Scan barcode
garland's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lavenderwarlock's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very good read. I don't usually read mystery books but the premise was very intriguing. I really liked the setting, I've never learned much about Fiji. I thought the discussion of colonialism in the book was interesting as was the way Akal struggles with his ideas about the indentured workers at the plantation. it's deals with a lot of serious themes but i thought they were handled well. All the characters were written very compellingly, I loved the dynamic between Robert and Akal. The scene where they discover the bodies of Kunti and Brown is truly chilling and sad, very impactful. I do think the pacing was a bit off. The early chapters are very long and a bit slow and the ending was a bit rushed. The part with Mrs Parkin's plot being revealed through Lewis felt a bit tacked on. I did like the mystery overall though.
hannahleoni's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
armstrongangela83's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Racism, and Colonisation
ssburke's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bookscatcoffee's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this historical procedural murder mystery! I learned a lot about Fiji and indentured servitude and Indian migration during the racist, white supremacist, British colonization. I appreciate that the author brought a personal perspective to her research and had a connection through her family to the story. A bit slow at the start, and I kinda wish the MC’s past came up a bit earlier. Worth reading! 4 stars
Historical procedural mystery with diverse characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Classism, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Colonisation, and Death
melbsreads's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content warnings: racism, racial slurs, colonialism, stillbirth, murder, rape, death, gun violence, theft (in the past), vomit, alcohol abuse, violence, gaslighting
I was excited to read this because I know a little about Fijian history on account of my parents living there for four years before I was born, but I knew essentially nothing about THIS period of Fiji's history. Between the plantations and the indentured labour and the Sikh police officers, there was a lot that I learnt from this book, even though it's a crime novel about a missing woman.
I liked Akal as a protagonist a lot, and while I could have done without the seemingly endless racial slurs I understand that they're absolutely authentic to the time period. Anyway, the mystery was compelling. Akal's backstory is compelling. The writing was great, and Fiji was lovingly depicted.
My one real issue with this is that the missing victim's name is Kunti and as an Australian who watches a LOT of RuPaul's Drag Race, I...........yeah. Yeah.
I was excited to read this because I know a little about Fijian history on account of my parents living there for four years before I was born, but I knew essentially nothing about THIS period of Fiji's history. Between the plantations and the indentured labour and the Sikh police officers, there was a lot that I learnt from this book, even though it's a crime novel about a missing woman.
I liked Akal as a protagonist a lot, and while I could have done without the seemingly endless racial slurs I understand that they're absolutely authentic to the time period. Anyway, the mystery was compelling. Akal's backstory is compelling. The writing was great, and Fiji was lovingly depicted.
My one real issue with this is that the missing victim's name is Kunti and as an Australian who watches a LOT of RuPaul's Drag Race, I...........yeah. Yeah.
ohno_joreads's review
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kolymaarasto's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25