Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Initial thoughts:
A Necessary Evil is the second book in the wonderful Sam Wyndham. This time set in India during 1920. Our two detectives, Captain Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee of the Calcutta Police Force are tasked with investigating the dramatic assassination of a Maharajah's son - an assassination that literally occurs in front of them and has both political and social repercussions.
A Necessary Evil is the second book in the wonderful Sam Wyndham. This time set in India during 1920. Our two detectives, Captain Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee of the Calcutta Police Force are tasked with investigating the dramatic assassination of a Maharajah's son - an assassination that literally occurs in front of them and has both political and social repercussions.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A historical whodunit series you'll want read: well written, atmospheric and intelligent
*An advanced reader ebook copy of A Necessary Evil was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and I was ecstatic when Pegasus Books approved my NetGalley request. The second book in the series, A Necessary Evil, was released in April in the US. The book picks up a year after the events in A Rising Man. The novel opens with Wyndham and Banerjee discussing cryptic notes with Crown Prince Adhir Singh Sai, of the small kingdom of Sambalpore, and traveling back to the prince’s Calcutta hotel after a conference. Prince Adhir, who attended boarding school with Surrender-Not, wants his advice about notes that were left for him in his rooms warning him about threats to his life. Before Wyndham and Banergee can discuss the matter in-depth with the prince, an assassin attack their vehicle and murders the royal. Sam and Surrender-Not’s failure to apprehend the killer only makes things worse, and, though they eventually track the man down, he takes his own life, leaving the investigators still in the dark about his motives. Despite the Viceroy and Imperial Police's desire to close the case after the suspects suicide, the partners travel to Sambalpore where the warning notes and murderer originated. There they encounter court intrigue; Prince Adhir was a modernizer whose attitudes—and romantic relationships—may have upset the more religious elements of his country, while his brother—now in line to the throne—appears to be a feckless playboy. Can Sam and Surrender-Not find the killer before it's too late?
Mukherjee’s ability to conjure a vivid picture of 1920s British India is truly masterful, in my opinion. In this second book, Mukherjee builds on his early themes of race, gender, glass, and religion plus the addition of reformers versus traditionalists. Also, there seemed to be less biting critiques of the British Empire. However, that's due to the setting being moved from Calcutta to Sambalpore. This allows for a look at an Indian court that deals with the British but was not directly ruled by the British. I particular appreciate the details about purdah and the court zenana. Western culture and western feminist have typically decried the practice of female seclusion. However, as Mukherjee points out, this is a limited view from a western perspective and discounts the possibility of empowerment and female solidarity. I think what I love most about Mukherjee's historical fiction is the nuances. All aspects are given multiple viewpoints creating a grey area rather than black-and-white answers.
*An advanced reader ebook copy of A Necessary Evil was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and I was ecstatic when Pegasus Books approved my NetGalley request. The second book in the series, A Necessary Evil, was released in April in the US. The book picks up a year after the events in A Rising Man. The novel opens with Wyndham and Banerjee discussing cryptic notes with Crown Prince Adhir Singh Sai, of the small kingdom of Sambalpore, and traveling back to the prince’s Calcutta hotel after a conference. Prince Adhir, who attended boarding school with Surrender-Not, wants his advice about notes that were left for him in his rooms warning him about threats to his life. Before Wyndham and Banergee can discuss the matter in-depth with the prince, an assassin attack their vehicle and murders the royal. Sam and Surrender-Not’s failure to apprehend the killer only makes things worse, and, though they eventually track the man down, he takes his own life, leaving the investigators still in the dark about his motives. Despite the Viceroy and Imperial Police's desire to close the case after the suspects suicide, the partners travel to Sambalpore where the warning notes and murderer originated. There they encounter court intrigue; Prince Adhir was a modernizer whose attitudes—and romantic relationships—may have upset the more religious elements of his country, while his brother—now in line to the throne—appears to be a feckless playboy. Can Sam and Surrender-Not find the killer before it's too late?
Mukherjee’s ability to conjure a vivid picture of 1920s British India is truly masterful, in my opinion. In this second book, Mukherjee builds on his early themes of race, gender, glass, and religion plus the addition of reformers versus traditionalists. Also, there seemed to be less biting critiques of the British Empire. However, that's due to the setting being moved from Calcutta to Sambalpore. This allows for a look at an Indian court that deals with the British but was not directly ruled by the British. I particular appreciate the details about purdah and the court zenana. Western culture and western feminist have typically decried the practice of female seclusion. However, as Mukherjee points out, this is a limited view from a western perspective and discounts the possibility of empowerment and female solidarity. I think what I love most about Mukherjee's historical fiction is the nuances. All aspects are given multiple viewpoints creating a grey area rather than black-and-white answers.
