Murder in Old Bombay: A Mystery

by Nev March

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 read but newspapers. The case that catches 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 the widower of one of the victims — his certainty that his wife and sister did not commit suicide — Jim approaches the Framjis and is hired by the Parsee family to investigate what happened that terrible afternoon.

But in a land of divided loyalties, asking questions is dangerous. Jim's investigation disturbs the shadows that seem to follow the Framji family and triggers an ominous chain of events.

Based on real events, and set against the vibrant backdrop of colonial India, Nev March's lyrical debut brings this tumultuous historical age to life.

• ISBN10: 1250269547
• ISBN13: 9781250269546
• Publish Date: 1 December 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 11 May 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Minotaur Books,US
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally reviewed on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Murder in Old Bombay is a standalone historical mystery set in India in the middle Raj period written by Nev March. Released 10th Nov 2020 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 400 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is such a beatifully imagined and richly rendered story full of compassion and honor and readable relatable characters alongside a thumping good mystery story. Though modern, the feel and writing remain true to the Victorian style and hearken back to classic authors of the period; Conan Doyle, Rudyard Kipling, RL Stevenson, H.R. Haggard and others beloved of the time (and now).

The fictionalized plot is interwoven around real historical events and characters and like with all good writing, it's seamless and not clear where history shades into imagination.

I was blown away by the technical expertise of the writing - the dialogue flows very well (if formally), and I didn't get yanked out of the story once because of clunky or anachronistic elements. The story itself is warm and compassionate and the characters are engaging and interesting. The societal mores of the time along with the setting obviously play a central role and the author does a good job of compassionately presenting the realities of the time period (along with the crushing racism and often brutal standards of living for people of mixed race) without being depressing or cruel.

The word which springs to mind when thinking about the writing and story is "genteel". It's a very genteel and civilized book, and I'm gobsmacked that this is a debut effort. I sincerely hope readers have many more treats in store from this talented author.

Five stars. This would also make an excellent selection for library acquisition, book clubs, or discussion groups. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publishe