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Blood Caste
An outcast Brahmin detective. A prickly English inspector. A terrifying killer.
Chief Inspector Soobramania is called when three bodies are discovered in the space of twenty-four hours, with mutilations bearing an eerie resemblance to Jack the Ripper’s victims.
Initial suspicion centres on an English Duke visiting Hyderabad and his friend, a powerful Deccani noble and the angry stepson of one of the dead.
In the face of political pressure, Soob must ally with his rival in the British Residency Police, Inspector Wilberforce, to unearth the culprit.
So begins the cat-and-mouse game – played in the shadow of imperial politics where high birth protects foul deeds, and where blood counts for less than riches.
A rich and compelling historical crime thriller to delight fans of Vaseem Khan and Abir Mukherjee.
Chief Inspector Soobramania is called when three bodies are discovered in the space of twenty-four hours, with mutilations bearing an eerie resemblance to Jack the Ripper’s victims.
Initial suspicion centres on an English Duke visiting Hyderabad and his friend, a powerful Deccani noble and the angry stepson of one of the dead.
In the face of political pressure, Soob must ally with his rival in the British Residency Police, Inspector Wilberforce, to unearth the culprit.
So begins the cat-and-mouse game – played in the shadow of imperial politics where high birth protects foul deeds, and where blood counts for less than riches.
A rich and compelling historical crime thriller to delight fans of Vaseem Khan and Abir Mukherjee.
11 pages, Audible Audio
Published August 28, 2025
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July 3, 2025
The Best New Historical Fiction Books Out in July:
This historical thriller set in British-occupied 1890s India follows Chief Inspector Soobramania's hunt for a killer. When three bodies are discovered in Hyderabad mutilated in a horrifyingly familiar fashion, one question looms large: has Jack the Ripper come to India? Forced to ally with his rival in the British Residency Police, Soob sets out to investigate a Russian grand duke, an English earl, and a Deccani nobleman, all with ties to the murders. —Rachel Brittain
This historical thriller set in British-occupied 1890s India follows Chief Inspector Soobramania's hunt for a killer. When three bodies are discovered in Hyderabad mutilated in a horrifyingly familiar fashion, one question looms large: has Jack the Ripper come to India? Forced to ally with his rival in the British Residency Police, Soob sets out to investigate a Russian grand duke, an English earl, and a Deccani nobleman, all with ties to the murders. —Rachel Brittain
July 24, 2025
Murder in Victorian India!
A deviously, thrilling mystery set against the backdrop of 1895 Hyderabad, India.
I’m particularly enamoured of mysteries set during the British Raj occupation of India. The British deviousness of the times, the Indian nobles seeking to hold onto their territories, all ripe for murder and intrigue, injustice and corruption. Of course it’s not all that simplistic.
Several women have been murdered after the style of Jack the Ripper leading to sensationalism and fear that Jack the Ripper had arrived in Nazim and was loose in the city.
One man, Acting Chief Inspector Soobramania, knew this was impossible. He’d been in London at the time working for a secret Whitehall Police unit. A Brahmin, Soob has returned to Hyderabad and now is in charge of the Nizam City Police.
His English counterpart, Inspector Bill Wilberforce in charge the Residency Police enclave had also been in London at the time working on the case. He disagreed with the findings, kept hidden. That becomes a contentious point between the two men that plays into the investigation.
Soob discovers the first body. It’s his doggedness that helps break the case, with Wilberforce displaying the same strength of purpose, even as he opposes Soob.
We also see into Soob’s soul. His anguish at having to part ways with his Brahmin faith when overseas, his anguish at being gone when his wife dies, his care for his best friend’s widow, and for a female Doctor practising at a local hospital. Then there’s Soob’s nephew, Natraja, who he’s guardian of, who too is an outcaste unless Soob expedites his sin according to Brahmin law and takes up his place once again amongst the faithful.
A strong cast of characters who are easy to b involved with. I particularly liked the young street urchin Ram Rahim, eking out an existence, and yet helping the action along with what he sees.
Murder in a charged atmosphere has every page reeking of what’s to come.
A fantastic new series!
A Canelo ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
A deviously, thrilling mystery set against the backdrop of 1895 Hyderabad, India.
I’m particularly enamoured of mysteries set during the British Raj occupation of India. The British deviousness of the times, the Indian nobles seeking to hold onto their territories, all ripe for murder and intrigue, injustice and corruption. Of course it’s not all that simplistic.
