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barbarak's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
mccosgrove's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Did not finish
bhnmt61's review against another edition
3.0
Inspector Chopra doesn't really want to retire, and a murder that everyone wants to ignore isn't helping things any. And then there's the elephant. Great premise and lovable characters becomes more and more absurd toward the end. (Was anyone else disappointed that the plot twist involving his wife and her niece fizzled out?) I've heard that later entries in the series are better, and this was certainly a good enough introduction to the characters that I'm interested in reading more.
kaisersozee's review against another edition
5.0
The way baby Ganesh wins over Inspector Chopra convinces you that he truly belongs. The hero is a decent man trying to survive a corrupt system, keeping his honour and principles intact. Super first in series!!
sarahhead's review against another edition
Honestly just really have no desire to pick it up. The bit about Chopra being an Anglophile really irked me for some reason that I can’t explain
rants_n_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
common_household_mom's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
An Indian 'Precious Ramotswe'? Evocative setting, moral and winning detective.
He's not quite Precious of course, bolshy and forceful, but Chopra is just as memorable and as impressive a detective. I saw this on a library display and never having noticed the series before, decided to take a chance. Loved it.
On his last day as a police detective in Mumbai, Chopra takes on the case of a drowned young man, having to leave it behind him when he leaves for the last time that evening. But it doesn't seem to be a straightforward drowning, and Chopra can't help himself, continuing investigations even though he's no longer employed to do so.
At the same time, he's been bequeathed a baby elephant, which shows up at his apartment building, to the bemusement of his wife and other residents. Just what will he do with the homesick calf?
The setting is well-evoked, described so keenly I felt I could see Chopra's streets, the rainy seasons scenes being particularly vivid. Ganesha, his new charge, is rather adorable, and gains character as the story goes on. I did feel for Poppy, Chopra's wife with issues of her own to resolve, but of course our detective is the main character and despite going outside of the law to investigate when retired, you can see his moral fibre, his law-abiding nature and steadfast soul.
There's a decent mystery/thriller-type plot hidden in the midst of the retirement-elephant story, and the book ends with enough enticement to encourage you to see how the final pages flow into the next chapter.
Easy reading, great characters, could make another great TV mini-series with its fantastic setting and strong-willed characters, human and elephant.
He's not quite Precious of course, bolshy and forceful, but Chopra is just as memorable and as impressive a detective. I saw this on a library display and never having noticed the series before, decided to take a chance. Loved it.
On his last day as a police detective in Mumbai, Chopra takes on the case of a drowned young man, having to leave it behind him when he leaves for the last time that evening. But it doesn't seem to be a straightforward drowning, and Chopra can't help himself, continuing investigations even though he's no longer employed to do so.
At the same time, he's been bequeathed a baby elephant, which shows up at his apartment building, to the bemusement of his wife and other residents. Just what will he do with the homesick calf?
The setting is well-evoked, described so keenly I felt I could see Chopra's streets, the rainy seasons scenes being particularly vivid. Ganesha, his new charge, is rather adorable, and gains character as the story goes on. I did feel for Poppy, Chopra's wife with issues of her own to resolve, but of course our detective is the main character and despite going outside of the law to investigate when retired, you can see his moral fibre, his law-abiding nature and steadfast soul.
There's a decent mystery/thriller-type plot hidden in the midst of the retirement-elephant story, and the book ends with enough enticement to encourage you to see how the final pages flow into the next chapter.
Easy reading, great characters, could make another great TV mini-series with its fantastic setting and strong-willed characters, human and elephant.
geerthy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
3.5