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Bangalore Detectives Club #2
Murder Under a Red Moon
The latest novel in the acclaimed Bangalore Detectives Club series finds amateur sleuth Kaveri Murthy uncovering a new murder during the blood moon eclipse.
When new bride Kaveri Murthy reluctantly agrees to investigate a minor crime to please her domineering mother-in-law—during the blood moon eclipse, no less—she doesn't expect, once again, to stumble upon a murder.
With anti-British sentiment on the rise, a charismatic religious leader growing in influence, and the fight for women's suffrage gaining steam, Bangalore is turning out to be a far more dangerous and treacherous place than Kaveri ever imagined—and everyone's motives are suspect.
Together with the Bangalore Detectives Club—a mixed bag of street urchins, nosy neighbours, an ex-prostitute, and a policeman's wife— Kaveri once again sleuths in her sari and hunts for clues in her beloved 1920s Ford.
But when her life is suddenly put in danger, Kaveri realizes that she might be getting uncomfortably close to the truth. So she must now draw on her wits and find the killer . . . before they find her.
When new bride Kaveri Murthy reluctantly agrees to investigate a minor crime to please her domineering mother-in-law—during the blood moon eclipse, no less—she doesn't expect, once again, to stumble upon a murder.
With anti-British sentiment on the rise, a charismatic religious leader growing in influence, and the fight for women's suffrage gaining steam, Bangalore is turning out to be a far more dangerous and treacherous place than Kaveri ever imagined—and everyone's motives are suspect.
Together with the Bangalore Detectives Club—a mixed bag of street urchins, nosy neighbours, an ex-prostitute, and a policeman's wife— Kaveri once again sleuths in her sari and hunts for clues in her beloved 1920s Ford.
But when her life is suddenly put in danger, Kaveri realizes that she might be getting uncomfortably close to the truth. So she must now draw on her wits and find the killer . . . before they find her.
300 pages, Hardcover
First published March 28, 2023
350 people are currently reading
3345 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 374 reviews
April 7, 2023
Murder Under A Red Moon takes place a few weeks after Kaveri has solved the first case, and has become well-known as a lady detective in the Bangalore of 1920s. When her mother-in-law's cousin, Shanti Sharma, wants to enlist her help in finding out who has been embezzling money from her husband's factory, Kaveri reluctantly agrees. But things take a sinister turn when Kaveri reaches the factory at the designated time to find Mr Sharma dead, holding Kaveri's chain in his hands. Who killed him? And why are they trying to implicate Kaveri in the murder? Could Shanti be involved? Or is it her step-daughter Chitra, who was being forced to marry? And what's with the religious Swami whom Kaveri's instincts are telling her not to trust at all?
The second outing of Kaveri had me hooked more than the first book in the series. The mystery is engaging, with complex characters and motivations at work. There is also a lot of social discussion in between - almost fifty percent of the novel is made up of it. We get a peek into the condition of women a hundred years ago. But the women aren't victims - they are strong individuals who help themselves as well as others in time of need and emerge victorious in the end.
Overall, this is a cozy historical mystery (with lots of recipes at the end) that will keep its readers entertained.
The second outing of Kaveri had me hooked more than the first book in the series. The mystery is engaging, with complex characters and motivations at work. There is also a lot of social discussion in between - almost fifty percent of the novel is made up of it. We get a peek into the condition of women a hundred years ago. But the women aren't victims - they are strong individuals who help themselves as well as others in time of need and emerge victorious in the end.
Overall, this is a cozy historical mystery (with lots of recipes at the end) that will keep its readers entertained.
April 1, 2023
Murder Under a Red Moon is Harini Nagendra's second novel featuring amateur detective Kavery Murthy. Like the first novel in this series, The Bangalore Detectives Club, Murder Under a Red Moon is set in Bangalore in the 1920s. India is still under British rule, but the independence movement is growing. Tensions between new and traditional cultural practices are unsettling daily life, particularly for women.
Kavery Murthy is a young bride with more than the usual amount of education—a fact that pleases her husband, but worries her mother-in-law. Having successfully solved a major case recently, Kavery has set up her own amateur detective agency. For the most part, the cases she solves are simple ones. Kavery's mother-in-law is dubious (to say the least) about this new undertaking, so Kavery is surprised when it's her mother-in-law introducing her to a family in need of an investigator. Initially, she's asked to explore a possible case of embezzlement, but the case quickly becomes a murder investigation.
The social context for these books is interesting. In a culture where caste and religion create significant divisions among people, Kavery is exceptionally open-minded. She runs literacy classes for a variety of women in her own home. She's become fast friends with a Muslim policeman (Kavery is Hindu). She's also coming to know street children and one in particular is taking on a role equivalent to that of one of Holmes' "Baker Street Irregulars." I don't know whether 1920s India included many women with Kavery's attitudes, but this plot element works well to give readers access to many segments of the Bangalore population.
This series remains true to its "cozy" origins, but the solution to this mystery is more complex than in the previous volume and the relationships among characters are developing richly.
If you're new to this series, you may want to begin with The Bangalore Detective's Club because it provides useful context for readers, but you won't be at all confused if you start with Murder Under a Blood Red Moon. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
Kavery Murthy is a young bride with more than the usual amount of education—a fact that pleases her husband, but worries her mother-in-law. Having successfully solved a major case recently, Kavery has set up her own amateur detective agency. For the most part, the cases she solves are simple ones. Kavery's mother-in-law is dubious (to say the least) about this new undertaking, so Kavery is surprised when it's her mother-in-law introducing her to a family in need of an investigator. Initially, she's asked to explore a possible case of embezzlement, but the case quickly becomes a murder investigation.
The social context for these books is interesting. In a culture where caste and religion create significant divisions among people, Kavery is exceptionally open-minded. She runs literacy classes for a variety of women in her own home. She's become fast friends with a Muslim policeman (Kavery is Hindu). She's also coming to know street children and one in particular is taking on a role equivalent to that of one of Holmes' "Baker Street Irregulars." I don't know whether 1920s India included many women with Kavery's attitudes, but this plot element works well to give readers access to many segments of the Bangalore population.
