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About the book: “Calcutta police detective Captain Sam Wyndham and his quick-witted Indian Sergeant, Surrender-not Banerjee, are back for another rip-roaring adventure set in 1920s India.
1922, India. Leaving Calcutta, Captain Sam Wyndham heads for the hills of Assam, to the ashram of a sainted monk where he hopes to conquer his opium addiction. But when he arrives, he sees a ghost from his past – a man thought to be long dead, a man Wyndham hoped he would never see again.
1905, London. As a young constable, Sam Wyndham is on his usual East London beat when he comes across an old flame, Bessie Drummond, attacked in the streets. The next day, when Bessie is found brutally beaten in her own room, locked from the inside, Wyndham promises to get to the bottom of this. But the case will cost the young constable more than he ever imagined.
In Assam, Wyndham knows he must call his friend and colleague Sergeant Banerjee for help. He is certain this figure from his past isn’t here by coincidence, but for revenge . . .“

My Review

This was a superb dual timeline historical crime fiction novel set in 1920s India and 1900s London. It’s the fourth book in the Wyndham and Banerjee series, and it was just as good as the other three.

I must confess that I wasn’t too sure about the two timelines, as normally this series is just set in one timeline and in one location. I didn’t find it confusing, I was just a bit unsure how it was going to play out. I didn’t have to worry though as it all worked out perfectly and the two timelines were very important for the whole story.

The mystery in both timelines was excellent and had me changing my mind about what had occurred and who was responsible. It was great being able to consult my husband about what was going on as we were buddy reading it. Reading more books than him, particularly mysteries I was looking for clues the whole time and thinking about who the culprit might be.

I love this series partly because of the setting in India during the reign of the British Raj, I love the way it exposes the snobbish for outright racism! It’s also very funny in parts, laugh out loud funny, which helps to lighten the mood at times.  The character development of Sam Wyndham and Sargeant Banerjee is excellent in each book, and this time the friendship and working relationship between them deepens once again.

Simon Bubb’s narration was superb again making this a wonderful listening experience, making me eager to listen to book 5.

I definitely recommend this on audiobook, especially if you enjoy historical crime fiction.

 

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