Currently nominated for an Edgar Award for Best First Novel!In 19th century Bombay, Captain Jim Agnihotri channels his idol, Sherlock Holmes, in Nev March’s Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award-winning debut. 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 … 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, Nev March’s Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award-winning lyrical debut, Murder in Old Bombay, brings this tumultuous historical age to life.
more
In the late 1890’s ,Bombay is the center of British India. Captain Jim Agnihotri lies in Poona military hospital recovering from war injuries. He spends his time reading his favorite author, Sherlock Holmes. A case in the daily paper catches his attention. Two women fell from the busy university’s clock tower in broad daylight. Jim is fascinated by this unsolved case and offers his help to the family.
Based on a true story, Jim’s investigation leads to twists, turns, attempts on his life, and a possibility of romance in his future.
Well written, this entertaining cozy mystery much in the style of the Sherlock Holmes’ mystery was a wonderful surprise to read. All of the main characters were well developed and very realistic. March’s historical research was evident throughout in the interplay between the various Indian sects and the British. It was interesting to learn about the independent sections of India with their various rulers as well as the cultural boundaries between various Indian sects. The developing relationship between the MC’s, Jim and Lady Diana Framji was wonderful to watch, and Diana’s parents came up with the perfect solution for them to create a HEA ending.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley for this free ARC in return for an honest review. As I am not a huge reader of historical books, I do from time to time step outside my normal genres. This appeared to me a book that I would enjoy reading, I hoped to learn more about Bombay and get a feeling what it would be like to live there. Overall I found it to be a interesting read, but not one that catches me, and that I just can’t put down what I look for in my 5 star reads. I would recommend this book to others.
I received a free electronic copy of this excellent historical novel from Netgalley, Nev March, and St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. This is a tightly wound mystery in picturesque 1890’s Bombay, peopled with protagonists that will become friends.
I loved the clear picture of Bombay (now known as Mumbai) and the overview of British law and order in India during this time period. . Our story is first-person from the viewpoint of Captain Jim Agnihotri, a half-caste soldier just retired, disabled, from the British Army, Fourteenth Light Cavalry Regiment, following a catastrophic battle at Port Karachi where most of his regiment was wiped out.
His injuries were near-lethal, injuries that had him hospitalized for a year with broken bones, a serious brain injury, and PTSD, most of that hospitalized year lost from his memory due to trauma and pain and drugs for pain. Well enough to leave hospital care, at last, he decided to train himself in the shadow of Sherlock Holmes in the private investigation business. And his first case, the death of two young, vibrant, wealthy woman, is going to be a doozie. If he can just control the flash-backs to the battle of Karachi and avoid the battles in play between British troops and rebel armies wanting independence from British Rule, he should be able to work through the facts of this case and find the truth at its root. Or so we hope.
Capt Jim investigates a death that the family feel is not a suicide. Lots of twists and turns keep you turning the pages. Wonderful interesting and complex characters. I received a copy from netgalley and I loved this book! A must read!
Would love to see a follow up on this story
I loved reading this story. Live in India 1892. Gives a bit better understanding of the caste system which to even in this day and age is to my regret still evident in India. Mixed race children are not accepted by either race. The time of colonization by the British in India wasn’t all good or all bad but it certainly not a period we want to go back to but we can’t ignore it as it is part of the history of most countries in one way or another. I felt sad when the story ended because I fell so involved with Agnihotri that I wanted to continue reading on how he continue in his new live. He is a strong personality that hopefully will handle everything live might threw at him but I don’t expect an easy path.
I enjoy historical mysteries but most have been set in England or America. When I saw Murder in Old Bombay offered it got my attention. I was not disappointed. I learned more about India, the caste system and the British rule. The main character is a half caste – half Indian and half British. Capt. Jim Agnihorti’s father was British and his mother was Indian. Having been seriously wounded in battle, he has spent a very long time in the hospital. Dealing with not only his injuries to his body but the nightmares and the survivor guilt, Jim finds comfort in reading Sherlock Holmes and the newspapers. One news story catches his attention and becomes his focus when he is discharged.
Two young women from a wealthy family fell to their deaths from the University clock tower. Was it a double suicide or was it a double murder? Jim wants to know more and goes to the newspaper to offer to investigate the story further. That leads him to be hired by the family to find out if it was murder. It also leads him to become attracted to Lady Diana Framji, sister of one of the victims.
