Midnight at Malabar House

The Malabar House Series, Book 1

By: Vaseem Khan

Narrated by: Maya Saroya

Bombay, New Year's Eve, 1949

As India celebrates the arrival of a momentous new decade, Inspector Persis Wadia stands vigil in the basement of Malabar House, home to the city's most unwanted unit of police officers. Six months after joining the force she remains India's first female police detective, mistrusted, sidelined and now consigned to the midnight shift.

And so, when the phone rings to report the murder of prominent English diplomat Sir James Herriot, the country's most sensational case falls into her lap.

As 1950 dawns and India prepares to become the world's largest republic, Persis, accompanied by Scotland Yard criminalist Archie Blackfinch, finds herself investigating a case that is becoming more political by the second. Navigating a country and society in turmoil, Persis, smart, stubborn and untested in the crucible of male hostility that surrounds her, must find a way to solve the murder - whatever the cost.

©2020 Vaseem Khan Limited (P)2020 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Interesting

Dislike the fact that you are required to leave a written 15 word review before being able to post. Won’t review any books in future!

Thin story

The characters are very sparsely drawn the plot is just a plot. Also marred by the beginnings of words being cut off.

An excellent start to a new series

I absolutely love the Baby Ganesh series and when I finished it I immediately went to this new one. I would say it's an excellent start for a series, though I do feel like the ending was a bit out of left field, hinted at but it could have been more firmly interwoven into the story I think throughout. I really like the characters though and the historical context. Also of course as a woman I appreciate the main character and her being the first female police inspector in India and what that would mean.

A really good interesting tale. I loved the hero.

Good read. Good mystery. Great characters. I will read more by this author. Give it a try.

Feminist Fiction from a Male Author

I’ve read and enjoyed Vaseem Kahn’s previous novels. This newest story about a female in the Indian Police Force seemed forced. It was difficult to follow the historical background which I usually enjoy learning more about from this author. There were too many characters with only a small storyline. I just didn’t connect with Mr. Kahn’s feminine protagonist. I finished the story but was grateful when it was over.