Reviews
The political culture clash between the statesman-like Maharaja, who must cavalierly brush off the crude language and insulting treatment by the British towards himself and his Indian native population, mixed with his often amusing and energetic pursuit of justice, leads to a rousing denouement. It creates a tandoori dish, well-seasoned and tasty, for those who enjoy Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or Agatha Christie with a touch of Rudyard Kipling stirred in for good measure., Fans of traditional mysteries and those with an interest in British colonial history will be rewarded., A Very Pukka Murder is a take on the classic mysteries of the Golden Age. It's all about the puzzle with the amateur sleuth uncovering the clues, following the trail of red herrings, and finally revealing all to the suspects in the drawing room/dining room/train car. However, this 21st century historical mystery set in 1909 has a unique twist. The location is the Raj in India and the sleuth is none other than the Maharaja of Rajpore Sikander Singh.... This novel is the first of a trilogy. Besides being a very good mystery, it shows the Raj from the Indian point of view. I am looking forward to the remaining books., Set in the tiny princely state of Rajpore, Indian comic book writer Gaind's first novel is both a satisfying locked-room mystery and a keenly observed comedy of manners. Fans of traditional mysteries and those with an interest in British colonial history will be rewarded., Arjun Raj Gaind, an Indian comic book writer, has written a delightfully intriguing mystery as his first novel. A Very Pukka Murder captures the spirit of the British Raj--with its appalling racism and indolence--while still letting the legacy of Sikander's ancestors represent India's glorious past. Sikander knows that his penchant for crime solving isn't pukka (proper), but he can't stop himself, and the reader will cheer his indefatigable inquisitiveness on. Armchair travelers, mystery readers and history lovers are sure to enjoy this interesting twist on life in the British Empire., Arjun Raj Gaind, an Indian comic book writer, has written a delightfully intriguing mystery as his first novel. A Very Pukka Murder captures the spirit of the British Raj - with its appalling racism and indolence - while still letting the legacy of Sikander's ancestors represent India's glorious past. Sikander knows that his penchant for crime solving isn't pukka (proper), but he can't stop himself, and the reader will cheer his indefatigable inquisitiveness on. Armchair travelers, mystery readers and history lovers are sure to enjoy this interesting twist on life in the British Empire., Set in the tiny princely state of Rajpore, Indian comic book writer Gaind's first novel is both a satisfying locked-room mystery and a keenly observed comedy of manners.Fans of traditional mysteries and those with an interest in British colonial history will be rewarded., The structure of the novel is based on best Golden Age crime fiction, with a maze of plot threads, and a plethora of red herrings. The character of the Maharajah is well developed....At the end the Maharajah holds a Poirot-like denouement in which the major suspects are dismissed one by one....A good, interesting, read., "The first in a planned trilogy featuring the sleuthing prince is a well-executed mystery in the classic British mold presented from a very un-British viewpoint and packed with fascinating details about life among the Anglo-Indian upper class during the heyday of the Raj." -- Kirkus Reviews, "Armchair travelers, mystery readers and history lovers are sure to enjoy this interesting twist on life in the British Empire." -- Shelf Awareness, The structure of the novel is based on best Golden Age crime fiction, with a maze of plot threads, and a plethora of red herrings. The character of the Maharajah is well developed.~~~At the end the Maharajah holds a Poirot-like denouement in which the major suspects are dismissed one by one.~~~A good, interesting, read., "Set in the tiny princely state of Rajpore, Indian comic book writer Gaind's first novel is both a satisfying locked-room mystery and a keenly observed comedy of manners. Fans of traditional mysteries and those with an interest in British colonial history will be rewarded." -- Publishers Weekly, "The first in a planned trilogy featuring the sleuthing prince is a well-executed mystery in the classic British mold presented from a very un-British viewpoint and packed with fascinating details about life among the Anglo-Indian upper class during the heyday of the Raj." - Kirkus, The first in a planned trilogy featuring the sleuthing prince is a well-executed mystery in the classic British mold presented from a very un-British viewpoint and packed with fascinating details about life among the Anglo-Indian upper class during the heyday of the Raj., A Very Pukka Murder is a take on the classic mysteries of the Golden Age. It's all about the puzzle with the amateur sleuth uncovering the clues, following the trail of red herrings, and finally revealing all to the suspects in the drawing room/dining room/train car. However, this 21st century historical mystery set in 1909 has a unique twist. The location is the Raj in India and the sleuth is none other than the Maharaja of Rajpore Sikander Singh.~~~ This novel is the first of a trilogy. Besides being a very good mystery, it shows the Raj from the Indian point of view. I am looking forward to the remaining books.