The second in the Capt Sam Wyndham / Sgt Surrender-Not Bannerjee series set in 1920s India. Wyndham and Surrender-Not (an English version of his allegedly unpronounceable first name) go to a princely state far from Calcutta at the beginning of the monsoon to investigate the murder of Prince Adhir, a school friend of Surrender-Not’s from their time studying in England. The story didn’t engage me quite as much as the first but the twist at the end was worthwhile.
Multiple descriptions of heat, humidity, and destructive downpours were a reminder of why I love Seattle. Plus, I learned that highly skilled elephants were trained as executioners to either slowly torture or quickly dispatch condemned prisoners.
On to the third in the series, Smoke and Ashes.
Multiple descriptions of heat, humidity, and destructive downpours were a reminder of why I love Seattle. Plus, I learned that highly skilled elephants were trained as executioners to either slowly torture or quickly dispatch condemned prisoners.
On to the third in the series, Smoke and Ashes.
A Necessary Evil is the second installment in the Sam Wyndham series by Abir Mukherjee. When the heir to the throne in the kingdom of Sambalpore, India, is murdered, Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant 'Surrender Not' Banerjee are tasked with finding out who is responsible for the prince's assassination. They soon discover the the prince, with his modern opinions on both politics and romantic relationships, was not thought of fondly by the more religious members of the kingdom. And his brother, the new heir to the throne, may be an even worse choice to become the Maharaja. Captain Sam and Surrender Not soon discover that those in power are willing to do anything to stay in power and that their lives are governed by different rules. As they try to solve the mystery, the new heir to the throne's life may be at risk for his own assassination and Captain and Surrender Not's lives are also in danger.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series, A Rising Man, and I thought A Necessary Evil was equally as strong (and maybe even a little better). Abir Mukherjee writes extremely well and he excels at creating a vivid scene that transports the reader. While the plot is fast-paced and engaging, Mukherjee also takes the time to inform the reader about India in the 1920s, but it is in a way that is exciting and only adds to the story. His characters of Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant 'Surrender Not' Banerjee are well-crafted, likable and intriguing and I can't wait to read the next installment in the series to learn more about them. The cast of supporting characters is numerous but Mukherjee's attention to detail and care in describing them made them distinguishable and they all added to the strength of the story. The mystery itself was clever and I like Wyndham and Surrender Not's method of detection. The cover art of the book is also absolutely beautiful!
So far, Abir Mukherjee has proven himself to be masterful in creating historical mysteries and his Sam Wyndham series is one that I really enjoy. I will be reading the third book in the series, Smoke and Ashes, soon and I can't wait!
4 stars!
I really enjoyed the first book in the series, A Rising Man, and I thought A Necessary Evil was equally as strong (and maybe even a little better). Abir Mukherjee writes extremely well and he excels at creating a vivid scene that transports the reader. While the plot is fast-paced and engaging, Mukherjee also takes the time to inform the reader about India in the 1920s, but it is in a way that is exciting and only adds to the story. His characters of Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant 'Surrender Not' Banerjee are well-crafted, likable and intriguing and I can't wait to read the next installment in the series to learn more about them. The cast of supporting characters is numerous but Mukherjee's attention to detail and care in describing them made them distinguishable and they all added to the strength of the story. The mystery itself was clever and I like Wyndham and Surrender Not's method of detection. The cover art of the book is also absolutely beautiful!
So far, Abir Mukherjee has proven himself to be masterful in creating historical mysteries and his Sam Wyndham series is one that I really enjoy. I will be reading the third book in the series, Smoke and Ashes, soon and I can't wait!
4 stars!
Another really interesting glimpse into the India of the 20th century. Plus a good mystery.
Trigger warnings: murder, assassination, violence, drug addiction, drug use, animal death, hunting, execution, EXECUTION BY ELEPHANT (which sent me down a very dark Wikipedia rabbit hole, would not recommend), colonialism.
This was definitely an intriguing mystery and it followed on nicely from the first book in the series. I loved getting to see more of India than just Calcutta and seeing the tensions between the British and the various princely states was fascinating.
All of that being said, I can't say I anticipated the execution by elephant, which was weirdly descriptive and I could happily have gone my entire life without knowing that elephants were trained to execute people...
This was definitely an intriguing mystery and it followed on nicely from the first book in the series. I loved getting to see more of India than just Calcutta and seeing the tensions between the British and the various princely states was fascinating.
All of that being said, I can't say I anticipated the execution by elephant, which was weirdly descriptive and I could happily have gone my entire life without knowing that elephants were trained to execute people...
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another interesting mystery in a rich and complex world. Ending is a little anticlimactic, but, still a good mystery and I look forward to continuing this series.