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marie_gg's review against another edition
4.0
Yet another interesting novel by Cleverly--this one took me a bit of time to get into, but I enjoyed it once that happened. She must do an amazing amount of research to write these books, which take place in India during the time of the British Raj.
eososray's review against another edition
4.0
I really like the character of Joe Sandilands. He's smart, tough, honourable and interesting. Having him solving mysteries in India in the 20's is just icing on the cake so to speak.
thisbookishcat's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
I'm going to be honest, this one was a rough one to get through. I don't know what it was about this one as compared to the other ones, but it just wasn't as enticing and I found myself having to reread whole paragraphs because I would get lost partway through. In all honesty, I think this one is a 2.5-star book, but out of my love for The Palace Tiger I've rated it a bit higher. I'm really hoping the rest of the series improves.
majkia's review against another edition
5.0
Very nicely done with lots of local color and the usual mystery complicated with the political realities of the situation.
claudia_is_reading's review
3.0
Another really nice mystery, with tribal honour and ritual killings playing a big role in the story.
I'm enjoying this series, I like the detailed setting, the historical elements and the well-drawn characters. And Joe Sandilands is a very interesting protagonist, which adds to my enjoyment.
I'm enjoying this series, I like the detailed setting, the historical elements and the well-drawn characters. And Joe Sandilands is a very interesting protagonist, which adds to my enjoyment.
rkjgallagher's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating insight into the Khyber Pass and Afghani tribalism in the 1920s. Fun Sandilands book as well.
writerlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
More like 3 1/2. The plot got really bogged down in the middle part, if not for that it would have earn 4 stars.
The women characters were really well done. From Betty, the officer's wife, competent and bright (pregnant too) to Grace, the elderly doctor on a mission to Lily, the young American free spirit. Even secondary women characters with only cameo, I'm thinking about the Australian gypsy and the young chief's wife were bright lights in this novel. It's rare that you get so many strong, competent, smart female characters all at once.
Now the story, this is the British Indian and what is now Pakistan frontier in the 1920's. Tribal wars, feuds, grudges and revenge. We join Joe Sandilands, Cleverly's hero, in his next adventure. A fort at the edge of the wilderness, a dead visitor that has the potential to bring out full out tribal war. A list of suspect to death that may or may not be murder. The overall idea is good, the resolution is good, it's the execution that brings down the pace. There are secondary characters that we don't need to know so much about. I'm thinking of the British Air Force officer or the Delhi bureaucrat. They have their role to play into the plot but too much time was spend on their background. Unless Cleverly plans on bringing them back.
So good characters, good plot overall but slow pace.
The women characters were really well done. From Betty, the officer's wife, competent and bright (pregnant too) to Grace, the elderly doctor on a mission to Lily, the young American free spirit. Even secondary women characters with only cameo, I'm thinking about the Australian gypsy and the young chief's wife were bright lights in this novel. It's rare that you get so many strong, competent, smart female characters all at once.
Now the story, this is the British Indian and what is now Pakistan frontier in the 1920's. Tribal wars, feuds, grudges and revenge. We join Joe Sandilands, Cleverly's hero, in his next adventure. A fort at the edge of the wilderness, a dead visitor that has the potential to bring out full out tribal war. A list of suspect to death that may or may not be murder. The overall idea is good, the resolution is good, it's the execution that brings down the pace. There are secondary characters that we don't need to know so much about. I'm thinking of the British Air Force officer or the Delhi bureaucrat. They have their role to play into the plot but too much time was spend on their background. Unless Cleverly plans on bringing them back.
So good characters, good plot overall but slow pace.
threerings's review against another edition
4.0
A very satisfying mystery and a quick read. I liked Joe's new female sidekick and hope she turns up again, though I kind of doubt it.
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Another really nice mystery, with tribal honour and ritual killings playing a big role in the story.
I'm enjoying this series, I like the detailed setting, the historical elements and the well-drawn characters. And Joe Sandilands is a very interesting protagonist, which adds to my enjoyment.
I'm enjoying this series, I like the detailed setting, the historical elements and the well-drawn characters. And Joe Sandilands is a very interesting protagonist, which adds to my enjoyment.
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