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marmot28's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sandrinepal's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Yup, still love this series. Among other things, I love that the characters are growing to reflect the historical period through which they're living. The fact that Surendranath and Wyndham share the narration in this latest installment was balm for the soul.
Featuring Section H (the British army's intelligence branch) more prominently was also an overdue aspect of the franchise, though they do come across smelling a little too much of roses, imo.
One thing that did irk me a little was the presence of Ooravis Colah. Annie Grant can't be in two places at once, so she gets to delegate the token, Jessica-Rabbit-hot female lead to another token, Jessica-Rabbit-hot female? Honestly...
As for the ending, I will reserve judgment until the next book comes out. Here's hoping it won't take too long!
Featuring Section H (the British army's intelligence branch) more prominently was also an overdue aspect of the franchise, though they do come across smelling a little too much of roses, imo.
One thing that did irk me a little was the presence of Ooravis Colah. Annie Grant can't be in two places at once, so she gets to delegate the token, Jessica-Rabbit-hot female lead to another token, Jessica-Rabbit-hot female? Honestly...
As for the ending, I will reserve judgment until the next book comes out. Here's hoping it won't take too long!
shropgirl's review against another edition
4.0
Book 5 of the Wyndham and Banerjee series, set in September 1923 and initially based in Calcutta, tension is increasing between Hindus and Muslims with the British trying to maintain law and order.
Abir Mukherjee has both Banerjee and Same Wyndham narrating the story and this works well as we see how the developments and incidents are seen from two opposite perspectives.
The story begins with Surendranath Banerjee being arrested and imprisoned for the murder of a prominent Hindu theologian in Calcutta. Sam establishes that the Chief of Police has sent Banerjee to the murdered man's house on a secret mission. However, even though Same manages to get Banerjee released there is a bomb explosion which injures the chief who then is unable to verify Banerjee's story.
Mukherjee describes the racial prejudice that existed when even the fact that Banerjee is a member of the police force, he is Indian and therefore there is no due diligence in the murder investigation. The British need a resolution regardless.
Sam, determined to prove Banerjee's innocence, goes with him to Bombay and both are then in great danger.
This series is excellent, the writing is good, the plot well paced, the tension increases, the descriptions of life in India at this time is believable and the ending is satisfactory. This is a most enjoyable way of learning a little of the history of decline of British rule and the rise of Indian independence. Highly recommended.
Abir Mukherjee has both Banerjee and Same Wyndham narrating the story and this works well as we see how the developments and incidents are seen from two opposite perspectives.
The story begins with Surendranath Banerjee being arrested and imprisoned for the murder of a prominent Hindu theologian in Calcutta. Sam establishes that the Chief of Police has sent Banerjee to the murdered man's house on a secret mission. However, even though Same manages to get Banerjee released there is a bomb explosion which injures the chief who then is unable to verify Banerjee's story.
Mukherjee describes the racial prejudice that existed when even the fact that Banerjee is a member of the police force, he is Indian and therefore there is no due diligence in the murder investigation. The British need a resolution regardless.
Sam, determined to prove Banerjee's innocence, goes with him to Bombay and both are then in great danger.
This series is excellent, the writing is good, the plot well paced, the tension increases, the descriptions of life in India at this time is believable and the ending is satisfactory. This is a most enjoyable way of learning a little of the history of decline of British rule and the rise of Indian independence. Highly recommended.
chrispr's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
delton215's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
ecclescake's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
eiridium's review against another edition
5.0
The fifth in the Wyndham and Banerjee detective series by Abir Mukherjee – The Shadows of Men – continues a stunningly engaging and superbly constructed detective tale set in late Raj-Era India. This volume adopts an alternating POV approach as the principal actors, Surendranath Banerjee and Sam Wyndham, each share their perspectives of the events as they happen. This lends a unique new flavour to the series and just builds on what already were riveting reads.
We met Sam and Surendranath in A Rising Man, as Wyndham arrives in Calcutta, a troubled detective recruited to join the Imperial Police by a military acquaintance, Lord Taggart, who heads up the local CID. There he meets Banerjee, a native member of the force who is himself increasingly troubled by his participation in the tool of imperial oppression. As the series progresses, the pair find collaborative success and grow in respect for one another.
The series is set in post-WW1 India as the stirrings of nationalism become increasingly strident. In addition to compelling suspense writing, the author spins a multi-layered tale of historical socio-economic depth that genuinely sets these novels apart and above. They are gripping, educational, suspenseful, wrapped in naked drama, and pure treat to savour.
I jump in to write a quick review of this novel as the particular strength of the series is simply so evident in this chapter. The author pulls another trick and casts a tight, suspenseful story that puts the protagonists directly into the middle of a plot drawing in the extreme nationalist streams of the Hindu and Muslim-dominated groups. Our heroes are on the run this time, with Surendranath accused of murder and caught up in a web of intrigue relying on some old allies and a surprisingly new one. There’s also a lovely new location and characters as our detectives travel to Bombay, and the contrast with Calcutta is explored. Mukerjee’s writing is tight, relentless, and never lets you take a breath. It is skillfully constructed and doesn’t give the game away until the penultimate climax. India is in an atmosphere of tension, of a fuse that has been lit and slowly smouldering towards an explosion. This is so well evocated. You feel for the broken actors – the patina is dirty and authentic, gritty and honest, and draws the reader into a story that craves to be read and savoured. The detective story is embedded in quite direct social commentary that is not restricted to the period in which he writes. These novels are greedily consumed, and then the reader faces the frustrating anticipation of waiting for the next book. It can’t come too soon.
Thanks to Mark, my Goodreads buddy, who so presciently suggested that I would like this series. Social reading at work!
I also shout out to The RedHotChilliWriters podcast co-hosted by Abir Mukerjee (author of this series) and Vaseem Khan (author of the Baby Ganesh Agency series, which I also am well into and also enjoying). I just discovered this mature podcast that features a great chat between the authors – not sure what voices I would have expected, but it is actually great to now have those connected to their writing. I love Mukerjee’s self-characterisation as a Hindon’t. Interestingly my jump into the series was an interview with Antti Toumainen – another author whose works are amongst my favourites (the dark humour ;-).
We met Sam and Surendranath in A Rising Man, as Wyndham arrives in Calcutta, a troubled detective recruited to join the Imperial Police by a military acquaintance, Lord Taggart, who heads up the local CID. There he meets Banerjee, a native member of the force who is himself increasingly troubled by his participation in the tool of imperial oppression. As the series progresses, the pair find collaborative success and grow in respect for one another.
The series is set in post-WW1 India as the stirrings of nationalism become increasingly strident. In addition to compelling suspense writing, the author spins a multi-layered tale of historical socio-economic depth that genuinely sets these novels apart and above. They are gripping, educational, suspenseful, wrapped in naked drama, and pure treat to savour.
I jump in to write a quick review of this novel as the particular strength of the series is simply so evident in this chapter. The author pulls another trick and casts a tight, suspenseful story that puts the protagonists directly into the middle of a plot drawing in the extreme nationalist streams of the Hindu and Muslim-dominated groups. Our heroes are on the run this time, with Surendranath accused of murder and caught up in a web of intrigue relying on some old allies and a surprisingly new one. There’s also a lovely new location and characters as our detectives travel to Bombay, and the contrast with Calcutta is explored. Mukerjee’s writing is tight, relentless, and never lets you take a breath. It is skillfully constructed and doesn’t give the game away until the penultimate climax. India is in an atmosphere of tension, of a fuse that has been lit and slowly smouldering towards an explosion. This is so well evocated. You feel for the broken actors – the patina is dirty and authentic, gritty and honest, and draws the reader into a story that craves to be read and savoured. The detective story is embedded in quite direct social commentary that is not restricted to the period in which he writes. These novels are greedily consumed, and then the reader faces the frustrating anticipation of waiting for the next book. It can’t come too soon.
Thanks to Mark, my Goodreads buddy, who so presciently suggested that I would like this series. Social reading at work!
I also shout out to The RedHotChilliWriters podcast co-hosted by Abir Mukerjee (author of this series) and Vaseem Khan (author of the Baby Ganesh Agency series, which I also am well into and also enjoying). I just discovered this mature podcast that features a great chat between the authors – not sure what voices I would have expected, but it is actually great to now have those connected to their writing. I love Mukerjee’s self-characterisation as a Hindon’t. Interestingly my jump into the series was an interview with Antti Toumainen – another author whose works are amongst my favourites (the dark humour ;-).
motherofladybirds's review against another edition
3.0
I ENJOY THIS DETECTIVE SERIES SET IN iNDIA. tHIS TIME sAM AND sURENRANATH ARE MIXED UP IN INTERACIAL TENSIONS AND PLOTS TO DESTABILIZE iNDIA.
mja002's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
nigellicus's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
5.0
The stalwart Surendrenath gets a voice in this volume of the mystery series, talking over half the narration with a decidedly different viewpoint to that of his good friend Sam. With tensions between Muslim and Hindu running high, Surendernath finds himself under suspicion of a murder that is tearing the city apart - with the help of Sam, he goes on the run to clear his name, solve the murder and uncover a dagerous plot. An exciting adventure thriller.