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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
An immense crime novel that perfectly balances the demands of a modern thriller and the historical authenticity of the Raj. The author handles the colonial tensions with a deft touch and always to the benefit of the plot, characters, and relationships. I have immediately bought the sequel!
A great main character (and support) in a fascinating setting.
Sadly, the crime isn't exactly solved - the main villain is forced to explain what happened to the rather confused detective, and the exciting rooftop finale happens midway through the book.
Sadly, the crime isn't exactly solved - the main villain is forced to explain what happened to the rather confused detective, and the exciting rooftop finale happens midway through the book.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
The mystery was engaging enough but nothing to get me to the edge of the seat. There was humor which had me smiling wryly fairly often. The history lesson regarding India at the time was fascinating to me.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I never really got the "feel" of Calcutta nor did it feel like 1919. It seemed like modern times with terrorism and the slang used. I expected someone to whip out a cell phone. Were there female secretaries in 1919 with short enough skirts for men to ogle their legs? Aside from these gripes, I did appreciate that this book was "clean". I've gotten sick of "dirty" books. Vulgarity is not necessary to make a good book. And, I really like Banerjee and look forward to seeing more of his character development.
Calcutta in 1919 is the scene of a murder that our detective, straight off the boat from London, gets to investigate. The politics of colonialism help and hinder the solving of this case by Captain Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee.
Wonderful start to a new series set in post-WWI Bengal (India). Looking forward to reading the next entry.
This has been in my "to-be-read" pile for months, and I'm glad I finally got to it. Mukherjee, who has gone onto a notable career as a novelist, left his trade as an accountant (I'm reminded of the Monty Python sketch), with nary a trace that his numbers-man training hobbled a natural ability to write powerfully. Honestly, I was afraid I could not be drawn into a period mystery that takes place in Calcutta during a mid-late colonial period. The characters are beautifully drawn, and the mystery remains a mystery, finally solved with no unbelievable twists. I'm looking forward to the remaining adventures of Wyndham and Banerjee.