This series remains true to its "cozy" origins, but the solution to this mystery is more complex than in the previous volume and the relationships among characters are developing richly.
If you're new to this series, you may want to begin with The Bangalore Detective's Club because it provides useful context for readers, but you won't be at all confused if you start with Murder Under a Blood Red Moon. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
April 14, 2025
Harini Nagendra’s second novel never suffers a sophomore slump; it’s just as clever and intriguing as her debut, The Bangalore Detectives Club. Most of the characters from that novel make a reappearance here: Kaveri Murthy and her modern doctor husband Ramu, intrepid orphan Venu, Sergeant Isamail and his stalwart wife, and her many friends in the women’s club.
Set in 1920s Bangalore under British rule, Kaveri’s mother-in-law asks her to look into some embezzlement at the factory owned by a cousin, Shanthi Sharma. Although just 19, newlywed Kaveri has become notable in Bangalore for solving crimes. Kaveri sees this as a chance to improve her relationship with her judgmental mother-in-law; however, what begins as someone stealing from the factory soon turns into murder (see title).
As before, Nagendra fills the novel with the sights, sounds and, yes, smells of India 100 years ago. The mystery proves irresistible, and it was wonderful to learn so much about colonial India. Highly, highly recommended!
Set in 1920s Bangalore under British rule, Kaveri’s mother-in-law asks her to look into some embezzlement at the factory owned by a cousin, Shanthi Sharma. Although just 19, newlywed Kaveri has become notable in Bangalore for solving crimes. Kaveri sees this as a chance to improve her relationship with her judgmental mother-in-law; however, what begins as someone stealing from the factory soon turns into murder (see title).
As before, Nagendra fills the novel with the sights, sounds and, yes, smells of India 100 years ago. The mystery proves irresistible, and it was wonderful to learn so much about colonial India. Highly, highly recommended!
November 8, 2024
The glimpses of upper-class 1920s India are fun, if a bit simplistic. Which describes the rest of this book: it's a simplistic, shallow version of a Purveen mystery by Sujata Massey. Purveen, the investigating attorney, has to constantly struggle against the norms of her society: women don't do serious work, women can't associate with unrelated men, and the rich and powerful rule the society. In this book, Kaveri is a newlywed 19-year-old who has declared herself a detective. This is a very different 1920s Indian society; everyone, including men, the wealthy, and Kaveri's elders respect her as a detective. When she asks for help investigating, police, her husband, and casual acquaintances leap to assist. The mystery has its moments, but they are negated by Kaveri's bright-eyed blundering: her investigative technique seems to be to question those close to the crime and wait for the killer to attack her. Where Massey's fiction layers in all sorts of cultural-specific stories to put us in 1920s India, Nagendra gives us only a well-ordered, conflict-free society in which an inexplicable crime has occurred. Sigh. Read Massey and forget Nagendra.
February 27, 2023
“Murder Under a Red Moon” (Bangalore Detectives Mystery #2) by Harini Nagendra ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery. Location: Bangalore, Mysore State, India. Time: September, 1921- when England still ruled India.
THE SERIES: In 1920s South India, clever, headstrong Kaveri moves to Bangalore to marry young doctor Ramu Murthy. Although she lives in a conservative household, Kavari finds becoming a “Mathematician and Lady Detective” isn't so hard when you have a talent for mathematics, a head for logic, a 1920s Ford car, and a doctor for a husband.
THIS BOOK: The Bangalore Detectives Club now includes street urchins, nosy neighbours, an ex-prostitute, and a policeman's wife. Anti-British sentiment is on the rise, a religious leader’s influence is growing, and the women's suffrage movement is rising. This makes Bangalore unpredictable and dangerous.
Kavari, now 19, investigates a crime to please her domineering mother-in-law. As she investigates, she is framed for murder. Luckily, she has support from Inspector Ismail. Is the real killer is the new widow, the daughter, the fiancé, or someone unknown? She must find the killer, before the killer finds her.
Author Nagendra’s writing style is easy-to-read, clever, literate, and compassionate. She includes a number of subplots including a traditional woman learning to read and write despite her household’s scorn, street boys desperate to earn money, and domestic violence.
Nagendra expertly shares the sights, sounds, smells, and customs of 1920s Bangalore. South Indian women in colorful saris; spicy cooking smells and sweet, sticky floral smells; alleys full of dung; women’s traditional household roles, and women forging their own path. Happily, she includes a big map, a dictionary, and recipes. Bangalore ‘s history is part of her research as a professor of sustainability in Bangalore, so If you like authentic, well researched historical fiction filled with smart, clever women, you’ll love this book! It’s 5 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼♀️. Thank you Pegasus Books, Meghan Jusczak, and Harini Nagendra for this early copy. Publishes 3/30/2023.
THE SERIES: In 1920s South India, clever, headstrong Kaveri moves to Bangalore to marry young doctor Ramu Murthy. Although she lives in a conservative household, Kavari finds becoming a “Mathematician and Lady Detective” isn't so hard when you have a talent for mathematics, a head for logic, a 1920s Ford car, and a doctor for a husband.
THIS BOOK: The Bangalore Detectives Club now includes street urchins, nosy neighbours, an ex-prostitute, and a policeman's wife. Anti-British sentiment is on the rise, a religious leader’s influence is growing, and the women's suffrage movement is rising. This makes Bangalore unpredictable and dangerous.
Kavari, now 19, investigates a crime to please her domineering mother-in-law. As she investigates, she is framed for murder. Luckily, she has support from Inspector Ismail. Is the real killer is the new widow, the daughter, the fiancé, or someone unknown? She must find the killer, before the killer finds her.
Author Nagendra’s writing style is easy-to-read, clever, literate, and compassionate. She includes a number of subplots including a traditional woman learning to read and write despite her household’s scorn, street boys desperate to earn money, and domestic violence.