Several women have been murdered after the style of Jack the Ripper leading to sensationalism and fear that Jack the Ripper had arrived in Nazim and was loose in the city.
One man, Acting Chief Inspector Soobramania, knew this was impossible. He’d been in London at the time working for a secret Whitehall Police unit. A Brahmin, Soob has returned to Hyderabad and now is in charge of the Nizam City Police.
His English counterpart, Inspector Bill Wilberforce in charge the Residency Police enclave had also been in London at the time working on the case. He disagreed with the findings, kept hidden. That becomes a contentious point between the two men that plays into the investigation.
Soob discovers the first body. It’s his doggedness that helps break the case, with Wilberforce displaying the same strength of purpose, even as he opposes Soob.
We also see into Soob’s soul. His anguish at having to part ways with his Brahmin faith when overseas, his anguish at being gone when his wife dies, his care for his best friend’s widow, and for a female Doctor practising at a local hospital. Then there’s Soob’s nephew, Natraja, who he’s guardian of, who too is an outcaste unless Soob expedites his sin according to Brahmin law and takes up his place once again amongst the faithful.
A strong cast of characters who are easy to b involved with. I particularly liked the young street urchin Ram Rahim, eking out an existence, and yet helping the action along with what he sees.
Murder in a charged atmosphere has every page reeking of what’s to come.
A fantastic new series!
A Canelo ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
November 27, 2025
It's 1895 in Hyderabad. Chief Inspector Soobramania "Soob", is called to investigate by one of the orphans he's befriended. The terrified boy says that a woman's been killed, and Soob arrives to find not just one dead woman, but three. They have been mutilated in a way reminiscent of Jack the Ripper's kills.
Soob was in London before, working with Scotland Yard at the time the Ripper was active, and knows that the Ripper was found and killed (at least in this novel).
Of the three dead women, one is the new wife of a very wealthy man, a Deccani noble who basically runs the city. Soob not only has the dreadful task of notifying the family, but must work with a former Scotland Yard copper, to solve the wealthy woman’s murder (Soob plans to investigate the other two murders, also). The cop, now a member of the British Residency Police, Inspector Wilberforce, is a man filled with anger, bigotry and a sense of having been hard done by by his former London colleagues, who implied it would be better he left, as it was his former partner who committed the terrible crimes against several women.
Soob and Wilberforce work their respective contacts, with Wilberforce frustrated that Soob keeps staying a few steps ahead of him in the investigation, as well as having access to people that he as a foreigner, cannot easily talk to.
The politics of colonialism, as well as that of privileged Deccani, and caste barriers form the backdrop of this interesting and engaging mystery. Soob is fascinating; a Brahmin who left home and subsequently became excommunicated from his caste, and now vacillates on whether he should go through the ritual to be brought back into the fold, if only to not adversely affect his young nephew's future prospects. At the same time, Soob knows that his belief in himself, and his learned abilities, are not tied to the artificial hierarchies created by the abhorrent caste system. (Even though his status and opportunities have been the result of his caste.) Soob is mired in grief for his deceased wife, and best friend, who died while he was working in London.
Soob is also a caring and talented investigator, and wily at gaining information. He is friends with a Parsi female doctor, Shiraz, wife to his dead best friend, Shiraz’s principles, determination and at times recklessness are vital to gaining Soob some very important clues as to the identity of the killer.
I loved seeing this Victorian-era Hyderabad, and learning about the political and cultural complexity of the city during this period. Also, it’s intriguing that author Shylashri Shankar would reference the Ripper kills as a way to start off her series. It’s shocking, morbid and at the same time compelling. She also has treated her murder victims with sensitivity and compassion, which I appreciated, as well as the horrible impact their deaths have on their families.
I am eager to read more stories of Soob and Wilberforce working together, and at cross purposes, as Wilberforce’s British masters have plans contrary to the continued rule by Indians in Hyderabad. I want to see how Shankar weaves the history of the city into her mystery stories.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Canelo for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Soob was in London before, working with Scotland Yard at the time the Ripper was active, and knows that the Ripper was found and killed (at least in this novel).
