Midnight at Malabar House: Winner of the CWA Historical Dagger and Nominated for the Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year (The Malabar House Series)
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Midnight at Malabar House: Winner of the CWA Historical Dagger and Nominated for the Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year (The Malabar House Series)
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There are a few anachronisms in the book. The first female police officer in the IPS was appointed in 1972. I can live with this time displacement since this book is a work of fiction. A more jarring note was the mention of Persis having a well thumbed copy of the novel Dr Zhivago, which was not published until 1957. This oversight is also a minor quibble but was personally jarring to me. I also wondered at the characterization of Persis.She is a well drawn character who is smart, perceptive, determined and exceedingly outspoken and blunt. At times, she seemed almost James Bond like in conception. I also wondered if she too easily navigated the glass ceiling and gender prejudice that would have been encountered in 1950. Also, there was a lot of repetition about people blinking, often owlishly, behind their spectacles. In general, the writing style is very approachable but occasionally an unusual vocabulary word would be tossed in and that seemed jarring: pulchritude, lucubration, peroration. Had the author been using similar words all along I wouldn’t have noticed but having just a few interspersed didn’t feel in keeping with the rest of the book. Profile". Vaseem Khan. May 2015. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016 . Retrieved 11 April 2016. The violence and dislocation which accompanied independence is still very much a preoccupation in 1949, and Wadia still has unresolved issues to do with her mother’s death, something her father refuses to discuss. Right from the start, however, it is clear she is a fiercely combative character determined to carve a career despite a general opinion that a woman will not be up to it. But there is no happily ever after for anyone after months of unbelievably savage bloodshed with thousands of innocent civilians slaughtered for religious sectarian reasons -- and sometimes for hidden wealth.
Midnight at Malabar House (The Malabar House Series) By
It is a beautifully written exploration of Wadia's struggle to be accepted as a detective in a male-dominated culture, while navigating a country in turmoil. A thrilling murder mystery, it also wonderfully evokes a turbulent period of India's history * Daily Express *Midnight at Malabar House will appeal to many kinds of readers: Bombay lovers, those interested in modern Indian history, and anyone who appreciates a strong female lead. I'm not an overtly patriotic person nor very religious,but claiming to be a part of a culture that one isn't and then degrade it isn't in good taste. Mr Vaseem Khan kindly refrain from writing about a country you have zero knowledge about. The author's knowledge of Indian history is impressive, and he seamlessly weaves that history into an entertaining story. I enjoyed his protagonist (IMO, male writers have trouble nailing some of the angst felt by professional women, particularly those in break-out roles) and supporting characters. The pacing kept me interested, although I skimmed a bit during long prose sections. These passages were "telling, not showing," but I know enough Indian history that they might be revelatory to someone else. This is historical crime fiction at its best - a compelling mix of social insight and complex plotting with a thoroughly engaging heroine. A highly promising new series * Mail on Sunday *
The best recent thrillers – review roundup - The Guardian The best recent thrillers – review roundup - The Guardian
The leading character is the deftly drawn Persis Wadia, the country’s first female detective. She’s a wonderful creation and this is a hugely enjoyable book’ ANN CLEEVES The leading character is the deftly drawn Persis Wadia, the country's first female detective. She's a wonderful creation and this is a hugely enjoyable book' ANN CLEEVES The leading character is the deftly drawn Persis Wadia, the country's first female detective. She's a wonderful creation and this is a hugely enjoyable book." - Ann Cleeves Sometimes simplicity is so underrated. This book makes you feel the publishing house could have told the author - keep it simple. The reader can feel the eagerness of the author in creating sub plots that impose the value system of today on the past.As I’d already reviewed ‘Midnight at Malabar House’ on this blog – above is a copy of my previous review – as a bonus, I thought I’d suggest a few other books that you’d like if ‘Midnight at Malabar House’ sounds like your kind of thing! Persis pursues the truth stubbornly & with persistence. She is hindered by her colleagues, who feel women have no place in the police service, as well as the lingering fears & prejudices of a traumatised nation. Khan keeps the narrative simple. He does not want to rush the readers towards the murderer; there is no sense of urgency to the plot. Wadia’s perspective of looking at details keep the readers engaged. Outstanding. I've always been a fan of Vaseem Khan but this latest offering is something special and something new. Vaseem is totally at the height of his powers with this novel which combines a flair for history, time and place with a genius for mystery. A novel for our times." - Imran Mahmood Beginning on the last day of 1949, the novel follows India’s first woman police detective Persis Wadia, an Inspector in the Bombay Police, as she goes about solving a high-profile murder while grappling with the aftermath of the Raj, her worries about her ageing father, and the fact that she’s a woman in what is still very much a man’s world, a fact she isn’t allowed to forget for very long.