Nagendra expertly shares the sights, sounds, smells, and customs of 1920s Bangalore. South Indian women in colorful saris; spicy cooking smells and sweet, sticky floral smells; alleys full of dung; women’s traditional household roles, and women forging their own path. Happily, she includes a big map, a dictionary, and recipes. Bangalore ‘s history is part of her research as a professor of sustainability in Bangalore, so If you like authentic, well researched historical fiction filled with smart, clever women, you’ll love this book! It’s 5 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼♀️. Thank you Pegasus Books, Meghan Jusczak, and Harini Nagendra for this early copy. Publishes 3/30/2023.
May 27, 2023
An explemplar of how historical fiction can transport you to another time and place while allowing you to understand the mores and culture. India in the 1920s was a harsh reality for most women. Almost unimaginable to us today. Harini Nagenda paints the background picture while telling a cracking good story. Kaveri Murthy, a privileged young woman married to a loving doctor, spreads her wings by taking on her second case as detective. Her intellect and empathy combined with her position give her insights that others could easily miss. A great way to learn and be entertained.
March 23, 2023
DNF at page 130.
Unfortunatly this story was very slow paced and the characters were not pulling me to read any further sadly. I just couldnt get a connection with any of this and had to leave it.
Thanks to Edelweiss+, Author and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review
Unfortunatly this story was very slow paced and the characters were not pulling me to read any further sadly. I just couldnt get a connection with any of this and had to leave it.
Thanks to Edelweiss+, Author and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review
March 25, 2023
It's amazing how much atmosphere author Harini Nagendra can add to her charming Bangalore Detectives Club mysteries with the occasional description of sari fabric, adding some flowers, and a mouth-watering meal or two. After being captivated by The Bangalore Detectives Club last year, I was happy to see no evidence of a sophomore slump in Murder Under a Red Moon.
Along with Hindu customs and religious practices, Nagendra's characters show us life in a country with burgeoning resistance to British colonial rule and a growing women's rights movement. Kaveri's Dictionary and Kaveri's Adventures in the Kitchen at the back of the book are icing on the cake. The author effortlessly pulled me into this young woman's time and place, and I loved it.
Kaveri Murthy and her husband, Ramu, a doctor, are progressive thinkers, and it's a pleasure to be in their company even though it's merely as fly-on-the-wall status. They look for ways to help others. Kaveri's "detectives club" comprises women from all walks of life, from nosy neighbors whom she's teaching to read and write to a policeman's wife and an ex-prostitute. She's even wound up with a couple of street urchins who insist on helping her. And it's no wonder because, although Kaveri does love a good mystery to solve, she's even more determined to help those around her. When she sees someone in need, she immediately wants to help (and not in just a short-term way).
Kaveri's mother-in-law, Bhargavi, was a caricature in the first book in this series, but she's not in Murder Under a Red Moon. Nagendra fleshes her out and makes her three-dimensional. The author can also write a scene that makes the hair stand on the back of my neck. (I don't think I'll be sleuthing during a red moon eclipse any time soon.) If I have any quibble at all with Kaveri's second investigation, it's that the whodunit part was much too easy to deduce, but guess what? I don't care. It gave me more time to don a fresh sari and jump into Kaveri's Ford with her to gather clues... and hope that there would be some tasty rewards when we arrived back home. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher)
Along with Hindu customs and religious practices, Nagendra's characters show us life in a country with burgeoning resistance to British colonial rule and a growing women's rights movement. Kaveri's Dictionary and Kaveri's Adventures in the Kitchen at the back of the book are icing on the cake. The author effortlessly pulled me into this young woman's time and place, and I loved it.
Kaveri Murthy and her husband, Ramu, a doctor, are progressive thinkers, and it's a pleasure to be in their company even though it's merely as fly-on-the-wall status. They look for ways to help others. Kaveri's "detectives club" comprises women from all walks of life, from nosy neighbors whom she's teaching to read and write to a policeman's wife and an ex-prostitute. She's even wound up with a couple of street urchins who insist on helping her. And it's no wonder because, although Kaveri does love a good mystery to solve, she's even more determined to help those around her. When she sees someone in need, she immediately wants to help (and not in just a short-term way).
Kaveri's mother-in-law, Bhargavi, was a caricature in the first book in this series, but she's not in Murder Under a Red Moon. Nagendra fleshes her out and makes her three-dimensional. The author can also write a scene that makes the hair stand on the back of my neck. (I don't think I'll be sleuthing during a red moon eclipse any time soon.) If I have any quibble at all with Kaveri's second investigation, it's that the whodunit part was much too easy to deduce, but guess what? I don't care. It gave me more time to don a fresh sari and jump into Kaveri's Ford with her to gather clues... and hope that there would be some tasty rewards when we arrived back home. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher)
November 7, 2024
2.5 for the actual mystery, 3.5 for the people sketches and description of Old Bangalore
May 23, 2023
Murder Under a Red Moon is an interesting second book in the Bangalore Detective Series. My first impression was the clear improvement in both the story buildup as well as the writing. Since both the books are set during the colonial period and that too in Bengaluru, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them. Our protagonist is a young woman who is newly married to a kind hearted doctor and is still getting used to her mother-in-law‘s volatile nature. Kaveri is a curious woman who always has an itch to learn more, to figure out things and also to solve mathematical equations. Set just a few months after her first case, Murder Under a Red Moon is a good sequel.
Kaveri’ mother-in-law requests her to look into an embezzlement case of her closest cousin. Surprised by Bhargavi’s request, a woman who usually isn’t appreciative of her detective work, Kaveri agrees to look into the case. Shanthi, wife of the owner of Sampangi Mills is worried that someone is smudging their accounting books and is causing loss. When she approaches Kaveri along with her sullen looking stepdaughter, Kaveri’s mind starts whirring, trying to gauge these characters. Quickly, this simple financial issue leads to a murder and Kaveri finds herself being pulled into the very heart of it.