Of the three dead women, one is the new wife of a very wealthy man, a Deccani noble who basically runs the city. Soob not only has the dreadful task of notifying the family, but must work with a former Scotland Yard copper, to solve the wealthy woman’s murder (Soob plans to investigate the other two murders, also). The cop, now a member of the British Residency Police, Inspector Wilberforce, is a man filled with anger, bigotry and a sense of having been hard done by by his former London colleagues, who implied it would be better he left, as it was his former partner who committed the terrible crimes against several women.
Soob and Wilberforce work their respective contacts, with Wilberforce frustrated that Soob keeps staying a few steps ahead of him in the investigation, as well as having access to people that he as a foreigner, cannot easily talk to.
The politics of colonialism, as well as that of privileged Deccani, and caste barriers form the backdrop of this interesting and engaging mystery. Soob is fascinating; a Brahmin who left home and subsequently became excommunicated from his caste, and now vacillates on whether he should go through the ritual to be brought back into the fold, if only to not adversely affect his young nephew's future prospects. At the same time, Soob knows that his belief in himself, and his learned abilities, are not tied to the artificial hierarchies created by the abhorrent caste system. (Even though his status and opportunities have been the result of his caste.) Soob is mired in grief for his deceased wife, and best friend, who died while he was working in London.
Soob is also a caring and talented investigator, and wily at gaining information. He is friends with a Parsi female doctor, Shiraz, wife to his dead best friend, Shiraz’s principles, determination and at times recklessness are vital to gaining Soob some very important clues as to the identity of the killer.
I loved seeing this Victorian-era Hyderabad, and learning about the political and cultural complexity of the city during this period. Also, it’s intriguing that author Shylashri Shankar would reference the Ripper kills as a way to start off her series. It’s shocking, morbid and at the same time compelling. She also has treated her murder victims with sensitivity and compassion, which I appreciated, as well as the horrible impact their deaths have on their families.
I am eager to read more stories of Soob and Wilberforce working together, and at cross purposes, as Wilberforce’s British masters have plans contrary to the continued rule by Indians in Hyderabad. I want to see how Shankar weaves the history of the city into her mystery stories.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Canelo for this ARC in exchange for my review.
June 3, 2025
This was a slightly different novel than I was used to reading but managed to pull through and finish it. It's basically a detective story that takes place in India and involves these detective solving a serial murderer. They believe that the killer is a copycat of Jack the Ripper. Overall this novel is pretty good and I would recommend it to anyone to satisfy their curiosity.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.
August 30, 2025
3.5 rounded up. Enjoyed it a lot to begin with, but it started to lose my interest towards the end, just when it was supposed to ge getting exciting.
July 25, 2025
I'm loving seeing fresh new, diverse voices revitalize the mystery genre. "Blood Caste" is a fun start to a new historical mystery series set in the British Raj. Its main character is an Indian detective, Soob, written by an Indian author who has a flair for engaging drama and colorful cultural details.
The story switches between the POVs of Soob, an English policeman named Wilberforce and Soob's dear friend, a widowed physician named Shiraz. Soob has returned from England after apprehending the infamous Jack the Ripper, a man who turned out to be Wilberforce's partner on the police force. In disgrace, he is exiled to India, and his racism is on full display at first as he resents his new posting. He doggedly pursues an Indian suspect, Ali Baig, because he can't process that he couldn't see that his friend was really the Ripper.
The story focuses on Soob's point of view though, and shows the challenges of investigating crimes when native administrators want to pin the murder on an Englishman and the colonial system only has eyes for a native suspect, facts be damned. The book did an excellent job of showing how difficult it was to navigate the politics of the competing pressures while a serial killer was still at large. I also liked the Downton Abbey conceit of focusing on both the lives of the wealthy nobles and their servants.
I hated Wilberforce at first but I came to have a grudging respect for him. Shiraz, too, was a fun character, whipsmart and reckless, able to investigate in ways that Soob can't but Soob sometimes held her back.
I also found the caste dynamic fascinating. Soob, a Brahmin, has been excommunicated from his caste for moving to England. His wife had suffered from the humiliation and passed away. I found it interesting how, despite feeling bad that it may alienate his nephew, he wrestles with whether to stick to his principles that a man must be judged by his deeds and not his birth order. It had interesting parallels with the class hierarchy of the English system.
I also liked seeing the points of view of English vs Indian perceptions of colonial rule. They were so far apart that it provided an excellent critique of colonialism.