Part history, part mystery, part romance – there is a bit of everything that I look for in a well crafted mystery. The addition of the works of Sherlock Holmes is a big plus. I put this title on my list of books to give as gifts without hesitation.
My thanks to the publisher, Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I just finished Murder in Old Bombay, a debut novel by Nev March. I wanted a book that took me away! I sincerely have a book hangover. Set in India in the 1890’s, it is a Sherlock Holmes style mystery. We first meet Captain Jim Agnihotri recovering from wounds in a military hospital. He never met his British father and his Indian mother left him with a mission orphanage where Father Thomas cared for Jim. During his long recovery in the hospital, Jim occupies himself by reading newspapers. After reading about two women falling from a tower which the paper describes as “the crime of the century” and a letter from a grieving husband, Adi Framji, Captain Jim decides he is going to solve this crime (murder or suicide) using Sherlock Holmes style.
I was carried away for the rest of the book. I learned a lot about India and fell in love with all of the interesting characters especially Jim. I laughed, I cried, and I felt like I was right there in this story as Jim is taken in by the Framji family. This was the perfect escape novel for me. Could this be a start of a series? I sure hope so. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.
5 stars
1892 Bombay Two sisters, Bacha and her sister by marriage Pilloo, have jumped from a university clock tower in daylight and three men were charged with murder and later acquitted, with the evidence stating it was suicide. The Family is convinced that it was not and the husband Adi Framji is approached by Captain Jim Agnihotri who is then hired for a six month period to investigate. The story is from his point of view.
An interesting and entertaining complex Victorian mystery and adventure story, with its varied and likeable characters.
This definitely isn’t for those that want thrills and roller coaster rides. This is a slow moving mystery with several side stories as one learns about Jim, his background and as more is learned about the Framjis and their history.
The writing and the historical aspect are well done. The characters are well-developed and enjoyable to follow. This has more of a cozy mystery feel to it even though it is a long read. Overall, an enjoyable historical mystery.
I received this E-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
This is a very impressive debut novel for Nev March. I’ve added her to my authors to watch list, and you will want to as well after enjoying this well-thought-out historical fiction novel based on true events.
The setting is Bombay, India in 1892, a period when India was still under British rule. Captain Jim Agnihotri , an Ango-Indian, is recovering in a military hospital and passes his time rereading novels about his favorite character, Sherlock Holmes. When The Chronicle writes about the deaths of two young well-to-do women who fell to their deaths (minutes apart) from the University’s clock tower, Jim immediately takes interest in their deaths and in the “trial of the century” which follows. Ultimately, the suspects are acquitted, and the deaths are ruled deaths by suicide, something neither Jim, not the family of the women accept.
Hired by the family of the young women to find out what really is behind their deaths, Jim (and the reader) embarks on a quest for the truth, having no idea of the deep bonds he will forge with the family members, the many dangers he will face, or where his questions will lead him. He only strives to handle the case as his idol Sherlock Holmes would, with an open mind, an eye to detail, and a drive to find the truth.
Ms. March does an excellent job of engulfing the reader in the culture of Colonial India and surrounding them with characters so richly drawn that they will linger long after the last page has been turned. Both intriguing and enlightening, I recommend this novel to those interested in other cultures, historical fiction, mysteries, and novels based on true events.
My sincere thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for permitting me to read a review copy of the novel. Publication is currently 11/10/2020. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Wow. I was so blown away by this book.
If I’m being honest I only picked it up because of it’s gorgeous cover and bright pink spine, and then when I read the blurb I became even more excited to try it. But it’s seriously one of the best mysteries I’ve read in a long time. It has a very old-school feel, perhaps because of the main character’s admitted Sherlock Holmes influence, perhaps because it’s a historical (set in the late 1800s). Our main character, retired Captain Jim Agnihotri, a half Indian, half English injured war veteran, becomes inspired to investigate the deaths of two young women after reading a letter from one woman’s widower in the newspaper while he’s recuperating in the hospital. Jim gives me major Cormoran Strike vibes, for those a fan of Robert Galbraith series, as he’s a little bit rough, but has a whole lot of heart and is a truly likeable–no, lovable–main character.
