What do you think?
Rate this book
Superintendent Le Fanu Mystery #4
A Greater God
Superintendent Chris Le Fanu returns to Madras from Penang where he leaves his new Straits Chinese love interest, Jenlin Koh, and a tempting new post in police intelligence there. He finds Hindu-Muslim tension on the rise in Madras, and his friends and subordinates Mohammad Habibullah and Jackson Caldicott at loggerheads as a result. A series of Muslim murders around the Presidency adds more tension. Le Fanu's arch enemy, Inspector-General Arthur "The Jockey" Jepson is reacting recklessly to the new conditions, then Le Fanu has to travel to Hyderabad where his former housekeeper and lover Roisin McPhedren is seriously ill. Le Fanu swings between his personal and professional challenges as a gang of revolutionaries and Hindu nationalists from North India travel south to aggravate the troubles. Le Fanu and Jepson clash head-on as the latter causes several policemen to be killed, and Le Fanu is losing support because his main civil service protectors are leaving Madras. Just as he seems close to overcoming all these problems, news arrives that Jenlin Koh is on board a ship reported missing near Ceylon. How will Le Fanu cope?
362 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2018
6 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 9, 2019
This story was my first introduction to the series, and I was left very impressed. I had initial concerns about whether or not this volume would be able to stand on its own enough for me to enjoy the story, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is perfectly readable on its own.
While that was a happy surprise, what was truly impressive was the amount of detail the text was saturated with. So many phrases and words, names of people and places, objects and habits that all seem to transport you directly into this complicated period in 1920's India. So many books which attempt to paint a good historical picture fall victim to either sounding like a textbook, or plaguing the reader with long paragraphs of dense description - neither were the case here. The author manages to weave the details into dialogue and normal amounts of description with what are, very apparently, extremely well chosen words and refined sentences to strike just that perfect balance a historical reader is looking for.
I enjoy that the main character in the story, Le Fanu, is not a perfect creature. He's no super hero, but a normal man with a realistic amount of weakness and strength. He has very real character flaws and is possessed of the same amount of indecision that one might expect anyone to have in complicated situations. Overall, really excellent writing style, and a compelling character to guide this interesting mystery set in a time period of significant political and religious unrest.
While that was a happy surprise, what was truly impressive was the amount of detail the text was saturated with. So many phrases and words, names of people and places, objects and habits that all seem to transport you directly into this complicated period in 1920's India. So many books which attempt to paint a good historical picture fall victim to either sounding like a textbook, or plaguing the reader with long paragraphs of dense description - neither were the case here. The author manages to weave the details into dialogue and normal amounts of description with what are, very apparently, extremely well chosen words and refined sentences to strike just that perfect balance a historical reader is looking for.
I enjoy that the main character in the story, Le Fanu, is not a perfect creature. He's no super hero, but a normal man with a realistic amount of weakness and strength. He has very real character flaws and is possessed of the same amount of indecision that one might expect anyone to have in complicated situations. Overall, really excellent writing style, and a compelling character to guide this interesting mystery set in a time period of significant political and religious unrest.
February 16, 2019
I am new to this series; entering Book 4 might have left me floundering but I was pleasantly surprised to find myself immersed in the world of Le Fanu and India of the early 20th century and brought deftly up to speed. Catch ups are kept brief and to a minimum, just enough to make the reader want to read Books 1-3.
A Greater God is set primarily in Madras, a colourful, heaving, vibrant and exotic city - in many ways another character in the book. The story focussed on a time of considerable political unrest in India with racial tensions mounting between Hindus and Muslims alongside a pervasive resentment towards the British Raj. Stoddart clearly knows his subject, the historical detail peppered throughout the novel demonstrating considerable insight.
The author weaves vivid descriptions of setting and the complexities of the historical backdrop into the narrative, binding a sense of place and the theme of cultural unrest cleverly with the plot. The result makes for a gripping read. Stoddart's pacing is excellent and there are some satisfying twists along the way. The narrative moves along at quite a clip and never labours despite the historical content. This is quite an achievement and is a credit to the author. The dialogue flows well, too, and I especially enjoyed the witty banter.
Stoddart's characters are well-crafted and he has a sharp eye for cultural sensitivity. The protagonist, Le Fanu, is well-rounded, likeable and suitably conflicted. He has some major decisions to make while he fends off antagonisms from various quarters. Prejudice is portrayed through the despicable inspector, Jensen, and the Muslim perspective is provided in a personal way through Le Fanu's colleague, Habi, and his growing concern for his community.
A Greater God will appeal to those who enjoy great historical crime mysteries that are both well-written and intelligent.
A Greater God is set primarily in Madras, a colourful, heaving, vibrant and exotic city - in many ways another character in the book. The story focussed on a time of considerable political unrest in India with racial tensions mounting between Hindus and Muslims alongside a pervasive resentment towards the British Raj. Stoddart clearly knows his subject, the historical detail peppered throughout the novel demonstrating considerable insight.
The author weaves vivid descriptions of setting and the complexities of the historical backdrop into the narrative, binding a sense of place and the theme of cultural unrest cleverly with the plot. The result makes for a gripping read. Stoddart's pacing is excellent and there are some satisfying twists along the way. The narrative moves along at quite a clip and never labours despite the historical content. This is quite an achievement and is a credit to the author. The dialogue flows well, too, and I especially enjoyed the witty banter.
Stoddart's characters are well-crafted and he has a sharp eye for cultural sensitivity. The protagonist, Le Fanu, is well-rounded, likeable and suitably conflicted. He has some major decisions to make while he fends off antagonisms from various quarters. Prejudice is portrayed through the despicable inspector, Jensen, and the Muslim perspective is provided in a personal way through Le Fanu's colleague, Habi, and his growing concern for his community.
A Greater God will appeal to those who enjoy great historical crime mysteries that are both well-written and intelligent.
January 26, 2019
Crime fans can look forward to a new adventure of their hero LE FANU!
Brian Stoddarts A GREATER GOD, builds on dialogue, love of a country and the distinctive characters of his thriller series. His in-depth knowledge of India, the subtleties of Indian society, he addressed with sensitivity and perspicacity. A GREAT GOD is fast-paced, has nothing superfluous, is round in the language and plot, with surprising tense twists and very topical.
Definitely read!
Brian Stoddarts A GREATER GOD, builds on dialogue, love of a country and the distinctive characters of his thriller series. His in-depth knowledge of India, the subtleties of Indian society, he addressed with sensitivity and perspicacity. A GREAT GOD is fast-paced, has nothing superfluous, is round in the language and plot, with surprising tense twists and very topical.
Definitely read!
