Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: General Fiction
Format: Print ARC
No. of Pages: 389
Date of Publication: November 10, 2020
My Rating: 4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
In 1892, Bombay is the center of British India. Nearby, Captain Jim Agnihotri lies in Poona military hospital recovering from a skirmish on the wild northern frontier, with little to do but re-read the tales of his idol, Sherlock Holmes, and browse the daily papers. The case that catches Captain Jim's attention is being called the crime of the century: Two women fell from the busy university’s clock tower in broad daylight. Moved by Adi, the widower of one of the victims — his certainty that his wife and sister did not commit suicide — Captain Jim approaches the Parsee family and is hired to investigate what happened that terrible afternoon.
But in a land of divided loyalties, asking questions is dangerous. Captain Jim's investigation disturbs the shadows that seem to follow the Framji family and triggers an ominous chain of events. And when lively Lady Diana Framji joins the hunt for her sisters’ attackers, Captain Jim’s heart isn’t safe, either.
Based on a true story, and set against the vibrant backdrop of colonial India.
MY THOUGHTS:
It is not often I am able to read a book set in India, and factoring in year the book was set, 1892, only made this book better. We meet Captain Jim Agnihotri stuck recovering in a military hospital reading mysteries and the local news. When he happens upon a case involving the death of two women his curiosity is piqued. What caused their deaths? Accidents, murder or suicide? Captain Jim soon finds himself hired to invesigate the deaths.
Pursuing the truth about the matters is not easy for Captain Jim. In fact, danger begins to plague him almost from the start. There is a certain history that follows the families of gthe victims - the Famji family - and it is this very history that reveals secrets that are bound to upset some. One woman, however, Diana Framji ends up joining Captain Jim in his inquiries, as she wants to know what really happened to her sisters.
Not only was this an excellent book, discovering that it was based on a true story added more value. I love that this was a debut novel, and one that snagged an award! I am exciting by learning that there wil be a sequel. I cannot wait to read it.
Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
After a long career in business analysis, in 2015 she returned to her passion, writing fiction and now teaches creative writing at Rutgers-Osher Institute. A Parsee Zoroastrian herself, she lives in New Jersey with her husband and two sons. Murder in Old Bombay is her debut novel.
Nev is represented by Jill Grosjean, of the Jill Grosjean Literary Agency
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