How it begins: "The call came in the deepest part of the night, the telephone's lusty urgency shattering the basement silence. Persis paused, pen poised above the blank white page of the duty log she had been attempting to complete for the past hour. There was little to report."
Genre: Historical crime fiction
Setting: Bombay, India. 1950.
Mystery: Sir James Herriot's murder...at his own New Year's Eve party.
The main character: Inspector Persis Wadia, India's first...and only...female police officer. An idealist, she joined the police force because she believes in truth and justice. She's determined, serious, headstrong, and has a quick temper. She also has no sense of humor. And flirting with men? Not in her vocabulary.
My thoughts: Set in a turbulent India two years after Partition, this book is rich in historical detail. I found it all very fascinating. And Persis's studied investigation into Herriot's murder reminded me of some of my favorite Agatha Christie novels. I liked her, flaws and all. And I like Scotland Yard criminalist, Archie Blackfinch, who aided in the investigation; he has some endearing quirks of his own. Interesting settings and plot-lines often make me want to read a mystery, but it's well-layered and complex (and likable) characters like Persis who keep me coming back for more. And I'm definitely looking forward to checking out the next book in this series.
Happy Reading!
I'm just reading The Bangalore Detective Club by Harini Nagendra, also set in India but in the 1920s. I like it so much I want to read more crime fiction set in India so I'm adding this to my list.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this one...and like you, now want to read more books set during this time period.
DeleteI'm reminded of Sujata Massey's mysteries set in India around the same time as this one. I have to look up her latest ones and maybe find this one too.
ReplyDeleteShe's another author I really want to try!
DeleteOh, I like that it reminds you of Agatha Christie. Will definitely check this out!
ReplyDeleteThe ending especially reminded me of Christie with how all the pieces of the puzzle finally come together.
DeleteSounds good. Thanks for letting us know about this one.
ReplyDeleteIt ended up being a really interesting read. And I liked the main character a lot.
DeleteI'm so glad you liked this one!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you blogged about this one in the first place. I probably never would have put it on my TBR list without your recommendation. So, thanks!!
DeleteI haven't read anything by this author, but I do have the first book in the Baby Ganesh Agency Investigation series.
ReplyDeleteThat series looks like a lot of fun, too. I'll have to try one and see how it compares with this book.
DeleteSounds good. The Bombay setting and era definitely appeal to me!
ReplyDeleteAnd there's a lot of great detail about Bombay and the history happening in India in this book that I found fascinating.
DeleteThis sounds cozy in that Agatha Christie way :)
ReplyDeleteIt has that feel to it, for sure. :D
DeleteYour comparison to Agatha Christie definitely intrigues me. Glad this one was a winner for you.
ReplyDeleteIt really was. And Persis is one of those characters I look forward to reading about again.
DeleteThis does sound like an interesting one. My library has it!
ReplyDeleteYay! I hope you get a chance to check it out. :D
DeleteAnd the library got it to me pretty quick. I just finished it. It was fun!
DeletePersis is such an interesting and fun character, isn't she?
DeleteShe is. I've ordered up the second in the series so we can see what happens between her and Archie...
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading the next one, too. But it'll have to wait for a few months...I have too many other books I need to read first. ;D
DeleteI was getting major Christie vibes from the summary! Love the mix of mystery and historical fiction.
ReplyDeleteI love that mix, too. Especially when I learn something new about a place or time period. :D
DeleteIt sounds really good and Persis being India's only female police officer in 1950 that is some stressful position to be in. She would have to be no-nonsense and extremely professional just to get by.
ReplyDeleteExactly. She is very serious...and sometimes she misses the joke, but that just made me like her even more. :D
DeleteInteresting setting - both location and time period. I'm like you, it's always the characters than will make me want to read more of a series. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a very character-driven reader. I want to like the characters, so I can root for them, and cheer when get their happy ending. :D
DeleteYou had me at first female inspector. The setting really appeals to me too. I definitely want to read this one!
ReplyDeleteThat's what make me want to read this one, too!
DeleteThis sounds really interesting and the time period is definitely a fascinating one and not one I see in fiction very often. If I wasn't already sold the Agatha Christie comparison would have been the final straw!
ReplyDeleteIt just has that Christie feel...but with a very detailed and well-drawn Indian setting.
DeleteFabulous review, Lark!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy! Sometimes I feel like my reviews are too short, or too general.
DeleteI've not heard of this book but it sounds good, especially the main character and the setting. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a very interesting time period and setting...makes me want to read more books set in India.
DeleteOkay, I’m intrigued. I love a good mystery. I love historical fiction, and I would like a better understanding of India. This ticks all the boxes, and it sounds like a fun read.
ReplyDeleteI think you would really like this one! It's very well-written, and the setting is so interesting. Plus, Persis is a very fun character.
DeleteSounds good and an interesting setting & era in history. How many in this series?
ReplyDeleteI think there are 4 books in the series, so far. They all sound really good.
DeleteI haven'r read this series, so it's definitely one to add to my TBR!
ReplyDeleteI thought this first book was really good...I think you'd like it, too. :D
DeleteSounds like another series I need to check out. Thanks for sending me the link to the review.
ReplyDelete