January 4, 2020
Impressive and highly enjoyable
This crime novel was a first for me on many levels — the first I've read by New Zealand author Brian Stoddart (although this is actually his fourth in the Superintendent Le Fanu Mystery series), the first historical crime novel by a modern author, and the first ever set in British India — and what a pleasant surprise it was for me to indulge in this unusual setting.
Crime and mystery fans, as well as history buffs, will find A Greater God highly enjoyable. It will, no doubt, have them running to the author's previous three, although this novel is good even as a stand-alone. The characters are likeable and authentic, while the plot is fast-paced and gripping as any true mystery ought to be, and, above all, educational. A master of his craft and language, Stoddart is also a PhD in the history of modern India. This aspect comes off clearly in the way he weaves history around his plot without in any way bogging it down with too much information.
Set in 1920s India, a period of time that was rife with racial tension and resentment against the British Raj, Stoddart takes us through an extraordinary experience of a colonial setting beginning to experience change. The plot is intricate and will keep the reader on the edge of his seat. There's an interesting mix of personal sub-plots around the lead character, Superintendent Chris Le Fanu, interspersed with the political environment that triggered the troubles for the police and the internal rivalries between the various heads of department. Amid all that drama, our hero is beset by career advancement offers from every which way, which could not but add to his frustration — too much of a good thing can indeed be as troublesome as having none at all, it would seem.
In his personal life, Le Fanu is at odds with himself as to which of the two women in his life he loved the most — his new Chinese girlfriend Jenlin Koh or his former biracial girlfriend Ro MacPhedren, who, in this installment, almost loses her life from typhoid. I found this interplay of emotions interesting, particularly since Le Fanu seems totally oblivious to the fact that he is still in love with his former girlfriend while struggling to maintain his loyalty for his current love interest.
His staunch allies at his workplace, Whitney and Willingdon, who are on their way out, add some tension, especially while Inspector-General Jepson and his cohort, Jamieson, wage a vicious campaign. Thankfully, the villains do get their just desserts in the end. Meanwhile Hindu-Muslim tension in Madras fuel friction between his two loyal subordinates, Assistant Superintendents Mohammad Habibullah, fondly nicknamed Habi, and Jackson Caldicott.
Habi is a character, a nice chap who is exceptionally competent at his job. He has a clever way of acquiring intelligence and a matter of fact manner of imparting it to Le Fanu, as coolly as to sound hilarious at times. With his superior, he is deferential in his manner and extremely loyal. I really liked this fellow — easily my favourite character after Le Fanu.
Through his story and his characters, the author gives us a picture of how the British lived in colonial India, which cannot but highlight the racism and the patronising view of the British towards the natives whose countries they monopolised. As one who myself hails from a former British colony, Malta, which suffered its fair share of condescension by the colonists, I cannot, however, discount the legacy of colonialism, the benefits of structure and governance still enjoyed by our country to this day. If there's one thing the British did very well, it was the methodical and precise system of running a country. They instilled the same smooth discipline into their colonies.
There's little by way of negative critique I can make about this novel, bar the fact that the author's writing style often drops verbs and conjunctives from his sentences. These phrasal sentences appear to be used to punctuate the tension, even if, in narrative mode, this was, at times, disconcerting and stemmed the flow. But as the reader plows through the story, they will get used to Stoddart's unique style and from about a third of the novel onwards, it will even set well and stop being a hindrance.
My overall assessment of this novel is of an exceptionally well-written and well-crafted story by a master of his subject. Certainly, Stoddart makes the history of modern India and the Madras heritage a topic of huge interest. I will be looking for more of the author's work in the future.
This crime novel was a first for me on many levels — the first I've read by New Zealand author Brian Stoddart (although this is actually his fourth in the Superintendent Le Fanu Mystery series), the first historical crime novel by a modern author, and the first ever set in British India — and what a pleasant surprise it was for me to indulge in this unusual setting.
Crime and mystery fans, as well as history buffs, will find A Greater God highly enjoyable. It will, no doubt, have them running to the author's previous three, although this novel is good even as a stand-alone. The characters are likeable and authentic, while the plot is fast-paced and gripping as any true mystery ought to be, and, above all, educational. A master of his craft and language, Stoddart is also a PhD in the history of modern India. This aspect comes off clearly in the way he weaves history around his plot without in any way bogging it down with too much information.
Set in 1920s India, a period of time that was rife with racial tension and resentment against the British Raj, Stoddart takes us through an extraordinary experience of a colonial setting beginning to experience change. The plot is intricate and will keep the reader on the edge of his seat. There's an interesting mix of personal sub-plots around the lead character, Superintendent Chris Le Fanu, interspersed with the political environment that triggered the troubles for the police and the internal rivalries between the various heads of department. Amid all that drama, our hero is beset by career advancement offers from every which way, which could not but add to his frustration — too much of a good thing can indeed be as troublesome as having none at all, it would seem.
In his personal life, Le Fanu is at odds with himself as to which of the two women in his life he loved the most — his new Chinese girlfriend Jenlin Koh or his former biracial girlfriend Ro MacPhedren, who, in this installment, almost loses her life from typhoid. I found this interplay of emotions interesting, particularly since Le Fanu seems totally oblivious to the fact that he is still in love with his former girlfriend while struggling to maintain his loyalty for his current love interest.
His staunch allies at his workplace, Whitney and Willingdon, who are on their way out, add some tension, especially while Inspector-General Jepson and his cohort, Jamieson, wage a vicious campaign. Thankfully, the villains do get their just desserts in the end. Meanwhile Hindu-Muslim tension in Madras fuel friction between his two loyal subordinates, Assistant Superintendents Mohammad Habibullah, fondly nicknamed Habi, and Jackson Caldicott.
Habi is a character, a nice chap who is exceptionally competent at his job. He has a clever way of acquiring intelligence and a matter of fact manner of imparting it to Le Fanu, as coolly as to sound hilarious at times. With his superior, he is deferential in his manner and extremely loyal. I really liked this fellow — easily my favourite character after Le Fanu.
Through his story and his characters, the author gives us a picture of how the British lived in colonial India, which cannot but highlight the racism and the patronising view of the British towards the natives whose countries they monopolised. As one who myself hails from a former British colony, Malta, which suffered its fair share of condescension by the colonists, I cannot, however, discount the legacy of colonialism, the benefits of structure and governance still enjoyed by our country to this day. If there's one thing the British did very well, it was the methodical and precise system of running a country. They instilled the same smooth discipline into their colonies.
