Midnight at Malabar House

The Malabar House Series, Book 1

By: Vaseem Khan

Narrated by: Maya Saroya

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Excelle

Excellent historical fictional novel. I can't wait to start the second book in this series

A good mystery with a promising heroine

I had read some negative reviews of this book, citing a thin plot and Persis’ character flaws. I disagree - I thought she was a good character with depth. She is prickly, angry at life’s injustices, and lacks social skills. But as the first woman on a police force rife with sexism and bare-faced misogyny, I think she handles herself well. Someone meek and mild would never make it in that environment. I loved that she’s smart, resourceful, fearless in the face of danger, a crack shot, and skilled in martial arts - all attributes that would be celebrated in a male character. I also thought the plotting and mystery were good, with lots of Indian history thrown in, and a perspective on Indians’ attitudes of that time (1950) toward the British. I look forward to Persis’ next case.

great narration

liked the story and mystery set against historical events. the main character did not stay true to form. being an avid reader, I would have expected her to understand human emotions better. sometimes she was strong and formidable. other times she was clueless. hope her character evolves better over the series.

A time capsule if there was one

Very well written, can't wait for the next in the series. Love all the characters and how they were developed. Very striking about the Indian past, very well researched. The performance was also well on point.

Fantastic Book

I loved the heroine, India's first female police detective. She's fiercely dedicated and ferocious in pursuit of the truth. The author creates a time and place, 1950 Bombay, about as complex as any could be, and brings it stunningly to life. The heroine's family and colleagues are fun to spend imagination time with. The writing is exquisite. And I could listen to the narrator's velvet, lyrical voice read anything. I am thrilled to have started this new series. Oh- and the mystery is perfectly crafted and springs organically from the setting.

Brilliant

Simply love Khan's writing! Clever, sensitive and humane. Excellent narration by Saroya. Complex characters come to life!

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.

I love colonial India tales and mysteries but …

While the plot line was well planned, the story was just too long ( and over explained) to keep my interest. If this had been a book, I would have jumped to the end half way thru. My strongest criticism, thou, is for the central character. She is just too strident and one dimensional to be believed; she could do with some needle humor or even just a pinch more tenderness.
I think this author is still trying to find his footing. He went from the silliness of the cozy mysteries involving a baby elephant sidekick (how many plots twists can you use with this constraint) to an overly involved book with too many subplots and cardboard characters without the enjoyment of all those lovely little everyday life vignettes I so enjoyed in his elephant series.