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Maliha Anderson #4
Wind in the East
What if home became a place of dread?
Maliha Anderson returns to her family in French-owned Pondicherry, and it's as bad as she expected. Her grandmother is trying to marry her off but that's nothing compared the suicide of an unknown woman in front of a family wedding party. Or that her rejected lover has returned unexpectedly.
Maliha refuses to allow the woman's death to be brushed under the carpet but her investigations bring her to a very dark place. Slavery, sexual violence and taboo relationships guide her to a devastating revelation that might destroy her family.
In a past that never was, the fourth book in the Maliha Anderson series reveals the darkest aspects of human nature with vivid descriptions, intriguing characters, and crisp, elegant prose.
Maliha Anderson returns to her family in French-owned Pondicherry, and it's as bad as she expected. Her grandmother is trying to marry her off but that's nothing compared the suicide of an unknown woman in front of a family wedding party. Or that her rejected lover has returned unexpectedly.
Maliha refuses to allow the woman's death to be brushed under the carpet but her investigations bring her to a very dark place. Slavery, sexual violence and taboo relationships guide her to a devastating revelation that might destroy her family.
In a past that never was, the fourth book in the Maliha Anderson series reveals the darkest aspects of human nature with vivid descriptions, intriguing characters, and crisp, elegant prose.
- GenresSteampunk
244 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2015
3 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Steve Turnbull
63 books360 followersWhen he's not sitting at his computer building websites for national institutions and international companies, Steve Turnbull can be found sitting at his computer building new worlds of steampunk, science fiction and fantasy.
Technically Steve was born a cockney but after five years he was moved out from London to the suburbs where he grew up and he talks posh now. He's been a voracious reader of science fiction and fantasy since his early years, but it was poet Laurie Lee's autobiography "Cider with Rosie" (picked up because he was bored in Maths) that taught him the beauty of language and spurred him into becoming a writer, aged 15. He spent twenty years editing and writing for computer magazines while writing poetry on the side.
Nowadays he writes screenplays (TV and features), prose and computer programs.
Join the Voidships newsletter at http://voidships.com/
Technically Steve was born a cockney but after five years he was moved out from London to the suburbs where he grew up and he talks posh now. He's been a voracious reader of science fiction and fantasy since his early years, but it was poet Laurie Lee's autobiography "Cider with Rosie" (picked up because he was bored in Maths) that taught him the beauty of language and spurred him into becoming a writer, aged 15. He spent twenty years editing and writing for computer magazines while writing poetry on the side.
Nowadays he writes screenplays (TV and features), prose and computer programs.
Join the Voidships newsletter at http://voidships.com/
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 12, 2016
Another excellent addition to the Maliha Anderson series. At the end of the previous book, Maliha decided to go back to her Indian family. This being Maliha Anderson, it's not all sunshine and roses.
This is quite a short book, as things go - though slightly longer than previous volumes in the series - and Turnbull isn't afraid to tackle head-on topics that usually get swept under the carpet. Other reviewers have found reading about such topics uncomfortable; I did not find it so. Turnbull does not dwell on the 'uncomfortable bits', but this certainly is not either a cosy mystery or cute, whimsical steampunk.
Innocent people get betrayed and hurt. Sometimes events have happened in such a way that things will never be the same again; happy endings all round just aren't on the cards. Life is like that. Even when there are airships.
I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
This is quite a short book, as things go - though slightly longer than previous volumes in the series - and Turnbull isn't afraid to tackle head-on topics that usually get swept under the carpet. Other reviewers have found reading about such topics uncomfortable; I did not find it so. Turnbull does not dwell on the 'uncomfortable bits', but this certainly is not either a cosy mystery or cute, whimsical steampunk.
Innocent people get betrayed and hurt. Sometimes events have happened in such a way that things will never be the same again; happy endings all round just aren't on the cards. Life is like that. Even when there are airships.
I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
February 13, 2015
Another amazing book by Steve Turnbull. Having broken my heart with the events of book 3 I was anxious to get back to the characters of Mahlia and Mr.Crier I needed to know what happened next.
This longer book was darker than the previous ones but did not disappoint. Once again I was captivated by the adventures of Miss Anderson. (she probably wouldn't appreciate me calling her Mahlia).
The author treaded a delicate path between exploring the darker, parts of life and sensationalism. He managed it perfectly just enough to show what needed to be shown but never shocking for the sake of shocking.
Just wonderful. My only problem is that I'll have to wait for book 5. Time to reread them I think.
