), while expanding our understanding of Akal's past and difficult working relationship with his superior.
Voice actor Sid Sagar does a great job voicing Akal again, as well as the irrepressible Taviti, and all the other characters, of course.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and learning about this part of Fiji in 1915, and hope there are more Akal Singh adventures on the horizon.
Thank you to Netgalley, Soho Press, Echo Publishing, and RBMedia for these ARCs in exchange for my review.
The two first check n fon Ovalau first with a young and very green constable, who tells them there are reports of a group of Germans who are very far from home and the fighting in WW1.
Taviti takes Akal to meet his family and father, the local chief. Akal is welcomed by Taviti's family, and told by the quietly chief that Taviti should be home, focusing on his tribe, and not working as a police officer. Akal, though sympathetic, must rope Taviti into an investigation when a local shopkeeper is found murdered, and the Germans, once captured, claim to be Norwegians, and had nothing to do with the death.
Then, there are the other two matters:
-The "Norwegians" have killed and eaten a sea turtle, a death sentence for anyone not the chief.
-The two women, particularly the younger one, wants to be a reporter, and a friend to Akal. This touches off some deeply uncomfortable emotions in Aksl, as he was pushed out of Hong Kong because his benign friendship with a white woman blew up in his face.
Nothing is as it appears in any of the situations, and it will take careful questions and observation for Akal to find a way through all the tangled messes he's landed in.
Author Nilima Rao not only gives us interesting mysteries in this story, but also shows how difficult the relations are between the tribal people and the colonial government, which has disrespected and trampled and all over longstanding traditions. Rao also weaves in an actual case (the marooned Germans), while expanding our understanding of Akal's past and difficult working relationship with his superior.
Voice actor Sid Sagar does a great job voicing Akal again, as well as the irrepressible Taviti, and all the other characters, of course.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and learning about this part of Fiji in 1915, and hope there are more Akal Singh adventures on the horizon.
Thank you to Netgalley, Soho Press, Echo Publishing, and RBMedia for these ARCs in exchange for my review.
June 9, 2025
A Shipwreck in Fiji is the second entry in Nilima Rao's historical mystery series featuring Sergeant Akal Singh (following A Disappearance in Fiji). I am enjoying learning about the culture and history of this area at the turn of the twentieth century.
Most readers would assume that the islands of Fiji were much too remote to be affected by World War I, but that's not true. There was a definite shortage of men on the islands, since most of them were off fighting in Europe. That's why Sergeant Akal Singh finds himself mentoring a young and extremely nervous constable when he and Taviti arrive on Ovalau.
Taviti was a welcome addition to this book, as he introduced both Singh and readers to tribal traditions, and the breaking of some of them had serious repercussions. Another aspect of Fijian life at the time was the practice of bringing indentured Indians to the islands to work for a period of five years. (Don't miss the Author's Note about this.)
The mysteries concerning the death of the local, the Norwegian sailors, and the European women's real reasons for being on the island were intriguing and certainly kept my interest; however, if one thing made me roll my eyes, it was Akal Singh's propensity to be enthralled by every pretty face he comes in contact with. This is what got him sent to Fiji in disgrace, and-- if he doesn't mend his ways soon-- it's going to get him in even hotter water in Fiji. We'll have to see what happens in the next book.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
Most readers would assume that the islands of Fiji were much too remote to be affected by World War I, but that's not true. There was a definite shortage of men on the islands, since most of them were off fighting in Europe. That's why Sergeant Akal Singh finds himself mentoring a young and extremely nervous constable when he and Taviti arrive on Ovalau.
Taviti was a welcome addition to this book, as he introduced both Singh and readers to tribal traditions, and the breaking of some of them had serious repercussions. Another aspect of Fijian life at the time was the practice of bringing indentured Indians to the islands to work for a period of five years. (Don't miss the Author's Note about this.)
The mysteries concerning the death of the local, the Norwegian sailors, and the European women's real reasons for being on the island were intriguing and certainly kept my interest; however, if one thing made me roll my eyes, it was Akal Singh's propensity to be enthralled by every pretty face he comes in contact with. This is what got him sent to Fiji in disgrace, and-- if he doesn't mend his ways soon-- it's going to get him in even hotter water in Fiji. We'll have to see what happens in the next book.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
December 1, 2025
This is book two in the Akal Singh series and it was nothing short of fun, easy to read, and transports you to 1915 Fiji.
I enjoy the detective duo so much. Especially Taviti. He is reminiscent of native Fijians I know in real life and it was so cool to read. The author did an amazing job structuring the mystery and plot points. I didn’t know who did what until the end, which I loved.
I can’t wait to see how life unfolds for Akal and what mysteries he stumbles into.
#netgalley #arc
I enjoy the detective duo so much. Especially Taviti. He is reminiscent of native Fijians I know in real life and it was so cool to read. The author did an amazing job structuring the mystery and plot points. I didn’t know who did what until the end, which I loved.
I can’t wait to see how life unfolds for Akal and what mysteries he stumbles into.
#netgalley #arc
July 4, 2025
Is Katherine really necessary?
July 30, 2025
I really liked this second appearance of Sergeant Akal Singh. He is a very likable character, and I am looking forward to the next book!
November 18, 2025
Read this as part of the Romancing the Gothic bookclub.
So, I started this a couple of weeks earlier than I'd slotted it in into my TBR because I was stuck in traffic and lines all day, and I ended up devouring it within the course of a day spent at traffic lines and in neverending lines.