Vaseem Khan - Wikipedia Vaseem Khan - Wikipedia
Persis is confronted with a murder case with many suspects, all with a motive to want Sir James dead. This is a police procedural that shows the strenuous work and tedium of police investigations. Persis displays intuition, intelligence, inductive reasoning, as well as the determination to put the clues together and come up with a plausible theory. The solution is Agatha Christie influenced. She gets all the suspects together in a room and outlines her investigation and conclusions step by step, suggesting which people who are innocent and cleverly identifying the guilty party and the motive. The Laetitia Rodd mysteries by Kate Saunders – starting with ‘The Secrets of Wishtide’, this series features a genteel Victorian lady detective who finds herself in reduced circumstances after her husband’s death. Archaeological Treasures of Uzbekistan: From Alexander the Great to the Kushan Empire” at James Simon Gallery, Berlin Outstanding. I've always been a fan of Vaseem Khan but this latest offering is something special and something new. Vaseem is totally at the height of his powers with this novel which combines a flair for history, time and place with a genius for mystery. A novel for our times * Imran Mahmood *Vaseem Khan's new book is an absolute treat from start to finish. A satisfying murder mystery and a fascinating evocation of India just after Partition, it also introduces the clever, endearing (and somewhat stubborn) Detective Persis Wadia to the world. I'm already looking forward to her next case." - Antonia Hodgson The historical tidbit he's given and that's exactly how much of facts he's presented are irrelevant to the plot. Bibi ghar massacre and the info on Haji Ali have no relevance to the plot. it really makes no difference, whether it's included in the story or not. Haji Ali was off limits to women till as late as the 70's. Would they really allow a rich American woman to just walk in without the required dress code and smoke in the premises?? Any religion would take offence at the disrespect shown. What a great start to a new series! I enjoyed not only the strong heroine, Inspector Persis Wadia and the fascinating 1950 Mumbai setting but also the rich history and interesting sociopolitical aspects of the story. My only quibble was that I found the story was a little too long.
Midnight at Malabar House (The Malabar House Series): Winner
This was a very enjoyable historical mystery/police procedural. Set in the first days of 1950 with the consequences of Partition still churning, Persis, the first woman police officer in her country is tasked with a complicated and politically sensitive murder investigation. Her being the first woman is a major theme here and she's inundated with obstacles along the way but of course, she persists. Her colleagues, all male, were an interesting bunch and had surprises to the very end. I liked Persis and also the insight into her personal relationships with her family. She was determined and cared to find the truth, not just any answer served up to her for expedience. I adored the family bookstore her father maintained and her deep love for him. Even her Aunt Nussie was a good character with her overbearing ways. But those of you who want 1/2 history lecture, 1/2 dry closed room top down who-dun-it with other possible procedural placements? You may like this tons more than I did. Especially if you tend to the long winded, over word copy length style of saying the same things 12 different ways. Spotlight on Vaseem Khan". University College London. 11 August 2015. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016 . Retrieved 13 April 2016. Jessica Fellowes’ series beginning with ‘The Mitford Murders’– a series of Golden Age-style murder mysteries in which the investigations are connected to the Mitford sisters in 1920s England. All in all, an enjoyable book if one puts aside any expectations and also is willing to be a little patient.A beautifully complex plot and an Agatha Christie-ish denouement make for a thoroughly satisfying read, and a burning desire to see what's next for Persis * Observer * Plot is interesting, keeps you hooked on to it throughout as the trauma of partition unrolls itself before the readers. Repetition seemed the only irksome thing about the book, as I felt that the author wants to stuff the information into the reader’s mind by repeating it a good ten times. Besides, the long and melodramatic stretches could have been avoided, because the book seemed good with a Bollywood touch to it (but you can’t complain as the settings of the novel screamed for the touch of the city of dreams i-e: Bombay). This is historical crime fiction at its best – a compelling mix of social insight and complex plotting with a thoroughly engaging heroine. A highly promising new series’ MAIL ON SUNDAY
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