I will be paying attention to future books in this series. I also wondered if a slow burn romance was hinted at between Shiraz and Soob. He seemed overprotective to that end. I would be rooting for a romantic subplot to grow between them, I totally ship those two.
I found the mystery to be gripping and its twists and turns kept me guessing, and I loved the atmospheric, noiresque setting of the British Raj from the point of view of Indian voices.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story switches between the POVs of Soob, an English policeman named Wilberforce and Soob's dear friend, a widowed physician named Shiraz. Soob has returned from England after apprehending the infamous Jack the Ripper, a man who turned out to be Wilberforce's partner on the police force. In disgrace, he is exiled to India, and his racism is on full display at first as he resents his new posting. He doggedly pursues an Indian suspect, Ali Baig, because he can't process that he couldn't see that his friend was really the Ripper.
The story focuses on Soob's point of view though, and shows the challenges of investigating crimes when native administrators want to pin the murder on an Englishman and the colonial system only has eyes for a native suspect, facts be damned. The book did an excellent job of showing how difficult it was to navigate the politics of the competing pressures while a serial killer was still at large. I also liked the Downton Abbey conceit of focusing on both the lives of the wealthy nobles and their servants.
I hated Wilberforce at first but I came to have a grudging respect for him. Shiraz, too, was a fun character, whipsmart and reckless, able to investigate in ways that Soob can't but Soob sometimes held her back.
I also found the caste dynamic fascinating. Soob, a Brahmin, has been excommunicated from his caste for moving to England. His wife had suffered from the humiliation and passed away. I found it interesting how, despite feeling bad that it may alienate his nephew, he wrestles with whether to stick to his principles that a man must be judged by his deeds and not his birth order. It had interesting parallels with the class hierarchy of the English system.
I also liked seeing the points of view of English vs Indian perceptions of colonial rule. They were so far apart that it provided an excellent critique of colonialism.
I will be paying attention to future books in this series. I also wondered if a slow burn romance was hinted at between Shiraz and Soob. He seemed overprotective to that end. I would be rooting for a romantic subplot to grow between them, I totally ship those two.
I found the mystery to be gripping and its twists and turns kept me guessing, and I loved the atmospheric, noiresque setting of the British Raj from the point of view of Indian voices.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 20, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down. I love historical books and murder mysteries, and this ticks both boxes. Late 1800s India, with friction between an English detective and an Indian one, trying to look into murders of women that possibly echo those of Jack the Ripper… I liked all the characters, and it was a decent plot, so if you like historical crime, I think you’ll like this. I only rounded down after deliberation, due to the ending feeling a little implausible (no spoilers!). Happily I did guess the murderer, and when I met the lovely author at the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival and she asked who I thought was the killer, I was right! She has a good poker face though, and didn’t react 😂
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
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September 13, 2025India during the British Raj period was a bustling time and place- and ripe for murder. An experienced chief inspector of Hyderabad’s police discovers a murder victim who has been chillingly presented in a method that harkens back to Jack the Ripper. Forced to work with a British colonial policeman with a chip on his shoulder about the late Ripper case, ‘Soob’ relies on old friends and recently made contacts locally to hunt among British and Indians alike. Shylashri Shankar, writes a debut historical mystery that drew me in with historical background, setting, complex lead character, and cunning plot leaving me eager for what will come next.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 10.22.25.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 10.22.25.
September 19, 2025
When History Outshines Mystery
As a history nerd, I really enjoyed the setting. I like when fiction plays with historical events and even brings in real historical figures. It reminded me of the Assassin’s Creed game franchise where part of the fun is doing a little research to see what was changed and how it contributes to the plot.
As a crime and mystery, though, it was just okay. An average story overall, interesting enough but nothing to write home about. A lot of things didn’t quite add up at the end, but since it’s a debut in the genre for the author, I’ll give some grace.
Great for history lovers, less so for mystery fans.
As a history nerd, I really enjoyed the setting. I like when fiction plays with historical events and even brings in real historical figures. It reminded me of the Assassin’s Creed game franchise where part of the fun is doing a little research to see what was changed and how it contributes to the plot.
As a crime and mystery, though, it was just okay. An average story overall, interesting enough but nothing to write home about. A lot of things didn’t quite add up at the end, but since it’s a debut in the genre for the author, I’ll give some grace.
Great for history lovers, less so for mystery fans.
November 12, 2025
Jack the Ripper in colonial India. A right good romp.
