This debut and award-winning novel by Nev March was picked for our mystery book group last month. Anglo-Indian Captain Jim Agnihotri has been badly injured in a military skirmish at the Karachi border and is recovering in the hospital when he learns of the suspicious deaths of two young women in Bombay. This is supposedly based on true events. No longer fit for service due to his injury, he is at loose ends until he offers the widower of one of the victims--the scion of a prominent Parsee family-- to try and solve the mystery. Adi Framji was also the brother of the other victim, and although the official verdict was suicide, he's convinced neither of them would have done that. Captain Jim has filled his time in hospital reading Sherlock Holmes novels and is anxious to try out his deductive methods. Soon joined in the investigation by Adi's other sister, Lady Diana Framji, Captain Jim is smitten although he realizes the difference in their social classes make such a relationship totally out of bounds.
Publishers Weekly has good things to say about the book, notably "March fills the story with finely developed characters, particularly
Agnihotri, who proves a zealous investigator. She also presents an
authentic view of India under British rule while exploring the
challenges faced by a character of mixed race." Likewise, Kirkus offers "March’s crisply written debut combines fascinating historic details with a clever puzzle." The New York Journal of Books offers an insightful examination of the underlying system of British colonialism that effects both characters and actions.
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