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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
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:
Yes
I don't know why I didn't give this wonderful mystery 5 stars. It has everything: A good murder mystery, an exotic locale, humor, fascinating men and wondrous women. Maybe the women part wasn't strong enough. But the book is absolutely excellent. READ IT!
adventurous
informative
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:
Complicated
Following the inclusion of Abir Mukherjee’s debut A Rising Man in my Top 5 of 2016, obviously I was as keen as mustard to read A Necessary Evil, the next in the series. This time our indomitable duo of Englishman Captain Sam Wyndham, and his right hand man Sergeant Surrender-not Banerjee of the Calcutta police are transported from their usual locale to the opulent kingdom of Sambalpore, following the assassination of its crowned prince. And be sure that there is more trickery afoot…
Instantly, I was drawn back into the lives of Wyndham and Banerjee, with their affectionate and mutually respectful relationship, and their sense of comradeship and camaraderie fully intact. Wyndham is still struggling with his own personal demons, and also still proving woefully inept in matters of the heart, which adds a lightness of touch to this particularly testing case. Banerjee also grows in stature throughout the book, becoming less of a foil for Wyndham’s character, and becoming much more equal in terms of their professional relationship. He also has some blistering moments of insight, along with the intuitive and studied air that he displays in the course of the investigation. I love the openness and amicability of their friendship, which makes you very comfortable as a reader, and how Mukherjee affords them equal importance, with Wyndham being the more emotionally scarred of the two, but Banerjee subtly adjusting to, and caring about Wyndham’s mental and physical health. I think as well that there is enough scope for both these characters to anchor a long and successful series. While in the realm of characterisation, I would also draw your attention to Mukherjee’s depiction of his female characters, which I think is incredibly good. I like the way that he mirrors men’s general mystification at the workings of the female mind, and his women are strong, independent, and always slightly at a remove of the understanding of his male characters throughout the book. Wyndham is once again bemused by the wonderfully strident and prismatic Annie Grant, and as the plot progresses we meet a parade of incredibly strong, sometimes scheming, women to thwart and confuse the investigation, and outwit our floundering male protagonists.
Once again, Mukherjee is pitch perfect in his representation of the period detail, during the uneasy era of the rule of the British in India. There is a sense of parity throughout where the author is equally stoical and objective of the good and bad that pervades both sides of society, and the interesting contrasts he draws between the human melting pot of poverty in Calcutta, and the ostentatious wealth of Sambalpore, accrued from diamond mining. The sumptuous lavishness of the Maharajah’s palace, and its surrounds, is meticulously brought to life, immersing the reader in opulence, grandeur and the daily routines and traditions of palace life. There are tiger hunts, fancy cars, eunuchs, myriad wives and concubines, but perhaps most importantly for our enjoyment as crime readers, jealousies, plots and murder in abundance. I also like the way that Mukherjee includes little factual vignettes throughout his books, that obviously in the course of his research had piqued his curiosity like ‘death by elephant’…who knew?
So to sum up, Abir Mukherjee has returned in some style, and I thoroughly enjoyed the further adventures of Wyndham and Banerjee in A Necessary Evil. Colourful, dangerous, exciting, and enjoyably educational, this is, once again, a highly recommended read. Add it to your wish list!
Instantly, I was drawn back into the lives of Wyndham and Banerjee, with their affectionate and mutually respectful relationship, and their sense of comradeship and camaraderie fully intact. Wyndham is still struggling with his own personal demons, and also still proving woefully inept in matters of the heart, which adds a lightness of touch to this particularly testing case. Banerjee also grows in stature throughout the book, becoming less of a foil for Wyndham’s character, and becoming much more equal in terms of their professional relationship. He also has some blistering moments of insight, along with the intuitive and studied air that he displays in the course of the investigation. I love the openness and amicability of their friendship, which makes you very comfortable as a reader, and how Mukherjee affords them equal importance, with Wyndham being the more emotionally scarred of the two, but Banerjee subtly adjusting to, and caring about Wyndham’s mental and physical health. I think as well that there is enough scope for both these characters to anchor a long and successful series. While in the realm of characterisation, I would also draw your attention to Mukherjee’s depiction of his female characters, which I think is incredibly good. I like the way that he mirrors men’s general mystification at the workings of the female mind, and his women are strong, independent, and always slightly at a remove of the understanding of his male characters throughout the book. Wyndham is once again bemused by the wonderfully strident and prismatic Annie Grant, and as the plot progresses we meet a parade of incredibly strong, sometimes scheming, women to thwart and confuse the investigation, and outwit our floundering male protagonists.
Once again, Mukherjee is pitch perfect in his representation of the period detail, during the uneasy era of the rule of the British in India. There is a sense of parity throughout where the author is equally stoical and objective of the good and bad that pervades both sides of society, and the interesting contrasts he draws between the human melting pot of poverty in Calcutta, and the ostentatious wealth of Sambalpore, accrued from diamond mining. The sumptuous lavishness of the Maharajah’s palace, and its surrounds, is meticulously brought to life, immersing the reader in opulence, grandeur and the daily routines and traditions of palace life. There are tiger hunts, fancy cars, eunuchs, myriad wives and concubines, but perhaps most importantly for our enjoyment as crime readers, jealousies, plots and murder in abundance. I also like the way that Mukherjee includes little factual vignettes throughout his books, that obviously in the course of his research had piqued his curiosity like ‘death by elephant’…who knew?
So to sum up, Abir Mukherjee has returned in some style, and I thoroughly enjoyed the further adventures of Wyndham and Banerjee in A Necessary Evil. Colourful, dangerous, exciting, and enjoyably educational, this is, once again, a highly recommended read. Add it to your wish list!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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!
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm really liking what Mukherjee is doing with this series. I savoured this second instalment, which takes our protagonists out of Calcutta, and into the 'independent' provinces. Mukherjee understands that the pleasure in this genre is working out the puzzle, not necessarily achieving justice, and that allows him to avoid unrealistic or overly simplistic views of the society works.
Annie is starting to irritate me, as often happens with women who operate as unattainable objects of protagonist desires, but it was good to explore a wider range of women.
Thoroughly looking forward to the next.
Annie is starting to irritate me, as often happens with women who operate as unattainable objects of protagonist desires, but it was good to explore a wider range of women.
Thoroughly looking forward to the next.
Another excellent book from Mr. Mukherjee. I love that this plot is set firmly in colonial India, giving us an unbiased view of the world that was. Sam Wyndham is neither a sinner nor a saint but perhaps he is both in equal measure. His thoughts about the natives, but the relationships of the English and natives is refreshing and more real than I've read in the countless books based in that era.
As I said before - read this if you enjoy historical novels. I've already started his third book. 2019 is off to a roaring start!
As I said before - read this if you enjoy historical novels. I've already started his third book. 2019 is off to a roaring start!