There's little by way of negative critique I can make about this novel, bar the fact that the author's writing style often drops verbs and conjunctives from his sentences. These phrasal sentences appear to be used to punctuate the tension, even if, in narrative mode, this was, at times, disconcerting and stemmed the flow. But as the reader plows through the story, they will get used to Stoddart's unique style and from about a third of the novel onwards, it will even set well and stop being a hindrance.
My overall assessment of this novel is of an exceptionally well-written and well-crafted story by a master of his subject. Certainly, Stoddart makes the history of modern India and the Madras heritage a topic of huge interest. I will be looking for more of the author's work in the future.
March 30, 2019
Book Review
Basic Details:
Book Title: A Greater God
Subtitle: (Superintendent Le Fanu Mystery #4)
Author: Brian Stoddart
Genre: Crime
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 4
Best read after earlier books in series? Yes, but can be read as stand-alone
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
This book tells the story of Superintendent Chris Le Fanu and is the fourth book in the series. I have not read the other books in the series yet, but now I have a taste of the books, I’m keen to read the others and the next too.
Chris is forced to swing between his chaotic personal life and his professional life in this book and as a result misses some important clues in his close colleagues and friends. These are made up for in the end. I really enjoyed this book.
What I liked about the book:
I particularly liked the writing style. Although initially it seemed to be rather boring, after the first few pages, I was dragged into the story and found it difficult to put the book down. It was a lovely mixture of culture, history and mystery and ideal for me.
What I didn’t like about the book:
There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I loved where Chris went against convention and did what he felt was right. He refused to discriminate against any one section of the Indian community and for that he has my respect.
I also enjoyed when ‘The Jockey’ was brought down to size.
My least favourite bits in the book:
I didn’t like it when the book ended and am now desperate to read the other books in the series. Both to find out what happened earlier and to discover what will happen next.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This is the fourth book in the series and the story does not appear to be complete yet. I am now left wanting to find out what happens next. Will Ro and Chris rekindle their relationship or will Jenlin turn up after all? What will be his next adventure and will he stay here or take up any of the other job offers he received?
What books could this be compared to and why?
This book is a detective/mystery novel which stands on its own. The setting is lovely and also gives the reader an insight into a colonial past.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Possibly
Adult Yes
If you like detective stories and mysteries this book might be the book for you.
I certainly look forward to reading more books by this author.
Book Description by Author:
Superintendent Chris Le Fanu returns to Madras from Penang where he leaves his new Straits Chinese love interest, Jenlin Koh, and a tempting new post in police intelligence there. He finds Hindu-Muslim tension on the rise in Madras, and his friends and subordinates Mohammad Habibullah and Jackson Caldicott at loggerheads as a result. A series of Muslim murders around the Presidency adds more tension. Le Fanu's arch enemy, Inspector-General Arthur "The Jockey" Jepson is reacting recklessly to the new conditions, then Le Fanu has to travel to Hyderabad where his former housekeeper and lover Roisin McPhedren is seriously ill. Le Fanu swings between his personal and professional challenges as a gang of revolutionaries and Hindu nationalists from North India travel south to aggravate the troubles. Le Fanu and Jepson clash head-on as the latter causes several policemen to be killed, and Le Fanu is losing support because his main civil service protectors are leaving Madras. Just as he seems close to overcoming all these problems, news arrives that Jenlin Koh is on board a ship reported missing near Ceylon. How will Le Fanu cope?
Basic Details:
Book Title: A Greater God
Subtitle: (Superintendent Le Fanu Mystery #4)
Author: Brian Stoddart
Genre: Crime
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 4
Best read after earlier books in series? Yes, but can be read as stand-alone
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
This book tells the story of Superintendent Chris Le Fanu and is the fourth book in the series. I have not read the other books in the series yet, but now I have a taste of the books, I’m keen to read the others and the next too.
Chris is forced to swing between his chaotic personal life and his professional life in this book and as a result misses some important clues in his close colleagues and friends. These are made up for in the end. I really enjoyed this book.
What I liked about the book:
I particularly liked the writing style. Although initially it seemed to be rather boring, after the first few pages, I was dragged into the story and found it difficult to put the book down. It was a lovely mixture of culture, history and mystery and ideal for me.
What I didn’t like about the book:
There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I loved where Chris went against convention and did what he felt was right. He refused to discriminate against any one section of the Indian community and for that he has my respect.
I also enjoyed when ‘The Jockey’ was brought down to size.
My least favourite bits in the book:
I didn’t like it when the book ended and am now desperate to read the other books in the series. Both to find out what happened earlier and to discover what will happen next.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This is the fourth book in the series and the story does not appear to be complete yet. I am now left wanting to find out what happens next. Will Ro and Chris rekindle their relationship or will Jenlin turn up after all? What will be his next adventure and will he stay here or take up any of the other job offers he received?
What books could this be compared to and why?
This book is a detective/mystery novel which stands on its own. The setting is lovely and also gives the reader an insight into a colonial past.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Possibly
Adult Yes
If you like detective stories and mysteries this book might be the book for you.
I certainly look forward to reading more books by this author.
Book Description by Author:
Superintendent Chris Le Fanu returns to Madras from Penang where he leaves his new Straits Chinese love interest, Jenlin Koh, and a tempting new post in police intelligence there. He finds Hindu-Muslim tension on the rise in Madras, and his friends and subordinates Mohammad Habibullah and Jackson Caldicott at loggerheads as a result. A series of Muslim murders around the Presidency adds more tension. Le Fanu's arch enemy, Inspector-General Arthur "The Jockey" Jepson is reacting recklessly to the new conditions, then Le Fanu has to travel to Hyderabad where his former housekeeper and lover Roisin McPhedren is seriously ill. Le Fanu swings between his personal and professional challenges as a gang of revolutionaries and Hindu nationalists from North India travel south to aggravate the troubles. Le Fanu and Jepson clash head-on as the latter causes several policemen to be killed, and Le Fanu is losing support because his main civil service protectors are leaving Madras. Just as he seems close to overcoming all these problems, news arrives that Jenlin Koh is on board a ship reported missing near Ceylon. How will Le Fanu cope?
November 28, 2018
Set in 1920s’ Madras, when the Quit India movement is gaining momentum in India, Muslim–Hindu tensions are rising and anti-British feeling is palpable, Stoddart’s A Greater God is not just a fascinating historical crime novel, but is also a very readable synthesis of an important part of twentieth-century colonial history.
The south, which quite often gets overlooked in literature, is showcased beautifully, Madras shining through. The detail with which Stoddart evokes this British-controlled city – from the architecture and street life to the food and religion – is quite astonishing, particularly as we view it through his protagonist Le Fanu’s mainly loving eyes. It’s a place he’s spent twenty years in and it’s home.