December 31, 2025
Having listened to Shylashri Shankar talk about her debut book Blood Caste at Bloody Scotland it wasn’t long before I had added it to my list of books that I knew I had to read. Chief Inspector Soobramania (Soob) is tasked with investigating the murder of 3 women all found in the space of 24 hrs. What disturbs him the most is the fact that these murders resemble those of Jack the Ripper, a man he had a hand in chasing down during his time in England. Unfortunately for him with India under British rule he has to work with Inspector Bill Wilberforce who blames him for the death of his partner and the rumours that surrounded him. Added to all of this he is also dealing with some personal issues caused by the fall out from his time in England that could have far reaching implications for not just him but those closest to him.
I think the thing that drew me to the book was the links to the Jack the Ripper case as I was intrigued to see where it would lead as after all this is one of the most talked about unsolved cases. Inspector Wilberforce was definitely in the camp of Jack the Ripper got away and was now practicing his craft in India and his reasonings for this personal, making him quite blinkered in his approach to the investigation setting him up for quite a few clashes with Soob. He was also under a lot of pressure to make sure that some visiting dignitaries were not implicated in any way,
Soob was up against it from the start. Although he was tasked with the investigation, it was as though he had no real authority on anything. His advantage was that it was slightly easier to approach people of interest, but he was still resented. He has his reasons for not agreeing with Wilberforce and he is determined to keep an open mind as to who the killer is but the more, he investigates the more suspects are placed in the mix and he is led down one or two rabbit holes. His personal circumstances are also a large factor in how he handles his investigation as he is wrestling with his conscience and family beliefs. With the many twists and turns in this book, I had one or two suspects in mind but turns out I was wrong.
Shylashri Shankar has managed to blend the legend of Jack the Ripper within her story and in doing so opened up some different theories along the way. Her style of writing draws you in to the setting and location giving you a greater understanding of that period of time and the political and religious limitations faced by the local police. As a big fan of historical fiction this is definitely a series I look forward to following as I am intrigued to see what happens to Soob next.
I think the thing that drew me to the book was the links to the Jack the Ripper case as I was intrigued to see where it would lead as after all this is one of the most talked about unsolved cases. Inspector Wilberforce was definitely in the camp of Jack the Ripper got away and was now practicing his craft in India and his reasonings for this personal, making him quite blinkered in his approach to the investigation setting him up for quite a few clashes with Soob. He was also under a lot of pressure to make sure that some visiting dignitaries were not implicated in any way,
Soob was up against it from the start. Although he was tasked with the investigation, it was as though he had no real authority on anything. His advantage was that it was slightly easier to approach people of interest, but he was still resented. He has his reasons for not agreeing with Wilberforce and he is determined to keep an open mind as to who the killer is but the more, he investigates the more suspects are placed in the mix and he is led down one or two rabbit holes. His personal circumstances are also a large factor in how he handles his investigation as he is wrestling with his conscience and family beliefs. With the many twists and turns in this book, I had one or two suspects in mind but turns out I was wrong.
Shylashri Shankar has managed to blend the legend of Jack the Ripper within her story and in doing so opened up some different theories along the way. Her style of writing draws you in to the setting and location giving you a greater understanding of that period of time and the political and religious limitations faced by the local police. As a big fan of historical fiction this is definitely a series I look forward to following as I am intrigued to see what happens to Soob next.
July 9, 2025
Blood Caste is an engrossing historical mystery set in Hyderabad, India, in 1895. We follow Acting Chief Inspector Soobramania investigating a series of murders that are worryingly similar to those of Jack the Ripper.
One of the strengths of the novel was the exploration of how Hindu, Parsi, Muslim and British cultures interrelated in Hyderabad at that time. I learnt so much throughout the book about the administration of colonisation and the practices of different religions. Soob artfully used his deep understanding of his local district to further his investigations, even while being held back by complicated internal politics. I also found Soob’s own struggles with religion, identity, community and family really interesting.
We were thrown into the action - fairly often I found characters referred to past conversations, situations and relationships that happened before the timeline of the story with little context, which could be a bit confusing. This happened to the extent that I rechecked whether the book was definitely the first in the series!
I also found that at points I struggled to keep up with the intricacies of the hierarchies and systems of British-occupied India. However, there was a really useful historical note at the end of the book which sets this out clearly - so I suggest those unfamiliar with 1890s India give that a read first for some context.
I was kept guessing until the end of the book - the mystery was hugely twisty with lots of red herrings along the way.
Thank you to the author and @canelo_co for an advanced #gifted copy of the book for review. Blood Caste is out 24 July!
One of the strengths of the novel was the exploration of how Hindu, Parsi, Muslim and British cultures interrelated in Hyderabad at that time. I learnt so much throughout the book about the administration of colonisation and the practices of different religions. Soob artfully used his deep understanding of his local district to further his investigations, even while being held back by complicated internal politics. I also found Soob’s own struggles with religion, identity, community and family really interesting.
We were thrown into the action - fairly often I found characters referred to past conversations, situations and relationships that happened before the timeline of the story with little context, which could be a bit confusing. This happened to the extent that I rechecked whether the book was definitely the first in the series!
I also found that at points I struggled to keep up with the intricacies of the hierarchies and systems of British-occupied India. However, there was a really useful historical note at the end of the book which sets this out clearly - so I suggest those unfamiliar with 1890s India give that a read first for some context.
I was kept guessing until the end of the book - the mystery was hugely twisty with lots of red herrings along the way.
Thank you to the author and @canelo_co for an advanced #gifted copy of the book for review. Blood Caste is out 24 July!
June 8, 2025
What an intricate, richly-textured mystery, in a well-developed setting that is utterly transporting. Our story unfolds in Hyderabad, India, in 1895, with Acting Chief Inspector Soobramania (“Soob”) racing to solve a string of murders that appear to be in imitation of Jack-the Ripper.
Hyderabad gives us the convergence of Hindu, Muslim, Parsi, and British cultures and I was fascinated by the interplay. Over the course of the investigation, we are given numerous cultural insights thanks to the observations and deductions of our inspector. I particularly appreciated learning more Deccani culture, which was unfamiliar to me, as well as some of the ramifications of traditions revolving around matters of caste.
The writing style is effortless, the kind where pages and pages have turned and you’ve given no thought to sentence structure or voice. It’s simply immersive. At the same time, different characters are given distinct cadence and rhythm that makes it easy to stay oriented. I imagine it will translate nicely to audio.
I was initially intimidated by the extensive Cast of Characters delineated in the beginning, but it was a helpful resource and once I was in the story it proved not to be too complicated.
This was such a treat to read, and I'm thrilled to see "Book 1" in the title, hopefully indicating more installments to come. Thank you so much to Sylashri Shankar for crafting this marvelous story, and to Netgalley and CaneloCrime for the opportunity to review it in advance of publication.
Hyderabad gives us the convergence of Hindu, Muslim, Parsi, and British cultures and I was fascinated by the interplay. Over the course of the investigation, we are given numerous cultural insights thanks to the observations and deductions of our inspector. I particularly appreciated learning more Deccani culture, which was unfamiliar to me, as well as some of the ramifications of traditions revolving around matters of caste.
The writing style is effortless, the kind where pages and pages have turned and you’ve given no thought to sentence structure or voice. It’s simply immersive. At the same time, different characters are given distinct cadence and rhythm that makes it easy to stay oriented. I imagine it will translate nicely to audio.
I was initially intimidated by the extensive Cast of Characters delineated in the beginning, but it was a helpful resource and once I was in the story it proved not to be too complicated.
This was such a treat to read, and I'm thrilled to see "Book 1" in the title, hopefully indicating more installments to come. Thank you so much to Sylashri Shankar for crafting this marvelous story, and to Netgalley and CaneloCrime for the opportunity to review it in advance of publication.
August 13, 2025
I will be honest, I don't read fiction any more, although I consume almost all the noir available on film and tv, whether nordic or nottingham, so I do enjoy a murder mystery, but I am out of the habit of reading a book.
Anyhow, I read this on about 24 hours as I was so engaged. As I got into the book, I really enjoyed the way it unpacked the complex social world of 19th century Hyderabad through the characters and dynamics of the story.
I learned so much about religion, gender, race, caste, politics & the natural world, but in ways that helped drive the story as it was all material to the challenges of solving the murders. From the hair & clothing of the victims, to the social meanings of different spaces in the city, to the myriad of conflicts and confrontations between the portagonists, to the world of plants and animals.... I thought this was masterful and I loved it, and it made me miss India.
The narrative also did a great job of building the mystery and the reveal of the killer was a good surprise - although this is less interesting to me in murder mysteries than the process of solving the mystery. Also, the way that the book weaved through a range of complicated professional, personal and family relations gave emotional depth to the story too. It was so good.
Anyhow, I read this on about 24 hours as I was so engaged. As I got into the book, I really enjoyed the way it unpacked the complex social world of 19th century Hyderabad through the characters and dynamics of the story.
I learned so much about religion, gender, race, caste, politics & the natural world, but in ways that helped drive the story as it was all material to the challenges of solving the murders. From the hair & clothing of the victims, to the social meanings of different spaces in the city, to the myriad of conflicts and confrontations between the portagonists, to the world of plants and animals.... I thought this was masterful and I loved it, and it made me miss India.
The narrative also did a great job of building the mystery and the reveal of the killer was a good surprise - although this is less interesting to me in murder mysteries than the process of solving the mystery. Also, the way that the book weaved through a range of complicated professional, personal and family relations gave emotional depth to the story too. It was so good.
July 11, 2025
Title: Blood Caste
Author: Shylashri [](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
My Rating: 4.5 🌟
Release Date: 24 July 2025
Blood Caste is a murder mystery set in 1890’s Hyderabad, India.
When something sounds like a duck and looks like a duck then it must be a duck right? So when someone starts killing and mutiliating women at night it must be ‘Jack the Ripper’. At least that’s what British Chief Inspector Wilberforce believes. But ‘Acting’ Chief Inspector Subramania (Soob)s interfering with the investigation- AGAIN!. But Soob knows it’s not the Ripper. How? Well because he was the one who shot him dead in London.
This book is a well researched and well executed Indian Historical Fiction. And I devoured it in one afternoon, cause once I started I could not stop. Being Indian myself, I had better understanding of the underlying political and religious tensions which made my experience wonderful. There is a wonderful appendix at the end that you need to read to get the context and the subtext.
I loved every second of it. Thanks to Netgalley and Canelo publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Shylashri [](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
My Rating: 4.5 🌟
Release Date: 24 July 2025
Blood Caste is a murder mystery set in 1890’s Hyderabad, India.
When something sounds like a duck and looks like a duck then it must be a duck right? So when someone starts killing and mutiliating women at night it must be ‘Jack the Ripper’. At least that’s what British Chief Inspector Wilberforce believes. But ‘Acting’ Chief Inspector Subramania (Soob)s interfering with the investigation- AGAIN!. But Soob knows it’s not the Ripper. How? Well because he was the one who shot him dead in London.
This book is a well researched and well executed Indian Historical Fiction. And I devoured it in one afternoon, cause once I started I could not stop. Being Indian myself, I had better understanding of the underlying political and religious tensions which made my experience wonderful. There is a wonderful appendix at the end that you need to read to get the context and the subtext.
I loved every second of it. Thanks to Netgalley and Canelo publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2025
Always nice to come across a new author writing historical crime set outside the UK. I enjoyed the setting and the story but struggled to get a good picture in my minds eye of the lead characters plus for me there was too much detail re the setting which I found interrupted the flow as I reached for my second screen to look up another fact, term used. You can tell the author has a history background but sometimes less is more. For readers just starting the book there's a glossary at the back which unfortunately I only found when I'd finished the book would have been nice if it was mentioned at the beginning.
I'll keep an eye open for the next one in the series hopefully find it at my library.
if you'd like this you'll enjoy the Abir Mukerjee Wyndham series, a step up in this genre. Ciao !
I'll keep an eye open for the next one in the series hopefully find it at my library.
if you'd like this you'll enjoy the Abir Mukerjee Wyndham series, a step up in this genre. Ciao !
August 1, 2025
Set in 1895 Victorian India, the story highlights life during the British Raj for even educated Indians. Mutilated bodies keep turning up and chief inspector Soob is turning up more and more suspects. From the Rulers Son, Ali to Arthur Templeton an editor of a newspaper suspicions run riot, because the murderer is always one step ahead.
The story of palace intrigue, a story as old as time to patricide and fratricide all are part of the story. So many red herrings, blackmail, massive financial losses all found in this fabulous read. Not just a mystery but an outline of life under a British Residency and the need which was galling, for people to kowtow to their invaders. The personal story of a high caste Brahmin was an intriguing addition to the story.
