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Lady Emily Ashton Mysteries #20
Murder on the Sacred River
Not yet published
Expected 22 Sep 26In this next enthralling mystery in Tasha Alexander’s bestselling series, Lady Emily chases down a killer in India along the misty banks of the sacred river Narmada.
1908: Lady Emily and her husband Colin Hargreaves, along with an eccentric group of English tourists, are vacationing in India at Ahilya Fort, the old home to the Maharaja’s family, when a man is found shot along the Narmada River. Emily and Colin jump into action, but their suspect list is large, including a wonderful spinster and her not-so-wonderful companion; a local doctor; a widow who lives nearby; an English explorer; and an Englishman who now runs a tea plantation near Darjeeling.
1740: Fifteen-year-old Ahilyabai has been married to the son of Malharrao Holkar, the Lord of the Malwa territory, for seven years. Now the time has finally come to produce an heir. But though Ahilya’s in-laws have shown her nothing but kindness, her notoriously-drunken husband remains a mystery to her, having rarely spoken to Ahilya since their wedding as children. Faced with this tortured and distant man, Ahilya’s sense of loyalty is tested as she attempts to balance fulfilling her duty with forging her own destiny. Her decisions will have ripple effects across time—including Lady Emily’s investigation almost two hundred years later.
Lady Emily’s case takes a dramatic turn when a shocking new person arrives at the fort—and when the killer strikes again shortly afterwards, she and Colin must race to uncover the villain’s identity before it’s too late.
1908: Lady Emily and her husband Colin Hargreaves, along with an eccentric group of English tourists, are vacationing in India at Ahilya Fort, the old home to the Maharaja’s family, when a man is found shot along the Narmada River. Emily and Colin jump into action, but their suspect list is large, including a wonderful spinster and her not-so-wonderful companion; a local doctor; a widow who lives nearby; an English explorer; and an Englishman who now runs a tea plantation near Darjeeling.
1740: Fifteen-year-old Ahilyabai has been married to the son of Malharrao Holkar, the Lord of the Malwa territory, for seven years. Now the time has finally come to produce an heir. But though Ahilya’s in-laws have shown her nothing but kindness, her notoriously-drunken husband remains a mystery to her, having rarely spoken to Ahilya since their wedding as children. Faced with this tortured and distant man, Ahilya’s sense of loyalty is tested as she attempts to balance fulfilling her duty with forging her own destiny. Her decisions will have ripple effects across time—including Lady Emily’s investigation almost two hundred years later.
Lady Emily’s case takes a dramatic turn when a shocking new person arrives at the fort—and when the killer strikes again shortly afterwards, she and Colin must race to uncover the villain’s identity before it’s too late.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 22, 2026
About the author
Tasha Alexander
33 books2,639 followersThe daughter of two philosophy professors, I grew up surrounded by books. I was convinced from an early age that I was born in the wrong century and spent much of my childhood under the dining room table pretending it was a covered wagon. Even there, I was never without a book in hand and loved reading and history more than anything. I studied English Literature and Medieval History at the University of Notre Dame. Writing is a natural offshoot of reading, and my first novel, And Only to Deceive, was published in 2005. I'm the author of the long-running Lady Emily Series as well as the novel Elizabeth: The Golden Age. One of the best parts of being an author is seeing your books translated, and I'm currently in love with the Japanese editions of the Emily books.
I played nomad for a long time, living in Indiana, Amsterdam, London, Wyoming, Vermont, Connecticut, and Tennessee before settling down. My husband, the brilliant British novelist Andrew Grant (I may be biased but that doesn't mean I'm wrong) and I live in southeastern Wyoming. I still don't have a covered wagon, but a log house goes a long way toward fulfilling my pioneer fantasies. Andrew makes sure I get my English characters right, and I make sure his American ones sound American.
I played nomad for a long time, living in Indiana, Amsterdam, London, Wyoming, Vermont, Connecticut, and Tennessee before settling down. My husband, the brilliant British novelist Andrew Grant (I may be biased but that doesn't mean I'm wrong) and I live in southeastern Wyoming. I still don't have a covered wagon, but a log house goes a long way toward fulfilling my pioneer fantasies. Andrew makes sure I get my English characters right, and I make sure his American ones sound American.
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April 18, 2026This latest installment in the Lady Emily series takes readers to a new setting for its latest murder mystery: India.
As per usual, the Lady Emily chapters are interspersed with a completely different story set in an earlier age. In this case, the mystery was the less compelling of the two stories. The historical tale was more interesting but also more disturbing, dealing as it does with the custom of sati (or, as many of us have seen it spelled, suttee). Parts of it were a hard read.
This isn’t the best of the series, as the investigation and the main characters feel a little flat.
Thanks to St Martin’s Press via NetGalley for offering me this review copy.
As per usual, the Lady Emily chapters are interspersed with a completely different story set in an earlier age. In this case, the mystery was the less compelling of the two stories. The historical tale was more interesting but also more disturbing, dealing as it does with the custom of sati (or, as many of us have seen it spelled, suttee). Parts of it were a hard read.
This isn’t the best of the series, as the investigation and the main characters feel a little flat.
Thanks to St Martin’s Press via NetGalley for offering me this review copy.
July 14, 2026
I was compelled to read Murder on the Sacred River though I have not read other books in the Lady Emily series, of which this is #20. It worked well as a standalone novel, and I did not feel like I was missing background information.
The book has a dual timeline with the focus on the 1908 timeline and briefer chapters taking place in the 18th century. India is described beautifully throughout both timelines. The 1908 chapters often feel a bit more modern with some of the 21st century ideas expressed by the characters, but the earlier characters felt quite authentic. Both stories took a bit of time to take off, and the pace picks up around 40% through the novel.
Emily and her husband, Colin, investigate a murder of a British visitor in India when the case is handed to them by the lazy, incompetent local police. There are a lot of characters to track, and all of them seem to become suspects at one point or another. Some of the speculation that focuses suspicion on certain characters is implausible at best, but it does keep the reader guessing. The conclusion of the mystery wasn't satisfying in my opinion, the actual facts of the case not entirely more plausible than some of the previous speculations. I did like the conclusion of the earlier timeline story and found it more worthwhile than secondary stories in dual timeline novels often are.
This novel didn't captivate me enough to send me searching for other books in the series, but it was a decent read for those interested in historical mysteries or dual timeline novels. Thank you to NetGalley for my copy. Opinions are my own.
The book has a dual timeline with the focus on the 1908 timeline and briefer chapters taking place in the 18th century. India is described beautifully throughout both timelines. The 1908 chapters often feel a bit more modern with some of the 21st century ideas expressed by the characters, but the earlier characters felt quite authentic. Both stories took a bit of time to take off, and the pace picks up around 40% through the novel.
Emily and her husband, Colin, investigate a murder of a British visitor in India when the case is handed to them by the lazy, incompetent local police. There are a lot of characters to track, and all of them seem to become suspects at one point or another. Some of the speculation that focuses suspicion on certain characters is implausible at best, but it does keep the reader guessing. The conclusion of the mystery wasn't satisfying in my opinion, the actual facts of the case not entirely more plausible than some of the previous speculations. I did like the conclusion of the earlier timeline story and found it more worthwhile than secondary stories in dual timeline novels often are.
This novel didn't captivate me enough to send me searching for other books in the series, but it was a decent read for those interested in historical mysteries or dual timeline novels. Thank you to NetGalley for my copy. Opinions are my own.
August 31, 2026
Murder on the Sacred River is the next selection in the Lady Emily mystery series. This book sees both Emily and Colin (husband) in India for a long visit. While there, the two are around when a murder occurs and so they naturally become the official investigators. There is also a story told in alternate chapters of the past. I always enjoy reading about these sections of Alexander’s books the most.
