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Kamil Rahman #1
The Waiter
Kamil Rahman, disgraced detective, turned waiter, is about to find himself embroiled in a case that might just change his life ... for better or for worse.
Ex-detective Kamil Rahman moves from Kolkata to London to start afresh as a waiter in an Indian restaurant. But the day he caters an extravagant party for his boss's rich and powerful friend, the peace of his simple new life is shattered. The event is a success, the food is delicious, but later that evening the host, Rakesh, is found dead in his swimming pool.
Suspicion falls on Rakesh's young and glamorous new wife, Neha, and Kamil is called to investigate for the family, with the help of his boss's daughter Anjoli. Kamil and Anjoli prove a winning team - but as the investigation progresses, and their relationship grows, Kamil struggles to keep memories of the case that destroyed his career in Kolkata at bay. Little does he know that his past will soon catch up with him in some very unexpected ways.
Ex-detective Kamil Rahman moves from Kolkata to London to start afresh as a waiter in an Indian restaurant. But the day he caters an extravagant party for his boss's rich and powerful friend, the peace of his simple new life is shattered. The event is a success, the food is delicious, but later that evening the host, Rakesh, is found dead in his swimming pool.
Suspicion falls on Rakesh's young and glamorous new wife, Neha, and Kamil is called to investigate for the family, with the help of his boss's daughter Anjoli. Kamil and Anjoli prove a winning team - but as the investigation progresses, and their relationship grows, Kamil struggles to keep memories of the case that destroyed his career in Kolkata at bay. Little does he know that his past will soon catch up with him in some very unexpected ways.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 27, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
May 1, 2021
It is becoming ever more difficult to stand out in the overcrowded crime genre, but Ajay Chowdhury manages by making his protagonist a former policeman now working illegally as a waiter. Ex-sub Inspector Kamil Rahman was forced out of the Kolkata police in disgrace after his murder investigation of Bollywood movie star Asif Khan went awry. He is now working at the Tandoori Knights restaurant in London's East End in Brick Lane, owned by Saibal and Maya Chatterjee, who with their vivacious daughter, Anjoli, have come to feel more like family than his own back in India. However, he is feeling like a fish out of water, a little lost, missing his old profession as a detective, when he is offered an unexpected opportunity. After his 60th birthday party celebrations, wealthy Rakesh Sharma is discovered dead by his swimming pool, his head smashed in by a whisky bottle.
The victim was married to 28 year old Neha, a good friend of Anjoli, his second wife after Sharma divorced Pinky, with whom he has a son, Arjun. Kamil makes some rookie mistakes at the crime scene, but when Neha becomes the prime suspect in a police inquiry, run by DI Campbell, he and Anjoli join forces to try and clear Neha. The story goes back and forth in time, to reveal what happened in Kolkata in the Asif Khan case where an inexperienced and naive Kamil found himself in charge, only to find himself stymied by police corruption and his life, and the lives of those closest to him, in deadly danger. In the present, Kamil wonders why Rakesh had looked at him with pure hate and fury, when he had never met him before, is there any possibility that there might be some connections with his old Kolkata case?
Chowdhury provides a vibrant, colourful and atmospheric sense of two locations, with insights into Asian culture, traditions, rituals, and with intoxicating descriptions of Indian food. He creates a great central protagonist in Kamil, who after experiencing the most devastating of betrayals, develops a more pragmatic outlook when it comes to honour, truth and integrity, tempering his idealism for justice with the realities of the world as it is. The highlight for me was the character of Anjoli with her terrific collection of personally sloganised t-shirts, having to negotiate, like so many younger members of the Asian community, between family expectations and her more independent and differing aspirations. This was such a promising crime debut, entertaining and engaging, but it was not perfect, there were times when the switch between the two timelines felt a little clunky, although this did not overly affect my enjoyment of this crime novel. Many thanks to Random House Vintage for an ARC.
The victim was married to 28 year old Neha, a good friend of Anjoli, his second wife after Sharma divorced Pinky, with whom he has a son, Arjun. Kamil makes some rookie mistakes at the crime scene, but when Neha becomes the prime suspect in a police inquiry, run by DI Campbell, he and Anjoli join forces to try and clear Neha. The story goes back and forth in time, to reveal what happened in Kolkata in the Asif Khan case where an inexperienced and naive Kamil found himself in charge, only to find himself stymied by police corruption and his life, and the lives of those closest to him, in deadly danger. In the present, Kamil wonders why Rakesh had looked at him with pure hate and fury, when he had never met him before, is there any possibility that there might be some connections with his old Kolkata case?
Chowdhury provides a vibrant, colourful and atmospheric sense of two locations, with insights into Asian culture, traditions, rituals, and with intoxicating descriptions of Indian food. He creates a great central protagonist in Kamil, who after experiencing the most devastating of betrayals, develops a more pragmatic outlook when it comes to honour, truth and integrity, tempering his idealism for justice with the realities of the world as it is. The highlight for me was the character of Anjoli with her terrific collection of personally sloganised t-shirts, having to negotiate, like so many younger members of the Asian community, between family expectations and her more independent and differing aspirations. This was such a promising crime debut, entertaining and engaging, but it was not perfect, there were times when the switch between the two timelines felt a little clunky, although this did not overly affect my enjoyment of this crime novel. Many thanks to Random House Vintage for an ARC.
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February 7, 2022Enormously entertaining murder mystery with a genius premise: a disgraced Kolkata detective flees to London and gets a job as a waiter in a Brick Lane Indian restaurant. Whence he gets caught up in another murder, obviously. Lovely local colour in both cities, great cast, enjoyable intricate mystery, very likeable leads, cracking stuff all round.
March 12, 2022
Kamil Rahman number 1
Kamil is a once high flying and disgraced Kolkata detective and now working as a waiter in Brick Lane, London for a family friend Arjim Saibal. The restaurant has an extravagant outside catering job for millionaire Rakesh Sharma. The event goes well, with a few surprises but the evening is shattered when Rakesh is found dead in his swimming pool with the police later arresting his young wife Neha. Saibal appeals to Kamil for his detective help as Neha is like a daughter to him and along with Saibal's daughter Anjoli, Kamil's detective juices flow again. Kamil finds it hard to shake of the past which to his shock is catching up with him again. The story is told in the present day and in the previous months in Kolkata.
I really enjoy this novel as it makes a refreshing change from the usual in this genre. I like the characters, Kamil is a stand up guy, he's self deprecating and Anjoli christens him Inspector Morose, a tad unfairly! My favourite character is Anjoli whose humour 'literally' and 'basically' makes me laugh! As for her slogan t-shirts they are laugh out loud with a few being genius!
The dynamics are excellent in several areas and makes for interesting reading. leading to intriguing revelations with plenty of plot twists to keep us entertained. I constantly find myself asking who has motive and the answer is quite a few and Kamil and Anjoli's discussions along those lines are very enjoyable. The plot definitely thickens, there are connections to the past and what emerges changes perspectives.
One of the most enjoyable aspects, apart from Anjoli, is the atmosphere. Its chock full of it both in India and London and I salivate as we also take a culinary tour and you can wait at my table anytime Kamil!