Rest of the book gives a detailed explanation of how she resolves the murder. Harini’s strength is in building a captivating story to support her characters. While the actual suspense itself is quite predictable, you still wouldn’t mind reading further because of her writing flair. I enjoy reading about Kaveri’s little quirks and the relationship she shares with her husband. Both her books are strongly women oriented and this is something that I truly appreciate.
Murder Under a Red Moon may not be a gripping thriller but it definitely makes a light and entertaining read. Thanks for the copy @hachette_india
Kaveri’ mother-in-law requests her to look into an embezzlement case of her closest cousin. Surprised by Bhargavi’s request, a woman who usually isn’t appreciative of her detective work, Kaveri agrees to look into the case. Shanthi, wife of the owner of Sampangi Mills is worried that someone is smudging their accounting books and is causing loss. When she approaches Kaveri along with her sullen looking stepdaughter, Kaveri’s mind starts whirring, trying to gauge these characters. Quickly, this simple financial issue leads to a murder and Kaveri finds herself being pulled into the very heart of it.
Rest of the book gives a detailed explanation of how she resolves the murder. Harini’s strength is in building a captivating story to support her characters. While the actual suspense itself is quite predictable, you still wouldn’t mind reading further because of her writing flair. I enjoy reading about Kaveri’s little quirks and the relationship she shares with her husband. Both her books are strongly women oriented and this is something that I truly appreciate.
Murder Under a Red Moon may not be a gripping thriller but it definitely makes a light and entertaining read. Thanks for the copy @hachette_india
March 31, 2023
This was very reminiscent of the number one ladies detective agency.
Kaveri is a wonderful heroic character defying the expected norm within her culture, a young Indian newly married lady who has set up her own detective agency following her success at solving several cases within her community and she is making quite a name for herself in a culture where woman are suppressed. This book sees Kaveri thrown into the thick of things and tasks with finding a murderer.
Nagendra has a real talent her descriptive writing helps to set the scene which also adds depth to the characters it helps to bring the pages to life and make things more visual and atmospheric.
She's draws you in to the plight of the characters and the challenges they face I really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more.
Kaveri is a wonderful heroic character defying the expected norm within her culture, a young Indian newly married lady who has set up her own detective agency following her success at solving several cases within her community and she is making quite a name for herself in a culture where woman are suppressed. This book sees Kaveri thrown into the thick of things and tasks with finding a murderer.
Nagendra has a real talent her descriptive writing helps to set the scene which also adds depth to the characters it helps to bring the pages to life and make things more visual and atmospheric.
She's draws you in to the plight of the characters and the challenges they face I really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more.
January 14, 2024
if this was my first kaveri (and ramu) book i don't think i would have liked it all that much, this time round i thought that kaveri got a bit sillier and less likeable and her actions less logical. and also some parts the authors voice was too loud, teaching and talking about their beliefs. the only thing that was delightful for me, was seeing kaveri (in some chapters :)) and i like her world and time. also it's a fast read. so would be reading the third book and would hope that this is the curse of the second working, and the third book it would be as good as the first
November 7, 2023
Despite some cliches (how many “close friends” does Kaveri need to have), anachronisms, big gaping plot holes (Mala’s convenient neighbour gets introduced after 3/4th of the book and disappears even more conveniently after a few pages) and some editing errors (there is a part where the characters names get interchanged in a conversation) - I enjoyed the 1920s Bangalore atmosphere. I sure as hell wish Kaveri would grow up a bit!
Will pick up the next book.
Will pick up the next book.
April 26, 2024
The second book in the series follows the life of Kaveri and her emerging detective status. She is now officially helping people solve all kinds of mysteries big and small and while it all seems to be going well, not everyone is happy about it.
When asked to look upon some money scam occurring in one of the factories in town, a murder occurs that cascades into a series of events that prompt a bigger swindle than what meets the eye.
This is a straight-to-the-point murder mystery that shares with you just enough to connect the dots and no ramblings (feels well edited). I was exactly in the mood for it and probably the reason it kept me hooked to solve the mystery. I felt that the story has matured to an extent where you can feel the writing style evolving into its crisp version. Most of the characters are from book 1 so I would recommend the readers to read it in chronological order.
The plot is definitely is cozy detective mystery, but don't mistake it for one of those casual murders around a bakery and the protagonist turned into a suspect, the book has much more to offer in its simplicity. It address the roles of women in society, talks about freedom, and a bit of human behaviour and in a way hints at what all you can do with that extra energy in your body. The couple in the book are highly relatable and I liked this one more than book 1 and can't wait to see what's in store for us in the upcoming part.
Thank you @hachette_india and @harini.nagendra for the review copy.
Genre: #murdermystery #historicalfiction #cozymystery
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
#murderunderaredmood
When asked to look upon some money scam occurring in one of the factories in town, a murder occurs that cascades into a series of events that prompt a bigger swindle than what meets the eye.
This is a straight-to-the-point murder mystery that shares with you just enough to connect the dots and no ramblings (feels well edited). I was exactly in the mood for it and probably the reason it kept me hooked to solve the mystery. I felt that the story has matured to an extent where you can feel the writing style evolving into its crisp version. Most of the characters are from book 1 so I would recommend the readers to read it in chronological order.
The plot is definitely is cozy detective mystery, but don't mistake it for one of those casual murders around a bakery and the protagonist turned into a suspect, the book has much more to offer in its simplicity. It address the roles of women in society, talks about freedom, and a bit of human behaviour and in a way hints at what all you can do with that extra energy in your body. The couple in the book are highly relatable and I liked this one more than book 1 and can't wait to see what's in store for us in the upcoming part.
Thank you @hachette_india and @harini.nagendra for the review copy.
Genre: #murdermystery #historicalfiction #cozymystery
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
#murderunderaredmood
October 20, 2024
Actual Rating: 3.25
A series that has become a bit of a palette cleanser for me - easy reading, likable cast of characters, and interesting social commentary!
