A review by thebooktrail88
Ein notwendiges Übel by Abir Mukherjee

5.0

Visit the locations in the novel


Read this and read the author’s fine debut A Rising Man as they are really worthwhile reads and this second one just strengthens the series even more.

The two main characters - Englishman Captain Sam Wyndham, and his right hand man Sergeant Surrender-not Banerjee of the Calcutta police are have to deal with an assassination no less in the kingdom of Sambalpore. A little out of their comfort zone as well as their jurisdiction so you can tell there’s lots of scope there for more trickery and mischief..

As well as the camaraderie and lightheartedness of some of their interactions, they make a great and series team, ideal to see the India of that time through their eyes. they are deep characters and richly drawn by the author so there is plenty of material that you want to explore with both of them. A good sign in only book two! I have to say that the depiction of the female characters here is very good as well - remember this was a time in history where women were ‘ not the main players on the world stage’ nor were they important in society so their inclusion here so aptly drawn by a male author no less is very well done.

It’s the time and setting that really excels here - the very uneasy era of the rule of the British in India. What a time it must have been to live through that and Abir writes as if he’s there and taking you to the chaos of Calcutta, and the palaces of Sambalpore. It’s not just the scene setting that heightens the novel’s enjoyment - Abir is keen to throw in the odd tidbit of information as as aside - or comment from a character - but leaving you in no doubt that this is the result of painstaking research and a love for what he’s writing about.

Yup - best get this book and the others in the series on your list straight away!