Everything comes together beautifully in the end, and we can even see what influence the more distant past has had upon the current circumstances of our characters.. The series has been going for quite awhile now, and I think I will be fine to not continue with another one.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Everything comes together beautifully in the end, and we can even see what influence the more distant past has had upon the current circumstances of our characters.. The series has been going for quite awhile now, and I think I will be fine to not continue with another one.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder on the Sacred River is the twentieth novel in Tasha Alexander’s series about Lady Emily Hargreaves, an unconventional English noblewoman in the late 19th-early 20th century, and her handsome husband Colin, a secret agent for the British government. Long-time readers of the series will know that Emily and Colin have traveled all over the world, and that each book—at least, the ones that don’t take place in England—has a different setting. This one takes place in India in 1908. The beginning of the book finds Emily and Colin staying with a group of British tourists at the Ahilya Fort in Maheshwar. This fort was built in the 18th century by the maharani Ahilya (full name: Ahilyabai Holkar), a ruling queen who was, and still is, revered for improving the lot of the common people of her kingdom, especially women. As usual with Alexander, Emily’s adventures are intertwined with a plot set in the more distant past, and in this book it’s the story of Ahilya, and how she came to rule her kingdom.
Emily and Colin’s stay at the fort is disturbed by the discovery of the body of an Englishman found shot to death in a boat on the sacred Narmada River. One of their fellow tourists, Ralston, identifies the body as that of a friend of his. Ralston didn’t know that the man was in India, and no one else in the group knew him, so it’s hard to find a motive. This group includes quite an assortment of characters. Besides Ralston, there is a historian, Desmond Montgomery, who is doing research on Ahilya. Also in the group is Imogen, a pleasant, unmarried woman in her late 20s, who, in those days, is considered a spinster, and her companion, the very unpleasant Miss Whitcombe, who is rude to everyone. Emily doesn’t know how Imogen can stand traveling with Miss Whitcombe, but Imogen explains that her companion had a tragic childhood. Dr. Varma, an Indian physician, takes Emily around the city and acts as a translator for her. Emily, who is usually wonderful at languages, has a hard time with Hindi. Emily soon meets Mrs. Ghosh, a widow who is having an affair with Montgomery and who helps her in the murder investigation.
The local police are out of their depth with the murder and leave it to Colin, with the help of Emily, of course, to investigate. Emily and Colin find a witness, Mr. Lanka, a seller of chai, who saw a man and a woman moving along by the river at the time of the murder, even though, of the whole group, only Miss Whitcombe heard the gunshot. Veer, an eight-year-old orphan boy, saw similar comings and goings. Then Lanka is also murdered, and the police are even more unwilling to investigate the death of an Indian than that of an Englishman. A theme that runs throughout the book is the arrogant attitude of the British toward the Indians, an attitude not shared by Emily and Colin, but which is shared by several members of the group. Emily is appalled by the way the English act as though theirs is the superior culture, even though, as she points out, England is a young country compared to India.
The case takes a shocking turn when a new traveler arrives at the fort. To say more would be a huge spoiler, but I will say that this new twist changes everything about what we thought we knew about the case, and, instead of no one having a motive, it turns out that everyone has one. This is a truly brilliant twist to the plot. The roots of the case seem to go back to a love triangle in the past, and the tragic death of a young woman in Africa. Several characters who supposedly had no desire to go to India are, of course, there now, and some have better reasons for being there than others.
Emily and Colin have known since the beginning that the dead man was not shot in the boat, but was killed elsewhere, and his body was moved into the boat. Colin finds the actual site of the murder, and he discovers coins with Ahilya’s face on them and a pair of earrings which might have belonged to Ahilya. Emily wonders if this was part of a larger treasure, and if the treasure was the real motive for the murder. Mrs. Ghosh denies this, though, and says Ahilya didn’t wear jewelry, at least during her widowhood, and before her widowhood, Ahilya didn’t live in Maheshwar, but in her capital of Indore.
The case takes a series of unexpected turns, even after the big twist, and I will not spoil it by saying whether the love triangle or Ahilya’s treasure has anything to do with the murder, or even whether the treasure exists. I will say, though, that I never guessed who the killer was. I thought it was someone entirely different. I love the way Emily and Colin each come to a solution by different ways. Emily usually relies on intuition, and Colin on hard facts, but both methods lead to the same conclusion. Unfortunately, Emily’s and Colin’s twin sons Henry and Richard have stayed behind in England, so we don’t get their contributions to the case, even though there is a delightful thread where Henry, the livelier and more mischievous of the two, wants his parents to bring him an elephant from India.
The parallel plot, about Ahilya and how she came to be a great ruler, is just as compelling as the main plot. In fact, as much as I love Emily and Colin, when one of Ahilya’s chapters ended, I always felt like I couldn’t wait to get back to her story. This part of the book begins in 1740, when Ahilya is fifteen and has been married to the maharaja’s heir for seven years, ever since both were children. Her in-laws think very highly of her and see qualities in her that would make a strong ruler—qualities that are missing from their son. Ahilya’s husband, Khanderao, spends his time drinking and sleeping with his concubines, and shows no interest in her, or in ruling the kingdom. But Ahilya knows it is time for her to consummate her marriage and produce an heir.
It is heartbreaking to read about Ahilya’s attempts to do everything she can to make her husband love her, only to have him ignore her. She always thinks she will be able to improve him, and she knows he could be a better man, if only he listened to her and stayed away from alcohol, opium, and other women. Khanderao is a brave soldier, and Ahilya accompanies him into battle and becomes an expert on artillery. Another important part of the story is Ahilya’s friendship with Kiya, a woman of the people, who, although of a much lower social status than Ahilya, understands her and her marriage in a way that Ahilya herself does not.
Parts of Ahilya’s story are very tragic and have to do with the Hindu ritual of sati (more commonly spelled suttee), in which a widow commits suicide on her husband’s funeral pyre. I don’t think it is a spoiler to say that Ahilya contemplates sati but decides not to do it (and gets criticized by some, for that reason). After all, we know, from Emily’s story, that Ahilya spent many productive years as a widow and ended up ruling the kingdom in her own right after the death of her father-in-law. During her reign, Ahilya was a patron of the arts and did much to improve the lot of the common people, especially women. She founded educational institutions for women, and a weaving workshop for women who could not otherwise make a living.
This is a wonderful novel, and while I was reading, I did not know whether Ahilya was real or fictional. Unfortunately, the advance copy of the ebook that I read did not include an author’s note, so I looked online and was delighted to find she was real. The Wikipedia page for Ahilyabai Holkar (her full name) would indicate that Alexander follows her story very well. Also, Alexander’s website includes beautiful pictures of Ahilya’s fort and other nearby sites where the novel takes place.
I also made a less than delightful discovery on Alexander’s website. The page for Murder on the Sacred River says that it is the last book in the series. I hope that is just a misprint, and that what’s really meant is that it’s the latest, not the last. I love this series, and as far as I know, it’s been very popular, so I would be surprised if the publisher dropped it. Of course, publishers have dropped other series I thought were very popular (Susan Elia MacNeal’s Maggie Hope, for example). This book didn’t feel like a series ending, and it left a few threads hanging. I would especially love to find out what happens with Henry and the elephant. So, I hope this is just a mistake on the website.
If this is the last book, or even if it is not, but you would like some further reading, I have some recommendations. This book, with its setting in India, will appeal to fans of Sujata Massey, Harini Najendra, and Nev March. There are many series with Victorian sleuthing couples I would recommend, especially Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody series, which was an inspiration for this one. In fact, I first “met” Tasha Alexander online in an old Yahoo group for fans of Amelia Peabody, and I remember when she announced her first book there. More recently, there are Dianne Freeman’s Countess of Harleigh mysteries and Andrea Penrose’s Earl and Countess of Wrexford mysteries (a Regency couple, but the dynamic between the two leads, and their contrasting ways of approaching a case, reminds me of Emily and Colin). Also, there are the Jane Wunderly mysteries by Erica Ruth Neubauer, which take place later, in the 1920s, but which include many of the same elements: an unconventional young widow (as Emily is when you first meet her), an enigmatic secret agent who becomes her second husband, and each book featuring a different setting. Even with all these different series, though, Alexander’s is outstanding, and I hope it is not coming to an end anytime soon.
