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Malabar House #3
The Lost Man of Bombay
THE THRILLING NEW MYSTERY FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF MIDNIGHT AT MALABAR HOUSE'A delightful book, well-researched, complex and hugely entertaining' ANN CLEEVES'A twisting plot and an intriguing cast of characters, together with vivid glimpses of the vibrant, complex world of post-Independence Bombay - and a narrative that thunders along with the pace and drama of an elephant on the rampage' ANDREW TAYLORBombay, 1950When the body of a white man is found frozen in the Himalayan foothills near Dehra Dun, he is christened the Ice Man by the national media. Who is he? How long has he been there? Why was he killed?As Inspector Persis Wadia and Metropolitan Police criminalist Archie Blackfinch investigate the case in Bombay, they uncover a trail left behind by the enigmatic Ice Man - a trail leading directly into the dark heart of conspiracy.Meanwhile, two new murders grip the city. Is there a serial killer on the loose, targeting Europeans? Rich in atmosphere, the thrilling third chapter in the CWA Historical Dagger-winning Malabar House series pits Persis against a mystery from beyond the grave, unfolding against the backdrop of a turbulent post-colonial India, a nation struggling to redefine itself in the shadow of the Raj.'A stunning, richly imagined and downright thrilling mystery. Vaseem Khan has that rare ability to transport you wholly to a bygone time, and he does so with such skill and charm. I loved it' CHRIS WHITAKER'A compelling historical thriller ... Codes, crime and conspiracies collide in post-colonial India' D.V. BISHOP'One of my top reads this year. A peerless portrait of early independent India through the eyes of new crime fiction star, India's first police detective, Persis Wadia' BARBARA NADEL"The brilliant Persis Wadia is one of the most electrifying figures in crime fiction today. Vaseem Khan keeps getting better and better' WILLIAM SHAW'Outstanding' IMRAN MAHMOOD'This is historical crime fiction at its best - a compelling mix of social insight and complex plotting with a thoroughly engaging heroine. A highly promising new series' MAIL ON SUNDAY'This is historical crime fiction at its sharpest' SUNDAY TIMES'The Lost Man of Bombay is the latest outstanding entry in the Malabar House series. Persis Wadia is shaping up to be a giant of the scene - a detective as dogged and determined as any out there, with a point to prove and a chip on her shoulder as deep as it is justified. Her latest case is as beautifully written and evocative as you've come to expect from Vaseem Khan, a gripping and engrossing mystery that draws deeply on its setting and time period but nonetheless reads as fresh and original. This is a writer at the top of his game and a series that just keeps getting better' ROD REYNOLDS
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2022
332 people are currently reading
1283 people want to read
About the author
Vaseem Khan
56 books1,015 followersVaseem Khan is the author of two award-winning crime series set in India and the upcoming Quantum of Menace, the first in a series featuring Q from the James Bond franchise. His debut, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020. In 2021, Midnight at Malabar House, the first in the Malabar House novels set in 1950s Bombay, won the CWA Historical Dagger. Vaseem was born in England, but spent a decade working in India. Vaseem is the current Chair of the UK Crime Writers Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
July 12, 2022
This is the latest in Vaseem Khan's historical Malabar House mystery series featuring an Indian woman police detective, Persis Wadia, set in post-colonial India in 1950, experiencing all the teething difficulties and complexities of the largest fledgling democracy. Persis's personal life is a mess, she feels she cannot act on her feelings for police criminalist, Archie Blackfinch, over issues of race, societal hostility, and the fact that a married woman can no longer serve as a police officer in India. Her usual unusually close relationship with her wheelchair bound father, Sam, becomes a veritable quagmire as she struggles to accept his desire to get married. Then there is her boss, Superintendent of Police, Roshan Seth, insisting that she serve as a mentee to the young Seema Desai who wishes to become a police officer under the Bombay Slum Rehabilitation Programme, an idea she is hostile to, certain she lacks the skills to be a mentor.
Amidst this background of personal turmoil that she is not handling well, Persis finds herself working on 3 separate cases that are to prove to be dangerous and push her to her limits. In a Himalayan mountain cave near Dehra Dun, the frozen body of a murdered white man, aka The Ice Man, is discovered, it is not clear how long he has been there, but he is a white man and there is pressure to identify and find out who killed him. A prominent couple are found dead in bed at their home, Italian Stephen Renzi is bludgeoned to death, and his Indian wife, Leela Sinha, has her throat slit and then a German Catholic priest, Peter Grunewald, is killed with a similar MO to Renzi. The investigation is lent a sense of urgency when Persis's incompetent police colleague, Hemant Oberoi, arrests and extracts a confession from a man she is certain is innocent, but unless justice prevails, he will hang.
Persis follows all leads, and once again finds herself having to break a code in a story where it begins to emerge that all her cases appear to be connected. On a personal level, the flawed Persis is off kilter, she is an able, courageous and competent police officer, but she has none of the social and emotional skills that can oil life's everyday interactions, professional and personal. It makes me wonder if she is on the spectrum, because of this and her inability to accept and process changes in her father's life, so much so she comes across as unpleasant and irritating. This is a wonderfully plotted, complex, tense and suspenseful and twisty historical crime read with a great sense of location, the time period, the culture, and the social norms and expectations in India, particular with regard to women. This will appeal to those readers interested in the early days of India after independence, nicely blended with some intriguing mysteries. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Amidst this background of personal turmoil that she is not handling well, Persis finds herself working on 3 separate cases that are to prove to be dangerous and push her to her limits. In a Himalayan mountain cave near Dehra Dun, the frozen body of a murdered white man, aka The Ice Man, is discovered, it is not clear how long he has been there, but he is a white man and there is pressure to identify and find out who killed him. A prominent couple are found dead in bed at their home, Italian Stephen Renzi is bludgeoned to death, and his Indian wife, Leela Sinha, has her throat slit and then a German Catholic priest, Peter Grunewald, is killed with a similar MO to Renzi. The investigation is lent a sense of urgency when Persis's incompetent police colleague, Hemant Oberoi, arrests and extracts a confession from a man she is certain is innocent, but unless justice prevails, he will hang.
Persis follows all leads, and once again finds herself having to break a code in a story where it begins to emerge that all her cases appear to be connected. On a personal level, the flawed Persis is off kilter, she is an able, courageous and competent police officer, but she has none of the social and emotional skills that can oil life's everyday interactions, professional and personal. It makes me wonder if she is on the spectrum, because of this and her inability to accept and process changes in her father's life, so much so she comes across as unpleasant and irritating. This is a wonderfully plotted, complex, tense and suspenseful and twisty historical crime read with a great sense of location, the time period, the culture, and the social norms and expectations in India, particular with regard to women. This will appeal to those readers interested in the early days of India after independence, nicely blended with some intriguing mysteries. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
November 4, 2022
I read with much enjoyment all of Vaseem Khan's first series, "The Baby Ganesh Agency." This is the third book in the Malabar House series and lacks the humour and charm of the earlier Baby Ganesh books.
Malabar House is the location of a small police unit in Bombay. It serves as a dead-end transfer for police officers unwanted elsewhere. This might be due to their mistakes, incompetence, bad behaviour, insubordination, or no one wanting to work with them due to personality flaws. Cases assigned to Malabar House are often considered trivial or may have political repercussions to be avoided. It is no wonder that Persis was assigned there in her role as India's first female police officer.
Persis is a young woman from the Parsee religious community, where it is forbidden to marry outside the religion. Also, if she were to marry anyone, it would be grounds for dismissal from the police. She lives with her father and is sometimes assisted in her investigations by Metropolitan police officer Archie Blackfinch, an Englishman. She is the target of hostility from chauvinistic male officers trying to undermine her and set up obstacles to her success. Their resentment has increased due to her success in solving past criminal cases. People she needs to question feel a woman has no place in the police force and often ignore her or show a lack of respect.
I cannot warm up to Persis's character. She is stubborn, outspoken, rude, disrespectful, and seethes with anger. She is driven by the need to prove a woman can succeed as well as, or better than, a man. This is an admirable trait, but she lacks social skills and comes across as arrogant and entitled. I was disappointed with this book as it seems that the author made her even more irritating and unlikeable, and it interfered with my enjoyment of the mystery plot. Persis was extremely rude to the two most important men in her life, her father and Detective Archie Blackfinch. She is struggling to suppress romantic feelings towards Archie. She had been ordered to mentor a young, impoverished girl whose goal is to join the Malabar police unit. This is part of a new initiative, The Bombay Slum Rehabilitian Program. Persis ignores this order and finally sends her on an assignment personal to herself and outside police jurisdiction. Near the end of the story, Persis takes her along on a project, barely speaking to her and not involving her in the case. Not looking too good for the young woman's future.
The story takes place in the early 1950s in India. It is a time of tumult. The country has become the world's largest democracy and is burdened with the effects of WWII, the partition of the country that resulted in the deaths and displacement of millions. The departure of the British and the end of their rule show disruptions in the social, religious, cultural, and economic fabric. The new India is struggling for democracy amongst beaurocracy and corruption.
A dead man is found in a cave near the Himalayas foothills. This is a white man whose body had lain there for 5 to 7 years. His identity is a mystery, but there is his notebook containing cryptic clues. He was brutally murdered. The press is calling him the IVe Man. Currently, an Italian man has been murdered by the same method as the Ice Man, and his Indian wife was killed less brutally. Next, a devout German priest is attacked in church and killed by an identical, vicious method.
Is there a connection between these new murders and the Ice Man killed years ago? Is a serial killer targeting white European men who remained behind when India became independent?
Persis is determined to solve the murders. Despite her prickly personality, she displays intuition, intelligence, inductive reasoning, and resolve to put the cryptic clues together and devise a plausible solution to the crimes. A hostile colleague insists he has solved the murder of the Italian businessman and his wife and arrested an innocent man. There is evidence he beat and threatened him into confessing. This man will be sentenced to death.
With no intention of sticking to her assigned role, Persis searches for answers takes her out of Bombay to the northern hill country where there were POW camps for enemy soldiers during the war, to a Gurkha settlement, and an island containing hidden archaeological treasures of great value. She is able to persuade (bully or threaten) army officials, guards, historians, archaeologists, and religious leaders to provide her with records that tie together the murder cases. At the same time, she struggles to decipher the cryptic clues left behind. Her work places her life in danger.
This was a complex, historical police procedural. While I disliked the protagonist, it will appeal to many fans of mysteries set in India and other Asian countries. I miss Baby Ganesh and hope there is another book in that series.
.
Malabar House is the location of a small police unit in Bombay. It serves as a dead-end transfer for police officers unwanted elsewhere. This might be due to their mistakes, incompetence, bad behaviour, insubordination, or no one wanting to work with them due to personality flaws. Cases assigned to Malabar House are often considered trivial or may have political repercussions to be avoided. It is no wonder that Persis was assigned there in her role as India's first female police officer.
Persis is a young woman from the Parsee religious community, where it is forbidden to marry outside the religion. Also, if she were to marry anyone, it would be grounds for dismissal from the police. She lives with her father and is sometimes assisted in her investigations by Metropolitan police officer Archie Blackfinch, an Englishman. She is the target of hostility from chauvinistic male officers trying to undermine her and set up obstacles to her success. Their resentment has increased due to her success in solving past criminal cases. People she needs to question feel a woman has no place in the police force and often ignore her or show a lack of respect.
I cannot warm up to Persis's character. She is stubborn, outspoken, rude, disrespectful, and seethes with anger. She is driven by the need to prove a woman can succeed as well as, or better than, a man. This is an admirable trait, but she lacks social skills and comes across as arrogant and entitled. I was disappointed with this book as it seems that the author made her even more irritating and unlikeable, and it interfered with my enjoyment of the mystery plot. Persis was extremely rude to the two most important men in her life, her father and Detective Archie Blackfinch. She is struggling to suppress romantic feelings towards Archie. She had been ordered to mentor a young, impoverished girl whose goal is to join the Malabar police unit. This is part of a new initiative, The Bombay Slum Rehabilitian Program. Persis ignores this order and finally sends her on an assignment personal to herself and outside police jurisdiction. Near the end of the story, Persis takes her along on a project, barely speaking to her and not involving her in the case. Not looking too good for the young woman's future.
The story takes place in the early 1950s in India. It is a time of tumult. The country has become the world's largest democracy and is burdened with the effects of WWII, the partition of the country that resulted in the deaths and displacement of millions. The departure of the British and the end of their rule show disruptions in the social, religious, cultural, and economic fabric. The new India is struggling for democracy amongst beaurocracy and corruption.
A dead man is found in a cave near the Himalayas foothills. This is a white man whose body had lain there for 5 to 7 years. His identity is a mystery, but there is his notebook containing cryptic clues. He was brutally murdered. The press is calling him the IVe Man. Currently, an Italian man has been murdered by the same method as the Ice Man, and his Indian wife was killed less brutally. Next, a devout German priest is attacked in church and killed by an identical, vicious method.
Is there a connection between these new murders and the Ice Man killed years ago? Is a serial killer targeting white European men who remained behind when India became independent?
Persis is determined to solve the murders. Despite her prickly personality, she displays intuition, intelligence, inductive reasoning, and resolve to put the cryptic clues together and devise a plausible solution to the crimes. A hostile colleague insists he has solved the murder of the Italian businessman and his wife and arrested an innocent man. There is evidence he beat and threatened him into confessing. This man will be sentenced to death.
With no intention of sticking to her assigned role, Persis searches for answers takes her out of Bombay to the northern hill country where there were POW camps for enemy soldiers during the war, to a Gurkha settlement, and an island containing hidden archaeological treasures of great value. She is able to persuade (bully or threaten) army officials, guards, historians, archaeologists, and religious leaders to provide her with records that tie together the murder cases. At the same time, she struggles to decipher the cryptic clues left behind. Her work places her life in danger.
This was a complex, historical police procedural. While I disliked the protagonist, it will appeal to many fans of mysteries set in India and other Asian countries. I miss Baby Ganesh and hope there is another book in that series.
.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 12, 2024This series really has hit its stride now. Tightly plotted, well characterised, with excellent description of the physical, political and cultural setting. Persis is a self-sabotaging PITA (you know, like many male series detectives are, but as ever women are expected to be better) and I am enjoying how horribly she treats her love interest. I didn't see the murderer coming at all. Highly enjoyable historical teccing.
September 29, 2022
The third book in this promising series delves deeply into the politics and culture of post Raj India. The protagonist, Persis Wadia, is the first female police officer in the Indian Police Service. Her role in the IPS in 1950 is historically anachronistic, since the first female police officer was appointed in 1972. The author evidently has taken this liberty to cast Persis as the embodiment of the turbulence and political currents in post Independence India. Her struggles illustrate the complexities of a nation seeking to find footing and definition in a newly evolving political era.
The thematic and historical elements of the novel are embedded in an engaging plot. Persis has quickly gained notoriety because of her gender and her role in two previous high profile cases. She is thrust into another attention grabbing situation when a white man who has been frozen for many years is discovered in a Himalayan mountain cave. The only evidence is a notebook with the word Bombay, causing the case to be assigned to Persis’ unit. Forensics subsequently determine that the man has been murdered. The news media have sensationalized the corpse, calling him the Ice Man.The clamor for a solution escalates the pressure as Persis works with colleagues resentful of her gender and public visibility. Soon after, a prominent Italian businessman and his socially connected Indian wife are slain. Shortly thereafter, an orthodox, devout Catholic priest has met a violent end. Persis becomes involved in all three seemingly disparate cases and struggles to find links between the three incidents while coping with the misogyny and mistrust of her male colleagues.
The strength of this novel is the fusion of plot with a sensory evocation of the sights, sounds and tensions of India’s emerging political and social conflicts.Eschewing Anglocentric viewpoints, the narrative is laced with pointedly Indian perspectives. At one point, Persis muses that…
“…men like Cox had called the shots in a country not their own, content that their right to do so was ordained by God, nation and the colour of their skin. And then the world had changed and the very ideals that had made conquest not only possible, but palatable, to the masses back home had lost their currency.”
The political perspective that Persis articulates in this quote elevates her to a protagonist worthy of interest. She also has ambivalences that are explored in a developing professional and romantic relationship with a British criminologist . Their relationship hints at the tensions in a society formerly dependent on Britain while now striving to find its own voice.The novel succeeds in portraying the political, religious and personal tensions associated with society in transition. Persis’ personality and character encapsulate the challenges of navigating a diverse ethnic and religious entity that seeks to find a new equilibrium. Persis’ conflicts remain unresolved. I look forward to journeying with her as she continues to traverse this landscape.
The thematic and historical elements of the novel are embedded in an engaging plot. Persis has quickly gained notoriety because of her gender and her role in two previous high profile cases. She is thrust into another attention grabbing situation when a white man who has been frozen for many years is discovered in a Himalayan mountain cave. The only evidence is a notebook with the word Bombay, causing the case to be assigned to Persis’ unit. Forensics subsequently determine that the man has been murdered. The news media have sensationalized the corpse, calling him the Ice Man.The clamor for a solution escalates the pressure as Persis works with colleagues resentful of her gender and public visibility. Soon after, a prominent Italian businessman and his socially connected Indian wife are slain. Shortly thereafter, an orthodox, devout Catholic priest has met a violent end. Persis becomes involved in all three seemingly disparate cases and struggles to find links between the three incidents while coping with the misogyny and mistrust of her male colleagues.
The strength of this novel is the fusion of plot with a sensory evocation of the sights, sounds and tensions of India’s emerging political and social conflicts.Eschewing Anglocentric viewpoints, the narrative is laced with pointedly Indian perspectives. At one point, Persis muses that…
“…men like Cox had called the shots in a country not their own, content that their right to do so was ordained by God, nation and the colour of their skin. And then the world had changed and the very ideals that had made conquest not only possible, but palatable, to the masses back home had lost their currency.”
The political perspective that Persis articulates in this quote elevates her to a protagonist worthy of interest. She also has ambivalences that are explored in a developing professional and romantic relationship with a British criminologist . Their relationship hints at the tensions in a society formerly dependent on Britain while now striving to find its own voice.The novel succeeds in portraying the political, religious and personal tensions associated with society in transition. Persis’ personality and character encapsulate the challenges of navigating a diverse ethnic and religious entity that seeks to find a new equilibrium. Persis’ conflicts remain unresolved. I look forward to journeying with her as she continues to traverse this landscape.
November 16, 2022
The Malabar House series provides the reader with a very enjoyable read as it delivers strong and memorable characters, artfully described locations that serve to educate, historical struggles in the new India post British rule and carefully crafted action considering the main character is one very clever female police officer Inspector Persis Wadia. In this tale Persis is challenged on the home front with having to face the fact that her dear father wishes to marry, so she puts herself at risk a tad more than usual and does have physical as well as emotional challenges. However, her keen mind is more than adequate to solve the mystery of several deaths.
Amazon has this book on sale for 99 cents!
Amazon has this book on sale for 99 cents!
August 13, 2022
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.
The Lost Man of Bombay is book 3 in the Malabar House historical mystery series by Vaseem Khan set in 1950s Bombay around Persis Wadia, India’s first (fictional) female inspector. Persis who as the only female inspector in the police at the time is not quite as welcome in all quarters, is posted at Malabar House, a station manned by officers who have for different reasons fallen out of favour with the powers that be, and which often is handed cases politically or otherwise sensitive, which no one else wishes to deal with. Alongside, we follow her personal life—she lives with her father, Sam who runs a bookstore, and cat Akbar; she is romantically interested in Archie Blackfinch, an English forensic examiner but reluctant to take things further because of its implications.
This book opens with two mountaineers on a spontaneous climb finding and old frozen corpse—the Ice Man—in a cave somewhere in the Himalayas above Dehradun. The only thing found with the body is a book with a Bombay stamp and so the case finds its way to Bombay and Malabar House. Forensic examination shows the man was murdered. Meanwhile, another couple, an Italian businessman Stephen Renzi and his Indian wife, Leela, daughter of a prominent politician are found murdered, and Persis’ boss assigns her investigation jointly with her arch rival, Oberoi who has strong opinions about women serving in the force. Before long, a third murder is added to the list, a catholic priest, and a particularly orthodox one. Nothing seemingly connects the matters, yet the way some of these at least were killed is too similar to overlook. We follow Persis as she investigates the cases, while also having to deal with Oberoi’s contempt (and incompetence). And her boss, Roshan Seth, assigns her a young girl to mentor, another role she is very reluctant to undertake for she is comfortable only when at police work. Meanwhile, she is also fighting her feelings for Archie and at home, her father Sam is starting to act very strangely, and she can’t seem to guess why.
This was another enjoyable entry in this historical mystery series with a very interesting mystery at its core, once again involving a cypher, and developments in Persis’ life, all set against the background of the newly independent India where ideals have already given way to red-tape, corruption, and other bumps in the road as the country is finding its way in the world.
The mystery in the book was one I found to be a very interesting one, and in which while the solution seemed pointed at some way into the story, but turned out to have a nice twist at the end which I didn’t see coming. I’ve kept from writing anything about the elements it involves so readers can enjoy them as they are revealed, but the historical setting and people on which it was based were ones I was familiar with and caught on to immediately (the explanatory note at the end confirmed it) which made it all the more engaging for me to read. This case unlike the previous one doesn’t keep Persis in Bombay alone but she travels, among other places, to Dehradun with Mussoorie being mentioned (these two were especially fun for me since I have lived in Mussoorie previously).
Persis is certainly a well-drawn character, shown realistically to be struggling with her work which she loves, the attention (welcome and unwelcome) she receives because of her position as the first female police inspector, and her personal life where pursuing the romance she is interested in will have both personal and professional fallouts. She is a rather prickly character, and one doesn’t always sympathise with her (especially in this book, when she reacts somewhat childishly though perhaps not surprisingly to some developments which contrasts with her stronger self, projected when she is investigating), also apt to dive in head first, getting herself into trouble more than once (again, one can’t sympathize because the red flags are all there); one enjoys following her though even if one can’t entirely like her.
The mystery and personal parts of Persis’ life are well-balanced in the book and flow well together. I liked the exploration of the country at this point in history which forms the background to the story and the various problems it was struggling with while trying to find its feet. While the book does attempt to highlight the colonials’ treatment of the country and its people when there, in critiquing the problems that the country was going through, I felt at some points, perhaps it was looking too much from a Western lens.
Still, this was an entertaining read for me, especially the themes and settings the mystery deals with and also the solution which was a nice surprise.
The Lost Man of Bombay is book 3 in the Malabar House historical mystery series by Vaseem Khan set in 1950s Bombay around Persis Wadia, India’s first (fictional) female inspector. Persis who as the only female inspector in the police at the time is not quite as welcome in all quarters, is posted at Malabar House, a station manned by officers who have for different reasons fallen out of favour with the powers that be, and which often is handed cases politically or otherwise sensitive, which no one else wishes to deal with. Alongside, we follow her personal life—she lives with her father, Sam who runs a bookstore, and cat Akbar; she is romantically interested in Archie Blackfinch, an English forensic examiner but reluctant to take things further because of its implications.
This book opens with two mountaineers on a spontaneous climb finding and old frozen corpse—the Ice Man—in a cave somewhere in the Himalayas above Dehradun. The only thing found with the body is a book with a Bombay stamp and so the case finds its way to Bombay and Malabar House. Forensic examination shows the man was murdered. Meanwhile, another couple, an Italian businessman Stephen Renzi and his Indian wife, Leela, daughter of a prominent politician are found murdered, and Persis’ boss assigns her investigation jointly with her arch rival, Oberoi who has strong opinions about women serving in the force. Before long, a third murder is added to the list, a catholic priest, and a particularly orthodox one. Nothing seemingly connects the matters, yet the way some of these at least were killed is too similar to overlook. We follow Persis as she investigates the cases, while also having to deal with Oberoi’s contempt (and incompetence). And her boss, Roshan Seth, assigns her a young girl to mentor, another role she is very reluctant to undertake for she is comfortable only when at police work. Meanwhile, she is also fighting her feelings for Archie and at home, her father Sam is starting to act very strangely, and she can’t seem to guess why.
This was another enjoyable entry in this historical mystery series with a very interesting mystery at its core, once again involving a cypher, and developments in Persis’ life, all set against the background of the newly independent India where ideals have already given way to red-tape, corruption, and other bumps in the road as the country is finding its way in the world.
The mystery in the book was one I found to be a very interesting one, and in which while the solution seemed pointed at some way into the story, but turned out to have a nice twist at the end which I didn’t see coming. I’ve kept from writing anything about the elements it involves so readers can enjoy them as they are revealed, but the historical setting and people on which it was based were ones I was familiar with and caught on to immediately (the explanatory note at the end confirmed it) which made it all the more engaging for me to read. This case unlike the previous one doesn’t keep Persis in Bombay alone but she travels, among other places, to Dehradun with Mussoorie being mentioned (these two were especially fun for me since I have lived in Mussoorie previously).
Persis is certainly a well-drawn character, shown realistically to be struggling with her work which she loves, the attention (welcome and unwelcome) she receives because of her position as the first female police inspector, and her personal life where pursuing the romance she is interested in will have both personal and professional fallouts. She is a rather prickly character, and one doesn’t always sympathise with her (especially in this book, when she reacts somewhat childishly though perhaps not surprisingly to some developments which contrasts with her stronger self, projected when she is investigating), also apt to dive in head first, getting herself into trouble more than once (again, one can’t sympathize because the red flags are all there); one enjoys following her though even if one can’t entirely like her.
The mystery and personal parts of Persis’ life are well-balanced in the book and flow well together. I liked the exploration of the country at this point in history which forms the background to the story and the various problems it was struggling with while trying to find its feet. While the book does attempt to highlight the colonials’ treatment of the country and its people when there, in critiquing the problems that the country was going through, I felt at some points, perhaps it was looking too much from a Western lens.
Still, this was an entertaining read for me, especially the themes and settings the mystery deals with and also the solution which was a nice surprise.
July 30, 2024
Very good, a major discovery in the mystery genre.
Set in Bombay in 1950.
I’m borrowing earlier books in the series when I can find them.
Set in Bombay in 1950.
I’m borrowing earlier books in the series when I can find them.
April 12, 2022
3.5 stars
While i did enjoy the central mystery, i didn't really like the book on the whole. I felt that the plot was overly complicated and there were too many, too long descriptions. Perhaps this was because a lot of descriptions and explanations felt redundant to me as an Indian. I got the feeling that this book will be enjoyed more by readers unfamiliar with India.
But what irritated me the most and made me flip through my kindle incessantly, was the Persis-Archie angle. It is beginning to feel overly long drawn out, with no progress happening. It is just there to check the boxes of Perses' private life. And i am also beginning to get a little tired of the slightly whiny creature that Khan seems to be turning her into. Not a very good sign for a series lead!
While i did enjoy the central mystery, i didn't really like the book on the whole. I felt that the plot was overly complicated and there were too many, too long descriptions. Perhaps this was because a lot of descriptions and explanations felt redundant to me as an Indian. I got the feeling that this book will be enjoyed more by readers unfamiliar with India.
But what irritated me the most and made me flip through my kindle incessantly, was the Persis-Archie angle. It is beginning to feel overly long drawn out, with no progress happening. It is just there to check the boxes of Perses' private life. And i am also beginning to get a little tired of the slightly whiny creature that Khan seems to be turning her into. Not a very good sign for a series lead!
September 8, 2022
I thought the mystery in this novel was intriguing and satisfying. However, after a slight mellowing in book 2 of the series, Persis is really very touchy in this one and manages to make a hash out of almost every aspect of her personal life. I hope she can get herself sorted out a bit by the next one.
July 17, 2022
I really enjoyed the solving of this case all thanks to Persis’ doggedness and perseverance against not only the people who perpetrated the crimes, but the establishment and the extreme sexism. In her department she is surrounded by jaded officers who get only the worst of cases and where little is really expected them. One of the aspects I liked most about the book was the characterisation of Persis and the fact that she certainly has ‘issues’. She behaves badly in a number of ways in this book and she has many flaws. many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book. This series is now a firm favourite.
January 2, 2024
The mystery is fascinating as a premise. The story is intricately plotted. And I generally enjoyed the read.
This book is set after Partition and Khan does use this perspective to critique the British in their handling of the Raj. We see how "natives" respond and we see how some British remain--each trying to fill the "void" left when the colonizers Indexited. (This retreat is also a pattern.)
Having read the other 2 titles in this series, I'm confident in saying that there is one huge area of ambivalence and/or anxiety. While Persis is the first policewoman in India, the author has her rescued by a man in each book to date. She does the heavy lifting: she takes the extra step, pursues various leads, exerts the analytical skills, and smartly solves the crime. And yet, when she is physically endangered, a male character saves her. This pattern is a chauvinistic conceit.
This book is set after Partition and Khan does use this perspective to critique the British in their handling of the Raj. We see how "natives" respond and we see how some British remain--each trying to fill the "void" left when the colonizers Indexited. (This retreat is also a pattern.)
Having read the other 2 titles in this series, I'm confident in saying that there is one huge area of ambivalence and/or anxiety. While Persis is the first policewoman in India, the author has her rescued by a man in each book to date. She does the heavy lifting: she takes the extra step, pursues various leads, exerts the analytical skills, and smartly solves the crime. And yet, when she is physically endangered, a male character saves her. This pattern is a chauvinistic conceit.
August 31, 2022
This crime book set in the costal city on the West Coast of India in 1950 shows how very much more modern the city is with female police inspectors when the British police had females in the police stations bottom pinched and insulted. In India they had Inspectors.
I Googled Both Bombay I saw loots of female importance officials all female and not just a male world.
Set around the body of an unknown Ice Man who has smashed face. Soon we have more murder victims killed in same way.
All smells of curry and twisted core screw turns.The cover is good and doesn't matter that this volume 3 I not stop here I can't wait to read is other books no wonder this author has won awards and been translated into 16 languages. He can see the dirty slums of Bombay. This interesting and full of Indian history.
I Googled Both Bombay I saw loots of female importance officials all female and not just a male world.
Set around the body of an unknown Ice Man who has smashed face. Soon we have more murder victims killed in same way.
All smells of curry and twisted core screw turns.The cover is good and doesn't matter that this volume 3 I not stop here I can't wait to read is other books no wonder this author has won awards and been translated into 16 languages. He can see the dirty slums of Bombay. This interesting and full of Indian history.
July 26, 2024
i really like these series. the people are mostly ok, though i think you can dislike persis at times or think some of the actions taken by everyone both the main character and the secondaries are a bit illogical and grating, and i think alot of people would be able to solve the mystery before persis. and i am not sure how accurate the historical aspect is and yet i really, really like the writing and the stories and enjoy reading each book immensely.
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September 1, 2022Vaseem Khan has improved SO much as a writer between his first few books and this one. He had this very pedestrian style which almost put me off him entirely and I'm glad I stuck with it for the characters and settings - this one is still a bit that way inclined but much, much more fluid and with some lovely turns of phrase. I love a good Indian mystery and both this series and the other one he writes (Inspector Chopra and his pet elephant) and this one are set in Mumbai (though of course it's Bombay in these books set in the very early 1950s).
I'm still not 100% convinced by this one, though. Persis Wadia, his detective, is the first woman in the Indian police, which has naturally made her a bit spiky which I do love in a female main character! There are a ton of misanthropic male main character detectives and a female one is almost refreshing. But Persis is spiky and dismissive at her family, her school friends, her boss, her colleagues, the girl she's supposed to be mentoring, and many passing strangers; most of all, she's spiky and dismissive at her forensic specialist, which wouldn't matter if he weren't the love interest in the series and it's becoming hard to see what he sees in her. So I don't know if I like the rest of the book enough to make up for a turning-unsympathetic main character, but I will def try the next one in the series.
I'm still not 100% convinced by this one, though. Persis Wadia, his detective, is the first woman in the Indian police, which has naturally made her a bit spiky which I do love in a female main character! There are a ton of misanthropic male main character detectives and a female one is almost refreshing. But Persis is spiky and dismissive at her family, her school friends, her boss, her colleagues, the girl she's supposed to be mentoring, and many passing strangers; most of all, she's spiky and dismissive at her forensic specialist, which wouldn't matter if he weren't the love interest in the series and it's becoming hard to see what he sees in her. So I don't know if I like the rest of the book enough to make up for a turning-unsympathetic main character, but I will def try the next one in the series.
September 2, 2023
i really like these series. the people are mostly ok, though i think you can dislike persis at times or think some of the actions taken by everyone both the main character and the secondaries are a bit illogical and grating, and i think alot of people would be able to solve the mystery before persis. and i am not sure how accurate the historical aspect is and yet i really, really like the writing and the stories and enjoy reading each book immensely.
April 17, 2023
This was the third book in this historical crime fiction series and I have read all 3. While I dont regret the money spent on this one as it was a fast read for me, I think I am done with the author.
January 7, 2023
The third instalment in the Malabar House series and so far, for me, the best. Good character development with each new story and so much interesting history about India. Looking forward to a book 4. Highly recommended.
September 24, 2022
Book 3 in the detective series set in newly independent India and the author does a masterful job at tying together multiple mysteries while shedding light on how Europeans continuing to live in the country had to adapt. Showed emotional growth in the character of the main protagonist S well. A satisfying classic detective mystery with multiple true to life character sketches and vignettes
December 20, 2022
Some of the most compelling new mystery series have been coming out of India in recent years. They’re arriving thick and fast these days. Sujata Massey’s Perveen Mistry novels about the first woman lawyer in Bombay. The Wyndham and Banerjee novels by Abir Mukherjee, about an odd couple of police detectives in post-WWI Calcutta. Tarquin Hall’s Vish Puri series, featuring “India’s #1 private detective.” And, more lately, Vaseem Khan’s Malabar House books, the latest of which is the brilliant detective thriller, The Lost Man of Bombay.
A THRILLER SET IN AN EVENTFUL TIME AND PLACE
Like the Perveen Mistry stories, the Malabar House series is set in Bombay (now Mumbai) early in the 1950s. And that’s no accident. India had gained its independence just a few years earlier. Partition and the bloodbath that followed continued to cast a pall over the land. The country was still taking shape, absorbing the 584 independent princely states that had occupied forty percent of the subcontinent’s land for centuries. Meanwhile, both in Delhi and in state capitals throughout India, politicians were sorting out how to govern the second most populous country on the planet across lines of caste, class, and religion. Historical novelists would be hard-pressed to find another time and place for a more eventful setting.
A BODY IN THE HIMALAYAS OPENS A SEEMINGLY UNSOLVABLE CASE
The Lost Man of Bombay opens high in the Himalayas in 1950. Two mountaineers have stumbled across the body of a European in a cave. The man is naked and appears to have been crushed by a rockfall. Of course, the autopsy will show that he was murdered before the walls caved in on him. And a newspaper clipping in a notebook lying beside the body will make clear that (a) there is some tie to Bombay, and (b) the man died as many as seven years ago.
“The Ice Man,” as the press insists on calling him, represents an unwanted challenge for the Bombay Police. It’s a seemingly unsolvable case. Thus it is that eventually the powers that be dump the case on Malabar House, “the runt of Bombay’s constabulary, a station where those in ill favor were sent—some as a penance, others because there was nowhere else to put them.” And that is how the case lands on the desk of Persis Wadia, the first—and to date, only—female inspector to have qualified for the Indian Police Service.”
A WIDE-RANGING INVESTIGATION
Three pages are missing from the notebook, and a page at the end reads in entirety, “Caesar’s Triumph holds the key.” Working solely on the basis of these “meager” clues, Persis launches her investigation. Over the months ahead, she will confront not one murder, but four. The case will take her into the World War II archives of the Indian Army and one of the country’s oldest and most storied Hindu temples. Meanwhile, she must struggle against the misogyny that is so widespread and deeply seated in the police, protected only by a supportive boss. All the while evading her aunt’s constant efforts to marry her off. Khan deftly balances the personal and professional dimensions of Persis’s life. And in the process he paints a convincing picture of life in Bombay as it must have been seventy years ago.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaseem Khan is the author of eleven detective novels set in India. Seven are in the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series set in modern Mumbai, and four—one of which is not yet available—features Inspector Persis Wadia of Malabar House in 1950s Bombay. Both series have won awards. Khan notes on his author website that “I was born in London in 1973, went on to gain a Bachelors degree in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics, before spending a decade on the subcontinent helping one of India’s premier hotel groups establish a chain of five-star environmentally friendly ‘ecotels’ around the country.
“I returned to the UK in 2006 and have since worked at University College London for the Department of Security and Crime Science where I am continually amazed at the way modern science is being used to tackle crime. Elephants are third on my list of passions, first and second being great literature and cricket, not always in that order.”
He adds: “Crime science is an approach to crime prevention, reduction and detection that attempts to use science from a range of disciplines – both engineering sciences and social sciences – to tackle crime. I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by brilliant colleagues all working on crime and security topics ranging from new forensic science techniques to developing the next generation of cyber-security measures. My role involves managing large-scale research projects. I spend a lot of time with academic colleagues and partners from the worlds of policing and security, as we seek to bring that research into the public domain.”
A THRILLER SET IN AN EVENTFUL TIME AND PLACE
Like the Perveen Mistry stories, the Malabar House series is set in Bombay (now Mumbai) early in the 1950s. And that’s no accident. India had gained its independence just a few years earlier. Partition and the bloodbath that followed continued to cast a pall over the land. The country was still taking shape, absorbing the 584 independent princely states that had occupied forty percent of the subcontinent’s land for centuries. Meanwhile, both in Delhi and in state capitals throughout India, politicians were sorting out how to govern the second most populous country on the planet across lines of caste, class, and religion. Historical novelists would be hard-pressed to find another time and place for a more eventful setting.
A BODY IN THE HIMALAYAS OPENS A SEEMINGLY UNSOLVABLE CASE
The Lost Man of Bombay opens high in the Himalayas in 1950. Two mountaineers have stumbled across the body of a European in a cave. The man is naked and appears to have been crushed by a rockfall. Of course, the autopsy will show that he was murdered before the walls caved in on him. And a newspaper clipping in a notebook lying beside the body will make clear that (a) there is some tie to Bombay, and (b) the man died as many as seven years ago.
“The Ice Man,” as the press insists on calling him, represents an unwanted challenge for the Bombay Police. It’s a seemingly unsolvable case. Thus it is that eventually the powers that be dump the case on Malabar House, “the runt of Bombay’s constabulary, a station where those in ill favor were sent—some as a penance, others because there was nowhere else to put them.” And that is how the case lands on the desk of Persis Wadia, the first—and to date, only—female inspector to have qualified for the Indian Police Service.”
A WIDE-RANGING INVESTIGATION
Three pages are missing from the notebook, and a page at the end reads in entirety, “Caesar’s Triumph holds the key.” Working solely on the basis of these “meager” clues, Persis launches her investigation. Over the months ahead, she will confront not one murder, but four. The case will take her into the World War II archives of the Indian Army and one of the country’s oldest and most storied Hindu temples. Meanwhile, she must struggle against the misogyny that is so widespread and deeply seated in the police, protected only by a supportive boss. All the while evading her aunt’s constant efforts to marry her off. Khan deftly balances the personal and professional dimensions of Persis’s life. And in the process he paints a convincing picture of life in Bombay as it must have been seventy years ago.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaseem Khan is the author of eleven detective novels set in India. Seven are in the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series set in modern Mumbai, and four—one of which is not yet available—features Inspector Persis Wadia of Malabar House in 1950s Bombay. Both series have won awards. Khan notes on his author website that “I was born in London in 1973, went on to gain a Bachelors degree in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics, before spending a decade on the subcontinent helping one of India’s premier hotel groups establish a chain of five-star environmentally friendly ‘ecotels’ around the country.
“I returned to the UK in 2006 and have since worked at University College London for the Department of Security and Crime Science where I am continually amazed at the way modern science is being used to tackle crime. Elephants are third on my list of passions, first and second being great literature and cricket, not always in that order.”
He adds: “Crime science is an approach to crime prevention, reduction and detection that attempts to use science from a range of disciplines – both engineering sciences and social sciences – to tackle crime. I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by brilliant colleagues all working on crime and security topics ranging from new forensic science techniques to developing the next generation of cyber-security measures. My role involves managing large-scale research projects. I spend a lot of time with academic colleagues and partners from the worlds of policing and security, as we seek to bring that research into the public domain.”
March 27, 2023
I can’t believe I waited a year to read this but it was definitely worth the wait. Vaseem Khan never fails to write a good mystery that hooks you from the first page.
Persis Wadia, the only female Indian Police Detective, is back at Malabar House, trying to solve the mystery of the Ice Man. He has been found in the Himalayan foothills with little attached to him but a notebook. Whilst trying to solve this, two murders spring up in the city. It seems that there may be a killer specifically targeting Europeans.
It was nice to be back in Persis’ world where she is constantly underestimated and has to constantly prove herself. I loved the introduction of the new characters and the reunion with old characters. Seema Desai, a mentee of Persis, proves that there are others trying to make their way, as women in a post-independent India. Archie Blackfinch, a British criminalist, and his budding relationship with Persis. I understand the contentions behind their relationship and why it’s not an easy choice but I also hope they end up together!
I loved the constant guessing and the unraveling of the mysteries and secrets and conspiracies. It matched the flow perfectly and everything was revealed as and when it should be. Vaseem Khan has such a way of effortlessly weaving history and fiction, to provide the perfect backdrop for a murder mystery. I was pleased with the history that was peppered in throughout the story; the telling of the struggle for Indian independence and the fragile state of the nation, post-independence. I feel like it’s also worth mentioning that you don’t need to have read the other two books in the series because Khan does such a good job of catching the reader up to speed, where appropriate.
At times, the writing became a little unrealistic when Persis was going about her day-to-day life. It just reminded me of the fact that Persis is written by a male author and so it doesn’t properly encapsulate the female experience. However, this is a small note and does not detract from the plot or narrative in any way.
This may just be the first series where each series, thus far, has been rated 5⭐️! I cannot wait for the release of the fourth book later this year.
Persis Wadia, the only female Indian Police Detective, is back at Malabar House, trying to solve the mystery of the Ice Man. He has been found in the Himalayan foothills with little attached to him but a notebook. Whilst trying to solve this, two murders spring up in the city. It seems that there may be a killer specifically targeting Europeans.
It was nice to be back in Persis’ world where she is constantly underestimated and has to constantly prove herself. I loved the introduction of the new characters and the reunion with old characters. Seema Desai, a mentee of Persis, proves that there are others trying to make their way, as women in a post-independent India. Archie Blackfinch, a British criminalist, and his budding relationship with Persis. I understand the contentions behind their relationship and why it’s not an easy choice but I also hope they end up together!
I loved the constant guessing and the unraveling of the mysteries and secrets and conspiracies. It matched the flow perfectly and everything was revealed as and when it should be. Vaseem Khan has such a way of effortlessly weaving history and fiction, to provide the perfect backdrop for a murder mystery. I was pleased with the history that was peppered in throughout the story; the telling of the struggle for Indian independence and the fragile state of the nation, post-independence. I feel like it’s also worth mentioning that you don’t need to have read the other two books in the series because Khan does such a good job of catching the reader up to speed, where appropriate.
At times, the writing became a little unrealistic when Persis was going about her day-to-day life. It just reminded me of the fact that Persis is written by a male author and so it doesn’t properly encapsulate the female experience. However, this is a small note and does not detract from the plot or narrative in any way.
This may just be the first series where each series, thus far, has been rated 5⭐️! I cannot wait for the release of the fourth book later this year.
August 2, 2022
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I really enjoyed this atmospheric, intriguing novel set in 1950s India. I haven’t read others in this series, which centres on a female detective in Bombay called Persis Wadia, but I can see why they’ve been such a success.
Persis is plucky and determined and great to read about. She’s got a complicated case on her hands, regarding the murder of a white man found in the mountains which uncovers a potential serial killer. Her life has its own challenges and issues – the sexism she faces by being a female police officer during that time is just one of them – but she always rises to the occasion admirably and you can trust her to unearth what really happened!
I really enjoyed the setting – Vaseem Khan writes about 1950s post-war India with such vividity, you feel like you could actually be there. There are plenty of historical details from the time period and the struggles that faced people living there at the time which feels educational but also entertaining. It feels very well researched and manages to get the blend of fiction and historical details just right.
One thing to note is that there are a lot of characters to keep track of – this might be easier if you’ve read other novels in the series, as you may have already been introduced to many of them, but I did find myself losing track a little at times. The plot is complex at times too, but I found it really intriguing – and that coupled with the absorbing setting kept me focused. I’d definitely recommend this novel if you fancy a crime novel with a historical twist.
Many thanks to the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest review.
I really enjoyed this atmospheric, intriguing novel set in 1950s India. I haven’t read others in this series, which centres on a female detective in Bombay called Persis Wadia, but I can see why they’ve been such a success.
Persis is plucky and determined and great to read about. She’s got a complicated case on her hands, regarding the murder of a white man found in the mountains which uncovers a potential serial killer. Her life has its own challenges and issues – the sexism she faces by being a female police officer during that time is just one of them – but she always rises to the occasion admirably and you can trust her to unearth what really happened!
I really enjoyed the setting – Vaseem Khan writes about 1950s post-war India with such vividity, you feel like you could actually be there. There are plenty of historical details from the time period and the struggles that faced people living there at the time which feels educational but also entertaining. It feels very well researched and manages to get the blend of fiction and historical details just right.
One thing to note is that there are a lot of characters to keep track of – this might be easier if you’ve read other novels in the series, as you may have already been introduced to many of them, but I did find myself losing track a little at times. The plot is complex at times too, but I found it really intriguing – and that coupled with the absorbing setting kept me focused. I’d definitely recommend this novel if you fancy a crime novel with a historical twist.
Many thanks to the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest review.
January 5, 2023
Registering my first book post of the year. Masterpiece by #VaseemKhan. He’s got the flair (modus operandi) for witty puzzles, codes, riddles, then cleverly amalgamates them with historical episodes, cultural references, socio political satire, deconstructs the British Raj era, throws in cameos, aquatints you with madmen criminals and defeats them with a headstrong woman sleuth all at the core of the murders. Vaseem Khan plots murder like no other. Vastly Knowledgeable writer.
I’ve read all his books and realized he’s outdone himself in his 3rd installation of #TheMalabarHouseseries.
Was truly impressed by the Caesar Cipher he created in this one. The stories behind his code breaking invention were just so riveting. (previous book was a treasure hunt with puzzles & riddles). Real work of art.
I have to say the Karishma Mandir and it’s enormous vaults immediately reminded me of the Padhmanabhaswamy Temple’s saga. Was so thrilled when the actually writer confirmed it to be his source of inspiration.
Enjoyed the parts of the Gurkha contingents and their significance in colonial history.
Loved it so much Oberoi got slammed down. Also, the climax of the madman meets Persis was heart-racing.
I’m not revealing anymore. #TheLostManOfBombay is stimulating. Kickstarted 2023 with this scintillating book and my heart’s so contented. Devoured in a single night. Vaseem Khan is an incredibly talented writer. This is his best yet.
The @audible_uk #audiobook narration by #MayaSaroya was the perfect company for the immersive read.
Ayo Gurkhali!
#bookstagram #crimefiction #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #bookreviewersofinstagram #book #sgbookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendation #read #bookblogger #crimeseries #crimewriter #BabyGaneshDetectiveAgency #audible #audiobook #crimethriller #womensleuths #hodderandstoughton #hodderbooks
I’ve read all his books and realized he’s outdone himself in his 3rd installation of #TheMalabarHouseseries.
Was truly impressed by the Caesar Cipher he created in this one. The stories behind his code breaking invention were just so riveting. (previous book was a treasure hunt with puzzles & riddles). Real work of art.
I have to say the Karishma Mandir and it’s enormous vaults immediately reminded me of the Padhmanabhaswamy Temple’s saga. Was so thrilled when the actually writer confirmed it to be his source of inspiration.
Enjoyed the parts of the Gurkha contingents and their significance in colonial history.
Loved it so much Oberoi got slammed down. Also, the climax of the madman meets Persis was heart-racing.
I’m not revealing anymore. #TheLostManOfBombay is stimulating. Kickstarted 2023 with this scintillating book and my heart’s so contented. Devoured in a single night. Vaseem Khan is an incredibly talented writer. This is his best yet.
The @audible_uk #audiobook narration by #MayaSaroya was the perfect company for the immersive read.
Ayo Gurkhali!
#bookstagram #crimefiction #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #bookreviewersofinstagram #book #sgbookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendation #read #bookblogger #crimeseries #crimewriter #BabyGaneshDetectiveAgency #audible #audiobook #crimethriller #womensleuths #hodderandstoughton #hodderbooks
September 2, 2022
It's taken me a while to review this after finishing, mainly because I loved it on so many different levels. Story takes place in recently post-colonial India of the 1950s. The main character, Persis Wadia is India's first female Police Inspector, battling against a hugely chauvinistic culture. There's so many different levels to appreciate in this book: a 'woman in a man's world', the fallout and damage the British colonialists have left behind, a family saga - her relationship with her father is particularly tested, Persis' doomed relationship with her British colleague Archie Blackfinch and on top of all this, a super crime story investigation with so many facets, clues, stops and starts, sabotaged by a chauvinistic officer who just wants an 'easy arrest'.
A dead body is found in a cave up in the Himalayas, a historical death revealed after a small avalanche occurs. An innocent man could be held responsible - cue the indomitable Persis in pursuit of justice, who uncovers an intricate trail of clues - and more bodies along the way! Don't want to give spoilers but this was such a gripping book I'm now going to look up the previous 2. Highly recommended.
A dead body is found in a cave up in the Himalayas, a historical death revealed after a small avalanche occurs. An innocent man could be held responsible - cue the indomitable Persis in pursuit of justice, who uncovers an intricate trail of clues - and more bodies along the way! Don't want to give spoilers but this was such a gripping book I'm now going to look up the previous 2. Highly recommended.
May 12, 2023
Persis, the first woman inspector in the Indian police service, is given the hot potato of a white man found frozen in a cave in the Himalayas. The mystery of the man has engaged interest, and although there are no clues, the powers that be want answers. She's also second-in=command when a prosperous married couple with no enemies is found murdered. Only Persis makes the connection between the cold case (no pun intended) and the current murder. She realizes that she has to look back to go forward, but her mind is also occupied by her widowed father's new lady friend, and her own growing attraction for an Englishman she works with. Third in the series.
January 11, 2024
I have been greatly enjoying this series as I love Persis and Khan is a good mystery writer. Persis is such a great character. I love how driven she is and how much she loves her job even if she is given a hard time about by pretty much everyone around her. I liked the mystery in this one, how so much of it was due to the sins of the past. I could've done without all of the personal drama though mainly because it takes up so much of the book but other than that I quite enjoyed this the third book in a really good series.
May 10, 2025
3.5
I have become very attached to the characters of these books loool. This edition has a heightened focus on their lives, especially Persis’s emotions and choices. I hope this continues in the next books.
The historical context again in this was very good and the writing style continues to improve. However, I preferred the second books plot, I didn’t get as much enjoyment in the conclusion to this mystery. I felt like too much was given away early leaving the ending a bit lackluster.
I have become very attached to the characters of these books loool. This edition has a heightened focus on their lives, especially Persis’s emotions and choices. I hope this continues in the next books.
The historical context again in this was very good and the writing style continues to improve. However, I preferred the second books plot, I didn’t get as much enjoyment in the conclusion to this mystery. I felt like too much was given away early leaving the ending a bit lackluster.
April 15, 2023
Enjoyable holiday read. Thought-provoking in terms of the epoque it was set in (post-Raj India). Topical even: at the time I read it the decision was taken not to use the Koh-i-noor diamond in the coronation next month (May 2023) of King Charles III.
During and after reading, I Googled several buildings and places referenced, such as the Banganga Tank, The Doon School in Dehradun - they all exist! All of the plot-lines were kept together in quite a taut manner. A nice breather for me in between more substantial works of literature. One of the reasons I like GoodReads is the opportunity to read what other people thought of the novels I read. People have taken issue with the fact that the lead character Persis has so many character flaws. I get what they mean - she is quite annoying / immature / stubborn at times, but (a) I have known real people like this and (b) it is the author's right to not necessarily embue their fiction with perfect personality traits!
One of the most succint summaries of this book was by The Times, calling it 'hugely entertaining, not unlike an India(na) Jones adventure: history and mystery mixed with brutal slapstick, thwarted romance and sly humour.'
During and after reading, I Googled several buildings and places referenced, such as the Banganga Tank, The Doon School in Dehradun - they all exist! All of the plot-lines were kept together in quite a taut manner. A nice breather for me in between more substantial works of literature. One of the reasons I like GoodReads is the opportunity to read what other people thought of the novels I read. People have taken issue with the fact that the lead character Persis has so many character flaws. I get what they mean - she is quite annoying / immature / stubborn at times, but (a) I have known real people like this and (b) it is the author's right to not necessarily embue their fiction with perfect personality traits!
One of the most succint summaries of this book was by The Times, calling it 'hugely entertaining, not unlike an India(na) Jones adventure: history and mystery mixed with brutal slapstick, thwarted romance and sly humour.'
August 20, 2022
I am very smitten with this series. It takes place in the 1950’s in India. The central character is a female police inspector, the first of her kind. The backdrop is the aftermath of India’s independence from Britain. The mysteries are intriguing and there’s a story arc. The latter gets a little tedious at times, but no matter - these are fun, engrossing reads.
March 4, 2024
Just my absolute fav genre right now
August 21, 2024
Basically a book pandering to the gaze from outside. Indians are mentioned as 'natives' and half the cast is firang.
Picked it up for my love of Bombay, but didn't turn out to be a great read.
Picked it up for my love of Bombay, but didn't turn out to be a great read.
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