This book is quite long, and took me several days to get through (which is not typical for me), but there’s so much going on and so much meat to the story, it’s understandable. Captain Jim makes numerous trips throughout India and goes on so many adventures that, looking back, I can’t believe they were packed into one book. It’s jam-packed with action, and has a heartwarming romantic reaction for those looking for that. I *may* have actually teared up at the end of the book (an enormous rarity for me). (To clarify, happy tears–not sad ones. Though there is death in this book.) Part of me wants this book to be first in a series, and part of me thinks how could we possibly improve on this perfection and maybe more would ruin the magic? Regardless, I can’t wait to see what else this author puts out. This is a truly amazing debut.
5 stars – 10/10
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley for my free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
When Captain Jim Agnihotri returns from the wars, he is at a loss as to what to do. It’s 1892, and Jim is a mixed-race man in country dominated by the British. While he is convalescing he reads about two young women who committed suicide by jumping off a very tall tower. There’s something not right with that. He wants to investigate the two young women’s deaths because he thinks it may be murder. At first, he decides that the only way he’ll be able to investigate the murders using the techniques of his hero Sherlock Holmes is to become a journalist. However, when one of the young women’s husband offers him the job of investigating the murders, Jim immediately says “yes.” As he begins asking questions, he is even more convinced the deaths are murders. He painstakingly follows each clue no matter how small and begins to unravel what happened, he unwittingly unleashes things he has no way of knowing about. And when his employer’s beautiful, intelligent sister wants to join the investigation, he fears for his heart.
This is a well-written first novel by a writer who has obviously done her research. She’s very good at sharing the clues that Captain Jim uncovers. The opening pages seemed a bit stiff, but as the author and Captain Jim settle into the story the writing seems to improve and the pace puts up as well.
If you love historical mysteries set somewhere other than Britain or America and/or you’re a fan of Sujata Massey’s Perveen Mistry series, this book is for you. If you are neither of those things, give this book a try, you’ll undoubtedly will hope for several more books featuring Captain Jim and Lady Diana.
My thanks to Minotaur and Edelweiss for an eARC.
3.5 stars rounded up for an entertaining romantic mystery set in 1890s India. Our dashing hero, Captain Jim Agnihotri, son of an English father and Indian mother, reads Sherlock Holmes mysteries during a 2 year hospital stay because of injuries in battle. He reads newspapers also. An article about what the paper calls “the crime of century’ catches his eye. Two women have fallen to their death from a tower. The husband of 1 woman, and brother to the other, writes a letter to the paper, insisting that his wife and sister did not commit suicide.
Jim decides to investigate. He goes to the newspaper editor and asks to be hired to investigate. He is hired at 30 rupees a week. He then goes to Adi Framji’s house to interview the widower about the death of his wife and sister. Adi questions Jim about why he wants to do this and how long it will take. He is pleased with Jim’s answers and offers to hire Jim at 40 rupees a week to investigate for him, instead of the newspaper.
According to the blurb, this book is based on a true story. The book, not due to be published until Nov 10, has won an award for a debut mystery novel.
Jim does discover the truth behind their deaths and more. There is a forbidden romance and an enlightening look at the British Raj at the height of its power in India. Jim is classed as a native officer and Captain is as high as he will go. He is given a medical discharge. The British are cast as the good guys and the Indians fighting for independence are truly evil villains. All in all, British India seen through rose colored glasses.
I learned something new: Parsees are medieval refugees to India from Pars, Persia(Iran). The Parsees number about 100.000 and forbid marriage to non Parsees.
Three quotes:
Jim on British hierarchy: “Indian hierarchy dogging me again. At the top, admired. obeyed and watched, always watched, were British officers. Next came ‘the civil’ administrators, Englishmen regardless of education or connections. Then non-coms, followed by native officers of high caste. All high castes, Brahmins,-the priestly class–and Shatriya warriors preceded Sikhs and Gurkhas. Parsees might figure with non-coms, educated, wealthy and influential. At the bottom, ignored at best, often just despised, were the low castes: traders,and tribesman thought to be crude, ignorant carpet peddlers like the Pathans, like me. High castes could escape crimes perpetrated upon lower castes.”
“Indians did not rise above Subedar-Major, equivalent to the rank of Captain, since young Englishmen could not be expected to follow a native.”