Emily and Colin’s stay at the fort is disturbed by the discovery of the body of an Englishman found shot to death in a boat on the sacred Narmada River. One of their fellow tourists, Ralston, identifies the body as that of a friend of his. Ralston didn’t know that the man was in India, and no one else in the group knew him, so it’s hard to find a motive. This group includes quite an assortment of characters. Besides Ralston, there is a historian, Desmond Montgomery, who is doing research on Ahilya. Also in the group is Imogen, a pleasant, unmarried woman in her late 20s, who, in those days, is considered a spinster, and her companion, the very unpleasant Miss Whitcombe, who is rude to everyone. Emily doesn’t know how Imogen can stand traveling with Miss Whitcombe, but Imogen explains that her companion had a tragic childhood. Dr. Varma, an Indian physician, takes Emily around the city and acts as a translator for her. Emily, who is usually wonderful at languages, has a hard time with Hindi. Emily soon meets Mrs. Ghosh, a widow who is having an affair with Montgomery and who helps her in the murder investigation.
The local police are out of their depth with the murder and leave it to Colin, with the help of Emily, of course, to investigate. Emily and Colin find a witness, Mr. Lanka, a seller of chai, who saw a man and a woman moving along by the river at the time of the murder, even though, of the whole group, only Miss Whitcombe heard the gunshot. Veer, an eight-year-old orphan boy, saw similar comings and goings. Then Lanka is also murdered, and the police are even more unwilling to investigate the death of an Indian than that of an Englishman. A theme that runs throughout the book is the arrogant attitude of the British toward the Indians, an attitude not shared by Emily and Colin, but which is shared by several members of the group. Emily is appalled by the way the English act as though theirs is the superior culture, even though, as she points out, England is a young country compared to India.
The case takes a shocking turn when a new traveler arrives at the fort. To say more would be a huge spoiler, but I will say that this new twist changes everything about what we thought we knew about the case, and, instead of no one having a motive, it turns out that everyone has one. This is a truly brilliant twist to the plot. The roots of the case seem to go back to a love triangle in the past, and the tragic death of a young woman in Africa. Several characters who supposedly had no desire to go to India are, of course, there now, and some have better reasons for being there than others.
Emily and Colin have known since the beginning that the dead man was not shot in the boat, but was killed elsewhere, and his body was moved into the boat. Colin finds the actual site of the murder, and he discovers coins with Ahilya’s face on them and a pair of earrings which might have belonged to Ahilya. Emily wonders if this was part of a larger treasure, and if the treasure was the real motive for the murder. Mrs. Ghosh denies this, though, and says Ahilya didn’t wear jewelry, at least during her widowhood, and before her widowhood, Ahilya didn’t live in Maheshwar, but in her capital of Indore.
The case takes a series of unexpected turns, even after the big twist, and I will not spoil it by saying whether the love triangle or Ahilya’s treasure has anything to do with the murder, or even whether the treasure exists. I will say, though, that I never guessed who the killer was. I thought it was someone entirely different. I love the way Emily and Colin each come to a solution by different ways. Emily usually relies on intuition, and Colin on hard facts, but both methods lead to the same conclusion. Unfortunately, Emily’s and Colin’s twin sons Henry and Richard have stayed behind in England, so we don’t get their contributions to the case, even though there is a delightful thread where Henry, the livelier and more mischievous of the two, wants his parents to bring him an elephant from India.
The parallel plot, about Ahilya and how she came to be a great ruler, is just as compelling as the main plot. In fact, as much as I love Emily and Colin, when one of Ahilya’s chapters ended, I always felt like I couldn’t wait to get back to her story. This part of the book begins in 1740, when Ahilya is fifteen and has been married to the maharaja’s heir for seven years, ever since both were children. Her in-laws think very highly of her and see qualities in her that would make a strong ruler—qualities that are missing from their son. Ahilya’s husband, Khanderao, spends his time drinking and sleeping with his concubines, and shows no interest in her, or in ruling the kingdom. But Ahilya knows it is time for her to consummate her marriage and produce an heir.
It is heartbreaking to read about Ahilya’s attempts to do everything she can to make her husband love her, only to have him ignore her. She always thinks she will be able to improve him, and she knows he could be a better man, if only he listened to her and stayed away from alcohol, opium, and other women. Khanderao is a brave soldier, and Ahilya accompanies him into battle and becomes an expert on artillery. Another important part of the story is Ahilya’s friendship with Kiya, a woman of the people, who, although of a much lower social status than Ahilya, understands her and her marriage in a way that Ahilya herself does not.
Parts of Ahilya’s story are very tragic and have to do with the Hindu ritual of sati (more commonly spelled suttee), in which a widow commits suicide on her husband’s funeral pyre. I don’t think it is a spoiler to say that Ahilya contemplates sati but decides not to do it (and gets criticized by some, for that reason). After all, we know, from Emily’s story, that Ahilya spent many productive years as a widow and ended up ruling the kingdom in her own right after the death of her father-in-law. During her reign, Ahilya was a patron of the arts and did much to improve the lot of the common people, especially women. She founded educational institutions for women, and a weaving workshop for women who could not otherwise make a living.
This is a wonderful novel, and while I was reading, I did not know whether Ahilya was real or fictional. Unfortunately, the advance copy of the ebook that I read did not include an author’s note, so I looked online and was delighted to find she was real. The Wikipedia page for Ahilyabai Holkar (her full name) would indicate that Alexander follows her story very well. Also, Alexander’s website includes beautiful pictures of Ahilya’s fort and other nearby sites where the novel takes place.
I also made a less than delightful discovery on Alexander’s website. The page for Murder on the Sacred River says that it is the last book in the series. I hope that is just a misprint, and that what’s really meant is that it’s the latest, not the last. I love this series, and as far as I know, it’s been very popular, so I would be surprised if the publisher dropped it. Of course, publishers have dropped other series I thought were very popular (Susan Elia MacNeal’s Maggie Hope, for example). This book didn’t feel like a series ending, and it left a few threads hanging. I would especially love to find out what happens with Henry and the elephant. So, I hope this is just a mistake on the website.
If this is the last book, or even if it is not, but you would like some further reading, I have some recommendations. This book, with its setting in India, will appeal to fans of Sujata Massey, Harini Najendra, and Nev March. There are many series with Victorian sleuthing couples I would recommend, especially Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody series, which was an inspiration for this one. In fact, I first “met” Tasha Alexander online in an old Yahoo group for fans of Amelia Peabody, and I remember when she announced her first book there. More recently, there are Dianne Freeman’s Countess of Harleigh mysteries and Andrea Penrose’s Earl and Countess of Wrexford mysteries (a Regency couple, but the dynamic between the two leads, and their contrasting ways of approaching a case, reminds me of Emily and Colin). Also, there are the Jane Wunderly mysteries by Erica Ruth Neubauer, which take place later, in the 1920s, but which include many of the same elements: an unconventional young widow (as Emily is when you first meet her), an enigmatic secret agent who becomes her second husband, and each book featuring a different setting. Even with all these different series, though, Alexander’s is outstanding, and I hope it is not coming to an end anytime soon.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Book rating: 4⭐️
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: colonialism, murder, treasure, India, maharanis
📖 Read if you like: Daughters of Egypt
The newest Lady Emily Ashton mystery is a dual timeline delight. It follows the young and newly wedded Ahilya who is destined to become a legendary maharani of piety, generosity and pragmatism. She is gifted with intelligence and kindness, which she needs to take on the responsibility of the realm and manage her husband’s demons. Fast forward to 1908 where Lady Emily and her husband Colin are vacationing at Ahiliya Fort in India along with a group of eccentric English expats and adventurers. When a man is found dead along the Narmada River, it will unwind the legend of Ahiliya’s secret treasure and the story of her life.