My only reservation is that in the first half the time line switches are not as smooth as in the second half. However, this is a more than promising start to a series I'm sure to enjoy.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK Vintage/Harvill Secker for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Kamil is a once high flying and disgraced Kolkata detective and now working as a waiter in Brick Lane, London for a family friend Arjim Saibal. The restaurant has an extravagant outside catering job for millionaire Rakesh Sharma. The event goes well, with a few surprises but the evening is shattered when Rakesh is found dead in his swimming pool with the police later arresting his young wife Neha. Saibal appeals to Kamil for his detective help as Neha is like a daughter to him and along with Saibal's daughter Anjoli, Kamil's detective juices flow again. Kamil finds it hard to shake of the past which to his shock is catching up with him again. The story is told in the present day and in the previous months in Kolkata.
I really enjoy this novel as it makes a refreshing change from the usual in this genre. I like the characters, Kamil is a stand up guy, he's self deprecating and Anjoli christens him Inspector Morose, a tad unfairly! My favourite character is Anjoli whose humour 'literally' and 'basically' makes me laugh! As for her slogan t-shirts they are laugh out loud with a few being genius!
The dynamics are excellent in several areas and makes for interesting reading. leading to intriguing revelations with plenty of plot twists to keep us entertained. I constantly find myself asking who has motive and the answer is quite a few and Kamil and Anjoli's discussions along those lines are very enjoyable. The plot definitely thickens, there are connections to the past and what emerges changes perspectives.
One of the most enjoyable aspects, apart from Anjoli, is the atmosphere. Its chock full of it both in India and London and I salivate as we also take a culinary tour and you can wait at my table anytime Kamil!
My only reservation is that in the first half the time line switches are not as smooth as in the second half. However, this is a more than promising start to a series I'm sure to enjoy.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK Vintage/Harvill Secker for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
May 7, 2021
It’s always fun when a novel features places you know well, and I was familiar with many of the London locations in this mystery – from Brick Lane to Bishops Avenue. Kamil Rahman is a detective, who, due to a case in Kolkata, has found himself disgraced, ousted, and working illegally as a waiter for Tandoori Knights – ‘Keep Calm and Curry On….’
Kamil’s father is the retired Commission of Police in Kolkata, so, despite wanting to work his way up from traffic duty to homicide squad, finding himself with his career in freefall, has been something of a shock. The owner of the restaurant is Saibal Chatterjee, his father’s friend, who has taken him in to live with his wife, Maya, and daughter Anjoli. Kamil likes to keep himself busy to avoid thinking of the sudden, disastrous turn his life has taken, and happily agrees to help at a party for a friend of Saibal, the wealthy Rakesh, who has left previous wife, Pinky, for the much younger Neha - Anjoli’s friend, and purchased a new mansion with dubious decorating taste on Bishops Avenue.
When Rakesh is found dead shortly after the party, Neha is the obvious suspect and Kamil is asked to investigate and clear her name. He joins up with the irrepressible Anjoli and, despite events, is obviously excited at the chance to do something more exciting than wait tables. As the story unfolds, we read of what happened the previous summer in Kolkata, leading to Kamil finding himself working illegally in an Indian restaurant and whether there could be links between what happened there and London. Overall, a really interesting start to what could become a series, with an excellent lead character and setting. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
Kamil’s father is the retired Commission of Police in Kolkata, so, despite wanting to work his way up from traffic duty to homicide squad, finding himself with his career in freefall, has been something of a shock. The owner of the restaurant is Saibal Chatterjee, his father’s friend, who has taken him in to live with his wife, Maya, and daughter Anjoli. Kamil likes to keep himself busy to avoid thinking of the sudden, disastrous turn his life has taken, and happily agrees to help at a party for a friend of Saibal, the wealthy Rakesh, who has left previous wife, Pinky, for the much younger Neha - Anjoli’s friend, and purchased a new mansion with dubious decorating taste on Bishops Avenue.
When Rakesh is found dead shortly after the party, Neha is the obvious suspect and Kamil is asked to investigate and clear her name. He joins up with the irrepressible Anjoli and, despite events, is obviously excited at the chance to do something more exciting than wait tables. As the story unfolds, we read of what happened the previous summer in Kolkata, leading to Kamil finding himself working illegally in an Indian restaurant and whether there could be links between what happened there and London. Overall, a really interesting start to what could become a series, with an excellent lead character and setting. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
May 27, 2021
The Waiter is the first instalment in a brand new crime fiction series featuring larger than life, tenacious protagonist and former detective Kamil Rahman. Son of the retired Kolkata Police Commissioner, Ex-Sub Inspector Kamil Rahman was forced to leave his native India under a dark cloud after disgracing himself during a case. When Bollywood star Asif Khan was brutally murdered and Kamil’s superiors pull him from the ranks to lead the investigation he runs with it - seeing it as his opportunity to not only make his father proud but live up to the Rahman name, too. However, his investigation went south and he was swiftly fired which is how he ended up working illegally as the eponymous waiter at the Tandoori Knights restaurant in London's Brick Lane owned by his father's friend Saibal Chatterjee; he now lives with him and his wife, Maya, and daughter, Anjoli. There's no denying that they have really stepped up to help Kamil in his time of need but he still feels completely lost, as though he's taken a wrong turn in life and cannot reverse. He misses his profession and wonders to himself if there'll ever be an opportunity to show his worth as a detective again. Then rather serendipitously a murder occurs; Kamil attends wealthy businessman Rakesh Sharma's 60th birthday celebration at his swanky north London mansion as one of the waiters for the indulgent party but the host has now been discovered dead beside the swimming pool with his head caved in, seemingly by a whisky bottle. Rakesh had recently divorced his wife, Pinky, and married the 28-year-old, Neha, who happened to be good friends with Anjoli. So when the newly-widowed Neha becomes the prime suspect, she is arrested for her husband's murder.
DI Campbell is in charge of the investigation, but Kamil and the irrepressible Anjoli realise they must conduct their own probe into the case if they have any hope of clearing Neha’s name and identifying the genuine perpetrator. It soon comes to Kamil’s attention that there is a connection between what happened on the Khan case back in Kolkata the previous summer and Rakesh’s murder half a world away. But Kamil knows better than anyone the way the justice system ”works” in India. Can Kamil and Anjoli find out the truth and get to the bottom of the case without putting themselves squarely in the line of fire? This is a scintillating and enthralling debut thriller but not only that, it is rich in Indian culture, food and atmosphere. But while there are many positive aspects of Kolkata depicted throughout, Chowdhury also explores the rampant corruption within India’s police ranks with many known to take bribes. Kamil Rahman is revealed as a likeable man – and morally sound detective – only he got his career start in a country riddled with a police force and judicial system that doesn't often take kindly to those who are honest hard workers looking to deliver real justice. I found this to be fantastic crime fiction with a refreshingly original setting in vibrant, vivid and bustling Kolkata with the whole narrative being linked to the country. Its complex dual plotline is exhilarating, intelligent and had a whole lot of substance to it compared to other thrillers. On a deeper level, The Waiter is a study of the two sides of corruption. One side is kindly, concerned with the protection and promotion of intimates (e.g. nepotism); the other is cruel and greedy, involved in the destruction of the innocent, the ruination of the powerless and the overriding of every honest impulse. Highly recommended.
DI Campbell is in charge of the investigation, but Kamil and the irrepressible Anjoli realise they must conduct their own probe into the case if they have any hope of clearing Neha’s name and identifying the genuine perpetrator. It soon comes to Kamil’s attention that there is a connection between what happened on the Khan case back in Kolkata the previous summer and Rakesh’s murder half a world away. But Kamil knows better than anyone the way the justice system ”works” in India. Can Kamil and Anjoli find out the truth and get to the bottom of the case without putting themselves squarely in the line of fire? This is a scintillating and enthralling debut thriller but not only that, it is rich in Indian culture, food and atmosphere. But while there are many positive aspects of Kolkata depicted throughout, Chowdhury also explores the rampant corruption within India’s police ranks with many known to take bribes. Kamil Rahman is revealed as a likeable man – and morally sound detective – only he got his career start in a country riddled with a police force and judicial system that doesn't often take kindly to those who are honest hard workers looking to deliver real justice. I found this to be fantastic crime fiction with a refreshingly original setting in vibrant, vivid and bustling Kolkata with the whole narrative being linked to the country. Its complex dual plotline is exhilarating, intelligent and had a whole lot of substance to it compared to other thrillers. On a deeper level, The Waiter is a study of the two sides of corruption. One side is kindly, concerned with the protection and promotion of intimates (e.g. nepotism); the other is cruel and greedy, involved in the destruction of the innocent, the ruination of the powerless and the overriding of every honest impulse. Highly recommended.
July 20, 2022
Good, but not great, detective novel featuring a disgraced (30 year old) Kolkata detective currently working (illegally) as a waiter in a restaurant in London. First person from the detective's pov. The chapters alternate between a case in the present and the one three months prior in Kolkata that ended his career with the police.
I mostly enjoyed this, though I was increasingly bothered by Kamil's obliviousness to the blindingly obvious as the story went on. I suppose one could argue this is supposed to be due to his idealism and lingering naivete, but frankly it just made him seem too stupid to be a detective. I don't think I generally do well though when characters are unaware of stuff that is clear to the reader through that same character's pov.
Despite that, I enjoyed it enough that I'll pick up the sequel if I ever find it cheap enough or it gets a US release in ebook.
Which, really? It's 2022? Can we quit this bullshit region limiting nonsense? I had to get this as a paperback import and I don't buy fiction in paper anymore as a rule. The idea that a british book needs to be specially edited for a US release cuz us dumb americans can't handle a few regionalisms, or single quotes, or colour with a u in it or whatever is just moronic at this point. Hell, half (mild exaggeration) the dialog in this contains whole sentences of I don't even know what language, so the idea of replacing a few british english terms with their american equivalents is hilarious. And yeah, I'm sure there are a few vocal idiots who would complain, but they'll never get over it if you don't stop treating them like little babies.
I mostly enjoyed this, though I was increasingly bothered by Kamil's obliviousness to the blindingly obvious as the story went on. I suppose one could argue this is supposed to be due to his idealism and lingering naivete, but frankly it just made him seem too stupid to be a detective. I don't think I generally do well though when characters are unaware of stuff that is clear to the reader through that same character's pov.
Despite that, I enjoyed it enough that I'll pick up the sequel if I ever find it cheap enough or it gets a US release in ebook.
Which, really? It's 2022? Can we quit this bullshit region limiting nonsense? I had to get this as a paperback import and I don't buy fiction in paper anymore as a rule. The idea that a british book needs to be specially edited for a US release cuz us dumb americans can't handle a few regionalisms, or single quotes, or colour with a u in it or whatever is just moronic at this point. Hell, half (mild exaggeration) the dialog in this contains whole sentences of I don't even know what language, so the idea of replacing a few british english terms with their american equivalents is hilarious. And yeah, I'm sure there are a few vocal idiots who would complain, but they'll never get over it if you don't stop treating them like little babies.
April 17, 2022
Kamil Rahman #1
Ex-detective Kamil Rahman moves from Kolkata to London to start afresh as a waiter in an Indian restaurant. But the day he caters an extravagant party for his boss's rich and powerful friend, the peace of his new simple life is shattered. The event is a success, the food is delicious. but later that evening the host, Rakesh, is found dead in his swimming pool. Suspicion falls on Rakesh's new wife, Neha, and Kamil is called to investigate for the family, with the help of the boss's daughter, Anjoli. Kamil and Anjoli prove a winning team - but as the investigation progresses, and their relationship grows, Kamil struggles to keep the memories of the case that destroyed his career in Kolkata at bay.
What a promising start to a new series. We move seamlessly between Brick Lane, London and Kolkata. The pace is fast, it's full of twists, and the plotline is gripping. The main characters were well drawn and likeable. We learn of Kamil's last case in India that ended his career. There's a double murder to solve and Kamil's backstory is intriguing. The two stories eventually come together with no loose ends left untied.
I would like to thank #Netgalley #RandomHouseUk #Vintage and the author #AjayChowdhury for my ARC of #TheWaiter in exchange for an honest review.
Ex-detective Kamil Rahman moves from Kolkata to London to start afresh as a waiter in an Indian restaurant. But the day he caters an extravagant party for his boss's rich and powerful friend, the peace of his new simple life is shattered. The event is a success, the food is delicious. but later that evening the host, Rakesh, is found dead in his swimming pool. Suspicion falls on Rakesh's new wife, Neha, and Kamil is called to investigate for the family, with the help of the boss's daughter, Anjoli. Kamil and Anjoli prove a winning team - but as the investigation progresses, and their relationship grows, Kamil struggles to keep the memories of the case that destroyed his career in Kolkata at bay.
What a promising start to a new series. We move seamlessly between Brick Lane, London and Kolkata. The pace is fast, it's full of twists, and the plotline is gripping. The main characters were well drawn and likeable. We learn of Kamil's last case in India that ended his career. There's a double murder to solve and Kamil's backstory is intriguing. The two stories eventually come together with no loose ends left untied.
I would like to thank #Netgalley #RandomHouseUk #Vintage and the author #AjayChowdhury for my ARC of #TheWaiter in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2021
All I can say is, what a debut The Waiter is! I genuinely loved this book from start to finish, from the introduction of a stand out character in Kamil Rahman. and the way that the story explores the weighty themes of family loyalty, jealousy and betrayal, as well as being an intriguing and different murder mystery. Rahman undergoes somewhat of a sea change by relocating to the UK after his previous career as a detective in Kolkata, and what Rahman captures so wonderfully well is not only this exceptional change in his personal circumstances, but how it now shapes him as a man reliant on the kindness of the others, a kindness that he is more than happy to repay by investigating the murder of someone in their circle. To all intents and purposes, Rahman is a man driven by his own sense of morality, and I particularly enjoyed the way that this morality got a little more fluid as the plot progressed. Egged on by his vivacious sidekick, Anjoli, who is a total force of nature, Rahman starts to play a little bit dirty to flush out a killer, and things get very interesting, very quickly.
I really liked the way that Chowdhury so beautifully captures the buzz and hum of the Brick Lane area, and its colourful history, but also the energy and vivacity of Kolkata, a society of defined by its extremes in wealth and opportunity, as Rahman finds himself returning home and revisiting past events. An incredibly solid debut, which bodes well as a start of a series I hope, and perfect for fans of the equally brilliant A. A. Dhand and Khurrum Rahman. Recommended.
I really liked the way that Chowdhury so beautifully captures the buzz and hum of the Brick Lane area, and its colourful history, but also the energy and vivacity of Kolkata, a society of defined by its extremes in wealth and opportunity, as Rahman finds himself returning home and revisiting past events. An incredibly solid debut, which bodes well as a start of a series I hope, and perfect for fans of the equally brilliant A. A. Dhand and Khurrum Rahman. Recommended.
October 22, 2022
I borrowed this one from my public library and unfortunately it was a paperback rather than a hardcover. Thus the print was too small for my aging eyes and the fact that I carried on with it, two or three chapters a day, suggests that it is a better-than-average entry into the mystery field.
Reading at this slow pace, I had no problem following the plot, as it moved between the present, when Kamil was a waiter working in London, and the past, when he was a homicide inspector working in Kolkata. I did, however, have problems remembering the names of characters. For some reason, the names Anjali, Neha, Maya, and Arjun would not remain in my memory system, and often I found myself asking who is this?. Once I determined which character was on stage I could carry on reading—I had no problems distinguishing among characters, just their names.
It was an interesting look into the atmosphere of Indian culture although it might have been a bit hyperbolic. I have personally known a number of Indians, even boarded with an Indian family for over a year, and never have found them as emotional as portrayed in this story. Also, the very obvious corruption in the Kolkata police department seemed overblown; corruption definitely appears to exist, according to newspaper articles I have read, but the situation described in Kolkata seemed extreme. On the other hand, the strong captivation of cultural mores on Indians living in other cultures seemed accurate, to the best of my knowledge, given my experiences interacting with Indians living in other cultures. Their cultural traditions seem to be exceptionally strong, no matter where they live, and this may have been what the author intended to portray, while telling an interesting mystery story.
Reading at this slow pace, I had no problem following the plot, as it moved between the present, when Kamil was a waiter working in London, and the past, when he was a homicide inspector working in Kolkata. I did, however, have problems remembering the names of characters. For some reason, the names Anjali, Neha, Maya, and Arjun would not remain in my memory system, and often I found myself asking who is this?. Once I determined which character was on stage I could carry on reading—I had no problems distinguishing among characters, just their names.
It was an interesting look into the atmosphere of Indian culture although it might have been a bit hyperbolic. I have personally known a number of Indians, even boarded with an Indian family for over a year, and never have found them as emotional as portrayed in this story. Also, the very obvious corruption in the Kolkata police department seemed overblown; corruption definitely appears to exist, according to newspaper articles I have read, but the situation described in Kolkata seemed extreme. On the other hand, the strong captivation of cultural mores on Indians living in other cultures seemed accurate, to the best of my knowledge, given my experiences interacting with Indians living in other cultures. Their cultural traditions seem to be exceptionally strong, no matter where they live, and this may have been what the author intended to portray, while telling an interesting mystery story.
May 3, 2022
This debut seems to have received a fair bit of praise for bringing something refreshingly different to the world of crime fiction and with its protagonist an ex-detective in Kolkata turned lowly waiter working illegally in Brick Land, it’s definitely original. Unfortunately I felt it was poorly executed and overall pretty amateur, despite its moments of humour and well-described locations.
Kamil Rahman, son of a recently retired Police Commissioner, was a homicide Sub-Inspector in the Kolkata police assigned to a high-profile case before he fell foul of his superiors and was swiftly booted out. With his career and reputation in tatters he has travelled to London and is staying with family friends, the Chatterjee’s, and waiting on tables in their restaurant. When Kamil finds himself catering at the sixtieth birthday party of wealthy magnate and close friend of the Chatterjee’s, Rakesh Sharma, he doesn’t expect the host to end up dead before the night is out. When the dead man’s significantly younger and recent second wife, Neha, is arrested, Kamil is asked to investigate by the Chatterjee’s and their spirited daughter and Neha’s best friend, Anjoli, appoints herself as his eager assistant. Struggling to suppress the memories of the events that destroyed his career back in Kolkata, Kamil probes into who could have wanted Sharma dead as he attempts to exonerate Neha. The entire book is narrated in the first-person by Kamil and chapters alternate between the current investigation into Rakesh Sharma’s murder and and the investigation which resulted in Kamil’s dismissal (the murder of Bollywood star Asif Khan). I found this back and forth between cases hampered the build-up of suspense and momentum and frankly made hard work of keeping the two distinct as the overlap between them increases.
I struggled with the narrative, namely the pages of exposition for things that are pretty self-explanatory, and with Kamil’s naivety about the Indian justice system and his bungling incompetence around crime scenes I found him a tad irritating. For a book that isn’t even 300 print pages it took me far longer than I imagined to read and in truth the death and subsequent cover-up of a Bollywood start isn’t remotely complex or surprising. Characterisation aside from Kamil is strong with hot-headed Anjoli the best thing about this debut for me. I found the whole thing pretty far-fetched from Kamil’s clumsy UK investigation which has zero credibility about it. to the crossover between the major players in both locations and the ending which has convenient cop out written all over it. I’ll be interested to see the set-up for the next instalment in this series but doubt I’ll be reading on.
Kamil Rahman, son of a recently retired Police Commissioner, was a homicide Sub-Inspector in the Kolkata police assigned to a high-profile case before he fell foul of his superiors and was swiftly booted out. With his career and reputation in tatters he has travelled to London and is staying with family friends, the Chatterjee’s, and waiting on tables in their restaurant. When Kamil finds himself catering at the sixtieth birthday party of wealthy magnate and close friend of the Chatterjee’s, Rakesh Sharma, he doesn’t expect the host to end up dead before the night is out. When the dead man’s significantly younger and recent second wife, Neha, is arrested, Kamil is asked to investigate by the Chatterjee’s and their spirited daughter and Neha’s best friend, Anjoli, appoints herself as his eager assistant. Struggling to suppress the memories of the events that destroyed his career back in Kolkata, Kamil probes into who could have wanted Sharma dead as he attempts to exonerate Neha. The entire book is narrated in the first-person by Kamil and chapters alternate between the current investigation into Rakesh Sharma’s murder and and the investigation which resulted in Kamil’s dismissal (the murder of Bollywood star Asif Khan). I found this back and forth between cases hampered the build-up of suspense and momentum and frankly made hard work of keeping the two distinct as the overlap between them increases.
I struggled with the narrative, namely the pages of exposition for things that are pretty self-explanatory, and with Kamil’s naivety about the Indian justice system and his bungling incompetence around crime scenes I found him a tad irritating. For a book that isn’t even 300 print pages it took me far longer than I imagined to read and in truth the death and subsequent cover-up of a Bollywood start isn’t remotely complex or surprising. Characterisation aside from Kamil is strong with hot-headed Anjoli the best thing about this debut for me. I found the whole thing pretty far-fetched from Kamil’s clumsy UK investigation which has zero credibility about it. to the crossover between the major players in both locations and the ending which has convenient cop out written all over it. I’ll be interested to see the set-up for the next instalment in this series but doubt I’ll be reading on.
November 30, 2020
I loved this.
A disgraced Indian detective gets a job at a Brick Lane restaurant. But when an associate of the restaurant owner is murdered, and a family friend is arrested for the crime, he gets involved to try and find the real killer.
The environment was vividly evoked. I loved the setting in the East End of London, which is familiar to me. Brick Lane, East London mosque and Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park all feature. The scenes in Kolkatta are great too.
I really liked the detective as Outsider, who sees the police (and immigration, since he's working illegally) as obstacles and sources of danger, rather than justice. He has to find the truth without the resources of a police force (and has to deliberately keep them out of the picture at times), and establish a narrative while he waits tables, chops onions, prays in the mosque or enters invoices into a spreadsheet. Eventually, the pieces come together and he unmasks not just the murderer, but a complicated conspiracy that makes him reconsider his notions of justice.
You'll never look at a waiter in an Indian restaurant the same way again,
My only complaint is that I would have liked it a little darker - the moral ambiguity gives it a lot of noir potential.
A disgraced Indian detective gets a job at a Brick Lane restaurant. But when an associate of the restaurant owner is murdered, and a family friend is arrested for the crime, he gets involved to try and find the real killer.
The environment was vividly evoked. I loved the setting in the East End of London, which is familiar to me. Brick Lane, East London mosque and Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park all feature. The scenes in Kolkatta are great too.
I really liked the detective as Outsider, who sees the police (and immigration, since he's working illegally) as obstacles and sources of danger, rather than justice. He has to find the truth without the resources of a police force (and has to deliberately keep them out of the picture at times), and establish a narrative while he waits tables, chops onions, prays in the mosque or enters invoices into a spreadsheet. Eventually, the pieces come together and he unmasks not just the murderer, but a complicated conspiracy that makes him reconsider his notions of justice.
You'll never look at a waiter in an Indian restaurant the same way again,
My only complaint is that I would have liked it a little darker - the moral ambiguity gives it a lot of noir potential.
April 20, 2022
I wasn’t that keen on The Waiter. It’s OK, but overall I found it rather unengaging and a somewhat run-of-the-mill detective story.
Kamil Rahman has been dismissed from the Kolkata police and finds himself working as a waiter in the London restaurant of a family friend. Here, there is a murder at a party for another family friend at which he is working and Kamil becomes involved in the hunt for the killer and to clear a suspect whom he believes to be innocent. Intercut with this is the story of the high-profile case in Kolkata which ended in his dismissal, as it becomes slowly clear that the two cases may be linked in some way.
Frankly, as a thriller it didn’t do much for me. It plodded rather, I found the intercutting a bit off-putting, the prose was pretty pedestrian and if it hadn’t been for the interesting settings I would probably have given up. I did like the descriptions of life in the Bengali community around Brick Lane and in Kolkata, but they weren’t really enough to keep my interest and I did begin to skim without feeling I was missing all that much. The solution had more than a degree of implausibility – not least in the sudden friendly attitude of the British police Inspector – and I realised that I wasn’t all that bothered about it.
A disappointment overall, then, after a warm recommendation from a friend. The book has its merits, but I don’t think I’ll be reading on in the series.
Kamil Rahman has been dismissed from the Kolkata police and finds himself working as a waiter in the London restaurant of a family friend. Here, there is a murder at a party for another family friend at which he is working and Kamil becomes involved in the hunt for the killer and to clear a suspect whom he believes to be innocent. Intercut with this is the story of the high-profile case in Kolkata which ended in his dismissal, as it becomes slowly clear that the two cases may be linked in some way.
Frankly, as a thriller it didn’t do much for me. It plodded rather, I found the intercutting a bit off-putting, the prose was pretty pedestrian and if it hadn’t been for the interesting settings I would probably have given up. I did like the descriptions of life in the Bengali community around Brick Lane and in Kolkata, but they weren’t really enough to keep my interest and I did begin to skim without feeling I was missing all that much. The solution had more than a degree of implausibility – not least in the sudden friendly attitude of the British police Inspector – and I realised that I wasn’t all that bothered about it.
A disappointment overall, then, after a warm recommendation from a friend. The book has its merits, but I don’t think I’ll be reading on in the series.
September 23, 2021
(1) The protagonist is really dumb. (2) Many of the plot twists are thuddingly obvious to anyone who has ever read a noir novel. (3) A fondness for slogan t-shirts + saying things like “a face like a slapped arse” =/= a character. (4) This is the first audiobook I’ve ever listened to and I listened to the last third of the book at 2x speed. I’m giving it an extra star because of the kebab description and because listening instead of reading it might have made it even less impressive.
October 29, 2022
Ugh. I loved it.
This is good stuff and I'm not being biased.
I loved the Bengali Muslim rep and the character development and the frequent reality checks and I would like to read the second book VERY VERY soon.
I loved all the characters too and especially how they dealt with things and how they all had different, very clear voices.
Twas very good.
This is good stuff and I'm not being biased.
I loved the Bengali Muslim rep and the character development and the frequent reality checks and I would like to read the second book VERY VERY soon.
I loved all the characters too and especially how they dealt with things and how they all had different, very clear voices.
Twas very good.
October 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this interesting interlocking story of Kamil’s life in Kolkata and London, he goes from sub inspector in one city to a waiter in the other. There’s a lot of plot to follow, and a great range of characters. The ending is a tricky one to pull off, I’m still half accepting of it. It’s rich with Indian culture in both locations.
February 1, 2022
This is a refreshingly different read if you like crime novels. Set in both Kolkata and London it tells the story of two murders, one in each place, that involve the attentions of Kamil Rahman. Rahman is the officer in charge in the first investigation, and, as a result of his management of the case, he finds himself having to flee India for a job as a waiter in Brick Lane.
Whilst in London he becomes entangled in another case which occurs at a party he attends in his role as a waiter, and is able to identify links to the first.
The story has some fabulous characters - I loved Rahman, in particular and Anjoli. What it also reveals is the impact of corruption on a police workforce and how that then further impacts on individual lives and relationships. I think it's this that makes the book stand out for me.
It does take a while to get your head around some of the goings on in the book and the links between characters, but is well worth sticking with. Very good read.
Whilst in London he becomes entangled in another case which occurs at a party he attends in his role as a waiter, and is able to identify links to the first.
The story has some fabulous characters - I loved Rahman, in particular and Anjoli. What it also reveals is the impact of corruption on a police workforce and how that then further impacts on individual lives and relationships. I think it's this that makes the book stand out for me.
It does take a while to get your head around some of the goings on in the book and the links between characters, but is well worth sticking with. Very good read.
May 19, 2021
His former life a total mess, detective Kamil Rahman quite unexpectedly finds himself waiting tables at an Indian restaurant in London. Her literally had to flee from Kolkata since he totally messed up a high profile case. Now, an old friend of his father’s boards and employs him. When they cater a party at the multi-millionaire Rakesh, Kamil senses a lot of hatred coming from that man towards him even though he has never met him before. A couple of hours later, Rakesh is found dead in his mansion’s swimming-pool and his current wife Neha, three decades his junior and close friend of Kamil’s hosts’ daughter Anjoli, is accused of murder. Immediately, Kamil’s instincts jump in and he tries to figure out what has happened. But with the start of his investigation, also the memories of what drove him from his home town comes back.
Ajay Chowdhury’s novel is a very cleverly constructed mystery which links two seemingly unconnected crimes and events on two continents in a skilful way. By telling bits of both stories alternatingly, you advance and yet, for quite a long time, do not really get the whole picture which keeps suspense high at all times. At the same time, the story lives on the characters and their live between two cultures which are not always easy to bring together.
Without any doubt, the protagonist and his conviction of law and order and fighting for the right is the most striking feature of the novel. Seeing how his world view, which was more or less just black and white, slowly becomes blurred and he starts to question all he has ever believed in, is a great character development, especially for a mystery novel.
Both murder cases are highly complex and can only be sorted out by a very sharp mind – yet, knowing the truth does not mean that it will also win ultimately. A lesson which Kamil learns the hard way.
An intriguing read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Ajay Chowdhury’s novel is a very cleverly constructed mystery which links two seemingly unconnected crimes and events on two continents in a skilful way. By telling bits of both stories alternatingly, you advance and yet, for quite a long time, do not really get the whole picture which keeps suspense high at all times. At the same time, the story lives on the characters and their live between two cultures which are not always easy to bring together.
Without any doubt, the protagonist and his conviction of law and order and fighting for the right is the most striking feature of the novel. Seeing how his world view, which was more or less just black and white, slowly becomes blurred and he starts to question all he has ever believed in, is a great character development, especially for a mystery novel.
Both murder cases are highly complex and can only be sorted out by a very sharp mind – yet, knowing the truth does not mean that it will also win ultimately. A lesson which Kamil learns the hard way.
An intriguing read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
January 2, 2021
This is an intriguing and compelling new crime thriller from debut author Ajay Chowdury.
The Waiter is Kamil Rahman, a recently disgraced ex policeman from Kolkata, India, uprooted to London in an attempt to rebuild his shattered career and life.
Living with family friends, Kamil begins to work in the family restaurant illegally as a waiter. At a party catered for by the family, Kamil finds himself at the centre of a murder investigation when a rich, prominent Indian businessman is found dead at his own party.
Kamil and family friend Anjoli, for which there is great chemistry between the 2 begin to investigate the murder.
A tale of 2 cities then plays out as Ajay Chowdury takes us to the streets of Kolkata to flesh out the life of Kamil whilst the other side of the book tells the story in London.
An almost enchanting story, that delves into Indian Culture, it’s food, it’s police and the families and how important they are to each other.
Never dark or gloomy this is a bright, vibrant and energetic tale, a quite refreshing change.
With likeable protagonists and great locations, this fast paced and well thought out thriller was a great start to my 2021 reading and I hope the start of a new series
Thanks to Harvill Secker and NetGalley for the ARC
The Waiter is Kamil Rahman, a recently disgraced ex policeman from Kolkata, India, uprooted to London in an attempt to rebuild his shattered career and life.
Living with family friends, Kamil begins to work in the family restaurant illegally as a waiter. At a party catered for by the family, Kamil finds himself at the centre of a murder investigation when a rich, prominent Indian businessman is found dead at his own party.
Kamil and family friend Anjoli, for which there is great chemistry between the 2 begin to investigate the murder.
A tale of 2 cities then plays out as Ajay Chowdury takes us to the streets of Kolkata to flesh out the life of Kamil whilst the other side of the book tells the story in London.
An almost enchanting story, that delves into Indian Culture, it’s food, it’s police and the families and how important they are to each other.
Never dark or gloomy this is a bright, vibrant and energetic tale, a quite refreshing change.
With likeable protagonists and great locations, this fast paced and well thought out thriller was a great start to my 2021 reading and I hope the start of a new series
Thanks to Harvill Secker and NetGalley for the ARC
September 14, 2021
This started well, but I ended up skimming the second half. It didn't seem very realistic - the way Kamil contaminated the UK crime scene and thus destroyed evidence without repercussions from the police rang untrue for example. The two halves of the story and timelines (Kolkata/London) of course turned out to be connected. I was disappointed with the ending - as another reviewer has noted, Kamil started out perhaps naive, but at least with his integrity intact; by the end he has stooped to the level of seemingly everyone else.
Depressing.
Depressing.
December 21, 2020
I definitely liked this book. It was fast paced and full of twists and turns that kept me reading. I loved the way the story was connected across two continents and that the characters were well drawn. They didn't feel cardboard or mechanical and at the same time the plot didn't slacken. 4 stars.
April 28, 2022
An impressive debut from this author. The mystery gallops along nicely and everything is spelled out clearly in the end. I enjoyed the dishes mentioned throughout the story and now I am hankering for some Indian food.
Recommended read!
Recommended read!
February 3, 2021
Two worlds collide as a disgraced detective seeks refuge as a waiter in London, but his troubles follow him and more amount. Two crimes entwine and need to be solved to allow for new beginnings. A quick moving story that switches between London and India with characters seeking to be true to themselves and uphold their moral code. It took a little while to get into both stories but by the end I would have happily kept reading.
December 21, 2020
I am not able to leave a review of the either on GoodReads (not found) or Amazon (item not eligible), which is a shame as I wanted to be able to make my review visible to recommend to others.
I thought I would give this book a try, I love crime books. This book was different to any I've read before, which was so refreshing. The descriptions of the Indian culture was fascinating and I was pulled into the story immediately.
It did keep me guessing 'whodunnit' up until the last few pages - I must admit to being a bit disappointed at the eventual outcome, however this book is a great read, interesting, keeps you hooked and I would definitely recommend.
I thought I would give this book a try, I love crime books. This book was different to any I've read before, which was so refreshing. The descriptions of the Indian culture was fascinating and I was pulled into the story immediately.
It did keep me guessing 'whodunnit' up until the last few pages - I must admit to being a bit disappointed at the eventual outcome, however this book is a great read, interesting, keeps you hooked and I would definitely recommend.
June 21, 2023
Genuinely cannot believe I read this? How did I find it? Maybe a Buzzfeed list? Do not listen to these lists.
April 10, 2022
All the time that I was reading The Waiter, I was asking myself WHO Ajay Chowdhury had written the book for. Was it for the British crime fiction fan or the Indian? Would either of those two readerships be entirely satisfied with what he had produced? Was I? I'd have to say "in parts", but I think this attempt to play in both worlds may well have left both British and Indian readers a bit underwhelmed.
The plot was, in parts, very predictable and in others, ethically indefensible.
Nobody familiar with Indian novels or films will be surprised to learn that crimes that are sorted out quickly and cleanly may not be sorted honestly, that people in high places with similarly highly placed friends and connections are not subject to the full extent of the law. You don't need to be a genius to work that out and if you don't know that's the reality of a lot of Indian police procedures, then you probably are very new to the region.
Conversely, the outcome of the novel takes an acceptance of a level of disregard for the law that won't sit well with many western readers. Is one character covering up a crime somehow less corrupt than another just because he doesn't have a lot of money in his pocket and is using his brains instead of his cash? You'll need to work that out for yourself.
The book flips back and forth between a murder committed in a fancy hotel in Kolkata and a murder committed in the garish and gaudy home of a London-based Indian multi-millionaire. At first, it seems the only thing connecting the two murders is the coincidence of the presence of Kolkata's ex-Detective Karim Rahman who investigated the first murder and served up samosas at the second. As readers, we have to get a long way into the book before the (rather predictable) revelation of why Rahman is working as a waiter in Brick Lane finally comes through. Then we're left to unravel the connections between the associates of the two dead men.
There are no clues you can follow to work out whodunnit until very near the end when a receipt is found that narrows down the culprit so don't feel you have to concentrate too hard to look for the clues. Personally, I prefer a book where I can follow the clues and work it out for myself, but throwing in a revelatory receipt is like relying on unexpected DNA or emails or telephone records, all things that far too many crime writers rely on these days.
Neither Kolkata nor the East End of London are particularly well described, which is a shame. I know Kolkata a little but didn't feel its flavour in this book and, talking of flavour, I disagree with reviewers who've suggested you don't read this book on an empty stomach. I really didn't get excited by the food descriptions.
The book is listed on Amazon as Karim Rahman 1 so I assume there are more to follow. This is a good solid start, but I really do wonder where it can go next or who will be lining up to buy it. Despite the liberal sprinkling of phrases in Bengali (none of them translated which I don't mind at all but many readers seem to), I really don't know whether successive books can continue to combine the east and west approach of this one. I will probably read the next one.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my copy.
The plot was, in parts, very predictable and in others, ethically indefensible.
Nobody familiar with Indian novels or films will be surprised to learn that crimes that are sorted out quickly and cleanly may not be sorted honestly, that people in high places with similarly highly placed friends and connections are not subject to the full extent of the law. You don't need to be a genius to work that out and if you don't know that's the reality of a lot of Indian police procedures, then you probably are very new to the region.
Conversely, the outcome of the novel takes an acceptance of a level of disregard for the law that won't sit well with many western readers. Is one character covering up a crime somehow less corrupt than another just because he doesn't have a lot of money in his pocket and is using his brains instead of his cash? You'll need to work that out for yourself.
The book flips back and forth between a murder committed in a fancy hotel in Kolkata and a murder committed in the garish and gaudy home of a London-based Indian multi-millionaire. At first, it seems the only thing connecting the two murders is the coincidence of the presence of Kolkata's ex-Detective Karim Rahman who investigated the first murder and served up samosas at the second. As readers, we have to get a long way into the book before the (rather predictable) revelation of why Rahman is working as a waiter in Brick Lane finally comes through. Then we're left to unravel the connections between the associates of the two dead men.
There are no clues you can follow to work out whodunnit until very near the end when a receipt is found that narrows down the culprit so don't feel you have to concentrate too hard to look for the clues. Personally, I prefer a book where I can follow the clues and work it out for myself, but throwing in a revelatory receipt is like relying on unexpected DNA or emails or telephone records, all things that far too many crime writers rely on these days.
Neither Kolkata nor the East End of London are particularly well described, which is a shame. I know Kolkata a little but didn't feel its flavour in this book and, talking of flavour, I disagree with reviewers who've suggested you don't read this book on an empty stomach. I really didn't get excited by the food descriptions.
The book is listed on Amazon as Karim Rahman 1 so I assume there are more to follow. This is a good solid start, but I really do wonder where it can go next or who will be lining up to buy it. Despite the liberal sprinkling of phrases in Bengali (none of them translated which I don't mind at all but many readers seem to), I really don't know whether successive books can continue to combine the east and west approach of this one. I will probably read the next one.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my copy.
October 1, 2021
EDIT (01/10/21): REVIEW
- Synopsis Stuff -
Disgraced detective, Kamil Rahman has moved from Kolkata, India where he was part of the police force before being dismissed for messing up a murder investigation of a Bollywood star to London, England, where he lives with friends of his parents and works in their Indian restaurant. When catering for the 60th birthday party of a friend of the restaurant owners, Kamil's skills get called into use when the host is murdered! With the help of the restaurant owner's daughter, Anjoli, who believes the police have arrested the wrong person, Kamil launches his own investigations into who the murderer is! Can Kamil solve the murder? What has this murder got to do with the investigation which ruined his career in India? Why did the murdered man behave so oddly to Kamil at the party? Will Anjoli manage to find a job in the current London job market? Is someone trying to silence Kamil before he gets to the truth?
- Book Set-Up & Inital Opinions -
I really really liked this one! Apart from the inital chapter, which opens on the murder scene and a quick sucession of characters which is a slight jumble, the plot premise is simple. Each chapter either details Kamil's current life in London working at Tandoori Knights restaurant (The Waiter) or his past life as a police officer in Kolkata investigating the murder of Asif Khan, a famous Bollywood star (The Detective). Although the concept of shifting timelines each chapter is simple, it works very well, managing to maintain tension in both settings and becoming increasingly effective the further you read with cliffhangers frequenting the end of chapters. The author did a good job of revealling the details of the murder investigation and Kamil's life in Kolkata little by little, even in The Detective chapters! The author also did a good description of the sights and sounds in both India and England and was able to contrast them really well.
- Characters -
-Kamil-
The main character is always an important person with the potential of the whole plot falling apart if they are not written well enough. Thankfully, this is NOT a problem. Kamil is a likeable character who aims to make his parents proud of him. He has strong beliefs and willing to do what he believes is the right thing no matter what the cost. In this book, he has his beliefs tested when solving multiple murders.
-Anjoli-
I really liked Anjoli and the little asides in the plot to explain what her printed t-shirts say. She is a good Watson to Kamil's Holmes - or rather as she mentions, a good Captain Hastings to his Poirot - being full of energy, ideas and enthusiasm. She was clever and stuck to her opinions, a really fun character to read about.
-The Murderer (spoilers, obviously) -
-Final Thoughts-
Overall, I loved the description in this book, even though I didn't know all of the food mentioned, it still brought the smells and sounds of Indian food to life - I found myself fancing some samosas at multiple points throughout reading this! The detective story was a fun read but overall, I found myself more invested in the waiter story. There were a few phrases in Bengali that I didn't understand which slightly took me out of the story but I looked some up which gave me more insight to the story (although if you understood them initally, I believe it would add to your enjoyment of the story further). Also, I just have to mention it again, the cover is stunning and I can't wait to see what the cover looks on future books. Speaking of future books, I will look out for the publication of more the books in this series as this is a very promising debut and I can't wait to read more!
4.5 stars
Initial thoughts before reading (06/09/21):
The cover is stunning and the concept is novel (no pun intended).
- Synopsis Stuff -
Disgraced detective, Kamil Rahman has moved from Kolkata, India where he was part of the police force before being dismissed for messing up a murder investigation of a Bollywood star to London, England, where he lives with friends of his parents and works in their Indian restaurant. When catering for the 60th birthday party of a friend of the restaurant owners, Kamil's skills get called into use when the host is murdered! With the help of the restaurant owner's daughter, Anjoli, who believes the police have arrested the wrong person, Kamil launches his own investigations into who the murderer is! Can Kamil solve the murder? What has this murder got to do with the investigation which ruined his career in India? Why did the murdered man behave so oddly to Kamil at the party? Will Anjoli manage to find a job in the current London job market? Is someone trying to silence Kamil before he gets to the truth?
- Book Set-Up & Inital Opinions -
I really really liked this one! Apart from the inital chapter, which opens on the murder scene and a quick sucession of characters which is a slight jumble, the plot premise is simple. Each chapter either details Kamil's current life in London working at Tandoori Knights restaurant (The Waiter) or his past life as a police officer in Kolkata investigating the murder of Asif Khan, a famous Bollywood star (The Detective). Although the concept of shifting timelines each chapter is simple, it works very well, managing to maintain tension in both settings and becoming increasingly effective the further you read with cliffhangers frequenting the end of chapters. The author did a good job of revealling the details of the murder investigation and Kamil's life in Kolkata little by little, even in The Detective chapters! The author also did a good description of the sights and sounds in both India and England and was able to contrast them really well.
- Characters -
-Kamil-
The main character is always an important person with the potential of the whole plot falling apart if they are not written well enough. Thankfully, this is NOT a problem. Kamil is a likeable character who aims to make his parents proud of him. He has strong beliefs and willing to do what he believes is the right thing no matter what the cost. In this book, he has his beliefs tested when solving multiple murders.
-Anjoli-
I really liked Anjoli and the little asides in the plot to explain what her printed t-shirts say. She is a good Watson to Kamil's Holmes - or rather as she mentions, a good Captain Hastings to his Poirot - being full of energy, ideas and enthusiasm. She was clever and stuck to her opinions, a really fun character to read about.
-The Murderer (spoilers, obviously) -
-Final Thoughts-
Overall, I loved the description in this book, even though I didn't know all of the food mentioned, it still brought the smells and sounds of Indian food to life - I found myself fancing some samosas at multiple points throughout reading this! The detective story was a fun read but overall, I found myself more invested in the waiter story. There were a few phrases in Bengali that I didn't understand which slightly took me out of the story but I looked some up which gave me more insight to the story (although if you understood them initally, I believe it would add to your enjoyment of the story further). Also, I just have to mention it again, the cover is stunning and I can't wait to see what the cover looks on future books. Speaking of future books, I will look out for the publication of more the books in this series as this is a very promising debut and I can't wait to read more!
4.5 stars
Initial thoughts before reading (06/09/21):
The cover is stunning and the concept is novel (no pun intended).
January 27, 2025
Once again my wife was my introduction here. Not only has she read this one but she then went through the series. Perhaps I should have picked up on her hints sooner but at last I have started and feel that I know why she was attracted to it.
There was some initial confusion with the Indian names and indeed the sex of their owners and I was unfamiliar with the custom of placing family titles after names rather than before as in the west ( ie Smith granny or Time father). I soon got used to both and will know for the next book.
The story is more than a who-done-it about the death of a rich Indian businessman in London. We are taken back to Kolkut or Calcutta as our age group remember it and the case that cost our star waiter his job as sub inspector homicide.
My recent reads have starred the food of Tokyo and rural France. Now I can add some authentic Brick Lane Indian dishes to
my literary menu card.
Our cop turned waiter Kamil Rahman and his cousin Anjoli have to try and solve the business man's death, as his young widow and Anjoli's friend is the chief suspect.
As I was reading I had deja vu moment. A major clue here seemed to be a ring with single stone clutched in the dead man's . I couldn't figure which of the suspects I had read about with it until I realised eventually that a similar piece had featured in my previous, totally unrelated, read.
As well as enjoying the story, I felt that I had learnt more about Indian family life and also the religion of Islam.
This was another of the books where the fact that you didn't solve it first wasn't that important- and I didn't. I agree with my wife about the series and will be grabbing the next when we return home to our digital library.
There was some initial confusion with the Indian names and indeed the sex of their owners and I was unfamiliar with the custom of placing family titles after names rather than before as in the west ( ie Smith granny or Time father). I soon got used to both and will know for the next book.
The story is more than a who-done-it about the death of a rich Indian businessman in London. We are taken back to Kolkut or Calcutta as our age group remember it and the case that cost our star waiter his job as sub inspector homicide.
My recent reads have starred the food of Tokyo and rural France. Now I can add some authentic Brick Lane Indian dishes to
my literary menu card.
Our cop turned waiter Kamil Rahman and his cousin Anjoli have to try and solve the business man's death, as his young widow and Anjoli's friend is the chief suspect.
As I was reading I had deja vu moment. A major clue here seemed to be a ring with single stone clutched in the dead man's . I couldn't figure which of the suspects I had read about with it until I realised eventually that a similar piece had featured in my previous, totally unrelated, read.
As well as enjoying the story, I felt that I had learnt more about Indian family life and also the religion of Islam.
This was another of the books where the fact that you didn't solve it first wasn't that important- and I didn't. I agree with my wife about the series and will be grabbing the next when we return home to our digital library.
July 7, 2021
The Waiter By Ajay Chowdhury.
It is always good to find new authors and even better when they serve you up a really good book.
I picked this up at the local supermarket for 5 Pounds so I thought to Myself "it's got to be worth a punt" and I am so pleased I did this is a refreshing read and a new voice in the world of crime books.
Kamil Rahman, disgraced detective, turned waiter finds himself in the east end of London after his career and life goes down the toilet in India.
Kamil is a joy to spend time with I liked him immediately he is a strong lead character with many flaw's but whos heart is in the right place his side kick throughout the book Anjoli the daughter of the family that Kamil stays with in London is also a very strong and delightful Female, Chowdhury writing is very good and the book sips along at lighting pace as the events unfold in the past and present taking place in London and India.
This is a debut novel for Chowdhury and a very good one at that, yes we have a few mistakes in the book that the Editor should have picked up on but this did not spoil My enjoyment.
I really liked how the book introduced Me to a culture I know nothing about from the locations and the delicious descriptions of the Indian cuisine splattered throughout the book and the Whodunit kept Me guessing right up to the very end and both the stories that are told all come together nicely in the end.
Hopefully the two main leads from the book get another outing and story together as I loved every minute I spent with them the chemistry that they have together is excellent.
This is a very good and strong entrance to the world of the Crime genre and I would have given it a five star read if not for the few mistakes I pointed out that feature in the book.
Well worth your time and hard-earned cash this was a refreshing and delightful read I shall keep My eye open for his next book.
It is always good to find new authors and even better when they serve you up a really good book.
I picked this up at the local supermarket for 5 Pounds so I thought to Myself "it's got to be worth a punt" and I am so pleased I did this is a refreshing read and a new voice in the world of crime books.
Kamil Rahman, disgraced detective, turned waiter finds himself in the east end of London after his career and life goes down the toilet in India.
Kamil is a joy to spend time with I liked him immediately he is a strong lead character with many flaw's but whos heart is in the right place his side kick throughout the book Anjoli the daughter of the family that Kamil stays with in London is also a very strong and delightful Female, Chowdhury writing is very good and the book sips along at lighting pace as the events unfold in the past and present taking place in London and India.
This is a debut novel for Chowdhury and a very good one at that, yes we have a few mistakes in the book that the Editor should have picked up on but this did not spoil My enjoyment.
I really liked how the book introduced Me to a culture I know nothing about from the locations and the delicious descriptions of the Indian cuisine splattered throughout the book and the Whodunit kept Me guessing right up to the very end and both the stories that are told all come together nicely in the end.
Hopefully the two main leads from the book get another outing and story together as I loved every minute I spent with them the chemistry that they have together is excellent.
This is a very good and strong entrance to the world of the Crime genre and I would have given it a five star read if not for the few mistakes I pointed out that feature in the book.
Well worth your time and hard-earned cash this was a refreshing and delightful read I shall keep My eye open for his next book.
November 14, 2022
What a lovely book. Following Kamil through the ups and downs - many downs - of his life. His aim to please his beloved father and follow his footsteps in the local police force, upholding the law with pride and honour. Destiny has other ideas for Kamil though and painfully he peels away layers of the truth he has always believed in, to find that the foundation of his world is based on a mirage, and that those he idolised for their pursuit of justice may be just as tarnished as the criminals he hopes to thwart ....... they are simply more successful. Starting a new life with family in London brings Kamil in to contact with remarkably similar characters to those he left behind - only now he no longer has a police badge; just his wits and the bow tie he wears when he works (slightly illegally) as a waiter in the family restaurant that belongs to his Aunt and Uncle. In London, following the clues after a murder has been committed, he discovers that sometimes the truth is better left undisturbed and that untruths can be good as well as bad.
August 22, 2021
A former detective from India flees to England and finds himself working as a waiter. A catering job brings him back to his previous life when a dead body is found at the end of the evening. It's not action packed and is more character driven as it sets up the series. It's interesting in its take on society and people's standing in it.
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