This is an extremely readable book, and I love the characters that Rao has created in it. I skipped the first book in the series because of some of the themes and content warnings, but if those aren't an issue for you, I'd definitely suggest picking the series up from the start. Still, even coming into in book 2, I never felt lost, and I love that in a detective series.
I'm not going to lie, I did guess who the killer was pretty early on, which is usually a negative for me, since I'm not usually the quickest to pick up on dropped hints in a murder mystery (which is why I enjoy them). Still, the story was such a quick read that I didn't really mind it this time.
What I really appreciated was the depth with which Rao showed the world of 1910s Fiji, and the realities and effects of colonization on everyday life for the people who were affected by it. Yeah, there was a hint of 'white people are affected by it too,' but there was never any attempt to soften the harsh realities of the people living in bondage via the indentured servitude program that saw the relocation of hundreds and thousands of Indians to Fiji. At the same time, the portrayal of the iTaukei people is also done with care, and there's never a fear that any of the multiple protagonists of color in the book is at risk of feeling like a caricature or a stereotype.
There was so much in the book to like, and it's definitely left me interested in picking up the next in this series. 3.5/5, rounded up to 4/5, for me - really, the only critique I have personally is that I wish the mystery was, well, a little more msyterious! 😂
So, I started this a couple of weeks earlier than I'd slotted it in into my TBR because I was stuck in traffic and lines all day, and I ended up devouring it within the course of a day spent at traffic lines and in neverending lines.
This is an extremely readable book, and I love the characters that Rao has created in it. I skipped the first book in the series because of some of the themes and content warnings, but if those aren't an issue for you, I'd definitely suggest picking the series up from the start. Still, even coming into in book 2, I never felt lost, and I love that in a detective series.
I'm not going to lie, I did guess who the killer was pretty early on, which is usually a negative for me, since I'm not usually the quickest to pick up on dropped hints in a murder mystery (which is why I enjoy them). Still, the story was such a quick read that I didn't really mind it this time.
What I really appreciated was the depth with which Rao showed the world of 1910s Fiji, and the realities and effects of colonization on everyday life for the people who were affected by it. Yeah, there was a hint of 'white people are affected by it too,' but there was never any attempt to soften the harsh realities of the people living in bondage via the indentured servitude program that saw the relocation of hundreds and thousands of Indians to Fiji. At the same time, the portrayal of the iTaukei people is also done with care, and there's never a fear that any of the multiple protagonists of color in the book is at risk of feeling like a caricature or a stereotype.
There was so much in the book to like, and it's definitely left me interested in picking up the next in this series. 3.5/5, rounded up to 4/5, for me - really, the only critique I have personally is that I wish the mystery was, well, a little more msyterious! 😂
November 24, 2025
Pacy and interesting mystery sequel, it was nice to see a different side of Taviti and see Akal tread water a little...definitely up for reading on in the series.
June 9, 2025
The Fiji historical setting makes this an interesting read, good to find out more about how people lived there.
I have to say Katherine’s bossiness and Takiti’s sense of humour make them two of the most annoying characters I’ve come across.
I have to say Katherine’s bossiness and Takiti’s sense of humour make them two of the most annoying characters I’ve come across.
August 9, 2025
I enjoyed book one in this series but felt this second instalment a bit light on. The plot was weak and I struggled with the incredulity re the presence of German sailors in the pacific - The Sydney sunk the Emden in early November 1914!
July 4, 2025
I picked this up because I LOVED the author’s – and the character’s – debut, A Disappearance in Fiji, and had high hopes that their second outing would be every bit as good. Which it was!
The year is 1915 and the world is at war. But the “war to end all wars” doesn’t seem to have reached the British colony of Fiji – at least not when this story begins. Not until the constabulary office in the colony’s capital, Suva, receives a report from a young and untried constable stationed at Levuka, the colony’s former capital but now a sleepy backwater village – that Germans have been sighted in the remote parts of the island.
After the events of A Disappearance in Fiji, readers are all too aware, as is Sergeant Akal Singh, that his Inspector General has it in for him. Singh came to Suva in disgrace, a last stop in a once promising career because Singh’s head had been turned by a beautiful woman and he revealed security arrangements for the houses of the rich and powerful in the Crown Colony of Hong Kong.
The mistake was real and stupid and SOME of Singh’s punishment is deserved. But the opprobrium heaped upon him seems to be more because Singh is Sikh and the woman in question was white than because he trusted the wrong person at the wrong time with sensitive information he should never have shared in the first place.
(Singh is only 26 in this second story, so his mistake was mostly because he was young and a bit foolish with it, but the violation of race and caste norms – even though all they did was talk – seems to stick in the craw of the ‘Britishers’ as much if not more than the actual, entirely verbal, indiscretion.)
So, the Inspector General believes that the report from Levuka is at best a fabrication, and at worst a wild goose chase. Making it a perfect way of reminding Singh yet again that he’s not trusted and not welcome.
Even better for the Inspector General, he is able to attach the even more degrading task of ‘baby-sitting’ a couple of English ladies who are traveling to Levuka to his order to Singh to suppress that report.
After all, there can’t possibly be Germans in Fiji. There aren’t any German forces, not even German naval forces, anywhere NEAR Fiji.
Unless, of course, there are.
Escape Rating A-: I enjoyed A Shipwreck in Fiji and was every bit as caught up in its mystery as I was with the first book. I also had the opportunity to enjoy it a bit differently, as this time around I got the audio. Narrator Sid Sagar did an excellent job, not just of voicing Singh himself, but also of differentiating the various characters, including the female characters, in pitch, tone and accent. While I did finish the book in text because I needed to find out ‘whodunnit’ a bit faster, I was still hearing Sagar’s voice in my head for ALL the characters.
But – and it’s more of a little but than a great big but – this second outing wasn’t quite as deep and certainly not nearly as harrowing as the first.
The first story delved dark and deep into murder and corruption, into the inhumane treatment of indentured workers brought to Fiji from India, and to questions for Akal Singh about who he is and who he counted as his own people, as well as a journey into his own soul about the costs of doing what was right versus the rewards of doing what was easy.
This second book reads like a bit more of a ‘usual’ historical mystery, albeit still set in a time and place that western readers are less likely to be familiar with – and all the more fascinating for it.
At the same time, it still follows the arc of the experience of those indentured workers, although from a different point in what became their immigration from India to Fiji. Many of the characters caught up in the murder investigation that Singh finds himself conducting are former indentured workers who have chosen, or been forced by economic circumstances, to make a life for themselves in Fiji. Some successfully, some considerably less so. And some criminally, because humans are, well, human.
Another part of the warp and weft of this story involves the relationship between the British colonizers and the native Fijians, as personified by Singh’s friend and fellow police officer, Taviti. Taviti is the heir to the local chief, and he’s caught between two worlds trying to straddle a line that is likely to bloody him even as it splits him in half.
There is, as in all good mysteries, a dead body. A body that Singh and Taviti practically trip over in the hunt for the mysterious Germans who might be German, or merely European, or just plain suspicious and possibly outright murderous. Or all of the above. Which leads to Singh not exactly following orders – again. But this time the outcome is considerably more in his favor.
Whether that will be enough to save him from the consequences of striking up a friendship with yet another female Britisher is something we’ll have to wait to find out in the next book in the series. I hope it does because I like this character very much, and would love to see him get out from under the mess he started out with.
But not until after he’s solved a few more fascinating mysteries!
Originally published at Reading Reality
The year is 1915 and the world is at war. But the “war to end all wars” doesn’t seem to have reached the British colony of Fiji – at least not when this story begins. Not until the constabulary office in the colony’s capital, Suva, receives a report from a young and untried constable stationed at Levuka, the colony’s former capital but now a sleepy backwater village – that Germans have been sighted in the remote parts of the island.
After the events of A Disappearance in Fiji, readers are all too aware, as is Sergeant Akal Singh, that his Inspector General has it in for him. Singh came to Suva in disgrace, a last stop in a once promising career because Singh’s head had been turned by a beautiful woman and he revealed security arrangements for the houses of the rich and powerful in the Crown Colony of Hong Kong.
The mistake was real and stupid and SOME of Singh’s punishment is deserved. But the opprobrium heaped upon him seems to be more because Singh is Sikh and the woman in question was white than because he trusted the wrong person at the wrong time with sensitive information he should never have shared in the first place.
(Singh is only 26 in this second story, so his mistake was mostly because he was young and a bit foolish with it, but the violation of race and caste norms – even though all they did was talk – seems to stick in the craw of the ‘Britishers’ as much if not more than the actual, entirely verbal, indiscretion.)
So, the Inspector General believes that the report from Levuka is at best a fabrication, and at worst a wild goose chase. Making it a perfect way of reminding Singh yet again that he’s not trusted and not welcome.
Even better for the Inspector General, he is able to attach the even more degrading task of ‘baby-sitting’ a couple of English ladies who are traveling to Levuka to his order to Singh to suppress that report.
After all, there can’t possibly be Germans in Fiji. There aren’t any German forces, not even German naval forces, anywhere NEAR Fiji.
Unless, of course, there are.
Escape Rating A-: I enjoyed A Shipwreck in Fiji and was every bit as caught up in its mystery as I was with the first book. I also had the opportunity to enjoy it a bit differently, as this time around I got the audio. Narrator Sid Sagar did an excellent job, not just of voicing Singh himself, but also of differentiating the various characters, including the female characters, in pitch, tone and accent. While I did finish the book in text because I needed to find out ‘whodunnit’ a bit faster, I was still hearing Sagar’s voice in my head for ALL the characters.
But – and it’s more of a little but than a great big but – this second outing wasn’t quite as deep and certainly not nearly as harrowing as the first.
The first story delved dark and deep into murder and corruption, into the inhumane treatment of indentured workers brought to Fiji from India, and to questions for Akal Singh about who he is and who he counted as his own people, as well as a journey into his own soul about the costs of doing what was right versus the rewards of doing what was easy.
This second book reads like a bit more of a ‘usual’ historical mystery, albeit still set in a time and place that western readers are less likely to be familiar with – and all the more fascinating for it.
At the same time, it still follows the arc of the experience of those indentured workers, although from a different point in what became their immigration from India to Fiji. Many of the characters caught up in the murder investigation that Singh finds himself conducting are former indentured workers who have chosen, or been forced by economic circumstances, to make a life for themselves in Fiji. Some successfully, some considerably less so. And some criminally, because humans are, well, human.
Another part of the warp and weft of this story involves the relationship between the British colonizers and the native Fijians, as personified by Singh’s friend and fellow police officer, Taviti. Taviti is the heir to the local chief, and he’s caught between two worlds trying to straddle a line that is likely to bloody him even as it splits him in half.
There is, as in all good mysteries, a dead body. A body that Singh and Taviti practically trip over in the hunt for the mysterious Germans who might be German, or merely European, or just plain suspicious and possibly outright murderous. Or all of the above. Which leads to Singh not exactly following orders – again. But this time the outcome is considerably more in his favor.
Whether that will be enough to save him from the consequences of striking up a friendship with yet another female Britisher is something we’ll have to wait to find out in the next book in the series. I hope it does because I like this character very much, and would love to see him get out from under the mess he started out with.
But not until after he’s solved a few more fascinating mysteries!
Originally published at Reading Reality
June 24, 2025
An entertaining murder mystery set in Fiji during World War I
When Americans think of World War I, we conjure up images of trench warfare on the Western Front. But the conflict was, of course, global. Most of the fighting took place in Europe and the Middle East. But Germans clashed with Allied forces in Africa, China, Siberia, off the coasts of North and South America, and even the Pacific.
A German naval officer, Count Felix von Luckner, commanding the SMS SeeAdler (Sea Eagle), menaced British and American shipping in the Atlantic and the Pacific alike. Then, in August 1917, the SeeAdler ran aground on a reef. Von Luckner sailed with five of his men in a 30-foot boat 3,400 miles to Fiji. There they went ashore to replenish their supplies.
In her entertaining murder mystery, A Shipwreck in Fiji, novelist Nilima Rao dramatizes their landing. She imagines a fateful encounter with the British then in possession of the islands.
A detective’s assignment is a punishment
This is the second in a new series of historical detective novels featuring a young Sikh immigrant named Akal Singh. Akal is a sergeant in British police headquarters in Suva, Fiji’s capital. Having blundered into a tragic error as an investigator in Hong Kong, his commander had exiled him to Fiji against the wishes of his new boss, Inspector-General Thurston.
In retaliation for his unwelcome arrival there six months earlier, Thurston was assigning Akal only the most minor cases. And the latest is to sail to Fiji’s second city, Levuka, to squire around two English ladies who wished to travel there. They’re the sister and a niece of Hugh Clancy, the influential editor of Suva’s leading newspaper. And as an afterthought, Thurston commands him to look into the vague rumors about a sighting of Germans near Levuka. Akal regards the assignment as simply more punishment. Which, of course, is Thurston’s intention.
A colorful cast of characters
Nilima Rao seems to have had a great time writing this book. The story is lively, well-plotted, and features a diverse cast of characters. These include:
** Sergeant Singh himself, a 24-year-old Sikh who’d taken a job with the Hong Police to support his family back in the Punjab. He has an unfortunate habit of gravitating toward young English ladies who seem bound to get him into trouble. And they do.
** Constable Taviti Tukana, the happy-go-lucky young Fijian who is Akal’s sidekick. Who turns out to harbor a secret that will play a central role in this novel’s clever plot.
** Katherine Murray, Hugh Clancy’s niece, and his spinster sister, Mary Clancy. Their determination to divert Akal from his investigation into the rumor of Germans seems boundless.
** Constable Raj Kumar, the clueless young policeman in Levuka, whose bumbling reflects his superiors’s failure to provide even the most minimal training.
** Count Felix von Luckner, who does in fact turn up, since there really are Germans in Fiji.
All these characters, among others, come onstage in this World War I-era mystery. Oh, and not one but several murders enter the picture as well.
About the setting
The Republic of Fiji consists of more than 330 islands in the South Pacific. It lies about 1,300 miles north-northeast of New Zealand. The islands were among the earliest settled by humans venturing out from Australia. (Settlements date to the second millennium BCE.) Although Europeans first visited the islands in the 17th century, it was not until 1874 that the British laid claim there. They managed the Colony of Fiji until granting the country’s independence in 1970.
In its early years as a colony, the British established plantations raising sugarcane. To work the fields they imported tens of thousands of impoverished Indians as indentured servants for terms of five years. The regime in the fields was harsh, and nearly half of the former indentured servants returned to India after fulfilling their contracts. Today, tourism is the islands’s major source of revenue. And three out of every eight Fijians is of Indian origin. Most are Hindus. The population totals approximately 930,000.
About the author
Nilima Rao writes about herself on Goodreads, noting that she “is a Fijian Indian Australian who has always referred to herself as ‘culturally confused.’ She has since learned that we are all confused in some way and has been published on the topic by Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service and now feels better about the whole thing. When she isn’t writing, Nilima can be found wrangling data (the dreaded day job) or wandering around Melbourne laneways in search of the next new wine bar.” Rao’s great grandparents were among the tens of thousands of impoverished Indians transported to Fiji (and other British colonies) in the 19th century as indentured servants. She was born there.
When Americans think of World War I, we conjure up images of trench warfare on the Western Front. But the conflict was, of course, global. Most of the fighting took place in Europe and the Middle East. But Germans clashed with Allied forces in Africa, China, Siberia, off the coasts of North and South America, and even the Pacific.
A German naval officer, Count Felix von Luckner, commanding the SMS SeeAdler (Sea Eagle), menaced British and American shipping in the Atlantic and the Pacific alike. Then, in August 1917, the SeeAdler ran aground on a reef. Von Luckner sailed with five of his men in a 30-foot boat 3,400 miles to Fiji. There they went ashore to replenish their supplies.
In her entertaining murder mystery, A Shipwreck in Fiji, novelist Nilima Rao dramatizes their landing. She imagines a fateful encounter with the British then in possession of the islands.
A detective’s assignment is a punishment
This is the second in a new series of historical detective novels featuring a young Sikh immigrant named Akal Singh. Akal is a sergeant in British police headquarters in Suva, Fiji’s capital. Having blundered into a tragic error as an investigator in Hong Kong, his commander had exiled him to Fiji against the wishes of his new boss, Inspector-General Thurston.
In retaliation for his unwelcome arrival there six months earlier, Thurston was assigning Akal only the most minor cases. And the latest is to sail to Fiji’s second city, Levuka, to squire around two English ladies who wished to travel there. They’re the sister and a niece of Hugh Clancy, the influential editor of Suva’s leading newspaper. And as an afterthought, Thurston commands him to look into the vague rumors about a sighting of Germans near Levuka. Akal regards the assignment as simply more punishment. Which, of course, is Thurston’s intention.
A colorful cast of characters
Nilima Rao seems to have had a great time writing this book. The story is lively, well-plotted, and features a diverse cast of characters. These include:
** Sergeant Singh himself, a 24-year-old Sikh who’d taken a job with the Hong Police to support his family back in the Punjab. He has an unfortunate habit of gravitating toward young English ladies who seem bound to get him into trouble. And they do.
** Constable Taviti Tukana, the happy-go-lucky young Fijian who is Akal’s sidekick. Who turns out to harbor a secret that will play a central role in this novel’s clever plot.
** Katherine Murray, Hugh Clancy’s niece, and his spinster sister, Mary Clancy. Their determination to divert Akal from his investigation into the rumor of Germans seems boundless.
** Constable Raj Kumar, the clueless young policeman in Levuka, whose bumbling reflects his superiors’s failure to provide even the most minimal training.
** Count Felix von Luckner, who does in fact turn up, since there really are Germans in Fiji.
All these characters, among others, come onstage in this World War I-era mystery. Oh, and not one but several murders enter the picture as well.
About the setting
The Republic of Fiji consists of more than 330 islands in the South Pacific. It lies about 1,300 miles north-northeast of New Zealand. The islands were among the earliest settled by humans venturing out from Australia. (Settlements date to the second millennium BCE.) Although Europeans first visited the islands in the 17th century, it was not until 1874 that the British laid claim there. They managed the Colony of Fiji until granting the country’s independence in 1970.
In its early years as a colony, the British established plantations raising sugarcane. To work the fields they imported tens of thousands of impoverished Indians as indentured servants for terms of five years. The regime in the fields was harsh, and nearly half of the former indentured servants returned to India after fulfilling their contracts. Today, tourism is the islands’s major source of revenue. And three out of every eight Fijians is of Indian origin. Most are Hindus. The population totals approximately 930,000.
About the author
Nilima Rao writes about herself on Goodreads, noting that she “is a Fijian Indian Australian who has always referred to herself as ‘culturally confused.’ She has since learned that we are all confused in some way and has been published on the topic by Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service and now feels better about the whole thing. When she isn’t writing, Nilima can be found wrangling data (the dreaded day job) or wandering around Melbourne laneways in search of the next new wine bar.” Rao’s great grandparents were among the tens of thousands of impoverished Indians transported to Fiji (and other British colonies) in the 19th century as indentured servants. She was born there.
April 1, 2026
A Shipwreck in Fiji is second in a detective series featuring a Sikh policeman called Akal Singh. Attracted by the cover art, I bought it because the blurb says that it has...
I've never been to Fiji. and while I read very little detective fiction, I do like it when it's blended with historical fiction to offer insights into unfamiliar cultures. I was fascinated by Swazi-Australian author Malla Nunn's Detective Emmanuel Cooper series, when I discovered the first book in the series, set in the 1950s near the Mozambique border with Apartheid South Africa. To quote my own review :
Nilima Rao's novel is set in 20th century colonial Fiji just as WW1 broke out. And, having just observed that Steven Carroll was very selective about which of the ' 10 Essential Elements of a Mystery Story’ he chose to use in The Afterlife of Harry Playford (2026, see my review), I read this novel with one eye on these 'essential elements' to if Rao's novel conformed to the 'rules' or not, and if so, if it avoided clichés.
1. The 'hook' that invites the reader to try to solve the crime is the dilemma in which Sergeant Akal Singh finds himself. He has fallen foul of the racist conventions which govern life in colonial Hong Kong, and been exiled to Suva in Fiji where he is given menial investigations offering little hope of redemption. How, in that society and in that era, can Singh's reputation and career prospects be restored? Oh yes, there's also a couple of murders and some enemy aliens as well.
2. Our sleuth's back story begins in India. He is not the clichéd world-weary chain-smoking cop who's given up on relationships. He is a dutiful son supporting parents back home, but he has a penchant for love-interests across the colour bar. That, of course, ought not to matter. But in colonial outposts of the 20th century, it's a complication.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2026/04/02/a...
...all the charm and sparkle of the first book, offering fascinating historical insights into the realities of life in Fiji at the start of the twentieth century.
I've never been to Fiji. and while I read very little detective fiction, I do like it when it's blended with historical fiction to offer insights into unfamiliar cultures. I was fascinated by Swazi-Australian author Malla Nunn's Detective Emmanuel Cooper series, when I discovered the first book in the series, set in the 1950s near the Mozambique border with Apartheid South Africa. To quote my own review :A Beautiful Place to Die is much more than genre fiction. It reminded me of the best of Graham Greene in the way that the novel explores how context and culture impact on crime and justice, and how survival in an intransigently corrupt society involves an existential struggle between integrity and resignation to the inevitable.
Nilima Rao's novel is set in 20th century colonial Fiji just as WW1 broke out. And, having just observed that Steven Carroll was very selective about which of the ' 10 Essential Elements of a Mystery Story’ he chose to use in The Afterlife of Harry Playford (2026, see my review), I read this novel with one eye on these 'essential elements' to if Rao's novel conformed to the 'rules' or not, and if so, if it avoided clichés.1. The 'hook' that invites the reader to try to solve the crime is the dilemma in which Sergeant Akal Singh finds himself. He has fallen foul of the racist conventions which govern life in colonial Hong Kong, and been exiled to Suva in Fiji where he is given menial investigations offering little hope of redemption. How, in that society and in that era, can Singh's reputation and career prospects be restored? Oh yes, there's also a couple of murders and some enemy aliens as well.
2. Our sleuth's back story begins in India. He is not the clichéd world-weary chain-smoking cop who's given up on relationships. He is a dutiful son supporting parents back home, but he has a penchant for love-interests across the colour bar. That, of course, ought not to matter. But in colonial outposts of the 20th century, it's a complication.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2026/04/02/a...
May 31, 2025
This series takes the reader to the complex society of Fiji in 1915. The island was of course populated by Fijians, but also by Indians imported as indentured labor. Some of the Indians have worked through their indenture and stayed on the island. Then there are of course the British, as the islands were a colony at the time. The mix of races and cultures sometimes find they have a hard time understanding one another.
The main character, Sergeant Akal Singh, is stationed in the capitol, Suva, but he’s come to Fiji from Hong Kong (originally from the Punjab) somewhat in disgrace. He’s still on a short leash as far as his commanding officer is concerned, and he’s given what he views as a babysitting job. He’s to escort two Australian ladies to the island of Ovalau as they aim to clean out the home of their brother and uncle, the newspaper editor in Suva. Singh is also to check in on one Constable Kumar, an incredibly young, inexperienced, and slightly hysterical young man who claims to have seen Germans on the island. As a world war was raging at the time, this was something to be investigated. Accompanying Akal is his second in command, a native of Ovalau, Taviti.
When they land at the town of Levuka, the two men conduct the ladies to their hotel and head to the police station where they meet young Kumar, who tells them the Germans were seen in one of the local shops. When they arrive at the store to question the owner, they find the store has been ransacked and the owner dead, apparently flogged to death with a whip. They find a few clues, including a puzzle box, which Singh takes back to town to the police station.
There are all kinds of threads in this novel, as far as the plot goes. The Germans do make an appearance, there’s another death, and the two Australian women reveal exactly why they are on the island – it’s not just to clean out a house. Singh must be on his best and most formal behavior around the women, and when he accompanies Taviti to the village where he’s grown up, he finds he must be an another kind of best behavior as the Fijians welcome him as a guest. It turns out Taviti’s uncle has sent him to Suva to learn worldly political skills, but he ultimately expects him to come home and become the chief of the village. Taviti is uncomfortable in this role, though he is delighted to be back home in a familiar environment.
While I felt the plot in this novel was a bit all over the place, what charmed me about the first book (A Disappearance in Fiji) charmed me in this book as well. What’s so strong about both these novels are the sense of place, and the place – 1915 Fiji – is an unusual one. The descriptions of the village customs, from weaving mats to cooking in an underground pit, are lovingly and vividly described. The tension Kaviti feels about coming home after being away is beautifully portrayed, as is Akal’s experience in the village as an outsider.
I wished for a bit more of Akal, as I loved him as a character in the first novel, as well as a bit more of the dashing Dr. Holmes, who does make a late, if brief, appearance in the proceedings. I ultimately enjoyed the read but I yearned for a plot that yielded some of the bittersweet aspects of the first novel. This is a more straight up traditionally told story, and while there’s not a thing wrong with that, I just wanted a bit more sting in the plot.
The main character, Sergeant Akal Singh, is stationed in the capitol, Suva, but he’s come to Fiji from Hong Kong (originally from the Punjab) somewhat in disgrace. He’s still on a short leash as far as his commanding officer is concerned, and he’s given what he views as a babysitting job. He’s to escort two Australian ladies to the island of Ovalau as they aim to clean out the home of their brother and uncle, the newspaper editor in Suva. Singh is also to check in on one Constable Kumar, an incredibly young, inexperienced, and slightly hysterical young man who claims to have seen Germans on the island. As a world war was raging at the time, this was something to be investigated. Accompanying Akal is his second in command, a native of Ovalau, Taviti.
When they land at the town of Levuka, the two men conduct the ladies to their hotel and head to the police station where they meet young Kumar, who tells them the Germans were seen in one of the local shops. When they arrive at the store to question the owner, they find the store has been ransacked and the owner dead, apparently flogged to death with a whip. They find a few clues, including a puzzle box, which Singh takes back to town to the police station.
There are all kinds of threads in this novel, as far as the plot goes. The Germans do make an appearance, there’s another death, and the two Australian women reveal exactly why they are on the island – it’s not just to clean out a house. Singh must be on his best and most formal behavior around the women, and when he accompanies Taviti to the village where he’s grown up, he finds he must be an another kind of best behavior as the Fijians welcome him as a guest. It turns out Taviti’s uncle has sent him to Suva to learn worldly political skills, but he ultimately expects him to come home and become the chief of the village. Taviti is uncomfortable in this role, though he is delighted to be back home in a familiar environment.
While I felt the plot in this novel was a bit all over the place, what charmed me about the first book (A Disappearance in Fiji) charmed me in this book as well. What’s so strong about both these novels are the sense of place, and the place – 1915 Fiji – is an unusual one. The descriptions of the village customs, from weaving mats to cooking in an underground pit, are lovingly and vividly described. The tension Kaviti feels about coming home after being away is beautifully portrayed, as is Akal’s experience in the village as an outsider.
I wished for a bit more of Akal, as I loved him as a character in the first novel, as well as a bit more of the dashing Dr. Holmes, who does make a late, if brief, appearance in the proceedings. I ultimately enjoyed the read but I yearned for a plot that yielded some of the bittersweet aspects of the first novel. This is a more straight up traditionally told story, and while there’s not a thing wrong with that, I just wanted a bit more sting in the plot.
June 19, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review.
First Impressions: A Mystery Rooted in Culture
A Shipwreck in Fiji is a warm and atmospheric mystery, rich with culture, family ties, and gentle humour. While not filled with twists or high-stakes suspense, it offers an entertaining and immersive journey through colonial Fiji—one that’s especially rewarding for readers who enjoy character-driven stories set in unique places.
Vivid Setting & Characters
The strength of this story lies in its deep cultural richness. From diverse traditions and religious practices to mouthwatering food descriptions (seriously, I could almost smell the meals), Nilima Rao builds a world that feels alive and grounded.
Akal is the standout character—genuine, kind, and quietly heroic. I found myself rooting for him and wishing I could give him a hug. I also enjoyed the strong family elements woven into the plot, even if the uncle’s presence did get on my nerves at times.
The mystery itself is not particularly twisty—there are no major surprises, and the confession felt a bit too easily obtained. Still, the journey is enjoyable. One of my favourite parts was the author’s note at the end, which blends fact and fiction and gives insight into Rao’s research and inspirations. Her enthusiasm and sincerity mirror the detective’s observant and respectful approach.
Narration & Audio Performance
The male narrator does a fantastic job bringing this story to life. His pacing is excellent, his voice is warm and clear, and his use of different accents helps distinguish the characters and reflect the cultural diversity of the setting. His tone suits the story perfectly—never over-the-top, but always engaging.
That said, I did find the rooster sound effects in chapters 5 and 9 quite jarring and unnecessary. I also occasionally struggled with unfamiliar names, which is more a personal challenge than an issue with the narration itself.
Audio Format & Story Flow
The audiobook has a gentle and consistent rhythm. Still, as with many audiobooks, I found it harder to track the passage of time. At times it felt like everything happened over two days; at others, over two weeks. This may be because I was multitasking while listening, which affected my focus. Visual readers may find the print or ebook versions easier to follow, especially when it comes to time jumps or transitions between scenes.
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
A Shipwreck in Fiji is not a fast-paced or twist-heavy mystery, but it is a rewarding listen for those who enjoy thoughtful storytelling, rich settings, and characters with heart. I would absolutely recommend the audiobook format thanks to the narrator’s excellent performance, though readers who prefer visual structure might get more clarity from the print version.
I haven’t listened to the first book in the series yet, but after this one, I definitely want to. And I’ll be looking forward to the next installment, whenever it arrives.
First Impressions: A Mystery Rooted in Culture
A Shipwreck in Fiji is a warm and atmospheric mystery, rich with culture, family ties, and gentle humour. While not filled with twists or high-stakes suspense, it offers an entertaining and immersive journey through colonial Fiji—one that’s especially rewarding for readers who enjoy character-driven stories set in unique places.
Vivid Setting & Characters
The strength of this story lies in its deep cultural richness. From diverse traditions and religious practices to mouthwatering food descriptions (seriously, I could almost smell the meals), Nilima Rao builds a world that feels alive and grounded.
Akal is the standout character—genuine, kind, and quietly heroic. I found myself rooting for him and wishing I could give him a hug. I also enjoyed the strong family elements woven into the plot, even if the uncle’s presence did get on my nerves at times.
The mystery itself is not particularly twisty—there are no major surprises, and the confession felt a bit too easily obtained. Still, the journey is enjoyable. One of my favourite parts was the author’s note at the end, which blends fact and fiction and gives insight into Rao’s research and inspirations. Her enthusiasm and sincerity mirror the detective’s observant and respectful approach.
Narration & Audio Performance
The male narrator does a fantastic job bringing this story to life. His pacing is excellent, his voice is warm and clear, and his use of different accents helps distinguish the characters and reflect the cultural diversity of the setting. His tone suits the story perfectly—never over-the-top, but always engaging.
That said, I did find the rooster sound effects in chapters 5 and 9 quite jarring and unnecessary. I also occasionally struggled with unfamiliar names, which is more a personal challenge than an issue with the narration itself.
Audio Format & Story Flow
The audiobook has a gentle and consistent rhythm. Still, as with many audiobooks, I found it harder to track the passage of time. At times it felt like everything happened over two days; at others, over two weeks. This may be because I was multitasking while listening, which affected my focus. Visual readers may find the print or ebook versions easier to follow, especially when it comes to time jumps or transitions between scenes.
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
A Shipwreck in Fiji is not a fast-paced or twist-heavy mystery, but it is a rewarding listen for those who enjoy thoughtful storytelling, rich settings, and characters with heart. I would absolutely recommend the audiobook format thanks to the narrator’s excellent performance, though readers who prefer visual structure might get more clarity from the print version.
I haven’t listened to the first book in the series yet, but after this one, I definitely want to. And I’ll be looking forward to the next installment, whenever it arrives.
October 31, 2025
#ReadAroundTheWorld #Fiji
This is the second book in the Sergeant Akal Singh Mysteries by Fijian Indian Australian author Nilima Rao, set in Fiji during WW1. This was a lovely read that further developed the character of Sergeant Singh, who despite having brains and integrity, struggles as a Sikh detective to be taken seriously by his English superiors. Akal also has a cloud hanging over him from his time in Hong Kong, which saw him transferred to Fiji in disgrace. This is something the disapproving and authoritarian Inspector-General Thurstrom never misses an opportunity to recap.
In this story Akal and fun-loving Fijian policeman Constable Taviti Tukana are sent to the island of Ovalau to escort two ladies, Miss Mary Clancy and her niece Katherine Murray, to their relative’s house. While they are there Akan has been instructed to investigate a rumour regarding some German foreigners who have been seen in the area. This is soon complicated by the shop-keeper who had sighted them being found murdered.
Akal must negotiate the challenges of supervising novice policeman Kumar, evading the determined attempts of Katherine Murray to involve herself in their investigation, and of meeting the demands of village Chief Ratu Teleni.
Taviti’s story is further developed as we meet his Uncle, Chief of the village of Tabenu. Taviti is his heir, but the Chief strongly disapproves of Taviti’s involvement with the police force, and harbours very different political views on how to interact with the English colonizers.
The story is well-researched with the historical figure Count Felix von Luckner making an appearance. Rao describes him as a “swashbuckling German privateer…captain of the SMS Seeadler, a German raider” which scuttled ships all over the South Pacific. I loved both Akal and Taviti and their partnership. There was also a touch of, if not exactly romance, at least a simmering attraction, with the introduction of the feisty and unconventional Katherine Murray. The author also does a wonderful job in highlighting the different cultures and language groups in Fiji. The story introduces us to the Indigneous Fijians the iTaukei people; both Punjabi and Hindu Indians,many of whom who had emigrated to Fiji as indentured labour; and the British colonizers. I will definitely be reading the next installment of Sergeant Akal Singh’s adventures and would be happy to recommend this excellent series
May 25, 2025
Set in colonial Fiji in 1915, this is the second novel in Ms Rao’s series featuring Sergeant Akal Singh. Sergeant Singh is still seen as an outsider by most members of this sharply segregated community. And, although his cricket prowess is appreciated by some, Sergeant Singh has yet to impress his superior officer, Inspector-General Jonathon Thurstrom.
Will he ever have an opportunity to leave his past indiscretion in Hong Kong behind him?
When summoned by Inspector-General Thurstrom to escort two Australian women on a sightseeing tour to Levuka on the neighbouring island of Ovalau, Sergeant Singh fears not. The two women are the sister and niece of Hugh Clancy, the editor of the Fiji Times. Sergeant Singh is reminded of his indiscretion in Hong Kong, while also being asked to investigate a report of Germans on the island. A report has been made by the young constable who is currently the only policeman on Ovalau. World War I has created manpower shortages in the police force as well as creating fears about enemy invasion.
What should have been a straightforward assignment becomes extremely complicated very quickly, with more than one mystery to solve. Ms Rao presents a picture of class-conscious colonial Fiji which includes the misery suffered by indentured Indian workers. Racism is rampant. Fortunately for Sergeant Singh, he is accompanied by his friend Constable Taviti Tukana, whose uncle is an important local chief.
Aspects of the story are confronting, especially the descriptions of the lives of the indentured Indian workers, with references to engrained racism. There are murders to solve, as well as the need to establish the identity of the European sailors who, while they may not be guilty of murder, have transgressed important traditional practice.
Ms Rao combines mystery and history in this tightly plotted story which held my attention from beginning to end.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Will he ever have an opportunity to leave his past indiscretion in Hong Kong behind him?
When summoned by Inspector-General Thurstrom to escort two Australian women on a sightseeing tour to Levuka on the neighbouring island of Ovalau, Sergeant Singh fears not. The two women are the sister and niece of Hugh Clancy, the editor of the Fiji Times. Sergeant Singh is reminded of his indiscretion in Hong Kong, while also being asked to investigate a report of Germans on the island. A report has been made by the young constable who is currently the only policeman on Ovalau. World War I has created manpower shortages in the police force as well as creating fears about enemy invasion.
What should have been a straightforward assignment becomes extremely complicated very quickly, with more than one mystery to solve. Ms Rao presents a picture of class-conscious colonial Fiji which includes the misery suffered by indentured Indian workers. Racism is rampant. Fortunately for Sergeant Singh, he is accompanied by his friend Constable Taviti Tukana, whose uncle is an important local chief.
Aspects of the story are confronting, especially the descriptions of the lives of the indentured Indian workers, with references to engrained racism. There are murders to solve, as well as the need to establish the identity of the European sailors who, while they may not be guilty of murder, have transgressed important traditional practice.
Ms Rao combines mystery and history in this tightly plotted story which held my attention from beginning to end.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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