This is my favourite book in the series yet. Not only does it push the boundaries for socially accepted roles for women during several timelines, but it also offers a criticism on colonialism that was much appreciated. The commentary on the British view of Indians as pagan wildlings, the repatriation of stolen artifacts and the general erasure of history in favour of the conquerors were all sharply exposed within the story.
A diverse cast of characters and opinions offered interesting conversations during the murder mystery and showcased a complicated relationship between locals and colonialists. All of the characters were really well rounded with complexities and the writing was evocative with rich description and timely debate. I could even appreciate Miss Whitcombe though I would not want to spend any time with her!
The mystery was interesting and well flushed out with several possible culprits, but the older timeline really stole the show. In all honesty I will always appreciate the historical aspect more than the mystery in novels. Ahilya’s attempts to appeal to her husband Khanderao while reigning in her own talents and ambitions was very engrossing and I learnt more about this prolific leader. Her story is full of tragedy and the custom of sati is particularly gruesome but historically accurate.
Overall, this novel was transportive with not one, but two intelligent women weaving the narrative. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the eARC. Looking forward to Lady Emily’s next adventure!
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: colonialism, murder, treasure, India, maharanis
📖 Read if you like: Daughters of Egypt
The newest Lady Emily Ashton mystery is a dual timeline delight. It follows the young and newly wedded Ahilya who is destined to become a legendary maharani of piety, generosity and pragmatism. She is gifted with intelligence and kindness, which she needs to take on the responsibility of the realm and manage her husband’s demons. Fast forward to 1908 where Lady Emily and her husband Colin are vacationing at Ahiliya Fort in India along with a group of eccentric English expats and adventurers. When a man is found dead along the Narmada River, it will unwind the legend of Ahiliya’s secret treasure and the story of her life.
This is my favourite book in the series yet. Not only does it push the boundaries for socially accepted roles for women during several timelines, but it also offers a criticism on colonialism that was much appreciated. The commentary on the British view of Indians as pagan wildlings, the repatriation of stolen artifacts and the general erasure of history in favour of the conquerors were all sharply exposed within the story.
A diverse cast of characters and opinions offered interesting conversations during the murder mystery and showcased a complicated relationship between locals and colonialists. All of the characters were really well rounded with complexities and the writing was evocative with rich description and timely debate. I could even appreciate Miss Whitcombe though I would not want to spend any time with her!
The mystery was interesting and well flushed out with several possible culprits, but the older timeline really stole the show. In all honesty I will always appreciate the historical aspect more than the mystery in novels. Ahilya’s attempts to appeal to her husband Khanderao while reigning in her own talents and ambitions was very engrossing and I learnt more about this prolific leader. Her story is full of tragedy and the custom of sati is particularly gruesome but historically accurate.
Overall, this novel was transportive with not one, but two intelligent women weaving the narrative. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the eARC. Looking forward to Lady Emily’s next adventure!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5/5 stars: This is Alexander's twentieth entry in the Lady Emily Ashton Mysteries series which is a Historical Mystery set in India, 1908 and 1740. Featuring an noblewoman and her husband, who are vacationing in India at the old home to the Maharaja’s family, find themselves investigating a fellow Englishman's murder that they learn seems to be linked to 1740 and a maharani's decisions, as she attempts to balance fulfilling her duty to her troubled husband with forging her own destiny. Among rumors of a lost treasure, the couple jump into action to unmask the killer but their suspect list is large, including a spinster and her companion; a local doctor; a widow who lives nearby; an English explorer; and an Englishman who runs a tea plantation. The duo's case takes a dramatic turn when a shocking new person arrives at the fort – and when the killer strikes again shortly afterwards, they must race to uncover the villain’s identity before it’s too late.
With plenty of twists and turns, Alexander has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Told in dual POVs and timelines, Alexander's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced. Alexander manages to interweave both of the plots and timelines effortlessly. Alexander's historical research's thorough and interesting without overshadowing the mystery plot and provides a great sense of time and place.
Alexander touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, And Only to Deceive. This is a favorite series; Highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and ARC provided by St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
With plenty of twists and turns, Alexander has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Told in dual POVs and timelines, Alexander's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced. Alexander manages to interweave both of the plots and timelines effortlessly. Alexander's historical research's thorough and interesting without overshadowing the mystery plot and provides a great sense of time and place.
Alexander touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, And Only to Deceive. This is a favorite series; Highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and ARC provided by St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
1908 - Colin Hargreaves, an agent for the Crown, and his wife, Lady Emily, are waking from a nights’ sleep. They’ve been sent to Maheshwar, India, at the behest of the King. Someone bangs on the door to their quarters shouting, “…are you awake? I need you at once!”
1740 - fifteen year old Ahilya is finally old enough to live with her husband, Khanderao. They’ve been married since she was 8. Khanderao is heir to the throne and sorely disappointing to his father, Malharrao, Lord of Indore. The young successor to the throne is a salacious drunkard whose only success is found on the battlefield. He’s not enthralled with the idea of being an husband to Ahilya.
Thus starts MURDER ON THE SACRED RIVER, number 20 in the ongoing Lady Emily Mystery series, by Tasha Alexander. The Hargreaves set about to solve the mystery of why an Englishman was shot and killed on the banks of the sacred Narmada River. Assisting them is a large contingency of secondary characters that are nicely developed. Most of them are quirky in the best ways.
Ahilya and Khanderao have a difficult time working out the relationship expected of them. He continues to disappoint at every turn. She has the unwavering support of both her father and mother-in-law. In fact, Lord Malharrao takes Ahilya under his wing and teaches her how to be the leader of Indore and everything that involves.
Tasha Alexander tells the story with separate, well marked chapters that bounce between 1740 and 1908. I found the older timeline to be infinitely more interesting. The characters are richer, experience growth and have impactful lives. Alexander based this storyline on the Holkar Dynasty.
Easily read as a standalone, MURDER ON THE SACRED RIVER will appeal to readers of: Historical Fiction, Historical Mysteries, Indian History and Mythology, Family Sagas, Colonialism and its attendant social and political influences📚
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read & Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC via Kindle with thanks to the publisher and author.
1740 - fifteen year old Ahilya is finally old enough to live with her husband, Khanderao. They’ve been married since she was 8. Khanderao is heir to the throne and sorely disappointing to his father, Malharrao, Lord of Indore. The young successor to the throne is a salacious drunkard whose only success is found on the battlefield. He’s not enthralled with the idea of being an husband to Ahilya.
Thus starts MURDER ON THE SACRED RIVER, number 20 in the ongoing Lady Emily Mystery series, by Tasha Alexander. The Hargreaves set about to solve the mystery of why an Englishman was shot and killed on the banks of the sacred Narmada River. Assisting them is a large contingency of secondary characters that are nicely developed. Most of them are quirky in the best ways.
Ahilya and Khanderao have a difficult time working out the relationship expected of them. He continues to disappoint at every turn. She has the unwavering support of both her father and mother-in-law. In fact, Lord Malharrao takes Ahilya under his wing and teaches her how to be the leader of Indore and everything that involves.
Tasha Alexander tells the story with separate, well marked chapters that bounce between 1740 and 1908. I found the older timeline to be infinitely more interesting. The characters are richer, experience growth and have impactful lives. Alexander based this storyline on the Holkar Dynasty.
Easily read as a standalone, MURDER ON THE SACRED RIVER will appeal to readers of: Historical Fiction, Historical Mysteries, Indian History and Mythology, Family Sagas, Colonialism and its attendant social and political influences📚
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read & Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC via Kindle with thanks to the publisher and author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 / 5.0 Stars
This is yet another wonderful tale in the Lady Emily mystery series. It's 1908. Our plucky Lady Emily and her husband Colin have sailed to subcontinent India and are enjoying a bit of vacation among a few other British tourists while staying in an historic Indian fortress. Colin is soon called upon to sort out the murder of a British tourist who just happens to be an acquaintance of someone in their party. There are many twists and turns, red herrings, and misdirection throughout the story making it a most engaging read.