This longer book was darker than the previous ones but did not disappoint. Once again I was captivated by the adventures of Miss Anderson. (she probably wouldn't appreciate me calling her Mahlia).
The author treaded a delicate path between exploring the darker, parts of life and sensationalism. He managed it perfectly just enough to show what needed to be shown but never shocking for the sake of shocking.
Just wonderful. My only problem is that I'll have to wait for book 5. Time to reread them I think.
March 5, 2015
This is an entertaining installment in the adventures of the intrepid female detective Maliha Anderson. Maliha is in Pondicherry, a colonial area in India ruled by the French. She works to solve a crime that has implications for relations between the French and British and that uncovers unpleasant secrets about her family.
The descriptions of alternate steam technology is detailed and excellent. This story is set in an alternate historical past in the early 20th century when Britain is the most powerful European empire. Maliha is a mixed race young woman who swims through, and struggles with, the cultural world of Indian natives and British rulers.
Fans of Valentine should read this installment to find interesting updates. This book is longer than previous stories about Maliha. There is sexual content so parents who think their children would be interested should read it first. Another solid addition to the the world of Maliha Anderson.
The descriptions of alternate steam technology is detailed and excellent. This story is set in an alternate historical past in the early 20th century when Britain is the most powerful European empire. Maliha is a mixed race young woman who swims through, and struggles with, the cultural world of Indian natives and British rulers.
Fans of Valentine should read this installment to find interesting updates. This book is longer than previous stories about Maliha. There is sexual content so parents who think their children would be interested should read it first. Another solid addition to the the world of Maliha Anderson.
June 2, 2017
Perversion and death
Family secrets hidden via deaths. Women who enable men and get caught in web of sexual deviation. Who dreams this shit up. Who voluntarily lives these night mares to preserve hearth and home.
Family secrets hidden via deaths. Women who enable men and get caught in web of sexual deviation. Who dreams this shit up. Who voluntarily lives these night mares to preserve hearth and home.
September 1, 2015
Another awesome tale from Steve Turnbull’s desk, which I had the honor of beta-reading. I desperately wanted to read the fourth one because in the last one Mr Crier and Maliha were driven apart and being eternally romantic I wanted them to be together. Moreover, the character of Maliha Anderson is close to my heart, since she is part Indian.
Maliha as usual gets embroiled into another death closer home and is determined to seek justice for the dead and her family. This is the first time she lets us take a peek at her anguish and sorrow for the homeless girl who died under mysterious circumstances.
The descriptions and storyline is awesome. This one is by far the best stories of the series in terms of writing, mystery and suspense. Though for some it might be a little twisted, but life is like that even if we close our eyes and turn the other way.
Looking forward to the next one the series.
Maliha as usual gets embroiled into another death closer home and is determined to seek justice for the dead and her family. This is the first time she lets us take a peek at her anguish and sorrow for the homeless girl who died under mysterious circumstances.
The descriptions and storyline is awesome. This one is by far the best stories of the series in terms of writing, mystery and suspense. Though for some it might be a little twisted, but life is like that even if we close our eyes and turn the other way.
Looking forward to the next one the series.
July 23, 2015
The writing and descriptions were once again great. I liked it for that. I did not like the story. It was a bit twisted for my taste. It did not go to the level of being disgusting, but I would not read another book of this series if it came out. I've certainly read more disturbing stories, but this one bothered me, but I think this one bothered me because it was so unexpected.
July 15, 2015
Enjoyable tail with many a twist.
Maliah brings out the best and worst of those she loves. Steve weaves a tail that keeps the reader turning the page to find what will happen next.
Maliah brings out the best and worst of those she loves. Steve weaves a tail that keeps the reader turning the page to find what will happen next.
December 1, 2015
This book had a slightly darker slant than the other Maliha Anderson stories and just goes to show what secrets people hide behind the facades of their smiles.
I won't put in any spoilers, but I was quite pleased with the epilogue.
I won't put in any spoilers, but I was quite pleased with the epilogue.
March 19, 2016
A lot darker than the earlier three. The reason for the death at the wedding is horrific. The seamier side of polite society is revealed. And Maliha changes from the retiring lass in the earlier books. Definitely deserving of 5 stars.
March 8, 2015
Loved it. I hope there are more :P I assume there will be from the ending..excited.
April 7, 2017
Another curious adventure with Maliha Anderson, the best female lead I've read in a while. An interesting and compelling murder mystery with a steampunk twist, all set in the jewelled background of an Indian landscape. Beautifully written with a female lead who draws you into her world, and a supporting cast who bring life to what she encounters there, I'm truly loving this series of stories, and highly recommend them
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews