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Bangalore Detectives Club #1
The Bangalore Detectives Club
The first in a charming, joyful crime series set in 1920s Bangalore, featuring sari-wearing detective Kaveri and her husband Ramu.
When clever, headstrong Kaveri moves to Bangalore to marry handsome young doctor Ramu, she's resigned herself to a quiet life.
But that all changes the night of the party at the Century Club, where she escapes to the garden for some peace and quiet—and instead spots an uninvited guest in the shadows. Half an hour later, the party turns into a murder scene.
When a vulnerable woman is connected to the crime, Kaveri becomes determined to save her and launches a private investigation to find the killer, tracing his steps from an illustrious brothel to an Englishman's mansion. She soon finds that sleuthing in a sari isn't as hard as it seems when you have a talent for mathematics, a head for logic, and a doctor for a husband . . .
And she's going to need them all as the case leads her deeper into a hotbed of danger, sedition, and intrigue in Bangalore's darkest alleyways.
When clever, headstrong Kaveri moves to Bangalore to marry handsome young doctor Ramu, she's resigned herself to a quiet life.
But that all changes the night of the party at the Century Club, where she escapes to the garden for some peace and quiet—and instead spots an uninvited guest in the shadows. Half an hour later, the party turns into a murder scene.
When a vulnerable woman is connected to the crime, Kaveri becomes determined to save her and launches a private investigation to find the killer, tracing his steps from an illustrious brothel to an Englishman's mansion. She soon finds that sleuthing in a sari isn't as hard as it seems when you have a talent for mathematics, a head for logic, and a doctor for a husband . . .
And she's going to need them all as the case leads her deeper into a hotbed of danger, sedition, and intrigue in Bangalore's darkest alleyways.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,424 reviews
April 5, 2022
This is the first in Harini Nagendra's historical crime fiction series set in the state of Mysore and the bustling city of Bangalore at the beginning of the 1920s in an India under British colonial rule where political protests are beginning to grow. Young bride, Kaveri, obsessed with Mathematics, has moved to Bangalore to be with her husband, Dr Ramu Murthy working at the Bowring Hospital run by Dr Charles Roberts, married to Daphne. She is apprehensive as to what awaits her, fortunately Ramu proves to be a wonderful and progressive husband, who adores his wife, at a time where a woman's dreams are dependent on just how fragile the male ego is. For Kaveri, it is her mother in law that is the problem, expecting her to adhere to the strict and rigid social expectations of women not to be educated, to cook and clean, have children and centre their lives around the man and his whims.
As Kaveri finds her feet, she is studying mathematics with a view to attending college, she begins to establish a close social circle of friends and a unconventional sense of community that defies the norms underlying caste, class and women. This is to hold her in good stead when she begins to investigate a murder that takes place at the Century Club Dinner she is attending, the victim is a local pimp, Ponnuswamy. She is aided by a number of people, she befriends elderly neighbour, Uma aunty, who helps her to learn new recipes to cook for Ramu as well as joining Kaveri's exploits to find the killer. Ramu has various concerns and worries about her investigating, but as he is to learn, Kaveri will do what she must, so accepts her for who she is and helps instead. Then there is Deputy Inspector Ismail, unlike many police officers, he is not corrupt, and has no problems welcoming, accepting and encouraging Kaveri's input in the case. However, they all have to race against time to prevent a miscarriage of justice taking place.
Nagendra may well be writing cosy crime fiction but it takes place amidst a nation with a growing movement planning to overthrow the British who are determined to continue exploiting the 'natives' for profit and perpetuating a deeply racist culture steeped in their beliefs in their own superiority. The creation of Kaveri as the central protagonist is one of the highlights, she is a delight, coming to terms with who she is and what she stands for. She has a strong sense of compassion, helping others, teaching literacy, and lets nothing stand in her way, whether they be rules that prohibit her from doing what needs to be done or the people who stand in her way. There are explicit references to Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie's Poirot and Lady Molly, not to mention the emerging science of finger prints. This is crime fiction that began to increasingly captivate me the more I read, there are vibrant and rich descriptions of the locations, food, clothing and culture. There are recipes included at the end, along with a short coverage of Bangalore's history as well. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
As Kaveri finds her feet, she is studying mathematics with a view to attending college, she begins to establish a close social circle of friends and a unconventional sense of community that defies the norms underlying caste, class and women. This is to hold her in good stead when she begins to investigate a murder that takes place at the Century Club Dinner she is attending, the victim is a local pimp, Ponnuswamy. She is aided by a number of people, she befriends elderly neighbour, Uma aunty, who helps her to learn new recipes to cook for Ramu as well as joining Kaveri's exploits to find the killer. Ramu has various concerns and worries about her investigating, but as he is to learn, Kaveri will do what she must, so accepts her for who she is and helps instead. Then there is Deputy Inspector Ismail, unlike many police officers, he is not corrupt, and has no problems welcoming, accepting and encouraging Kaveri's input in the case. However, they all have to race against time to prevent a miscarriage of justice taking place.
Nagendra may well be writing cosy crime fiction but it takes place amidst a nation with a growing movement planning to overthrow the British who are determined to continue exploiting the 'natives' for profit and perpetuating a deeply racist culture steeped in their beliefs in their own superiority. The creation of Kaveri as the central protagonist is one of the highlights, she is a delight, coming to terms with who she is and what she stands for. She has a strong sense of compassion, helping others, teaching literacy, and lets nothing stand in her way, whether they be rules that prohibit her from doing what needs to be done or the people who stand in her way. There are explicit references to Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie's Poirot and Lady Molly, not to mention the emerging science of finger prints. This is crime fiction that began to increasingly captivate me the more I read, there are vibrant and rich descriptions of the locations, food, clothing and culture. There are recipes included at the end, along with a short coverage of Bangalore's history as well. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
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January 16, 2023A murder mystery set in the Raj where detective and sidekick are both Indian, which I only now realise it's quite weird that's unusual. And by weird I mean absolutely typical of publishing.
File this one under 'fun but flawed'. I greatly enjoyed the setting, the characters are fun, and it's a good mystery, and the story rattles along with verve, but it really did need a hefty edit to smooth out the writing, which is pretty clunky. (What is the publisher even for at this point? Why wasn't this given the thorough copy edit that would have set it singing?) Hopefully the author will settle into her stride, or be given a competent editor, because there's so much to love here.
File this one under 'fun but flawed'. I greatly enjoyed the setting, the characters are fun, and it's a good mystery, and the story rattles along with verve, but it really did need a hefty edit to smooth out the writing, which is pretty clunky. (What is the publisher even for at this point? Why wasn't this given the thorough copy edit that would have set it singing?) Hopefully the author will settle into her stride, or be given a competent editor, because there's so much to love here.
May 4, 2022
I picked up this book, intrigued by the premise and already having loved books by Sujata Massey and Nev March featuring Indian women sleuths. Sadly, this one didn't live up to my hopes, and since I have seen nothing but glowing reviews, I'm going to explain why:
1. The characters felt underdeveloped. Yes, Kaveri and Ramu are a delightful couple who display modern thinking, but their investigations felt too easy in that they rarely came up against someone with more traditional views, and thus they rarely had to face any challenges of their already-formed beliefs -- and grow. We're simply told of Kaveri's background but not really shown how she went from a very traditional home to having an education and an equal partnership with her husband. (Just a few comments of "oh how lucky I am that this arranged marriage worked out so well!" from the both of them.)
2. The writing was awkward at times. Part of this came from a LOT of hopping between POVs, but the dialogue sections also had a tendency to pull me out of the story because the writing outside the quotes felt stilted. One example: Ramu and Kaveri are speaking on the phone, and one paragraph has Ramu shaking his head and then realizing he can't be seen on the phone, and the next paragraph (from Kaveri's POV) has her nodding. Things like this are presumably meant to add to helping the reader understand what the characters are thinking, but it seemed pointless.
3. What was the point of the prologue? Is it meant to set us up for the next book? If so, why put it at the beginning?
All of these things are relatively nitpicky, I know, but it does diminish my personal reading experience when I come across them in any book. I was ready to give this book an average 3 stars, though, until the very end. While I guessed the murderer early on, I really REALLY hated how this character was ultimately developed and then demonized.
I hope the author's next book is an improvement, because I do like what she did with the setting and bringing in historical references and context. I would love to read more mysteries with South Asian protagonists, written by South Asian authors. This one, however, does not get high marks from me.
1. The characters felt underdeveloped. Yes, Kaveri and Ramu are a delightful couple who display modern thinking, but their investigations felt too easy in that they rarely came up against someone with more traditional views, and thus they rarely had to face any challenges of their already-formed beliefs -- and grow. We're simply told of Kaveri's background but not really shown how she went from a very traditional home to having an education and an equal partnership with her husband. (Just a few comments of "oh how lucky I am that this arranged marriage worked out so well!" from the both of them.)
2. The writing was awkward at times. Part of this came from a LOT of hopping between POVs, but the dialogue sections also had a tendency to pull me out of the story because the writing outside the quotes felt stilted. One example: Ramu and Kaveri are speaking on the phone, and one paragraph has Ramu shaking his head and then realizing he can't be seen on the phone, and the next paragraph (from Kaveri's POV) has her nodding. Things like this are presumably meant to add to helping the reader understand what the characters are thinking, but it seemed pointless.
3. What was the point of the prologue? Is it meant to set us up for the next book? If so, why put it at the beginning?
All of these things are relatively nitpicky, I know, but it does diminish my personal reading experience when I come across them in any book. I was ready to give this book an average 3 stars, though, until the very end. While I guessed the murderer early on, I really REALLY hated how this character was ultimately developed and then demonized.
I hope the author's next book is an improvement, because I do like what she did with the setting and bringing in historical references and context. I would love to read more mysteries with South Asian protagonists, written by South Asian authors. This one, however, does not get high marks from me.
June 20, 2024
The Bangalore Detectives Club combines a cozy mystery with historical fiction that actually gave me a feel for the time and place. It’s 1920s India and it’s still a British Colony. Kaveri is a young wife of an Indian doctor who becomes a willing accomplice to the local detective. The couple are at a club dinner when a murder takes place. Kaveri had stepped into the garden for a bit of quiet so witnessed a stranger there.
I liked that for once, the husband supported his wife’s intelligence and efforts to help someone. They have a very progressive, loving marriage which added to my enjoyment of the story. It was also interesting that Kaveri doesn’t feel bound by the typical caste and honor restrictions of the day. It also worked well that the actual detective was pleased by her help.
I did not foresee who was behind the murders and I enjoyed watching how Kaveri, her husband and the detective bring the murderer to justice. It’s not a fast paced book but it did keep my interest throughout.
I listened to this and Soneela Nankani did a nice job as the narrator.
I liked that for once, the husband supported his wife’s intelligence and efforts to help someone. They have a very progressive, loving marriage which added to my enjoyment of the story. It was also interesting that Kaveri doesn’t feel bound by the typical caste and honor restrictions of the day. It also worked well that the actual detective was pleased by her help.
I did not foresee who was behind the murders and I enjoyed watching how Kaveri, her husband and the detective bring the murderer to justice. It’s not a fast paced book but it did keep my interest throughout.
I listened to this and Soneela Nankani did a nice job as the narrator.
November 13, 2023
3.0 very “meh” stars, one for the D&I. If I hadn’t really, really needed this book to finish up a bunch of challenges it would’ve been a hard DNF. And while I did appreciate the very interesting look at late-colonial India and the caste system & it’s awful racism & misogyny of that particular time & place - the mystery itself fell very flat & did not sustain my interest, and the perp was super easy to figure out. The dialogue & amateur detective MC were also incredibly frustrating and made me want to toss my iPad across the room at times. This one also took way, way too long to get through, too. 🤷🏻♀️ just a nope from me…
June 7, 2022
I was sure I was going to love this new historical mystery set in 1921 Bangalore, India, featuring a headstrong, smart young woman trying to solve a murder. Unfortunately, I just couldn't buy into the characters at all. Kaveri is newly married to Ramu, and both of them have *extremely* modern thinking for that period of time, but no real reason shown for why they're both so vastly ahead of their time in terms of the role of women, the caste system, etc. Remarkably, they don't even have any conflicts with anyone they come across challenging their modern ways, including an older police detective who welcomes them into the murder investigation with open arms, immediately sharing information with them and even getting their assistance in finding the killer. I could have perhaps accepted all of this, however skeptically, but the writing was quite stilted, making the entire process of reading this book a slog. There were also little historical details that didn't fit, such as Kaveri referencing one of her heroes Hercule Poirot - who first appeared in print in the U.S. in 1920 and in the U.K. in 1921. I would have loved more rich detail about Bangalore, but honestly it felt like the story could have taken place anywhere. Overall, beautiful cover and a promising synopsis that the book just couldn't live up to.
March 1, 2023
A cozy mystery for fans of historical India.
Kaveri is a young bride with a strong sense of justice and equality, making her instantly lovable to the reader. I liked the book exploring women and women’s rights in the 20’s in addition to the mystery, which, unfortunately, was a little weak. Even I was able to predict the killer and that’s not good as I’m easy to fool. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it fine, reading books set in India is always a pleasure.
Kaveri is a young bride with a strong sense of justice and equality, making her instantly lovable to the reader. I liked the book exploring women and women’s rights in the 20’s in addition to the mystery, which, unfortunately, was a little weak. Even I was able to predict the killer and that’s not good as I’m easy to fool. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it fine, reading books set in India is always a pleasure.
May 4, 2022
The Bangalore Detective's Club is the sort of reliable historical (and international) mystery novel appreciated by readers looking for entertainment that isn't entirely frivolous. Set in early 20th Century India under British rule and a time of tensions between traditional and new outlooks, the novel features a female "detective," recently married Kaveri who is more educated than most women of her time, who loves math and longs for freedoms that many in her world would like to deny her. She is, however, lucky in her husband, Ramu, a doctor who makes a genuine effort to allow her to chart her own direction in life. The mystery itself occupies a territorysomewhere between gripping and predictable: it doesn't offer a lot of surprises, but it also isn't painfully predictable.
If you appreciate historical and/or international cozy mysteries, you'll want to check out this title. I plan to keep looking for new volumes—this book suggests that future volumes will become increasingly engaging with an increasingly well developed cast of characters.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via EdelweissPlus; the opinions are my own.
If you appreciate historical and/or international cozy mysteries, you'll want to check out this title. I plan to keep looking for new volumes—this book suggests that future volumes will become increasingly engaging with an increasingly well developed cast of characters.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via EdelweissPlus; the opinions are my own.
May 25, 2022
Nagendra introduces the intriguing Kaveri in her new mystery series. The setting is 1920s India and the inquisitive Kaveri decides to investigate the murder of a man that took place at a garden party she and her husband, Ramu, attended. Kaveri, and her physician husband form a true partnership over the course of the novel. Kaveri loves puzzles—she enjoys studying mathematics and is familiar with Sherlock Holmes-style deductive reasoning. I am looking forward to Nagendra’s next offering in the series.
June 7, 2022
This was a rather poor book. The language and writing style is fitting to a typical TV serial soap opera you would see on Indian TV channels. What was missing was a typical K-serial style *dun dun dun* music and special effects.
The protagonist (the "detective") is a barely just out of high-school woman who has recently got married. She has no credentials or background that would make her any good detective. Her idol is Sherlock Holmes (who doesn't like Holmes?), but Holmes is a middle-aged man with decades of experience with forensic analysis, and a keen observer, which is what makes him a great detective. No such credentials are established for the protagonist, Kaveri. She faces no challenges whatsoever. Her husband just does whatever she wants him to do, with barely any pushback. The author wants to write a progressive story about a woman in the 1920s India trying to break the stereotypes, but the writing just doesn't depict the reality. Kaveri's mother-in-law, who is supposedly more conservative, is conveniently away for the entire book, so Kaveri gets no pushback to her transgressions. Everybody is either too afraid of her (mostly from the lower classes) or is easily converted to her side (e.g. her husband or her neighbour).
This would have been a better book if Kaveri was a 14-year-old high-schooler in a YA/children's adventure novel. In fact, many children's adventure books I read as a kid had better stories and writing than this.
The protagonist (the "detective") is a barely just out of high-school woman who has recently got married. She has no credentials or background that would make her any good detective. Her idol is Sherlock Holmes (who doesn't like Holmes?), but Holmes is a middle-aged man with decades of experience with forensic analysis, and a keen observer, which is what makes him a great detective. No such credentials are established for the protagonist, Kaveri. She faces no challenges whatsoever. Her husband just does whatever she wants him to do, with barely any pushback. The author wants to write a progressive story about a woman in the 1920s India trying to break the stereotypes, but the writing just doesn't depict the reality. Kaveri's mother-in-law, who is supposedly more conservative, is conveniently away for the entire book, so Kaveri gets no pushback to her transgressions. Everybody is either too afraid of her (mostly from the lower classes) or is easily converted to her side (e.g. her husband or her neighbour).
This would have been a better book if Kaveri was a 14-year-old high-schooler in a YA/children's adventure novel. In fact, many children's adventure books I read as a kid had better stories and writing than this.
July 3, 2022
The Bangalore Detectives Club by Harini Nagendra, first in the crime series set in 1920s Bangalore featuring sari-wearing detective Kaveri and her husband Ramu.
1920s was the time when India was still under British Rule and protests were growing with time. I loved the character development in this book. It's a bit slow start but once the book picks up the mystery and suspense is thrilling to read about.
However, the writing style of the author is something that did not fit for me. Alongside Kaveri and Ramu solving the mystery, we also get to see many more layers attached to the story in terms of family dynamics, politics, etc.
Kaveri's special recipes are attached at the end of the of the book. I am hoping the second book and further in the series to be more captivating along with some more twists and turns.
1920s was the time when India was still under British Rule and protests were growing with time. I loved the character development in this book. It's a bit slow start but once the book picks up the mystery and suspense is thrilling to read about.
However, the writing style of the author is something that did not fit for me. Alongside Kaveri and Ramu solving the mystery, we also get to see many more layers attached to the story in terms of family dynamics, politics, etc.
Kaveri's special recipes are attached at the end of the of the book. I am hoping the second book and further in the series to be more captivating along with some more twists and turns.
June 12, 2024
It is tempting to call this a cozy mystery with amateur sleuths working together with the police in 1920s colonial Bangalore. It has that Agatha Christie vibe from the Poirot books set in that time. But this story has a dark underbelly for sure.
Our main couple are newlyweds who are just getting to know each other and that was so sweet it distracted me from how horrible the murders were, the insufferable attitudes of the British living in India, and the abject poverty of the lower classes/castes (who faced actual starvation, sex trafficking, and slavery.)
The author did a great job balancing all that and i enjoyed it enough to seek out the nect book in the series!
Our main couple are newlyweds who are just getting to know each other and that was so sweet it distracted me from how horrible the murders were, the insufferable attitudes of the British living in India, and the abject poverty of the lower classes/castes (who faced actual starvation, sex trafficking, and slavery.)
The author did a great job balancing all that and i enjoyed it enough to seek out the nect book in the series!
January 15, 2023
What an amazing historical cozy mystery, set in British-ruled Bangalore of 1921! Modern husband Rama Murthy supports his clever, educated wife Kaveri are at a dinner part of Indian and British doctors when a man is murdered just outside the Century Club in the garden. Kaveri witnesses the man’s appearance and that of their milkman and an exotic beauty. When their milkman is accused of the murder, Kaveri finds it her duty to see justice done.
Harini Nagendra’s debut novel was 13 years in the making. Herself a Bangalore resident, she’s infused this page-turner with the sights, sounds and even smells of pre-partition India. I could not stop reading! Here’s to hoping that it won’t be another 13 years before we get a sequel!
Harini Nagendra’s debut novel was 13 years in the making. Herself a Bangalore resident, she’s infused this page-turner with the sights, sounds and even smells of pre-partition India. I could not stop reading! Here’s to hoping that it won’t be another 13 years before we get a sequel!
December 7, 2022
I was delighted when I came across this book because it is set in Bengaluru, my city! Of course I had to read it.
First, I really enjoyed the setting that included places so familiar to me and a very important part of my life growing up here like Lalbagh and Cubbon park. The temples and some of the legendary historical figures mentioned are all those I have visited and learnt about.
Coming to the characters, Kaveri is delightful, representing a young woman ahead of her time, curious about the world, eager to get out and educate herself and hoping to secure a job once she has a degree. Of course she is living in the 1920s and belongs to a conservative family that got her married very early although she managed to study far more than other girls around her. Her husband, Ramu,a doctor at Bowring Hospital, another landmark of the city, is remarkably progressive, uncomfortable about working for the British government that is oppressive to Indians and very encouraging of his wife's attempts at independence. Dream couple? Sounds unbelievable? Maybe, but I loved the idea of such a marriage existing in a time when women had no rights and Indians were driven to seek freedom from colonial rule. A loving husband who breaks the norm and is ready to handle the opinions of the more patriarchal around him confidently.. definitely a plus!
Attending a dinner with her husband and his doctor colleagues, Kaveri is stunned when a murder takes place in the middle of the meal and even more so when a vulnerable family she wants to help are caught in the investigation. She has a logical mind, as evidenced by her desire to study Mathematics and so employs it to figure out who wanted the victim dead. Of course her doctor husband, though apprehensive, lends his support.
If you regularly read crime fiction, the mystery is not complicated, but what I liked here was the unusual combination of the husband and wife, a police investigator and an elderly neighbour working towards the solution. A portrayal of life in Bengaluru, the social and political scene as cries to join the Congress in the independence movement grew more strident and the way Kaveri breaks the mould she is expected to neatly fit into make for a very nice read. Also, the food - lime rice, bisibele bath, filter coffee! Seeing local dishes and favorites on the pages of a book was great! It makes me very happy to read a novel in my favourite genre set in the place that's been my home forever.
First, I really enjoyed the setting that included places so familiar to me and a very important part of my life growing up here like Lalbagh and Cubbon park. The temples and some of the legendary historical figures mentioned are all those I have visited and learnt about.
Coming to the characters, Kaveri is delightful, representing a young woman ahead of her time, curious about the world, eager to get out and educate herself and hoping to secure a job once she has a degree. Of course she is living in the 1920s and belongs to a conservative family that got her married very early although she managed to study far more than other girls around her. Her husband, Ramu,a doctor at Bowring Hospital, another landmark of the city, is remarkably progressive, uncomfortable about working for the British government that is oppressive to Indians and very encouraging of his wife's attempts at independence. Dream couple? Sounds unbelievable? Maybe, but I loved the idea of such a marriage existing in a time when women had no rights and Indians were driven to seek freedom from colonial rule. A loving husband who breaks the norm and is ready to handle the opinions of the more patriarchal around him confidently.. definitely a plus!
Attending a dinner with her husband and his doctor colleagues, Kaveri is stunned when a murder takes place in the middle of the meal and even more so when a vulnerable family she wants to help are caught in the investigation. She has a logical mind, as evidenced by her desire to study Mathematics and so employs it to figure out who wanted the victim dead. Of course her doctor husband, though apprehensive, lends his support.
If you regularly read crime fiction, the mystery is not complicated, but what I liked here was the unusual combination of the husband and wife, a police investigator and an elderly neighbour working towards the solution. A portrayal of life in Bengaluru, the social and political scene as cries to join the Congress in the independence movement grew more strident and the way Kaveri breaks the mould she is expected to neatly fit into make for a very nice read. Also, the food - lime rice, bisibele bath, filter coffee! Seeing local dishes and favorites on the pages of a book was great! It makes me very happy to read a novel in my favourite genre set in the place that's been my home forever.
July 9, 2022
Nineteen year old Kaveri comes to Bangalore to finally start living with her husband of three years, Ramu, who is a doctor. While she struggles to continue to practice her mathematics (evading a disapproving mother-in-law all the while) and traversing the path between traditional and modern, Indian and British, old and new, a mystery comes her way (and Ramu’s, by extension). A strange man is stabbed to death, near the kitchens of the Century Club even as Ramu and his colleagues, along with their wives, gather for dinner at the club.
This wasn’t a very complicated mystery or with too many twists and turns, but it was still satisfying enough, with the clues all fitting together well and the solution making sense. More than anything else, I enjoyed the way Harini Nagendra evokes Bangalore of the 1920s: that was very interesting. The establishments, the way of life, the tensions and stresses between Indian and British and even between different castes, all come through well.
I do wish she’d spent a bit more time building up the relationship between Kaveri and Ramu; there seems to be little tension or even much hesitation between them right from the start, so one doesn’t quite get a taste of the progression of their relationship. True, by the end, they’re good friends, but the journey they’ve made, the distance they’ve travelled, could have been explored better.
And, the recipes at the end of the book made me think: the next Ramu and Kaveri book should have food front and centre, as an integral part of the mystery. Now that would be the icing on the cake (or the gunpowder on the idli, whatever).
This wasn’t a very complicated mystery or with too many twists and turns, but it was still satisfying enough, with the clues all fitting together well and the solution making sense. More than anything else, I enjoyed the way Harini Nagendra evokes Bangalore of the 1920s: that was very interesting. The establishments, the way of life, the tensions and stresses between Indian and British and even between different castes, all come through well.
I do wish she’d spent a bit more time building up the relationship between Kaveri and Ramu; there seems to be little tension or even much hesitation between them right from the start, so one doesn’t quite get a taste of the progression of their relationship. True, by the end, they’re good friends, but the journey they’ve made, the distance they’ve travelled, could have been explored better.
And, the recipes at the end of the book made me think: the next Ramu and Kaveri book should have food front and centre, as an integral part of the mystery. Now that would be the icing on the cake (or the gunpowder on the idli, whatever).
November 13, 2022
This is a cozy mystery set in 1920s India. The author is a Professor of Sustainability who lives in Bangalore.
A young bride, Kaveri, has moved to Bangalore to be with her new husband Ramu. Kaveri is smart and forward-thinking and loves solving calculus equations. Ramu is a doctor at the local hospital. She is afraid Ramu will be firm and traditional in his views but finds him kind and progressive. Ramu introduces her to the English hospital director Dr Charles Roberts, and his wife Daphne. While having dinner at the Century Club they discover a man has been murdered, Ponnuswamy the local pimp.
Kaveri becomes obsessed with helping Deputy Inspector Ismail solve the crime.
This was an enjoyable read which provided some background to the area, including recipes at the end. I struggled somewhat with the number of characters and their names, probably due to listening to the audiobook version. It would have been easier to keep track on a different format. I don’t really like murders when the motivation is blamed on mental health, as it seems a little cliche and perpetuates a misconception.
I would also have liked to see more development of their relationship as it was brand new but didn’t feature greatly. There were also a few inconsistencies such as speaking about her love of complex calculus when she is solving a simple arithmetic problem, and they both seem very modern for the era. Nevertheless these small things aside, Kaveri was a likeable character and I would happily read another of her adventures. 3.5 stars.
A young bride, Kaveri, has moved to Bangalore to be with her new husband Ramu. Kaveri is smart and forward-thinking and loves solving calculus equations. Ramu is a doctor at the local hospital. She is afraid Ramu will be firm and traditional in his views but finds him kind and progressive. Ramu introduces her to the English hospital director Dr Charles Roberts, and his wife Daphne. While having dinner at the Century Club they discover a man has been murdered, Ponnuswamy the local pimp.
Kaveri becomes obsessed with helping Deputy Inspector Ismail solve the crime.
This was an enjoyable read which provided some background to the area, including recipes at the end. I struggled somewhat with the number of characters and their names, probably due to listening to the audiobook version. It would have been easier to keep track on a different format. I don’t really like murders when the motivation is blamed on mental health, as it seems a little cliche and perpetuates a misconception.
I would also have liked to see more development of their relationship as it was brand new but didn’t feature greatly. There were also a few inconsistencies such as speaking about her love of complex calculus when she is solving a simple arithmetic problem, and they both seem very modern for the era. Nevertheless these small things aside, Kaveri was a likeable character and I would happily read another of her adventures. 3.5 stars.
May 4, 2022
I am very fond of this book. Its set during a time where British rule is at its peak and as is the fight for independence. Its the time where classism, sexism, castism are all prevalent. Education is a privilege and is accessible to a select few. Its 1920, Bengaluru and Harni Nagendra's heroine, Kaveri, is a nineteen year old married to a young doctor, Ramu.
Kaveri is a delight throughout. Intelligent, wannabe mathematician and a budding detective, her empathy and compassion pushes her into the heart of a murder mystery that brings multiple communities to forefront. There is Daphne, a British elite, Mala - a prostitute, Manju and his family, Ismail - a cop and Uma Aunty - the friendly neighbor. Only three months in the city and living with her husband, Kaveri navigates the world where her mother-in-law disapproves of educating girls, her husband's continuous support towards her education, Daphne's general colonial attitude and discovering her natural smartness of problem solving.
The author doesn't disregard the social and political issues of the times; they exist in the behavior of the characters, in their reactions towards situations and sometimes, in their hesitancy. Kaveri isn't ignored by men around but is also encouraged. Its reads pleasant and for this story, it also works.
This was quite an enjoyable read and I do hope the author continues to put out more of Kaveri and Ramu's adventures in future.
Kaveri is a delight throughout. Intelligent, wannabe mathematician and a budding detective, her empathy and compassion pushes her into the heart of a murder mystery that brings multiple communities to forefront. There is Daphne, a British elite, Mala - a prostitute, Manju and his family, Ismail - a cop and Uma Aunty - the friendly neighbor. Only three months in the city and living with her husband, Kaveri navigates the world where her mother-in-law disapproves of educating girls, her husband's continuous support towards her education, Daphne's general colonial attitude and discovering her natural smartness of problem solving.
The author doesn't disregard the social and political issues of the times; they exist in the behavior of the characters, in their reactions towards situations and sometimes, in their hesitancy. Kaveri isn't ignored by men around but is also encouraged. Its reads pleasant and for this story, it also works.
This was quite an enjoyable read and I do hope the author continues to put out more of Kaveri and Ramu's adventures in future.
January 2, 2023
A charming tale! Lovely details of the time and place, Bangalore in the 1920s with all the ambiance and cultural restrictions on women. A couple of paragraphs strained credulity but on the whole it was a delightful read.
August 31, 2022
Lots to like, but as so often with first in mystery series: lots of set up.
July 26, 2022
This book is a bit of a mixed bag for me and could be more of a 2.5, but I kind of thought it was "just ok" more than something I liked and would recommend.
I love the setting. Usually, when I think of the 1920s, I think of what I am more familiar with - America's Roaring 20s and England post-WWI. It was interesting to see what was going on in other parts of the world. Unfortunately, I did not get enough of a sense of what was happening in India. There were bits and blurbs, but they felt more like teases. There is the caste system, and there are minor mentions of how it impacts Kaveri's social movements, but it presents no major conflict for her. She doesn't believe in the restraints of class, and nobody she spends any large amount of time with does either. They all have the same mind-set, so instead of giving us an added conflict to sink our teeth into, we get smooth sailing for Kaveri.
I also feel like Kaveri got to navigate the world far more freely than she probably should have. It makes for dull reading to have no moments of real tension. That is, until the end when she confronts the killer.
Just some other things that I found a bit lacking:
- The writing could have used a solid edit. There are moments when things don't make sense (ex. There are a bunch of animal heads on the walls, and Ramu explains to Kaveri that he had asked his father not to display them, and Kaveri goes, 'He didn't listen to you?' No ma'am, because as you can see, they are on the walls.) There are some other inconsistencies that have been pointed out by other reviewers, so I won't repeat them.
- Some of the chapter endings are just...awkward. For example, at the end of Chapter 35.
Ramu shrugged his shoulders. "I still think it's futile. She would have told us if she had seen anything. Roberts knows how critical this case is. Still, I guess there's no harm in it?"
He glanced at Ismail.
And that's it. That's the end of the chapter.
- The ending.
I think this series will be a pass for me in the future.
I love the setting. Usually, when I think of the 1920s, I think of what I am more familiar with - America's Roaring 20s and England post-WWI. It was interesting to see what was going on in other parts of the world. Unfortunately, I did not get enough of a sense of what was happening in India. There were bits and blurbs, but they felt more like teases. There is the caste system, and there are minor mentions of how it impacts Kaveri's social movements, but it presents no major conflict for her. She doesn't believe in the restraints of class, and nobody she spends any large amount of time with does either. They all have the same mind-set, so instead of giving us an added conflict to sink our teeth into, we get smooth sailing for Kaveri.
I also feel like Kaveri got to navigate the world far more freely than she probably should have. It makes for dull reading to have no moments of real tension. That is, until the end when she confronts the killer.
Just some other things that I found a bit lacking:
- The writing could have used a solid edit. There are moments when things don't make sense (ex. There are a bunch of animal heads on the walls, and Ramu explains to Kaveri that he had asked his father not to display them, and Kaveri goes, 'He didn't listen to you?' No ma'am, because as you can see, they are on the walls.) There are some other inconsistencies that have been pointed out by other reviewers, so I won't repeat them.
- Some of the chapter endings are just...awkward. For example, at the end of Chapter 35.
Ramu shrugged his shoulders. "I still think it's futile. She would have told us if she had seen anything. Roberts knows how critical this case is. Still, I guess there's no harm in it?"
He glanced at Ismail.
And that's it. That's the end of the chapter.
- The ending.
I think this series will be a pass for me in the future.
February 13, 2022
Reading the Bangalore Detectives Club novel is like taking a journey back in time, exactly 100 years into the past. Set in the city of Bangalore in the 1920s, the novel captures the essence of a city that is evolving. The fact that the story is located in Basavangudi (the new part of the city back then) hints at the changing times. In that sense, the novel breaks many moulds. While it is dubbed as a crime fiction novel, it is also a social commentary on the many problems that plagued our society back then and to a great extent even today. Be it girls' education, the stigma of caste, or just sheer racism, the author incorporates all these aspects to give a vivid and precise picture of an ancient society plodding into the new world. The best instance of this is how the story's protagonist straddles two worlds, one where her father (and her husband) encourage her to study while her mother-in-law inhibit. The novel also vividly describes Bangalore city, the different parts, from lakes clubs to even Lalbagh.
The novel also pays tribute to all masters of yore, doffing the hat to the classics like Sherlock Holmes, Hercules Poirot and Lady Molly. There is the constant reference to Holmes by the characters. For instance, the police inspector in the story, Ismail, reminds one of Inspector Japp or Lestrade. However, unlike both of them, he seems to be positively in awe and amazement of our detective lady Mrs Kaveri Murthy. The lady, barely twenty, is a curious, free-spirited soul, yearning to break from the shackles. She loves mathematics, is an eager swimmer, and is always ready help or learn new things, including driving a car. Despite the time gap of a century, it is not hard to relate to Kaveri, as even today, we see women pushing the envelope constantly to achieve more. The best part is that she has the avid support of the men, her father and especially her husband. The chemistry between Rama Murthy (husband) and Kaveri is quite engaging.
In the end, please read the book for its cultural and historical nuances. There have been many nuggets that are nestled within the book that reflect the kind of research and hard work that has gone into it. From India, I can't think of many Detectives from Indian soil; there's Byomkesh Bakshi and Feluda. Kaveri can be quite an exciting addition to that lot. Anyways, the author teases us with a promise; the prologue states it clearly that this happens to be the first case of the Bangalore Detectives Club. Indeed, many more cases will come from BDC, and we will be eagerly waiting for them...
September 1, 2024
I have wondered growing up, why India didn't have it's own version of Miss Marple and famous women crime writers. Reading this book, you realise while Dame Christie was thriving in the Golden years of fiction, Indian women were struggling to get educated and fighting patriarchy.
Harini Nagendra's book - the Bangalore Detectives Club is set in 1920s Bengaluru where Kaveri (aptly named), married to Dr.Ramu, is investigating murders in English Country clubs. With an extremely heavy bias set against her - Indian, woman, the book tries to visualise her challenges and her "support".
I found the depiction of Bengaluru with it's parks and lakes and temples nice especially since I see these places today. Harini has slipped in many a trivia that makes city dwellers curious. As to the social norms of the time, we have a lot of aspects to cover.
The mystery in itself was not too complicated and had some familiar tropes. While not exactly cerebral, the book has the old world charm to carry it. I think this series has a lot of potential.
PS: I was in Blossoms the day this book was launched by the author, but left before the actual launch since it was getting too crowded.
Harini Nagendra's book - the Bangalore Detectives Club is set in 1920s Bengaluru where Kaveri (aptly named), married to Dr.Ramu, is investigating murders in English Country clubs. With an extremely heavy bias set against her - Indian, woman, the book tries to visualise her challenges and her "support".
I found the depiction of Bengaluru with it's parks and lakes and temples nice especially since I see these places today. Harini has slipped in many a trivia that makes city dwellers curious. As to the social norms of the time, we have a lot of aspects to cover.
The mystery in itself was not too complicated and had some familiar tropes. While not exactly cerebral, the book has the old world charm to carry it. I think this series has a lot of potential.
PS: I was in Blossoms the day this book was launched by the author, but left before the actual launch since it was getting too crowded.
May 7, 2022
Set in 1920s India, this jewel of a whodunit works really well to illuminate the social mores of the times and introduces us to Kaveri, who is educated well beyond the norm for Indian women of that bygone era.
I enjoyed the adventures of the newly-married Kaveri and her doctor husband Ramu, who sleuth their way into the corridors and bylanes of Bangalore a century ago. The depiction of colonial times, the sights and sounds of another era, and the lovely cozy vibe kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Fans of Sujata Massey and Abir Mukherjee would enjoy this outing of the vibrant nineteen-year old detective, who is drawn into solving a murder.
The insights on racism, casteism, and misogyny, while not didactic, are razor sharp. I look forward to the rest of this historical cozy series, and hope Nagendra will have another one to offer soon!
I enjoyed the adventures of the newly-married Kaveri and her doctor husband Ramu, who sleuth their way into the corridors and bylanes of Bangalore a century ago. The depiction of colonial times, the sights and sounds of another era, and the lovely cozy vibe kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Fans of Sujata Massey and Abir Mukherjee would enjoy this outing of the vibrant nineteen-year old detective, who is drawn into solving a murder.
The insights on racism, casteism, and misogyny, while not didactic, are razor sharp. I look forward to the rest of this historical cozy series, and hope Nagendra will have another one to offer soon!
August 2, 2022
This book stretched my credibility to the breaking point once too often, from the mother-in-law who is conveniently away for the entire book, to a woman who flaunts convention to the extreme, to the perfect husband who not only supports his wife’s educational ambitions but makes her coffee. This does not sound like any Indian family or husband I have met either in fiction or in life. There is very little either cultural or historical information and very little of the story rings true! One star for having an unusual twist to who committed the murder. NOT recommended.
July 19, 2022
and sometimes a debut novel reads as such...
This book is written in a stilted and choppy style. The story is simplistic and basic. The timeline is one huge linear path and the storytelling flat. Keveri and her husband Ramu... and the whole bunch of folks are just too pat and "convenient."
I will not be reading more of this series.
This book is written in a stilted and choppy style. The story is simplistic and basic. The timeline is one huge linear path and the storytelling flat. Keveri and her husband Ramu... and the whole bunch of folks are just too pat and "convenient."
I will not be reading more of this series.
June 1, 2023
4 stars
RTC
Happy Reading!
RTC
Happy Reading!
July 22, 2023
Charming! A fascinating look at a vibrant culture.
August 28, 2022
The Bangalore Detectives Club Earns 5+/5 Silk Saris…Intriguing & Clever Gem!
Young wife Kaveri Murthy is adjusting to life in a new community just outside of Bangalore. She’s disappointed by changes in expectations and restrictions for a married woman as she is unable to study publicly her favorite mathematics subject, choose what she’d like to wear like a bathing costume, and help people in need as she wants like the young milk boy who is showing signs of abuse. The elder brother, Manju, who regularly delivers milk, has frequently been late in his rounds and now has gone missing. Tonight’s reception hosted by the doctor’s association is being held at the Century Club, a place where everyone is welcomed and Indians can freely gather, and since Manju is suppose to be there serving, Kaveri is prepared to “give him an earful” about neglecting his family.
The evening is awkward at times with the English guests and their insensitive remarks, but Kaveri graciously excuses herself when she spots Manju. Instead of giving him a well-deserved scolding, she witnesses him in an animated conversation with an unfamiliar, yet beautiful, woman, his pregnant wife is obviously distraught, and later, the same beautiful woman is manhandled by a strange man. Then, the party is interrupted by a scream and the discovery of the dead body of a local pimp. Kaveri is handed an intriguing mystery she’ll not let anyone stop her from sleuthing, even if it violates societal rules and puts her or others in peril.
I love historical mysteries when set in exotic locations and a bygone era with references to historical events, cultural sites, and historical figures. Harini Nagendra first crime novel set in 1920s India is an engaging read I highly recommend! The young heroine, Kaveri, is a brilliant woman caught at a time when women’s acumen is undervalued, class, caste, or job status is strictly adhered to, and the movement for independence from British rule is heating up. This environment is ripe for greed, violence, conspiracy, and murder, and the journey through colonial India has its varied prejudices, social and gender obstacles, and religious taboos. I was also inspired to do my own googling about the Prince of Wales riots in 1921, Mahatma Gandhi, and the nonviolent resistance movement. Reading a clever mystery with complex issues and well-developed characters along with learning about another country’s history doubles the benefit of this book. “Couldn’t put down” engaging!
Nagendra’s writing style is informative as well as entertaining rich with descriptive language to illustrate both the bright and dark side of the Bangalore community, diverse character appearances and personalities, and the emotional nature of colonialism. The characters are realistic with varied perspectives and motives, and Kaveri shows all the admirable sides of a young woman trying to be the best wife, daughter-in-law, and friend, but she refuses to subjugate herself. Of course, unless it helps her get the details she needs to uncover the truth. Kaveri’s marriage evolves as her husband recognizes her skill at sleuthing, and in supporting her dreams, it may mean she’ll be more than a wife. The book is a great length allowing for in-depth investigation, personal interactions, and growth of characters. I enjoy the chapter lengths which allow for easy reading, and my favorite element…chapter titles. Definitely a top contender for Best of 2022!
Don’t miss the bonuses… “Kaveri’s Dictionary” provides definitions or translations. “Kaveri’s Adventures in the Kitchen” includes the simplified versions of yummy vegetarian treats—Drinks: Majige (Salt Lassi), Sweet Corn and Pomegranate Kosambari, Bisi belle hulk annal (spiced rice with lentils), Beans paliya (dry beans curry), and dry fruit laddus. “A Note on the Setting” offers historical and cultural insights into the place the author calls home. “Acknowledgments” gives background into the writing techniques and resources used to create this exciting book.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Young wife Kaveri Murthy is adjusting to life in a new community just outside of Bangalore. She’s disappointed by changes in expectations and restrictions for a married woman as she is unable to study publicly her favorite mathematics subject, choose what she’d like to wear like a bathing costume, and help people in need as she wants like the young milk boy who is showing signs of abuse. The elder brother, Manju, who regularly delivers milk, has frequently been late in his rounds and now has gone missing. Tonight’s reception hosted by the doctor’s association is being held at the Century Club, a place where everyone is welcomed and Indians can freely gather, and since Manju is suppose to be there serving, Kaveri is prepared to “give him an earful” about neglecting his family.
The evening is awkward at times with the English guests and their insensitive remarks, but Kaveri graciously excuses herself when she spots Manju. Instead of giving him a well-deserved scolding, she witnesses him in an animated conversation with an unfamiliar, yet beautiful, woman, his pregnant wife is obviously distraught, and later, the same beautiful woman is manhandled by a strange man. Then, the party is interrupted by a scream and the discovery of the dead body of a local pimp. Kaveri is handed an intriguing mystery she’ll not let anyone stop her from sleuthing, even if it violates societal rules and puts her or others in peril.
I love historical mysteries when set in exotic locations and a bygone era with references to historical events, cultural sites, and historical figures. Harini Nagendra first crime novel set in 1920s India is an engaging read I highly recommend! The young heroine, Kaveri, is a brilliant woman caught at a time when women’s acumen is undervalued, class, caste, or job status is strictly adhered to, and the movement for independence from British rule is heating up. This environment is ripe for greed, violence, conspiracy, and murder, and the journey through colonial India has its varied prejudices, social and gender obstacles, and religious taboos. I was also inspired to do my own googling about the Prince of Wales riots in 1921, Mahatma Gandhi, and the nonviolent resistance movement. Reading a clever mystery with complex issues and well-developed characters along with learning about another country’s history doubles the benefit of this book. “Couldn’t put down” engaging!
Nagendra’s writing style is informative as well as entertaining rich with descriptive language to illustrate both the bright and dark side of the Bangalore community, diverse character appearances and personalities, and the emotional nature of colonialism. The characters are realistic with varied perspectives and motives, and Kaveri shows all the admirable sides of a young woman trying to be the best wife, daughter-in-law, and friend, but she refuses to subjugate herself. Of course, unless it helps her get the details she needs to uncover the truth. Kaveri’s marriage evolves as her husband recognizes her skill at sleuthing, and in supporting her dreams, it may mean she’ll be more than a wife. The book is a great length allowing for in-depth investigation, personal interactions, and growth of characters. I enjoy the chapter lengths which allow for easy reading, and my favorite element…chapter titles. Definitely a top contender for Best of 2022!
Don’t miss the bonuses… “Kaveri’s Dictionary” provides definitions or translations. “Kaveri’s Adventures in the Kitchen” includes the simplified versions of yummy vegetarian treats—Drinks: Majige (Salt Lassi), Sweet Corn and Pomegranate Kosambari, Bisi belle hulk annal (spiced rice with lentils), Beans paliya (dry beans curry), and dry fruit laddus. “A Note on the Setting” offers historical and cultural insights into the place the author calls home. “Acknowledgments” gives background into the writing techniques and resources used to create this exciting book.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
July 23, 2024
This was a charming, cozyish mystery that I breezed right through. Newly married, nineteen year old Kaveri has moved to bustling Bangalore to begin married life with her new husband Ramu. Though they been married for several years this is the first time they'll be living together and they are still new to each other. One of the most delightful aspects of story is watching the slow, lovely way they begin to genuinely care for each other, though this is an arranged marriage.
The setting, 1920's India, is also wonderously laid out for the reader. Author Narini Nagendra is a long time resident of Bangalore and the rich, ancient history of the city permeates the novel in wonderful ways. There's an electricity and nervous tension everywhere as India grows ever more restless to achieve independence from the British empire.
While a bit light on the actual mystery, as many series openers and cozies often are, there is no shortage of duplicitous bad guys, wacky neighbors, and side quests that I image will be explored further in later novels.
What this lacks in crime solving (its not exactly clear to this reader when the Bangalore Detectives Club forms or who exactly is even in it) it more than makes up for in wonderful descriptions, strong characters and a terrific look into a turbulent time in world history.
The setting, 1920's India, is also wonderously laid out for the reader. Author Narini Nagendra is a long time resident of Bangalore and the rich, ancient history of the city permeates the novel in wonderful ways. There's an electricity and nervous tension everywhere as India grows ever more restless to achieve independence from the British empire.
While a bit light on the actual mystery, as many series openers and cozies often are, there is no shortage of duplicitous bad guys, wacky neighbors, and side quests that I image will be explored further in later novels.
What this lacks in crime solving (its not exactly clear to this reader when the Bangalore Detectives Club forms or who exactly is even in it) it more than makes up for in wonderful descriptions, strong characters and a terrific look into a turbulent time in world history.
June 23, 2023
Harini Nagendra’s The Bangalore Detectives Club will be enjoyed by all those readers who like gentle mysteries and are a fan of historical novels that capture the essence of a place and a time-period along with a memorable central character.
Set in the 1920s, the novel features the young wife (and mathematician on the sly) Kaveri who battles the burden of society’s expectations and boundaries set upon woman in her quest to bring a murderer to justice, and set a wrongly accused woman free. Her partners in this journey include her supportive husband Ramu and her neighbour Uma aunty.
Nagendra creates the portrait of a time gone by and we witness a Bangalore of the past in all its glory. The socio-economic mores of the time as well as the interpersonal relationships between the characters give the readers a well-rounded portrait of the era.
Full review available at my blog:
https://readerbychoice.wordpress.com/...
Set in the 1920s, the novel features the young wife (and mathematician on the sly) Kaveri who battles the burden of society’s expectations and boundaries set upon woman in her quest to bring a murderer to justice, and set a wrongly accused woman free. Her partners in this journey include her supportive husband Ramu and her neighbour Uma aunty.
Nagendra creates the portrait of a time gone by and we witness a Bangalore of the past in all its glory. The socio-economic mores of the time as well as the interpersonal relationships between the characters give the readers a well-rounded portrait of the era.
Full review available at my blog:
https://readerbychoice.wordpress.com/...
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