Author Tasha Alexander writes an exquisite narrative capturing two stories set centuries apart, with a narrow thread connecting them. Both are set in India - one in the late 18th century touching upon that of the much revered Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar and the main story is set in 1908. The author has captured well the feminine strength of both stories. Eventually, the two stories are connected across the eons and the stories draw to a delightful unified conclusion.
As for the writing, it is solid, evocative, and well delivered. The scene settings are rich and the descriptions of Indian dress - exquisite. One is easily transported to the times of the story as the tales are beautifully spun. If historical fiction with a mystery woven in for good measure suits you, then I commend this book to you.
I am grateful to author Tasha Alexander and her publisher Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: September 22, 2026
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 978-1250375018
This is yet another wonderful tale in the Lady Emily mystery series. It's 1908. Our plucky Lady Emily and her husband Colin have sailed to subcontinent India and are enjoying a bit of vacation among a few other British tourists while staying in an historic Indian fortress. Colin is soon called upon to sort out the murder of a British tourist who just happens to be an acquaintance of someone in their party. There are many twists and turns, red herrings, and misdirection throughout the story making it a most engaging read.
Author Tasha Alexander writes an exquisite narrative capturing two stories set centuries apart, with a narrow thread connecting them. Both are set in India - one in the late 18th century touching upon that of the much revered Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar and the main story is set in 1908. The author has captured well the feminine strength of both stories. Eventually, the two stories are connected across the eons and the stories draw to a delightful unified conclusion.
As for the writing, it is solid, evocative, and well delivered. The scene settings are rich and the descriptions of Indian dress - exquisite. One is easily transported to the times of the story as the tales are beautifully spun. If historical fiction with a mystery woven in for good measure suits you, then I commend this book to you.
I am grateful to author Tasha Alexander and her publisher Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: September 22, 2026
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 978-1250375018
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder on the Sacred River is the twentieth book in the Lady Emily Mystery series. As with earlier books in the series it has two plots in alternating chapters.
The main plot, taking place in 1908 Maheshawar, India, features Lady Emily Hargreaves and her husband Colin as they investigate the death of an Englishman found along the sacred Narmada River. Along with a ragtag group of English visitors the Hargreaves are staying at Ahilya Fort, named after an 18th century Maharani Ahilya Khanderao, noted for development of a cultural renaissance in the province. After the death is determined to be a murder local police defer to the Hargreaves for the investigation. Not all the characters are whom they seem to be. A number of twists and turns revealing hidden relationships leave the reader guessing and end with a surprise killer.
The secondary plot, beginning in 1740, features a fictionalized life of Ahilya, married at eight, and now at fifteen just beginning her life as the wife of the future Maharaja. Her chapters explore the years of her marriage and the development of her character throughout the marriage and her eventual widowhood.
This book can be read as a standalone even though it includes mentions of important supporting characters from earlier books in the series. Personally, I find the hopping back and forth between timelines rather disconcerting. Although I do recommend the book to Lady Emily's fans,
and perhaps tangentially to those interested in British life in India at the beginning of the 20th century, it is not among the better books in the series.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the advance copy for this honest review.
The main plot, taking place in 1908 Maheshawar, India, features Lady Emily Hargreaves and her husband Colin as they investigate the death of an Englishman found along the sacred Narmada River. Along with a ragtag group of English visitors the Hargreaves are staying at Ahilya Fort, named after an 18th century Maharani Ahilya Khanderao, noted for development of a cultural renaissance in the province. After the death is determined to be a murder local police defer to the Hargreaves for the investigation. Not all the characters are whom they seem to be. A number of twists and turns revealing hidden relationships leave the reader guessing and end with a surprise killer.
The secondary plot, beginning in 1740, features a fictionalized life of Ahilya, married at eight, and now at fifteen just beginning her life as the wife of the future Maharaja. Her chapters explore the years of her marriage and the development of her character throughout the marriage and her eventual widowhood.
This book can be read as a standalone even though it includes mentions of important supporting characters from earlier books in the series. Personally, I find the hopping back and forth between timelines rather disconcerting. Although I do recommend the book to Lady Emily's fans,
and perhaps tangentially to those interested in British life in India at the beginning of the 20th century, it is not among the better books in the series.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the advance copy for this honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another interesting addition to this series. What I love about these books is that it is always a historical fiction story within a historical fiction mystery story.
In the first timeline we have Lady Emily trying to solve a mystery about the death of an Englishman a the Ahilya Fort in India. There are a variety of characters each with their own interesting backstory. Emily is a force to be reckoned with and even though it is 1908, she doesn't let anyone get in the way of her getting to the truth. I love that she is the main character and her husband is more of the side piece. My favorite part of the book was the secondary story. This was of Ahilya in 1740. She is married to the future ruler but he loves alcohol more than he loves being an effective ruler in India. Ahilya wants to be a good wife, and mother but she also is extremely intelligent and wants to do right by the people of India. She must overcome the issues in her marriage to become an instrument of change especially for the women in India.
Both stories were interesting and I had no idea who the murderer was until the very end. However I am a true historical fiction fan more than a mystery fan and I loved learning about Ahilya. Her story was fascinating. I also learned so much more about the history of India. A truly fascinating read! Even though this is book 20 in the series, one does not have to read the 19 that came before this. I have only read one other in this series and I completely understood all that was happening.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In the first timeline we have Lady Emily trying to solve a mystery about the death of an Englishman a the Ahilya Fort in India. There are a variety of characters each with their own interesting backstory. Emily is a force to be reckoned with and even though it is 1908, she doesn't let anyone get in the way of her getting to the truth. I love that she is the main character and her husband is more of the side piece. My favorite part of the book was the secondary story. This was of Ahilya in 1740. She is married to the future ruler but he loves alcohol more than he loves being an effective ruler in India. Ahilya wants to be a good wife, and mother but she also is extremely intelligent and wants to do right by the people of India. She must overcome the issues in her marriage to become an instrument of change especially for the women in India.
Both stories were interesting and I had no idea who the murderer was until the very end. However I am a true historical fiction fan more than a mystery fan and I loved learning about Ahilya. Her story was fascinating. I also learned so much more about the history of India. A truly fascinating read! Even though this is book 20 in the series, one does not have to read the 19 that came before this. I have only read one other in this series and I completely understood all that was happening.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lady Amelia and her husband Colin Hargreaves are vacationing in India after Colin does a little something for the king. They find themselves invited to Ahilya's Fort on the banks of the Narmada River along with an assortment of other English travelers.
When the body of an Englishman is found in a boat with a gunshot wound to his head, their vacation becomes an investigation because the local police are more than willing to hand the case off to them. Once the man's identity becomes known after an initial misidentification, Amelia and Colin discover that many of their fellow travelers might have had reason to kill him.
The eccentric lady and her bad-tempered companion, the visiting historian, a man named Mr. Ralston, a local doctor, and a local widowed lady are all suspects in this one.
Woven into the mystery plot are flashbacks to 1740 and the woman for whom the fort is named. She was married at eight to the future maharajah and educated to be a helpmeet to him. The flashbacks tell of her life from childhood to old age. She did a lot of good as ruler after the deaths of her husband and in-laws and has become a figure of importance in the region. Rumor has it she left a treasure behind her which excites current (1908) day fortune hunters.
This was an entertaining historical detail filled with wonderful scenes of India at the time period. Amelia greatly enjoys the food and drink and the culture while still investigating and solving the mystery.
I did rather miss that their boys were left home in England, but enjoyed Henry's letters pleading for an elephant.
When the body of an Englishman is found in a boat with a gunshot wound to his head, their vacation becomes an investigation because the local police are more than willing to hand the case off to them. Once the man's identity becomes known after an initial misidentification, Amelia and Colin discover that many of their fellow travelers might have had reason to kill him.
The eccentric lady and her bad-tempered companion, the visiting historian, a man named Mr. Ralston, a local doctor, and a local widowed lady are all suspects in this one.
Woven into the mystery plot are flashbacks to 1740 and the woman for whom the fort is named. She was married at eight to the future maharajah and educated to be a helpmeet to him. The flashbacks tell of her life from childhood to old age. She did a lot of good as ruler after the deaths of her husband and in-laws and has become a figure of importance in the region. Rumor has it she left a treasure behind her which excites current (1908) day fortune hunters.
This was an entertaining historical detail filled with wonderful scenes of India at the time period. Amelia greatly enjoys the food and drink and the culture while still investigating and solving the mystery.
I did rather miss that their boys were left home in England, but enjoyed Henry's letters pleading for an elephant.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
1908: Emily and Colin Hargreaves are vacationing in India at the former home of a maharaja when a man’s dead body is found in a boat on the river. The duo is commissioned by the local police to investigate the murder, a daunting task with a long list of suspects in an unfamiliar country.
1740: Ahila is the young maharani married to Khandero, the troubled heir who struggles with overindulgence in wine, opium and concubines. But Ahila is determined to fulfil her responsibilities and live up to the love and expectations of her devoted in-laws.
The storyline alternates between the two eras and weaves Ahila’s story together with Emily’s investigation in India.
This was a cracking good read in the historical mystery series featuring Lady Emily. I always marvel at how the author manages to merge the two timelines and stories together, and this one was no different. This novel was somewhat different to the prior one in the series since Emily is travelling and not in London. Being in India allows her to have more freedom and be less concerned with what society may think or say about her detecting activities. There are several unlikeable characters in their circle of suspects, and more than one with a potential motive. As with the previous book in the series, the historical storyline drew me in and I found these chapters really absorbing.
Highly recommended to readers that enjoy historical fiction and/or cozy mysteries.
1740: Ahila is the young maharani married to Khandero, the troubled heir who struggles with overindulgence in wine, opium and concubines. But Ahila is determined to fulfil her responsibilities and live up to the love and expectations of her devoted in-laws.
The storyline alternates between the two eras and weaves Ahila’s story together with Emily’s investigation in India.
This was a cracking good read in the historical mystery series featuring Lady Emily. I always marvel at how the author manages to merge the two timelines and stories together, and this one was no different. This novel was somewhat different to the prior one in the series since Emily is travelling and not in London. Being in India allows her to have more freedom and be less concerned with what society may think or say about her detecting activities. There are several unlikeable characters in their circle of suspects, and more than one with a potential motive. As with the previous book in the series, the historical storyline drew me in and I found these chapters really absorbing.
Highly recommended to readers that enjoy historical fiction and/or cozy mysteries.
September 11, 2026
I thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced reader copy of Murder on the Sacred River. All opinions and comments are my own.
This ‘story within a story’ finds Colin Hargreaves and Lady Emily Hargreaves investigating the murder of an Englishman in 1908 India. And before they’re done, you’ll have been given a history of the great Indian Maharani Ahilya in alternating chapters, which detail her life in the 18th century and the building of the fort in which Colin and Lady Emily conduct their investigations and ultimately, uncover a murderer.
There’s a whole host of unpleasant characters in Murder on the Sacred River, suspects all, which does somewhat make it hard to get invested in the story. And while the chapters on the Maharani are interesting, they derail the continuity of the book. I found their inclusion a distraction. They do outline the life of a strong, powerful woman, much like Lady Emily, who has proven herself to be a good detective (as well she should, this is the 20th book in the series).
There’s talk about stolen treasures of India, and ultimately, a dead man who definitely needed killing. And a big finish, which sees everything tied up very nicely. While I appreciate the lovingly researched story of Ahilya and her contribution to the history of her country, I didn’t find Murder on the Sacred River as compelling a mystery as earlier entries in the series.
This ‘story within a story’ finds Colin Hargreaves and Lady Emily Hargreaves investigating the murder of an Englishman in 1908 India. And before they’re done, you’ll have been given a history of the great Indian Maharani Ahilya in alternating chapters, which detail her life in the 18th century and the building of the fort in which Colin and Lady Emily conduct their investigations and ultimately, uncover a murderer.
There’s a whole host of unpleasant characters in Murder on the Sacred River, suspects all, which does somewhat make it hard to get invested in the story. And while the chapters on the Maharani are interesting, they derail the continuity of the book. I found their inclusion a distraction. They do outline the life of a strong, powerful woman, much like Lady Emily, who has proven herself to be a good detective (as well she should, this is the 20th book in the series).
There’s talk about stolen treasures of India, and ultimately, a dead man who definitely needed killing. And a big finish, which sees everything tied up very nicely. While I appreciate the lovingly researched story of Ahilya and her contribution to the history of her country, I didn’t find Murder on the Sacred River as compelling a mystery as earlier entries in the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In the latest Lady Emily novel, Tasha Alexander brings readers, Lady Emily, and Colin Hargreaves to India and Ahilya Fort, the maharaja’s ancestral home, but while on a trip with eccentric English tourists in 1908 a man is found shot along the Narmada River. Emily and Colin begin investigating, but there are many suspects on their lists. Almost two centuries earlier, teenage Ahilyabai had been married to the son of Malharrao Holkar, Lord of Malwa territory, for seven years by 1740, but she could not provide her kind in-laws and drunken and mysterious husband with an heir. Ahilya’s sense of loyalty and duty are both tested, and her decisions will go on to affect others centuries later -- including Lady Emily, whose case soon takes a dramatic turn. Emotional, fascinating, and immersive, this feels different from the other books in the series, and readers will love how the two storylines end up intersecting in Emily’s investigation. The book is absolutely packed with detail, and readers will really appreciate the depth of detail that Alexander uses to bring India to life. A great instalment in this historical mystery series, readers will love the dual-timeline, dual-perspective nature of the newest book from Tasha Alexander.
Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book 20, Lady Emily Ashton Mysteries series
The story is presented in dual timelines.
In 1908, Lady Emily Hargreaves and her husband, Colin, vacation at India’s historic Ahilya Fort with an eclectic group of English tourists. The serene getaway turns deadly when a man is shot along the sacred Narmada River, implicating suspects including a spinster and her companion, a local doctor, a widow, an English explorer, and a Darjeeling tea plantation owner. A second murder and an unexpected arrival heighten the stakes, prompting Emily and Colin to methodically uncover the culprit.
Interwoven is a 1740 storyline featuring fifteen-year-old Ahilyabai Holkar, married to Malharrao Holkar’s son, who contends with pressures to produce an heir amid her husband’s challenges. Her explorations of duty, destiny, and self-determination reverberate into Lady Emily’s investigation centuries later. The novel fuses India’s captivating locales, historical depth, and taut suspense along the fog-laden riverbanks.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#MurderOnTheSacredRiver
The story is presented in dual timelines.
In 1908, Lady Emily Hargreaves and her husband, Colin, vacation at India’s historic Ahilya Fort with an eclectic group of English tourists. The serene getaway turns deadly when a man is shot along the sacred Narmada River, implicating suspects including a spinster and her companion, a local doctor, a widow, an English explorer, and a Darjeeling tea plantation owner. A second murder and an unexpected arrival heighten the stakes, prompting Emily and Colin to methodically uncover the culprit.
Interwoven is a 1740 storyline featuring fifteen-year-old Ahilyabai Holkar, married to Malharrao Holkar’s son, who contends with pressures to produce an heir amid her husband’s challenges. Her explorations of duty, destiny, and self-determination reverberate into Lady Emily’s investigation centuries later. The novel fuses India’s captivating locales, historical depth, and taut suspense along the fog-laden riverbanks.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#MurderOnTheSacredRiver
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Murder on the Sacred River" is a mystery set in 1908 in India. There's also a secondary story going on in the 1740's that explained the origin of the treasure legend referenced in the 1908 story. The secondary story could have been completely removed without needing to change anything in the main story, but I did enjoy Ahilya's story nonetheless. This book is the 20th in a series. You can understand this book without reading the previous ones, and this story didn't spoil the mysteries of the previous books.
Historical and setting details were woven into the story without slowing the pacing. The main characters were engaging and reacted realistically to events. Emily and Colin asked good questions, but due to several people lying or omitting useful information, they had trouble knowing what information really needed to be uncovered. Once they got the initial confusions straightened out, the clues needed to narrow down whodunit came pretty quickly.
There were no sex scenes, though married sex was implied. There were only a few uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.
I received an ebook advanced review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Historical and setting details were woven into the story without slowing the pacing. The main characters were engaging and reacted realistically to events. Emily and Colin asked good questions, but due to several people lying or omitting useful information, they had trouble knowing what information really needed to be uncovered. Once they got the initial confusions straightened out, the clues needed to narrow down whodunit came pretty quickly.
There were no sex scenes, though married sex was implied. There were only a few uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.
I received an ebook advanced review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder on the Sacred River is one of the richest and most atmospheric entries I’ve read in the Lady Emily series. Tasha Alexander masterfully weaves together two timelines—1908 colonial India and 18th-century Maheshwar—creating a story that feels both like a murder mystery and a sweeping historical epic. The alternating chapters never felt distracting; instead, each timeline deepened the emotional and thematic resonance of the other.
The 1908 investigation into the murder of Mr. Stringfellow unfolds against the stunning backdrop of Maheshwar’s palatial fort, where Lady Emily and Colin uncover secrets among a fascinating cast of suspects. The mystery itself is compelling, but the true magic lies in the setting and atmosphere. Alexander’s descriptions of rivers, temples, spices, teas, and ancient ruins are absolutely transportive.
Equally captivating is the story of Ahilya in 1744. Her intelligence, diplomacy, resilience, and compassion made her one of the most memorable historical figures I’ve encountered in fiction. The thread of Sita running through both timelines adds beautiful emotional depth, exploring devotion, strength, and womanhood across centuries.
This novel is lush, intelligent, immersive, and utterly unforgettable.
The 1908 investigation into the murder of Mr. Stringfellow unfolds against the stunning backdrop of Maheshwar’s palatial fort, where Lady Emily and Colin uncover secrets among a fascinating cast of suspects. The mystery itself is compelling, but the true magic lies in the setting and atmosphere. Alexander’s descriptions of rivers, temples, spices, teas, and ancient ruins are absolutely transportive.
Equally captivating is the story of Ahilya in 1744. Her intelligence, diplomacy, resilience, and compassion made her one of the most memorable historical figures I’ve encountered in fiction. The thread of Sita running through both timelines adds beautiful emotional depth, exploring devotion, strength, and womanhood across centuries.
This novel is lush, intelligent, immersive, and utterly unforgettable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder on the Sacred River
By Tasha Alexander
Colin and Emily Hargreaves are a Victorian era detective team. This iteration of Lady Emily mysteries finds the couple in Maheshwar, India on tour of the country. When the murder of a British subject occurs, the local constabulary are more than glad to turn the investigation over to them.
The story involves a treasure hunt for the mythical treasure of the 18th century Queen Ahilya, who built the fortress in Maheshwar. But there are other plot twists which complicate the story: the dead man's identity; the dead man's true identity; who the man and the woman are that witnesses saw near the scene when the body was discovered; and what were the mysterious lights going toward and away from the fortress at night – just to name a few.
The cast of characters reveals a number people with motives for the crime. And further murders only complicate the matter. Will Colin and Emily be able to sort through all this and get to the heart of the matter?
This is a typical British noir novel. But the alternating chapters – first in 1908, then in Ahilya's time – create a back-story which makes the whole thing plausible.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
By Tasha Alexander
Colin and Emily Hargreaves are a Victorian era detective team. This iteration of Lady Emily mysteries finds the couple in Maheshwar, India on tour of the country. When the murder of a British subject occurs, the local constabulary are more than glad to turn the investigation over to them.
The story involves a treasure hunt for the mythical treasure of the 18th century Queen Ahilya, who built the fortress in Maheshwar. But there are other plot twists which complicate the story: the dead man's identity; the dead man's true identity; who the man and the woman are that witnesses saw near the scene when the body was discovered; and what were the mysterious lights going toward and away from the fortress at night – just to name a few.
The cast of characters reveals a number people with motives for the crime. And further murders only complicate the matter. Will Colin and Emily be able to sort through all this and get to the heart of the matter?
This is a typical British noir novel. But the alternating chapters – first in 1908, then in Ahilya's time – create a back-story which makes the whole thing plausible.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It seems everyone is hiding something in this newest installment of the Lady Emily series from Tasha Alexander. This time Lady Emily and her husband, Colin Hargreaves, are in India. An Englishman is found murdered so, naturally, Lady Emily and Colin jump into action (with the approval of the local police). They soon realize that their case has a connection to the 18th century ruler, Ahliya Holkar, who, legend says, buried a treasure of untold wealth in or near the ground of her namesake fort where the Hargreaves and other British tourists are staying.
The dual timeline follows the murder mystery and Ahliya’s story as she grows from child bride to ruler of a kingdom. Both stories are highly engaging with rich characters and page-turning action. Alexander brings alive both turn of the 20th century India and mid 18th century India. She also highlights women’s choices and opportunities for choosing their own paths in life.
This book is great for Lady Emily fans, readers who enjoy historical fiction mysteries, and fans of dual timeline stories. It could be read as a standalone, but is much richer as part of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The dual timeline follows the murder mystery and Ahliya’s story as she grows from child bride to ruler of a kingdom. Both stories are highly engaging with rich characters and page-turning action. Alexander brings alive both turn of the 20th century India and mid 18th century India. She also highlights women’s choices and opportunities for choosing their own paths in life.
This book is great for Lady Emily fans, readers who enjoy historical fiction mysteries, and fans of dual timeline stories. It could be read as a standalone, but is much richer as part of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this book. It's the second I've read in the series, and I would definitely read more. What I liked about it was the background about India and the maharani Ahilya. I loved reading about her story and was even inspired to look up more on my own. I also love the time period of Emily and her husband Colin as historical fiction in and of itself. Emily is a strong character, and I love the way she and Colin work together to solve crimes. The cast of characters was interesting, and there were multiple red herrings that kept me guessing and theorizing. The book moves forward at a good pace, and I felt like the suspense was just right. The only thing I disliked was that I wasn't satisfied with the murderer and their story. I had something else in mind, so I was disappointed and left wanting more. That's obviously subjective, but that was my only knock against the story. Overall, I recommend this book to mystery lovers and fans of historical fiction. Though this book is part of a series, it also works as a standalone.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The next mystery in the Lady Emily series finds her vacationing in India with husband Colin Hargreaves. While staying at Ahilya Fort a British man is found shot at a nearby river. Local law enforcement is happy to have Emily and Colin undertake the investigation, so they begin by taking a look at the other visitors to the fort. There's a second timeline, set in 1740, describing the life of the fort's namesake. She's married to the heir to the Malwa territory, and some of the events of her day are casting a shadow over lady Emily's time.
There's no shortage of suspects here, and as their secrets are uncovered, more than one possible motive is discovered. The characters are an interesting group, and the mystery is a satisfying puzzle. I have enjoyed other books in this series more, but this is an enjoyable read. It is fine as a stand-alone book.
This one is perfect for those who enjoy historical mysteries - especially if learning a little about Indian culture and history appeals.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
There's no shortage of suspects here, and as their secrets are uncovered, more than one possible motive is discovered. The characters are an interesting group, and the mystery is a satisfying puzzle. I have enjoyed other books in this series more, but this is an enjoyable read. It is fine as a stand-alone book.
This one is perfect for those who enjoy historical mysteries - especially if learning a little about Indian culture and history appeals.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review: Murder on the Sacred River by Tasha Alexander
I absolutely loved Murder on the Sacred River. Tasha Alexander continues to deliver everything I enjoy about this series—clever mysteries, rich historical detail, and characters that keep me fully invested from beginning to end.
Emily is such a wonderful main character. She’s intelligent, witty, observant, and always entertaining to follow. Her humor and insight add so much charm to the story, even during the more suspenseful moments. I love the way Alexander balances mystery, history, and character development so seamlessly.
The mystery itself was engaging and well crafted, with plenty of intrigue and twists to keep my interest throughout. As always, the historical setting felt vivid and immersive without slowing down the pacing.
I’ve loved all of Tasha Alexander’s books, and this one was no exception. Fans of historical mysteries and strong, clever heroines will definitely enjoy this latest installment.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved Murder on the Sacred River. Tasha Alexander continues to deliver everything I enjoy about this series—clever mysteries, rich historical detail, and characters that keep me fully invested from beginning to end.
Emily is such a wonderful main character. She’s intelligent, witty, observant, and always entertaining to follow. Her humor and insight add so much charm to the story, even during the more suspenseful moments. I love the way Alexander balances mystery, history, and character development so seamlessly.
The mystery itself was engaging and well crafted, with plenty of intrigue and twists to keep my interest throughout. As always, the historical setting felt vivid and immersive without slowing down the pacing.
I’ve loved all of Tasha Alexander’s books, and this one was no exception. Fans of historical mysteries and strong, clever heroines will definitely enjoy this latest installment.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Murder on the Sacred River is the latest Lady Emily mystery by Tasha Alexander. This series just keeps going and is better than ever! I really enjoyed this mystery and the wonderful historical details about India. It was fascinating to learn more about the history of India especially in relation to women and the practice of sati. It’s also enjoyable to read about Emily and Colin working hard to solve a mystery together. I had no idea who committed the crime, so watching Emily work out who the killer was was a fascinating read. The connection between the past and present was also very well written and truly a lovely connection among women across the generations. I hope Emily and Colin will continue to solve mysteries for a long time. I just love reading about their adventures.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is my first Lady Emily mystery and what a intriguing mystery it is. Lady Emily and her husband Colin are traveling through India, when one evening a man is found deceased. Lady Emily and her husband, Colin investigate the murder. Multiple suspects abound, but with keen observation, excellent investigate skills and a bit of luck, the killer soon will be revealed. Along, with the mystery is the story of the Maharaja who lived in the home where Lady Emily is staying. Each chapter flows between the murder mystery and the story of the Maharaja.
The setting of the old home of the Maharaja’s family is an interesting perspective on the time period. Each story is engaging on their own but together add to the richness of both stories. The characters for each story are unique to their plot and the characters for each are appealing. The mystery is definitely captivating, with the killer revealed in an alluring manner. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press.
The setting of the old home of the Maharaja’s family is an interesting perspective on the time period. Each story is engaging on their own but together add to the richness of both stories. The characters for each story are unique to their plot and the characters for each are appealing. The mystery is definitely captivating, with the killer revealed in an alluring manner. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.25 ⭐️
The story follows two timelines in India.
1908:
Emily and Colin investigate a man found dead in the river. The case stalls until a pair of valuable earrings is discovered nearby, leading them to believe they belonged to Ahilya.
1740s:
We meet young Ahilya, married at eight to ten‑year‑old Khanderao. Loved by his family and the people, she was bright and capable, while her husband was constantly drunk and disappointing. She longed for him to become the ruler he was meant to be.
I didn’t know how the timelines would connect, but I loved learning about Indian customs of that era. The practice of sati devastated me, and Ahilyabai Holkar’s story fascinated me - a brilliant, powerful queen who shaped Indore and left a lasting legacy.
Even though this is a historical mystery, I was far more drawn to the history from the 1740s than to the mystery. I enjoyed reading this book.
The story follows two timelines in India.
1908:
Emily and Colin investigate a man found dead in the river. The case stalls until a pair of valuable earrings is discovered nearby, leading them to believe they belonged to Ahilya.
1740s:
We meet young Ahilya, married at eight to ten‑year‑old Khanderao. Loved by his family and the people, she was bright and capable, while her husband was constantly drunk and disappointing. She longed for him to become the ruler he was meant to be.
I didn’t know how the timelines would connect, but I loved learning about Indian customs of that era. The practice of sati devastated me, and Ahilyabai Holkar’s story fascinated me - a brilliant, powerful queen who shaped Indore and left a lasting legacy.
Even though this is a historical mystery, I was far more drawn to the history from the 1740s than to the mystery. I enjoyed reading this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Number 20 in this series! Lady Emily & Colin are in India with a group of British tourists and travelers at an ancient fort built by a Queen. A body is found, and everyone is a suspect as they keep changing their stories and hiding their pasts. Emily doesn't know who to trust and who might be a murderer and/or a thief. The other characters have interesting backstories that she must pry from them to determine if they had reason to want to kill. Alternatively, there are flashbacks to the Queen, and we see how she is married into the Maharaja's family in the 1700s to help keep the heir on track to take over from his father. While she has been groomed for her role and takes to it quickly, he does not, and she must decide how to drag him away from his vices.
I really enjoyed this book and both the past & present storylines. Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for selecting me to read an advance copy.
I really enjoyed this book and both the past & present storylines. Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for selecting me to read an advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another dual timeline entry in the Lady Emily mysteries, Murder on the Sacred River shifts between historical and modern-day India. The Hargreaves, vacationing in India, are given the opportunity to stay at Ahilya Fort, historic home of the maharaja’s family. When a man is shot, their visit becomes complicated by helping solve the crime. Each chapter alternates between the 1908 events and the story of the maharani, Ahilyabai, who originally built the fort.
Enjoyable and I appreciated the historical research, but the alternating POV left me feeling unable to engage fully with either time period. I’d have much preferred focusing solely on the story from Lady Emily’s perspective, with mentions of Ahilya’s history included.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book
Enjoyable and I appreciated the historical research, but the alternating POV left me feeling unable to engage fully with either time period. I’d have much preferred focusing solely on the story from Lady Emily’s perspective, with mentions of Ahilya’s history included.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In this the 20th installment of the Lady Emily series we are again treated to a split narrative story. Half the book is set in the present of 1908 and half is set in the past of 1740's. The connection between the past and present was very well written and a lovely connection among women across the time periods. The fascinating look at how women lived in the past of India was very engaging. The research is fantastic, and the setting of both stories is well done. Sometimes dual timelines can be a jarring or disconnected but Alexander does a good job of keep the disruption to a minimum. I wasn't able to figure out who the murderer was or what their motive was right away which is a sign of a well written story. i always enjoy Ms. Alexander's work and look forward to Emily and Colin's further adventures.
I'd recommend this interesting mystery.
I received an ebook advanced review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
I'd recommend this interesting mystery.
I received an ebook advanced review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
April 30, 2026
Murder on the Sacred River is a wonderful addition to the Lady Emily series. This will appeal to readers already familiar with the series and can also be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone.
The author does an excellent job incorporating two related storylines in two time periods using alternating chapters. Both were intriguing. I am also satisfied with the way Lady Emily’s relationship with husband Colin has continued to be a highlight of the books in this series for me. They have matured yet still contribute a romantic element. I very much enjoyed this book and recommend it for readers who want a historical mystery that incorporates two timelines. This book will also be especially appealing for readers who are interested in a story that takes place in India. I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
The author does an excellent job incorporating two related storylines in two time periods using alternating chapters. Both were intriguing. I am also satisfied with the way Lady Emily’s relationship with husband Colin has continued to be a highlight of the books in this series for me. They have matured yet still contribute a romantic element. I very much enjoyed this book and recommend it for readers who want a historical mystery that incorporates two timelines. This book will also be especially appealing for readers who are interested in a story that takes place in India. I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While this is the 20th book in the Lady Emily series, the story is fresh and interesting. In a less traveled area of India in 1908, Lady Emily and Colin Hargreaves are greatly enjoying the culture and natural beauty when the corpse appears in a small boat. They both jump in to investigate and a twisty journey for justice starts, Told in alternative chapters in the story of a late 18th century maharaja Ahilya who has been revered by Indians through the years. The older story greatly impacts the 1908 one even though it takes place 150+ years before. Great characters and a descriptive, if not completely nuanced picture of 2 Indias - one before colonial occupation and one at the height of British heavy handed control - add to the murder mystery. Tanks to #netgalley for the ARC of this book.
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