The story of palace intrigue, a story as old as time to patricide and fratricide all are part of the story. So many red herrings, blackmail, massive financial losses all found in this fabulous read. Not just a mystery but an outline of life under a British Residency and the need which was galling, for people to kowtow to their invaders. The personal story of a high caste Brahmin was an intriguing addition to the story.
September 16, 2025
rounded up to 3 but really a 2.75
there were things about this i really enjoyed, but ultimately it just never captured me. sometimes i will get all the way through a book and realize i never had a moment of "i need to know what happens next". which you specifically want in a mystery!
i did love soob just constantly showing up wilberforce (who drove me insane, what a useless man, let alone detective). the mystery itself was interesting until it became overwrought. new murders happening left and right with seemingly no progress and only one suspect. the point just felt entirely belabored.
i am very intrigued by the setting and love the dynamic between soob and shiraz. i could possibly be convinced to carry on when book 2 comes out.
there were things about this i really enjoyed, but ultimately it just never captured me. sometimes i will get all the way through a book and realize i never had a moment of "i need to know what happens next". which you specifically want in a mystery!
i did love soob just constantly showing up wilberforce (who drove me insane, what a useless man, let alone detective). the mystery itself was interesting until it became overwrought. new murders happening left and right with seemingly no progress and only one suspect. the point just felt entirely belabored.
i am very intrigued by the setting and love the dynamic between soob and shiraz. i could possibly be convinced to carry on when book 2 comes out.
September 16, 2025
Set in 1890s Hyderabad during the British Raj, Chief Inspector Soobramania investigates a series of murders which bear similarities to the killings of the infamous Jack the Ripper. The book gives a two point perspective of the investigation through the eyes of Soobramania and the British policeman, Imspector Wilburforce.
The novel explores themes of colonialism, the caste system, and the impact of social hierarchy during those times. The two point perspective offers a nice contrast to the investigation and setting. What didn't work for me was the stretching of a fairly simple storyline into a larger book. It felt a bit forced as if the author was trying to meet the word limit.
The novel explores themes of colonialism, the caste system, and the impact of social hierarchy during those times. The two point perspective offers a nice contrast to the investigation and setting. What didn't work for me was the stretching of a fairly simple storyline into a larger book. It felt a bit forced as if the author was trying to meet the word limit.
September 5, 2025
Blood Caste is available for a listen currently as part of the Audible collection. The book itself is decent, a little unpleasant at times and a bit boring at others. What really didn’t help was the narrator. He had an accent that I found distracting especially when he tried to do voices for different characters. Overall this was an unpleasant experience for me that I should have abandoned part way through and only started because it felt free to do so, but ended up wasting 12 hours listening to something I wasn’t interested in. 1 star.
December 7, 2025
I've realised that I've done quite a few 3 star ratings recently - but honestly, this is usually because they have been okay... And this one was one - I felt there was a casserole of stock characters - the unconventional detective, the bluff bigot, who comes round to appreciate their unconventional ways, and then the uniquely educated woman in the male society. I'm afraid the culprit was too obvious from quite early on, and that was mainly because of the emphasis on the supposed murderer. An easy, well paced story which doesn't task the brain.
September 17, 2025
the whole jack the ripper is in hyderabad thing was a bit ridiculous but once we got over that hurdle it was a fun murder mystery and the world felt very vivid.
it pulls its punches on its political commentary though esp with caste given its name - outcast brahmin mc is v tepid imo
it pulls its punches on its political commentary though esp with caste given its name - outcast brahmin mc is v tepid imo
November 21, 2025
Great premise but ended up being very repetitive. The conclusion/motive is delivered in a series of monologues at the end but is neither complicated or particularly interesting. Really wanted to like this book but I didn’t.
July 27, 2025
I really enjoyed this Victorian mystery set in Hyderabad, especially the way the many cultures did (and didn't) get along. My full review is at https://readingwhilefat.com/2025/07/2... .
August 17, 2025
when will authors stop shoehorning in romance and ruin otherwise good books?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2025
The images provoked by the author’s writing will push you to continue reading.
September 16, 2025
This was not bad but it was a bit busy.
Edit: I listened to the audiobook on audible but it was not included in the selection so I marked this one.
The narration was good.
Edit: I listened to the audiobook on audible but it was not included in the selection so I marked this one.
The narration was good.
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