Jim’s romantic thoughts: “Having her near was to drink after weeks in the desert. Those delicate fingers, now clenched at her side in fields of pale blue. Her arms, slender and so perfectly shaped, her softly heaving bosom.”
If you like a romantic mystery with little violence, no profanity or sex and a dashing hero, then this book is for you.
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a digital advanced reader copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
This was a very engaging historical mystery taking place in nineteenth century “Old Bombay.” Captain Jim Agnihotri, recovering from a military skirmish in an Indian hospital in Poona, becomes fascinated by a newspaper story. He channels his idol, Sherlock Holmes, to solve a suspicious double suicide of two sisters.
Hired by Adi Framji, the husband of one of the sisters, Jim is welcomed into their family as he uses Holmesian deductions to solve the crime. The novel works on several layers: as a murder mystery; as a story of family – Jim is an orphan and the Framjis generously embrace him as a son; plus Jim rescues several children who become his temporary family; and as a romance with the remaining sister, Diana.
The novel provides many exciting episodes as Jim, time after time, narrowly escapes dangerous situations thanks to his cleverness in utilizing disguises such as Holmes would use, his military connections, and his training as a boxer. In addition, the author expertly describes the cultural mores of the period which cause much angst for Jim as he is of the wrong caste to marry Diana, who has become the love of his life.
I recommend this entertaining, debut novel which is based on a true story for several reasons. Jim is such a humble, likable character and the author skillfully recreates the sights, sounds, and scents of nineteenth century India. And of course for the clever mystery with its homage to Sherlock Holmes.
I wanted to like this book, but it fell flat for me.
Part of the problem was that I’ve read multiple mysteries set in British-ruled India, multiple Sherlock-inspired mysteries, ex-military member with PTSD mysteries. Some of these have been excellent. While it’s probably unfair to compare March’s novel with these others, I couldn’t help but make those comparisons and feel disappointed.
The book had a lot of potential.
The mystery should’ve felt compelling; a wife and sister fell to their deaths and despite the family’s protests and conflicting evidence, the verdict was suicide. Somehow, though, I never felt moved by this. It was also very strange to me that the police either didn’t find (or didn’t care to find) the “clues” that Jim readily found several months after the deaths.
For me, the book didn’t convey the intense tumult of India under British rule. Somehow, despite the author’s attempts, it came up lacking.
However, the background on the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was fascinating. This was one of the best aspects of the book. March did a good job tying the mutiny to the current mystery. The other fascinating thing was the information on Parsees and the Zoroastrian religion. I knew most of the information, but March, a Parsee Zoroastrian herself, really developed this and wove it naturally into the story.
Jim was a well-developed character. A half-Indian, half-English illegitimate man, he never knew his father. He was raised in a orphanage run by a Christian mission and later left to join the army. He left the army but the army hasn’t left him, as one character notes: he struggles with PTSD symptoms from some mysterious, bloody skirmish in Karachi.
Other than Jim, the characters felt shallow, and that included the victims and the family. That was unfortunate. I wanted them to come to life and wanted to care about them.
I was of two minds about the Sherlock inspiration. Part of me thought the book would’ve been better off without the Sherlock references. Yes, I know that Sherlock inspired Jim to investigate, etc., etc. But these references invited comparisons to both Conan-Doyle’s originals and the myriad of Sherlockian fiction since. Jim’s mind didn’t work like Sherlock’s, nor did he remain detached and dispassionate (especially after love interest Diana showed up). But another part of me really enjoyed Jim’s Sherlockian-style disguises as he impersonated a poor peanut seller, a new priest, and a Pathan, all of which he based on people he actually knew. That was a lot of fun.
But the overall impression of the book was that it felt unfocused and overly-long. The story took off on various tangents, some only superficially related to the investigation, and some of the plot aspects were unbelievable. The ending dragged out for multiple chapters, as each of the plots/subplots got an individual ending.
As I said, this book fell flat for me. However, there are a lot of four and five star reviews from other readers. So when in doubt, pick up the book and try it.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I must be missing something, but unfortunately and to be brutally honest, there was really nothing I liked about this book (besides the cover).
It seemed to go on forever (much, much too long), the writing was disjointed without a good flow (and seemed even a little simplistic), and the characters were not that interesting or care worthy and one was downright unlikable. The mystery was OK but a bit far fetched and convoluted. Just not feeling it.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.