A series that has become a bit of a palette cleanser for me - easy reading, likable cast of characters, and interesting social commentary!
August 25, 2023
4.75/5
The second installment in The Bangalore Detectives Club Series by Harini Nagendra, Murder Under a Red Moon was quite an interesting read.
Along with our lead detective, Kaveri Murthy, the readers are taken on a whirlwind of an adventure under the red moon. Kaveri seems to be set up for a murder in a factory in the dark of the night while investigating a crisis her mother in law insists her to.
Kaveri is getting involved in things that are far more twisted and complicated than they seem on the surface. The realisation of the same strikes her when she has an attempt on her life. Evidence getting stolen and tampered with, Kaveri is clearly confused. Will she be able to solve this mystery? Or will her life will be the result of her inquisitiveness?
Oh my God! I am in love with the books in this series. The setting of the story, the characters and their interactions, the detectives club and the message from the book comes cohesively to provide the reader a wonderful experience. Character development for this book has been done very well and in a way that keeps the reader hooked to the book. Even the not-so- mysterious moments kept me indulged. I would have loved an even more complex plot though.
What I loved reading was the development of the Bangalore Detectives Club, how it started from one and went on to an odd set of characters, street urchin, neighbours, policeman's wife, a milkman and more. The literal definition of the series title coming to play and develop was one of the most satisfactory moments for me.
Eagerly waiting for the future titles in the series. It's safe to say that I literally cannot wait to read Harini Nagendra's next in this series of detective fiction.
The second installment in The Bangalore Detectives Club Series by Harini Nagendra, Murder Under a Red Moon was quite an interesting read.
Along with our lead detective, Kaveri Murthy, the readers are taken on a whirlwind of an adventure under the red moon. Kaveri seems to be set up for a murder in a factory in the dark of the night while investigating a crisis her mother in law insists her to.
Kaveri is getting involved in things that are far more twisted and complicated than they seem on the surface. The realisation of the same strikes her when she has an attempt on her life. Evidence getting stolen and tampered with, Kaveri is clearly confused. Will she be able to solve this mystery? Or will her life will be the result of her inquisitiveness?
Oh my God! I am in love with the books in this series. The setting of the story, the characters and their interactions, the detectives club and the message from the book comes cohesively to provide the reader a wonderful experience. Character development for this book has been done very well and in a way that keeps the reader hooked to the book. Even the not-so- mysterious moments kept me indulged. I would have loved an even more complex plot though.
What I loved reading was the development of the Bangalore Detectives Club, how it started from one and went on to an odd set of characters, street urchin, neighbours, policeman's wife, a milkman and more. The literal definition of the series title coming to play and develop was one of the most satisfactory moments for me.
Eagerly waiting for the future titles in the series. It's safe to say that I literally cannot wait to read Harini Nagendra's next in this series of detective fiction.
April 6, 2023
When new bride Kaveri Murthy reluctantly agrees to investigate a minor crime to please her domineering mother-in-law– during the blood moon eclipse, no less she doesn’t expect, once again, to stumble upon a murder.
With anti-british sentiment on the rise, a charismatic religious leader growing in influence, and the fight for women’s suffrage gaining steam, Bangalore is turning out to be far more dangerous and treacherous than Kaveri could ever have imagined and everyone's motives are suspect.
Together with the Bangalore Detectives Club—a mixed bag of street urchins, nosy neighbours, an ex-prostitute, and a policeman's wife— Kaveri once again sleuths in her sari and hunts for clues in her beloved 1920s Ford.
But when her life is suddenly put in danger, Kaveri realises that she might be getting uncomfortably close to the truth. So she must now draw on her wits and find the killer . . .before they find her.
I enjoyed this very much, it was amazing! The plot was interesting and it kept me wanting to read more. I was hooked within the first few pages. The way Harini described things was also amazing. I could just picture the things in my head for example, the sari, the food etc.
Can’t wait to read more from Harini and thank you to Netgalley and publishers for this ARC.
With anti-british sentiment on the rise, a charismatic religious leader growing in influence, and the fight for women’s suffrage gaining steam, Bangalore is turning out to be far more dangerous and treacherous than Kaveri could ever have imagined and everyone's motives are suspect.
Together with the Bangalore Detectives Club—a mixed bag of street urchins, nosy neighbours, an ex-prostitute, and a policeman's wife— Kaveri once again sleuths in her sari and hunts for clues in her beloved 1920s Ford.
But when her life is suddenly put in danger, Kaveri realises that she might be getting uncomfortably close to the truth. So she must now draw on her wits and find the killer . . .before they find her.
I enjoyed this very much, it was amazing! The plot was interesting and it kept me wanting to read more. I was hooked within the first few pages. The way Harini described things was also amazing. I could just picture the things in my head for example, the sari, the food etc.
Can’t wait to read more from Harini and thank you to Netgalley and publishers for this ARC.
March 7, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
Predictably, this was amazing. If you like the sound of an Indian Agatha Christie novel, you need to get your hands on this series.
I fell in love with The Bangalore Detective's Club, and this was no less brilliant. I'll always adore how Harini Nagendra uses such vivid imagery in her writing - it always makes me want to go back to South India too (as does the whole recipe book in the back!) This book is set in the 1920s, and is a classic cozy mystery set in Bangalore.
Murder Under a Red Moon centres around embezzlement, which is rapidly followed by a murder. Kaveri, along with an assortment of people, from ex-prostitutes, to police officers, to wealthy wives, must investigate who the murderer is and the motive. The second instalment of the Detective's Club has no shortage of entertainment, beautiful descriptions, and heartwarming moment.
One minor point, though: I could partially guess one of the culprits from the very second we were introduced to them, and this character's involvement seems to appear near the end to be out of the blue, lacking a build-up. That's why I took 0.5 stars off - it was still thoroughly enjoyable.
Predictably, this was amazing. If you like the sound of an Indian Agatha Christie novel, you need to get your hands on this series.
I fell in love with The Bangalore Detective's Club, and this was no less brilliant. I'll always adore how Harini Nagendra uses such vivid imagery in her writing - it always makes me want to go back to South India too (as does the whole recipe book in the back!) This book is set in the 1920s, and is a classic cozy mystery set in Bangalore.
Murder Under a Red Moon centres around embezzlement, which is rapidly followed by a murder. Kaveri, along with an assortment of people, from ex-prostitutes, to police officers, to wealthy wives, must investigate who the murderer is and the motive. The second instalment of the Detective's Club has no shortage of entertainment, beautiful descriptions, and heartwarming moment.
One minor point, though: I could partially guess one of the culprits from the very second we were introduced to them, and this character's involvement seems to appear near the end to be out of the blue, lacking a build-up. That's why I took 0.5 stars off - it was still thoroughly enjoyable.
September 25, 2023
It took me a little while to get into this, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Set in Bangalore, India in the 1920s, it centers Kaveri Murthy, a newlywed who loves math and who tutors women in her neighborhood who want to learn how to read in her spare time. After solving her first murder case, Kaveri has set up shop as an amateur detective. She's shocked when her mother-in-law, of all people, brings her into a case to help a friend investigate a possible case of embezzlement in the family business, a factory. Kaveri's investigations lead her into meeting new people and herself becoming the target of murderous attempts to getting her out of the way. It's an interesting look at this time and place, when talk of independence is gaining in volume among the Indian people. I will read another by this author, and look forward to the third in this series.
June 4, 2023
I’m not a huge cozy mystery fan, and this series is pretty darn cozy (it even includes recipes, for goodness’ sake)…and the mystery is kind of lame. But I love the setting and the plucky(!) heroine, and all the cultural/historical information that gets awkwardly included is pretty fascinating to me—so I’ll probably continue with it anyway.
April 1, 2023
Absolutely Love this series!! More Review to come
May 6, 2023
Murder Under a Red Moon Earns 5+/5 Peacocks … “Couldn’t Put Down” Exciting!
It’s 1921, Bangalore, India. Young Kaveri Murthy, wife of the local doctor, is suspicious of her mother-in-law’s motives to join her at the local animal show, but it soon becomes clear when she finds herself steered toward a shade tree, where, not by accident, she meets, Mrs. Shanthi Sharma, her mother-in-law’s cousin. The woman has a sensitive matter she wishes to discuss away from gossips and snoops. Her husband owns the successful Sampangi Mills, and with money missing, she suspects embezzlement and the involvement of her step-daughter’s fiancé. It’s too delicate a matter to involve the police, so, with surprising encouragement from her mother-in-law, Kaveri agrees to look into it. She resists meeting with Mr. Sharma during the evening’s lunar eclipse (aka night of the blood moon), but as Shanthi points out the factory will be all but vacant of prying eyes, and she can meet with her husband in private. It doesn’t go well, when a suspicious note sends her early to the factory, Kaveri, with her friend Inspector Ismail in tow, hears a gunshot and finds Mr. Sharma dead in his office with Kaveri’s missing necklace in his grasp. It just got complicated for the budding detective.
Harini Nagendra penned an exciting, complex story for the second book in The Bangalore Detectives Club series rich with 1920s’ flair, Indian culture and religion, the role of women in society, and the historical conflict with the British. The crime occurred early in the book, my preference, and started out as a traditional murder mystery with family of the victim at the top of the suspect list, but it’s made intense suggesting Kaveri may be a target. This doesn’t deter our young detective as she scrutinizes the victim, his business, and the family with realistic detecting methods and involving an eclectic group of women and local urchins in spying or undercover schemes. The story also takes on more complex themes (domestic abuse, the drug trade, religious frauds, and disparity between the haves and have nots) along with details on culture and societal norms, a strong female lead with a healthy marriage, diverse multi-generational personalities, and an authentic interpretation of colonial India. Kaveri’s connection with law enforcement is friendly and collaborative, but there are social dictates and a British hierarchy she needs to navigate carefully. This is a favorite series, I highly recommend mystery fans not miss!
Bonuses Not to Miss! Kaveri’s Dictionary with definitions or translations, Recipes for a Mid-afternoon Meeting of the Bangalore Detective Club (South Indian filter coffee, Musk melon rasayana, Maddur vada, Uppittu, and Coconut barfi), Historical Notes into the coffee industry, inspiring women, the cocaine trade, Lord Garuda, silversmiths, and a martial art form, and the Acknowledgments that gives credit to the various family, friends, and experts who contributed to this exciting book.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author and Pegasus publisher thru Edelweiss Plus. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
It’s 1921, Bangalore, India. Young Kaveri Murthy, wife of the local doctor, is suspicious of her mother-in-law’s motives to join her at the local animal show, but it soon becomes clear when she finds herself steered toward a shade tree, where, not by accident, she meets, Mrs. Shanthi Sharma, her mother-in-law’s cousin. The woman has a sensitive matter she wishes to discuss away from gossips and snoops. Her husband owns the successful Sampangi Mills, and with money missing, she suspects embezzlement and the involvement of her step-daughter’s fiancé. It’s too delicate a matter to involve the police, so, with surprising encouragement from her mother-in-law, Kaveri agrees to look into it. She resists meeting with Mr. Sharma during the evening’s lunar eclipse (aka night of the blood moon), but as Shanthi points out the factory will be all but vacant of prying eyes, and she can meet with her husband in private. It doesn’t go well, when a suspicious note sends her early to the factory, Kaveri, with her friend Inspector Ismail in tow, hears a gunshot and finds Mr. Sharma dead in his office with Kaveri’s missing necklace in his grasp. It just got complicated for the budding detective.
Harini Nagendra penned an exciting, complex story for the second book in The Bangalore Detectives Club series rich with 1920s’ flair, Indian culture and religion, the role of women in society, and the historical conflict with the British. The crime occurred early in the book, my preference, and started out as a traditional murder mystery with family of the victim at the top of the suspect list, but it’s made intense suggesting Kaveri may be a target. This doesn’t deter our young detective as she scrutinizes the victim, his business, and the family with realistic detecting methods and involving an eclectic group of women and local urchins in spying or undercover schemes. The story also takes on more complex themes (domestic abuse, the drug trade, religious frauds, and disparity between the haves and have nots) along with details on culture and societal norms, a strong female lead with a healthy marriage, diverse multi-generational personalities, and an authentic interpretation of colonial India. Kaveri’s connection with law enforcement is friendly and collaborative, but there are social dictates and a British hierarchy she needs to navigate carefully. This is a favorite series, I highly recommend mystery fans not miss!
Bonuses Not to Miss! Kaveri’s Dictionary with definitions or translations, Recipes for a Mid-afternoon Meeting of the Bangalore Detective Club (South Indian filter coffee, Musk melon rasayana, Maddur vada, Uppittu, and Coconut barfi), Historical Notes into the coffee industry, inspiring women, the cocaine trade, Lord Garuda, silversmiths, and a martial art form, and the Acknowledgments that gives credit to the various family, friends, and experts who contributed to this exciting book.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author and Pegasus publisher thru Edelweiss Plus. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
April 28, 2025
In 1921 Bangalore, 19-year-old Kaveri is roped in, by her mother-in-law, to solve a case: her cousin Shanthi, married to wealthy industrialist Mr Sharma, wants Kaveri to investigate a worrying embezzlement of funds from the Sharmas’ factory. But when Kaveri goes for her meeting with the Sharmas, it is to find Mr Sharma dead, murdered.
Who killed Sharma? Who is behind the embezzlement?
Various strands of life are woven into Murder Under a Red Moon. On the one hand, there’s the solving of the mystery, with an unseen and dangerous antagonist. Then, there is Kaveri’s personal life: her relationship with her mother-in-law, in particular, and her work in trying to educate the local women. There are the other people who help out, characters like the irrepressible boy Venu, and the battered wife Anandi…
I found the women characters in this book especially interesting. Of course, there’s the intelligent and feisty Kaveri, but Nagendra manages to work into the plot a range of other women, and all very different types, dimensional characters; daringly modern or traditional, strong-willed and not, independent, self-doubting, ambitious, vulnerable…
The mystery was all right. It wasn’t terribly intriguing, but it wasn’t a complete dud either. I thought a couple of the clues were fairly obvious, but the way Kaveri and her team chase the clues and find the culprit was interesting enough.
Overall, an enjoyable book. A decent mystery, an interesting insight into Bangalore of the early 1920s, and overall pretty entertaining. Also, given that Nagendra provides recipes of some of the dishes mentioned in the book (food appears frequently and in loving detail in the course of the book), it’s pretty mouthwatering!
(Somewhat longer and more detailed review at my blog, here: https://madhulikareads.wordpress.com/...)
Who killed Sharma? Who is behind the embezzlement?
Various strands of life are woven into Murder Under a Red Moon. On the one hand, there’s the solving of the mystery, with an unseen and dangerous antagonist. Then, there is Kaveri’s personal life: her relationship with her mother-in-law, in particular, and her work in trying to educate the local women. There are the other people who help out, characters like the irrepressible boy Venu, and the battered wife Anandi…
I found the women characters in this book especially interesting. Of course, there’s the intelligent and feisty Kaveri, but Nagendra manages to work into the plot a range of other women, and all very different types, dimensional characters; daringly modern or traditional, strong-willed and not, independent, self-doubting, ambitious, vulnerable…
The mystery was all right. It wasn’t terribly intriguing, but it wasn’t a complete dud either. I thought a couple of the clues were fairly obvious, but the way Kaveri and her team chase the clues and find the culprit was interesting enough.
Overall, an enjoyable book. A decent mystery, an interesting insight into Bangalore of the early 1920s, and overall pretty entertaining. Also, given that Nagendra provides recipes of some of the dishes mentioned in the book (food appears frequently and in loving detail in the course of the book), it’s pretty mouthwatering!
(Somewhat longer and more detailed review at my blog, here: https://madhulikareads.wordpress.com/...)
May 27, 2023
As a young woman with progressive ideas, Kaveri is somewhat at odds with her mother-in-law, Bhargavi. Bhargavi is a woman who believes Kaveri's proclivity for detecting is an improper pastime for a woman, and she is not quiet about that fact. So, when Bhargavi asks Kaveri to take on a case for her childhood friend and her husband, Kaveri is surprised and driven to please her mother-in-law. And what ensues leads to embezzlement, murder, attempted entrapment, and kidnapping.
I found the plot to be intriguing and the villain(s) turned out to be really bad and the stakes much higher. Within this story we get to see the Bangalore Detectives Club work their magic with an eclectic group of people from different castes and walks of life. I really enjoyed the women that surround Kaveri and their unique perspectives. I also loved how we got to see more development for Bhargavi as an individual, and as Kaveri's mother-in-law. And lastly, I love Kaveri and Ramu's connection-they have such a sweet cadence to their relationship.
The only aspect that didn't entirely flow for me was the writing. When I read the first book I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. When physically reading this book, the writing did not flow; there was just some disconnect there that made the reading experience a tad more laborious.
Overall, I am really enjoying this historical mystery series. Not only are we getting to follow an amateur detective and her cohorts, but we get to experience the significant precursors of change in India during the early twentieth century.
3.5✨’s
I found the plot to be intriguing and the villain(s) turned out to be really bad and the stakes much higher. Within this story we get to see the Bangalore Detectives Club work their magic with an eclectic group of people from different castes and walks of life. I really enjoyed the women that surround Kaveri and their unique perspectives. I also loved how we got to see more development for Bhargavi as an individual, and as Kaveri's mother-in-law. And lastly, I love Kaveri and Ramu's connection-they have such a sweet cadence to their relationship.
The only aspect that didn't entirely flow for me was the writing. When I read the first book I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. When physically reading this book, the writing did not flow; there was just some disconnect there that made the reading experience a tad more laborious.
Overall, I am really enjoying this historical mystery series. Not only are we getting to follow an amateur detective and her cohorts, but we get to experience the significant precursors of change in India during the early twentieth century.
3.5✨’s
April 4, 2023
I loved the first entry into this series, but this one fell a little flat for me. Kaveri and Ramu are still a compelling couple, but I struggled with the dialogue. It was very forced and clunky, and in some parts felt totally divorced from the character who was speaking. Instead of it reading as natural conversation between two or more characters, the dialogue instead felt like a direct vehicle for the author to move the story forward and give the reader the information they needed. It ended up feeling like the author was telling me the story, rather than the characters showing me the story. Still, if there is a third book I will still pick it up based off of the strength of the first one.
August 5, 2023
I am loving this series. The Kaveri and Ramu series takes place in 1920's Bangalore, India. I love the main pov character Kaveri, she is smart, kind, and an all-round good person. Kaveri and Ramu have such a lovely relationship. They have only been married for a year and they have such love and respect for each other it is such a delight to read. I also like that Kaveri has gathered other women around her from all castes and religions and how they all end up helping with the mystery and each other when one of them has a problem. The mystery was a good one and I loved getting to learn more about this time in India.
May 7, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this second mystery in Harini Nagendra's series. Set in Bangalore, India, in the 1920's, Kaveri Murthy has a new mystery to solve: who murdered her mother-in-law's cousin's husband? The pace never lets up, resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to Book Number Three.
June 23, 2023
I liked the setting of 1920s Bangalore and it seems pretty rooted in locale. Also the protagonists are generally quite relatable and intriguing.
I thought the book had a good sense of place and time but the actual detective story was weaker in this one. Would have liked to give it 3.5 stars
I thought the book had a good sense of place and time but the actual detective story was weaker in this one. Would have liked to give it 3.5 stars
August 16, 2023
3.5 stars
Rtc
Happy Reading!!
Rtc
Happy Reading!!
June 4, 2023
This is the second book in the Bangalore Detectives Club series and the second book by Harini Nagendra that I have read. The books feature newly wed amateur sleuth Kaveri Murthy. The events of this book take place a few weeks after Kaveri has solved her first case and become well-known as a lady detective in 1920s Bangalore.
As the new bride of the local doctor, Kaveri is trying to work out her relationship with her mother-in-law and so when the mother-in-law's cousin, Shanti Sharma, wants to enlist her help in finding out who has been embezzling money from her husband's factory, Kaveri feels she cannot refuse. But when she goes to the factory at the appointed time to meet with Mr. Sharma, she finds him dead. Not only has he been murdered but he is holding a chain belonging to Kaveri in his hands.
Obviously, someone is trying to implicate Kaveri in his murder, but why? And who could it be? Has Shanti rid herself of an unwanted husband and set up Kaveri to take the fall? Or could it be her stepdaughter Chitra who was being forced against her will to get married? And then there is that very suspicious swami who Kaveri believes cannot be trusted. There seems to be no shortage of possible suspects.
Kaveri is Hindu but she has become good friends with the local policeman, a Muslim named Ismail. Nagendra manages to include colorful descriptions of the culture of the region and to explore the differences between Hinduism and Islam which later caused so much conflict.
She is able to reveal the culture and the differences through her descriptions of the people whom Kaveri enlists in her "posse" which includes such diverse people as a prostitute and a policeman's wife. There are even a couple of street urchins who seem to have appointed themselves as her helpers.
Kaveri has also assumed the role of teacher to help her women neighbors learn how to read and write. There are, in fact, several subplots playing out here which added interest and complications to the main story.
In the Bangalore of the 1920s, anti-British sentiment is on the rise, the women's suffrage movement is growing in influence, and a religious leader's sway over his followers continues to expand. It makes for an unpredictable and dangerous atmosphere, but Kaveri is undeterred! Her curiosity and her determination will not let her give up on any mystery until she has solved it. I foresee an interesting future as a detective for her.
As the new bride of the local doctor, Kaveri is trying to work out her relationship with her mother-in-law and so when the mother-in-law's cousin, Shanti Sharma, wants to enlist her help in finding out who has been embezzling money from her husband's factory, Kaveri feels she cannot refuse. But when she goes to the factory at the appointed time to meet with Mr. Sharma, she finds him dead. Not only has he been murdered but he is holding a chain belonging to Kaveri in his hands.
Obviously, someone is trying to implicate Kaveri in his murder, but why? And who could it be? Has Shanti rid herself of an unwanted husband and set up Kaveri to take the fall? Or could it be her stepdaughter Chitra who was being forced against her will to get married? And then there is that very suspicious swami who Kaveri believes cannot be trusted. There seems to be no shortage of possible suspects.
Kaveri is Hindu but she has become good friends with the local policeman, a Muslim named Ismail. Nagendra manages to include colorful descriptions of the culture of the region and to explore the differences between Hinduism and Islam which later caused so much conflict.
She is able to reveal the culture and the differences through her descriptions of the people whom Kaveri enlists in her "posse" which includes such diverse people as a prostitute and a policeman's wife. There are even a couple of street urchins who seem to have appointed themselves as her helpers.
Kaveri has also assumed the role of teacher to help her women neighbors learn how to read and write. There are, in fact, several subplots playing out here which added interest and complications to the main story.
In the Bangalore of the 1920s, anti-British sentiment is on the rise, the women's suffrage movement is growing in influence, and a religious leader's sway over his followers continues to expand. It makes for an unpredictable and dangerous atmosphere, but Kaveri is undeterred! Her curiosity and her determination will not let her give up on any mystery until she has solved it. I foresee an interesting future as a detective for her.
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