Le Fanu lives a very untypically British life in India, mixing with the ‘natives’, living in a predominantly Tamil Brahmin neighbourhood and having relationships with non-European women. It’s all too suspicious for his straight-laced, racist superiors, especially given the timing when the whole idea of empire is being called into question, and he’s drawn a lot of attention to himself and made quite a few enemies, as a result.
Stoddart’s Le Fanu is a man at odds with himself, his own career and loves. While he commands great loyalty from many of those close to him, he also seems to have a lot of people gunning for him, in addition to a very complicated love life which seems to result mainly from indecision.
As the book opens, Le Fanu is returning to Madras from Penang, where he’s been working and has also found time to fall in love. He’s thinking of resigning from the Crime Unit as his nemesis, Arthur Jepson, a deeply prejudiced and small man, has returned to become the new Inspector-General of Police. His mission, it seems, is to make Le Fanu’s life a misery and to undermine him at every turn.
Le Fanu’s allies, the Governor and the Chief Secretary, are both leaving the territory, his former lover is seriously ill with typhoid and his new love is among those missing on a ship lost at sea. It’s a very challenging time. Add to this, the growing communal tensions which Jepson fuels with his racism and aggressive, rather erratic behaviour, and the murders of Muslims in the community, and it's all rather a mess.
Set at a particularly turbulent period in both India and Britain’s history, it's Madras that is the star of this book – vibrant, exotic, challenging and utterly fascinating.
I love books like this, ones that draw heavily on real historic events, bringing them to life through great plots and strong characterisation. In this, it reminds me of Boris Akunin’s excellent Erast Fandorin series, set as the Russian Empire is waning, and brimming with intrigue and historic and political detail.
Plot apart, A Greater God is a very well presented book, with lovely fonts, a map (a map!) and a beautiful illustrative cover – and jackets do sell books.
All in all, a really lovely book.
See: http://www.theliteraryshed.co.uk/read...
This review is published as part of the virtual book tour. Many thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy. All opinions are our own. All rights reserved.
The south, which quite often gets overlooked in literature, is showcased beautifully, Madras shining through. The detail with which Stoddart evokes this British-controlled city – from the architecture and street life to the food and religion – is quite astonishing, particularly as we view it through his protagonist Le Fanu’s mainly loving eyes. It’s a place he’s spent twenty years in and it’s home.
Le Fanu lives a very untypically British life in India, mixing with the ‘natives’, living in a predominantly Tamil Brahmin neighbourhood and having relationships with non-European women. It’s all too suspicious for his straight-laced, racist superiors, especially given the timing when the whole idea of empire is being called into question, and he’s drawn a lot of attention to himself and made quite a few enemies, as a result.
Stoddart’s Le Fanu is a man at odds with himself, his own career and loves. While he commands great loyalty from many of those close to him, he also seems to have a lot of people gunning for him, in addition to a very complicated love life which seems to result mainly from indecision.
As the book opens, Le Fanu is returning to Madras from Penang, where he’s been working and has also found time to fall in love. He’s thinking of resigning from the Crime Unit as his nemesis, Arthur Jepson, a deeply prejudiced and small man, has returned to become the new Inspector-General of Police. His mission, it seems, is to make Le Fanu’s life a misery and to undermine him at every turn.
Le Fanu’s allies, the Governor and the Chief Secretary, are both leaving the territory, his former lover is seriously ill with typhoid and his new love is among those missing on a ship lost at sea. It’s a very challenging time. Add to this, the growing communal tensions which Jepson fuels with his racism and aggressive, rather erratic behaviour, and the murders of Muslims in the community, and it's all rather a mess.
Set at a particularly turbulent period in both India and Britain’s history, it's Madras that is the star of this book – vibrant, exotic, challenging and utterly fascinating.
I love books like this, ones that draw heavily on real historic events, bringing them to life through great plots and strong characterisation. In this, it reminds me of Boris Akunin’s excellent Erast Fandorin series, set as the Russian Empire is waning, and brimming with intrigue and historic and political detail.
Plot apart, A Greater God is a very well presented book, with lovely fonts, a map (a map!) and a beautiful illustrative cover – and jackets do sell books.
All in all, a really lovely book.
See: http://www.theliteraryshed.co.uk/read...
This review is published as part of the virtual book tour. Many thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy. All opinions are our own. All rights reserved.
December 3, 2018
1920s India – a place of racial tension and resentment against the British Raj. Superintendent Chris Le Fanu can see more than most of the other Police and Government officials he works with that this tension, resentment and changing society will bring, and is bringing, trouble. The confusion in his life is not merely professional however; his personal life is causing problems. This is a book that works on so many levels as a novel of the politics of the times, a description of the different communities that are beginning to prise the country apart, but most successfully and intensely, of a man of some integrity trying to save lives in impossible circumstances. It gives a vivid picture of the streets, clubs and other organisations that Le Fanu encounters, but also the people that he cares about or finds difficult to deal with. This is the fourth Le Fanu book, but the comprehensive style of writing means that it can be read very much as a standalone book. This is much more than a historical police procedural as the action expands into the violent jealousy of a colleague with his own agenda against the background of civil disturbance. I was extremely grateful to read a copy of this book as part of a book blog tour.
As the book opens Le Fanu is just returning to Madras from a spell of work in the Straits Settlements. I was unsure of the geography of this book, but it proves to be a very different place culturally and socially, as well as a place that has meant a new romantic liaison for Le Fanu. His return is made uneasy by his friends and colleagues Habi and Jackson whose working lives have been made more difficult by his absence and the actions by the completely irrational and criminally incompetent senior officer. The language becomes rather strong, but well in keeping with the characters. While Le Fanu tries to sort out the competing claims on him, an old love becomes dangerously ill. As he tries to engage with a complex web of would be assassins, those intent on attacking communities and other crimes, the whole chain of command is unstable. He is a fallible man from whom miracles are demanded; yet this is a completely convincing narrative of his situation in dramatic circumstances.
It says much for the flair of the writing in this book that even though I had not previously encountered Stoddart’s books, I was able to keep track of the characters and setting easily and enjoyably. As the complexity of working with armed police and soldiers increases, Stoddart manages to focus on the personal as Habi’s concern for the Muslim community increases in the face of dangerous forces. This is a more than satisfactory book, as the characters are well established and differentiated, and the history of a rapidly changing society is well conveyed. As historical fiction it is excellent, as a crime novel it succeeds in being far more than a murder mystery in its complexity and humanity. Despite my initial misgivings concerning a book about a situation I was largely ignorant of, this turned out to be a real insight into communities and characters I felt were invested with real life, and I would certainly seek out other books by this exceptional writer.
As the book opens Le Fanu is just returning to Madras from a spell of work in the Straits Settlements. I was unsure of the geography of this book, but it proves to be a very different place culturally and socially, as well as a place that has meant a new romantic liaison for Le Fanu. His return is made uneasy by his friends and colleagues Habi and Jackson whose working lives have been made more difficult by his absence and the actions by the completely irrational and criminally incompetent senior officer. The language becomes rather strong, but well in keeping with the characters. While Le Fanu tries to sort out the competing claims on him, an old love becomes dangerously ill. As he tries to engage with a complex web of would be assassins, those intent on attacking communities and other crimes, the whole chain of command is unstable. He is a fallible man from whom miracles are demanded; yet this is a completely convincing narrative of his situation in dramatic circumstances.
It says much for the flair of the writing in this book that even though I had not previously encountered Stoddart’s books, I was able to keep track of the characters and setting easily and enjoyably. As the complexity of working with armed police and soldiers increases, Stoddart manages to focus on the personal as Habi’s concern for the Muslim community increases in the face of dangerous forces. This is a more than satisfactory book, as the characters are well established and differentiated, and the history of a rapidly changing society is well conveyed. As historical fiction it is excellent, as a crime novel it succeeds in being far more than a murder mystery in its complexity and humanity. Despite my initial misgivings concerning a book about a situation I was largely ignorant of, this turned out to be a real insight into communities and characters I felt were invested with real life, and I would certainly seek out other books by this exceptional writer.
June 28, 2019
This book is my first introduction to the works of novelist Brian Stoddart, the Le Fanu series. First and foremost to travel in a novel from Penang to Madras came as a pleasant surprise, familiar as I am with both places. What amazed me was the author's remarkable grasp of local lives, customs, foods within the context of the novel, the ease with which he intelligently breezed through the colorful multi-cultured, multi-faceted history of two major townships of the British Raj - Madras and Hyderabad.
It is said a writer of good historical fiction brings the fiction to life. For me Brian Stoddart proceeded to do just that. The bustle of 1920s Madras, its sights and sounds was well delivered. So was the chaos as the reader is transported from Thousand Lights to Fort St. George, Mount Road to Mylapore, while familiarizing with police procedures and its ramifications, the rising riot situation which could escalate at any moment into full-scale Hindu-Muslim rivalry simmering at the surface. Added to these heightened tensions are combined early signs of weakening British power in turn of the century India, the inevitable collapse in the British enclaves as all do not see eye to eye, unraveling through the eyes of his hero, Le Fanu and a small group of players who form the main characters in the story.
The pace of the novel draws you in from the first page to the last. It is as if you've stepped into another time zone, a different era, as the reader comes to terms with what is brewing in Le Fanu's professional life, a high-wire balancing act in light of the festering conflict with his mastermind nemesis Jepson, the Jockey for the riding crop he carries, the anti-hero foil without whom villainy would diminish, running neck-to-neck with Le Fanu's personal life, which to all outward appearances is a mess. While the depiction of Habibullah and Caldicott, Ro McPhedren and even Chief Secretary Whitney were well drawn, I felt the hero Le Fanu, although likeable, came across as somewhat indecisive and ultra English gentlemanly rather than tough for the role of Police Superintendent his duties expected him to fulfill. I was reminded of the gentle Inspector Ganesh Ghote in the Inspector Ghote series by crime fiction writer HRF Keating.
Chris Le Fanu is a constant prognosticator in the style of Hamlet, where hard-boiled decisions are called for. He cannot seem to decide who needs him more, Madras or Hyderabad, Jenlin or Ro, Wilson or his loyal team, which opportunity would work best, a return to Straits Settlement Penang or the IG position. He can have any. He has friends in high places, is much admired, compassionate to a fault with subordinates and colleagues. Yet he dithers, even in his love life, unwilling to upset the status quo, till fate finds a way to lend a hand to iron out the mess. Perhaps the author wanted us to see that his hero is human after all.
Indisputably the historical period Brian Stoddart wrote of were turbulent times, an India transitioning, disagreements rife, but an exotic subcontinent all the same, a British empire in flux, whose fiction or non-fiction parts one does not have to agree with to like the novel, which left me with a wonderful feel of India and a taste for more of Le Fanu.
It is said a writer of good historical fiction brings the fiction to life. For me Brian Stoddart proceeded to do just that. The bustle of 1920s Madras, its sights and sounds was well delivered. So was the chaos as the reader is transported from Thousand Lights to Fort St. George, Mount Road to Mylapore, while familiarizing with police procedures and its ramifications, the rising riot situation which could escalate at any moment into full-scale Hindu-Muslim rivalry simmering at the surface. Added to these heightened tensions are combined early signs of weakening British power in turn of the century India, the inevitable collapse in the British enclaves as all do not see eye to eye, unraveling through the eyes of his hero, Le Fanu and a small group of players who form the main characters in the story.
The pace of the novel draws you in from the first page to the last. It is as if you've stepped into another time zone, a different era, as the reader comes to terms with what is brewing in Le Fanu's professional life, a high-wire balancing act in light of the festering conflict with his mastermind nemesis Jepson, the Jockey for the riding crop he carries, the anti-hero foil without whom villainy would diminish, running neck-to-neck with Le Fanu's personal life, which to all outward appearances is a mess. While the depiction of Habibullah and Caldicott, Ro McPhedren and even Chief Secretary Whitney were well drawn, I felt the hero Le Fanu, although likeable, came across as somewhat indecisive and ultra English gentlemanly rather than tough for the role of Police Superintendent his duties expected him to fulfill. I was reminded of the gentle Inspector Ganesh Ghote in the Inspector Ghote series by crime fiction writer HRF Keating.
Chris Le Fanu is a constant prognosticator in the style of Hamlet, where hard-boiled decisions are called for. He cannot seem to decide who needs him more, Madras or Hyderabad, Jenlin or Ro, Wilson or his loyal team, which opportunity would work best, a return to Straits Settlement Penang or the IG position. He can have any. He has friends in high places, is much admired, compassionate to a fault with subordinates and colleagues. Yet he dithers, even in his love life, unwilling to upset the status quo, till fate finds a way to lend a hand to iron out the mess. Perhaps the author wanted us to see that his hero is human after all.
Indisputably the historical period Brian Stoddart wrote of were turbulent times, an India transitioning, disagreements rife, but an exotic subcontinent all the same, a British empire in flux, whose fiction or non-fiction parts one does not have to agree with to like the novel, which left me with a wonderful feel of India and a taste for more of Le Fanu.
February 22, 2019
Book 4 and we're now probably at the point that A GREATER GOD will require some effort to catch up if you're new to the Chris Le Fanu series. Set in early 20th century India, around the tensions leading to Indian Independence from Britain, Chris Le Fanu is a member of the English police force, and an outsider in both the local and ex-pat community. You'll also find yourself catching up with a complicated personal life that involves an old-love who is now very unwell and hospitalised a long way away in Hyderabad. There's also an off-screen new love interest, Straits Chinese woman Jenlin Koh, who is travelling to join him in Madras, even as he travels within India to ensure that Roisin McPhedren is cared for and safe.
Whilst all this heavy lifting is going on in his personal life, Le Fanu is dealing with some very particular problems in his professional life, as the general political unrest in India continues, and racial tensions start to appear between local Hindus and Muslims. To say nothing of Inspector-General Arthur "The Jockey" Jepson, long-time arch enemy of Le Fanu, protected by just enough members of the British ruling groups to remain in power when he's clearly barking mad and dangerous to boot. It's probably in this area that coming cold to this series at this point may be a little confusing for new readers, as the background of the politics and the internecine warfare being undertaken by some members of the ruling elite are complex and ongoing.
Having said that, Stoddart knows his subject matter, and the historical details are cleverly balanced against an almost visual feel for the setting, the people and the society. To say nothing of the descriptions of food which could very well be blamed as the straw that breaks many diet backs. The way that the factual background to the lead up to Independence is woven into each of these books, and the manner in which the cities come to life is one of the great attractions overall, as is the idea that Le Fanu is a quintessential outsider in his own community, embraced with considerably more enthusiasm by locals. This goes right down to his preference for the local cuisine over the boring English stodge served with Raj establishments and his complicated love life, which is both touching and a bit of a train wreck. All in all it makes for a more rounded, complex character than your typical policeman from that era, and his regular sidekick Habi gives the author real opportunity for insight into the Muslim community as the racial tensions increase.
Highly recommend this series to fans of historical crime fiction in particular, as the only minor quibbles with A GREATER GOD are strictly ones of personal expectation after having read all the books. With Jepson, rather than just disappear from view as he did, I wanted a lot more public excoration, and in matters of love, even this hard-hearted cynic was sort of hoping that the train wreck would have been dragged back onto the tracks by now.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
Whilst all this heavy lifting is going on in his personal life, Le Fanu is dealing with some very particular problems in his professional life, as the general political unrest in India continues, and racial tensions start to appear between local Hindus and Muslims. To say nothing of Inspector-General Arthur "The Jockey" Jepson, long-time arch enemy of Le Fanu, protected by just enough members of the British ruling groups to remain in power when he's clearly barking mad and dangerous to boot. It's probably in this area that coming cold to this series at this point may be a little confusing for new readers, as the background of the politics and the internecine warfare being undertaken by some members of the ruling elite are complex and ongoing.
Having said that, Stoddart knows his subject matter, and the historical details are cleverly balanced against an almost visual feel for the setting, the people and the society. To say nothing of the descriptions of food which could very well be blamed as the straw that breaks many diet backs. The way that the factual background to the lead up to Independence is woven into each of these books, and the manner in which the cities come to life is one of the great attractions overall, as is the idea that Le Fanu is a quintessential outsider in his own community, embraced with considerably more enthusiasm by locals. This goes right down to his preference for the local cuisine over the boring English stodge served with Raj establishments and his complicated love life, which is both touching and a bit of a train wreck. All in all it makes for a more rounded, complex character than your typical policeman from that era, and his regular sidekick Habi gives the author real opportunity for insight into the Muslim community as the racial tensions increase.
Highly recommend this series to fans of historical crime fiction in particular, as the only minor quibbles with A GREATER GOD are strictly ones of personal expectation after having read all the books. With Jepson, rather than just disappear from view as he did, I wanted a lot more public excoration, and in matters of love, even this hard-hearted cynic was sort of hoping that the train wreck would have been dragged back onto the tracks by now.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
April 17, 2019
This is the first book I’ve read by Brian Stoddart and despite it being the fourth in a series, I found it worked extremely well as a stand-alone. It is very well written with an intriguingly complex and well-paced plot and engaging characters.
The story is set primarily in Madras in southern India in 1920, a time of considerable political unrest and movements that ultimately result in the end of the British Raj. Tensions between Muslims and Hindus flare, resulting in many Muslim deaths, as well as a number of police officers. It is into this situation that Superintendent Chris Le Fanu is reluctantly hurled on his return to Madras after spending four months in the Straights Settlement. Tasked with dealing with it, his well made plans to leave Madras for a new job and personal life are suddenly thrown awry.
Added to Le Fanu’s anxiety and irritation at having this thrust upon him is the fact that he is up against an old adversary: Inspector-General Arthur Jepson, his boss. Jepson is beautifully characterised as a thoroughly despicable, petty-minded and incompetent man whose nickname of ‘The Jockey’ came about due to his habit of thwacking a riding crop against his leather boots whenever he was agitated. One of his main aims in life is to do his utmost to destroy Le Fanu.
For me, characterisation as a whole is a huge plus for this book – and, I imagine, the whole series. There is a host of interesting characters between whom interactions are vividly drawn. Amongst them are Le Fanu’s loyal and competent assistants, Mohammad Habibullah (Habi) and Jackson Caldicott. Le Fanu himself is a complex character with a history of successes and failures in his personal life, though a reputation as a first-rate police superintendent. From the outset it is clear that his intentions are to leave India and return to Penang in the Straits Settlement to begin a new life with his latest love interest. As the story unfolds, however, past responsibilities and relationships challenge that decision, keeping readers wondering in which direction he will ultimately move – especially when confronted with the serious illness of a former lover, a woman he had once hoped to marry.
Although the bulk of the action takes place in the bustling and vibrant city of Madras, we are also given glimpses of several other cities, such as Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The culture and way of life in 1920s India unfolds as the author skilfully evokes all the senses, leaving readers with the sensation of actually being there. Dialogue is fitting to the time and place and totally believable, as is the characterisation.
Overall, I found A Greater God an engrossing, informative and well detailed read with a cast of memorable characters. I would recommend it to all lovers of crime novels, particularly those with an historical setting.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The story is set primarily in Madras in southern India in 1920, a time of considerable political unrest and movements that ultimately result in the end of the British Raj. Tensions between Muslims and Hindus flare, resulting in many Muslim deaths, as well as a number of police officers. It is into this situation that Superintendent Chris Le Fanu is reluctantly hurled on his return to Madras after spending four months in the Straights Settlement. Tasked with dealing with it, his well made plans to leave Madras for a new job and personal life are suddenly thrown awry.
Added to Le Fanu’s anxiety and irritation at having this thrust upon him is the fact that he is up against an old adversary: Inspector-General Arthur Jepson, his boss. Jepson is beautifully characterised as a thoroughly despicable, petty-minded and incompetent man whose nickname of ‘The Jockey’ came about due to his habit of thwacking a riding crop against his leather boots whenever he was agitated. One of his main aims in life is to do his utmost to destroy Le Fanu.
For me, characterisation as a whole is a huge plus for this book – and, I imagine, the whole series. There is a host of interesting characters between whom interactions are vividly drawn. Amongst them are Le Fanu’s loyal and competent assistants, Mohammad Habibullah (Habi) and Jackson Caldicott. Le Fanu himself is a complex character with a history of successes and failures in his personal life, though a reputation as a first-rate police superintendent. From the outset it is clear that his intentions are to leave India and return to Penang in the Straits Settlement to begin a new life with his latest love interest. As the story unfolds, however, past responsibilities and relationships challenge that decision, keeping readers wondering in which direction he will ultimately move – especially when confronted with the serious illness of a former lover, a woman he had once hoped to marry.
Although the bulk of the action takes place in the bustling and vibrant city of Madras, we are also given glimpses of several other cities, such as Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The culture and way of life in 1920s India unfolds as the author skilfully evokes all the senses, leaving readers with the sensation of actually being there. Dialogue is fitting to the time and place and totally believable, as is the characterisation.
Overall, I found A Greater God an engrossing, informative and well detailed read with a cast of memorable characters. I would recommend it to all lovers of crime novels, particularly those with an historical setting.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2019
In the latest instalment of Brian Stoddart’s Superintendent Le Fenu novels, the fourth in the series, the police and government officials of the British Raj are confronted with inter-communal tensions between Muslims and Hindus. These tensions are played out in the context of a fast-changing political scene where the rising tide of Indian nationalism threatens the stability and long-term viability of British power. The specific scene is Madras in the 1920s. Several Muslims have been murdered and it is feared that these incidents are part of a campaign of violence orchestrated by Hindu extremists.
One of the pleasures and rewards of reading historical fiction of any kind, including crime novels, is the opportunity they provide for the reader to learn about otherwise unfamiliar places and periods. Historical novels take us to a particular setting and provide us with a picture of its time and people, bringing them to life with vivid intensity and with an understanding of character and motivation. Certainly, the period setting of A Greater God is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. The time and place are expertly captured, as are the realities of life in 1920s Madras, including the whole context of the tangled racial and religious tensions of the Raj. With an eye for detail and a strong concern for historical accuracy, Stoddart paints a picture of this fascinating slice of history in strong colours.
The India of the British Raj makes for an enthralling backdrop for a crime novel. The murders and the conspiracy behind them are resolved, in the course of which Stoddart embodies the conflicts of the time through several of his leading characters. Politically, the forces of reform and reaction on the British side clash, notably in the form of the conflict between the central character Le Fenu and the reactionary police chief Arthur “The Jockey” Jepson. Particularly interesting from an Indian perspective, embodying the push and pull of nationalist and religious forces, is the portrayal of Habi, a Muslim policeman, educated in Britain.
There are crime novels that focus on police procedure and the mechanics of criminal investigation and there are those that place crime within a larger context. A Greater God is a good example of the second kind of crime novel. While the procedural aspects are not neglected, these are only part of bigger story, which is about the political and social environment within which the crimes have occurred. A Greater God is not one dimensional therefore. Rather, it can be read at many levels, as an enjoyable and entertaining crime novel, as well as something more, a portrait of a colonial society whose internal tensions and contradictions remain very relevant today.
One of the pleasures and rewards of reading historical fiction of any kind, including crime novels, is the opportunity they provide for the reader to learn about otherwise unfamiliar places and periods. Historical novels take us to a particular setting and provide us with a picture of its time and people, bringing them to life with vivid intensity and with an understanding of character and motivation. Certainly, the period setting of A Greater God is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. The time and place are expertly captured, as are the realities of life in 1920s Madras, including the whole context of the tangled racial and religious tensions of the Raj. With an eye for detail and a strong concern for historical accuracy, Stoddart paints a picture of this fascinating slice of history in strong colours.
The India of the British Raj makes for an enthralling backdrop for a crime novel. The murders and the conspiracy behind them are resolved, in the course of which Stoddart embodies the conflicts of the time through several of his leading characters. Politically, the forces of reform and reaction on the British side clash, notably in the form of the conflict between the central character Le Fenu and the reactionary police chief Arthur “The Jockey” Jepson. Particularly interesting from an Indian perspective, embodying the push and pull of nationalist and religious forces, is the portrayal of Habi, a Muslim policeman, educated in Britain.
There are crime novels that focus on police procedure and the mechanics of criminal investigation and there are those that place crime within a larger context. A Greater God is a good example of the second kind of crime novel. While the procedural aspects are not neglected, these are only part of bigger story, which is about the political and social environment within which the crimes have occurred. A Greater God is not one dimensional therefore. Rather, it can be read at many levels, as an enjoyable and entertaining crime novel, as well as something more, a portrait of a colonial society whose internal tensions and contradictions remain very relevant today.
April 19, 2019
Using the medium of historical crime fiction, Brian Stoddart’s Superintendent Le Fanu novels relate a critical time in the decline and fall of the British Raj in India. This book in particular highlights the circumstances and type of events leading up Independence and the awful tragedy of ‘Partition’.
A Greater God is Book 4 in the series and set in 1920s Madras. There is mounting tension between Hindus and Moslems, but the Raj is too busy keeping up appearances to investigate the sources of the trouble effectively or prevent further outrages. Le Fanu has returned from a stint in the Straits Settlements to be met with problems and opposition on multiple fronts: there are increasingly violent confrontations between Muslims and Hindus, which in turn are exacerbated by the attitude of the ‘authorities’, represented by a bloated Blimp of an Englishman called Jepson, who epitomises the very worst aspects of the Raj. Jepson’s mental health clearly demonstrates he needs to be replaced, but his superiors are reluctant to to act, not least because they passively agree with his appalling arrogance and racism.
Adding to Le Fanu’s troubles is his dilemma over which woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with, Roisin McPhedren, to whom he was nearly, or unofficially engaged, but who now lies gravely ill in hospital, or his new love, the Chinese Jenlin Koh, who is apparently on her way to Madras to join him – although there are serious complications here, too.
This is a complex story, but Stoddart’s writing is so convincing I felt I was not only watching what was happening, I was involved. If I have a criticism it is that we only see events through Le Fanu’s eyes, meaning we cannot appreciate how others might see him or what is happening, and there are very few moments of light relief. But this is quality fiction not light reading, an intense story told in a serious manner that should appeal to anyone interested in the final years of the Raj and Swaraj.
A Greater God is Book 4 in the series and set in 1920s Madras. There is mounting tension between Hindus and Moslems, but the Raj is too busy keeping up appearances to investigate the sources of the trouble effectively or prevent further outrages. Le Fanu has returned from a stint in the Straits Settlements to be met with problems and opposition on multiple fronts: there are increasingly violent confrontations between Muslims and Hindus, which in turn are exacerbated by the attitude of the ‘authorities’, represented by a bloated Blimp of an Englishman called Jepson, who epitomises the very worst aspects of the Raj. Jepson’s mental health clearly demonstrates he needs to be replaced, but his superiors are reluctant to to act, not least because they passively agree with his appalling arrogance and racism.
Adding to Le Fanu’s troubles is his dilemma over which woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with, Roisin McPhedren, to whom he was nearly, or unofficially engaged, but who now lies gravely ill in hospital, or his new love, the Chinese Jenlin Koh, who is apparently on her way to Madras to join him – although there are serious complications here, too.
This is a complex story, but Stoddart’s writing is so convincing I felt I was not only watching what was happening, I was involved. If I have a criticism it is that we only see events through Le Fanu’s eyes, meaning we cannot appreciate how others might see him or what is happening, and there are very few moments of light relief. But this is quality fiction not light reading, an intense story told in a serious manner that should appeal to anyone interested in the final years of the Raj and Swaraj.
July 28, 2019
Greater God begins with a historical tour of Madras. Dates and names accumulate quickly, to a point where I had to let go of the individual pieces, step back, and allow them to create a mood of time and setting. Stoddart does this well, writing a beautifully rich and immersive atmosphere. This immersion helped to make me feel the heat of the story, with boiling tension between Hindus and Muslims.
The area I found lacking was primarily the main character, Superintendent Le Fanu. He is, for the majority of the book, a passive character. He has returned to Madras from a stint in Penang, making him an outsider to the central conflict. Maybe because of this, he spends the first half of the novel being led around by other characters while being told what’s going on. Additionally, the continuous stream of compliments he receives about his abilities make his lack of agency feel almost ironic. I realize this is part of a series, so the praise may be justified (this is my first look at the series), but within this book, it comes off as excessive and undeserved. Things do pick up in the latter third, and I enjoyed that part more.
I thought Mohammad Habibullah—another member of the police force—would’ve made for a better protagonist. He does most of the investigatory leg work and has a more interesting perspective, with his duties complicated by his religion/ethnicity.
Also, there’s the issue of Jepson, an incompetent authority figure within the police department who serves as a foil to Le Fanu and an obstacle to resolving the main conflict. He’s almost cartoonishly horrible, without a single redeeming quality, which makes him feel one-dimensional.
To sum up, it’s clear the author did his research, and he does an admirable job weaving those details into a vibrant setting. The plot is an interesting tangle, delving into the tension and conflicts arising from the British occupation of India. But I couldn’t really engage with the characters.
3/5 Rivets
The area I found lacking was primarily the main character, Superintendent Le Fanu. He is, for the majority of the book, a passive character. He has returned to Madras from a stint in Penang, making him an outsider to the central conflict. Maybe because of this, he spends the first half of the novel being led around by other characters while being told what’s going on. Additionally, the continuous stream of compliments he receives about his abilities make his lack of agency feel almost ironic. I realize this is part of a series, so the praise may be justified (this is my first look at the series), but within this book, it comes off as excessive and undeserved. Things do pick up in the latter third, and I enjoyed that part more.
I thought Mohammad Habibullah—another member of the police force—would’ve made for a better protagonist. He does most of the investigatory leg work and has a more interesting perspective, with his duties complicated by his religion/ethnicity.
Also, there’s the issue of Jepson, an incompetent authority figure within the police department who serves as a foil to Le Fanu and an obstacle to resolving the main conflict. He’s almost cartoonishly horrible, without a single redeeming quality, which makes him feel one-dimensional.
To sum up, it’s clear the author did his research, and he does an admirable job weaving those details into a vibrant setting. The plot is an interesting tangle, delving into the tension and conflicts arising from the British occupation of India. But I couldn’t really engage with the characters.
3/5 Rivets
April 14, 2019
A Greater God Brian Stoddart Selkirk Books
When I was offered this book to review, I was concerned that the period in which it is set, that of the British Raj, would be presented in such a way as sat uncomfortably with modern sensitivities to colonialism and racial oppression; I should not have worried! Brian Stoddart manages to combine historical accuracy and an authentic representation of the period with a character who questions the system within which he lives and stands up to the injustices he perceives. Le Fanu exists on both sides of the rules.
After reading the first chapters of this book 4, I realised that in fairness I should download the earlier novels in the series – I’m so glad I did! The development of Le Fanu’s character and his relationships with, particularly, his partner Mohammad and his lover Ro add depth and richness to the main story of a police investigation. This is a slow burn so if you want a quick page turner this is not for you but the drama is still there made so much more satisfying by the immersive experience the writer offers.
A Greater God fits beautifully into the series both as a natural direction for Le Fanu to develop towards but also being a great standalone read – the plot is sophisticated and unpredictable with suitable villains to boo!
In short, I highly recommended this lovely addition to a very worthwhile series. Enjoy!
When I was offered this book to review, I was concerned that the period in which it is set, that of the British Raj, would be presented in such a way as sat uncomfortably with modern sensitivities to colonialism and racial oppression; I should not have worried! Brian Stoddart manages to combine historical accuracy and an authentic representation of the period with a character who questions the system within which he lives and stands up to the injustices he perceives. Le Fanu exists on both sides of the rules.
After reading the first chapters of this book 4, I realised that in fairness I should download the earlier novels in the series – I’m so glad I did! The development of Le Fanu’s character and his relationships with, particularly, his partner Mohammad and his lover Ro add depth and richness to the main story of a police investigation. This is a slow burn so if you want a quick page turner this is not for you but the drama is still there made so much more satisfying by the immersive experience the writer offers.
A Greater God fits beautifully into the series both as a natural direction for Le Fanu to develop towards but also being a great standalone read – the plot is sophisticated and unpredictable with suitable villains to boo!
In short, I highly recommended this lovely addition to a very worthwhile series. Enjoy!
March 19, 2019
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"This is a complex story, but Stoddart’s writing is so convincing I felt I was not only watching what was happening, I was involved. "
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"This is a complex story, but Stoddart’s writing is so convincing I felt I was not only watching what was happening, I was involved. "
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews