Nothing beckons the imagination and the forthcoming thrill as a murder set in the panorama of Old Bombay.

It's 1892 and Captain Jim Agnihotri is recovering in a Bombay hospital. He has served honorably in the 14th Light Cavalry Regiment for twelve years on the Frontier. Jim has come to a crossroads and has decided to take on a job as a journalist for the Chronicle of India.

But as strangers cross paths, Jim is contacted by a wealthy businessman, Adi Framji, who is about to change Jim's life with a proposition. Adi's young wife, Bacha, and her cousin, Pilloo, fell from the top of the Clock Tower in the main plaza. The police ruled it as a double suicide. Adi thinks otherwise and hires Jim to investigate what he believes is murder.

And here is where Nev March takes us deep into the bindings of what is based on a true story. Her well developed character of Jim is laden with a remarkable backstory. March has Jim hitting the ground running in each chapter as he follows his instincts along with some nebulous clues into what exactly happened to these two women in broad daylight in the market.

March fills her storyline with the vivid sights and sounds of life in India. The customs of Indian society ruled by the British in the 19th century draw us into the history that benefitted some and eliminated others. Nev March injects the story with a bit of true history weaved within. This all comes to pass along these pages filled with the reality of its people and the fight for survival during trying times.

Murder in Old Bombay is quite the read. I'm wondering if the story will continue in a future offering. The character of Captain Jim Agnihotri is one to follow into a promising next adventure.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Minotaur Books (St. Martin's Press) and to Nev March for the opportunity.

I really wanted to love this. I picked it up because I was hoping it would be a true mystery a la Agatha Christie. And for a while, I was really enjoying it. I love a good murder mystery and this one seemed primed to deliver. However, at some point, it just got too long. I thought this was actually closer to 500, 600 pages until I checked Goodreads and saw that it was only 400. I put it down for 3 months because I was bored. A good chunk of the middle of the book were side stories that I think honestly could have been their own books. And once we got the answers to a lot of questions that had been hanging over the book, we still had a significant part of the book to go. I think it could have done with a bit more editing for content.- I would have happily read a 3 part series that touched on this murder, and then some of the other plot lines in the book. I also think there were a couple of storylines (such as Jim's parentage) that were wrapped up too nicely and too quickly. I think focusing on that storyline and the romance would have made more sense.

That said, I learned a LOT about India during this time. I appreciated that. I appreciated the main murder story. I thought it was well written, and I would probably pick up another book by Nev March. I think there's an audience for this story, it just wasn't me.

When I started this book I wasn’t sure it was the type of book I’d like but I ended up loving it. I liked the historical parts of India culture, the mystery parts of murder, and the small romance parts that added to the story. It had surprises that I never guessed would have happened and the future thoughts in the book also keep me guessing. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and enjoy it. #netgalley #murderinoldbombay

This novel is set in the late 19th century, 1892 to be specific. It is a first for this author and hopefully, won't be the last. Having never been to India, but hoping to get there one day, the scenes in this book were just what I'd imagined it may have looked like a long time ago.

This is a historical crime novel, rich with both a bit of history and a fresh take on Sherlock Holmes. It tells the story of 30-year old, Captain Jim Agnihotri, who is convalescing in a hospital, from serious injuries suffered in a skirmish. While he recuperates he rereads Sherlock Holmes stories. He also starts reading the Chronicle, the local newspaper, to gather information on the "suspicious" deaths of two young women who fell from a clock tower. Jim decides to investigate their deaths when he leaves the hospital. Jim even befriends the widower of one of the victims who also happens to be the brother of the other victim. The widower does not think either one committed suicide and Jim is set to find out what really happened.

There is also a backstory about Jim's upbringing, being part Indian and part English and having been orphaned at a young age. He also has a love story that develops with the widower's sister. Captain Jim gets involved in several skirmishes as he tries to solve the mystery for this family. Without giving too much more of the book away, it draws you in, captures your attention and gets you hooked until the very end.

This is a rich, epic tale that will transport you to another time period and is delicious to devour, page by page.

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.

This review will appear on my blog on 6 November 2020.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

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 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.

I received a free Advanced Copy in exchange for a honest review. The novel is by a new to me author. Though it was well written, I felt that the book was too long.

Highly recommended for readers who loved books about India as a jewel in the Crown of the British Empire.

Unfortunately 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.

This was an intriguing murder mystery, especially enjoyable if you like to read historical fiction in the time of the British rule in India in the late 1800's. Apparently the two women who "fell" from the clock tower in Bombay for this mystery, were actual victims during this time period. I liked pretty much all of the cast of characters, and the Sherlock Holmes-esque investigation by a war hero plagued by the memories of battle, and his loneliness in being half English in India. I do wish it had ended about 10 chapters earlier, as it felt like it had several endings, and I prefer all or almost all loose ends to be tied up in one or two chapters. 3.75 stars
~Thank you to NetGalley and publisher~

Murder in Old Bombay
By Nev March
September 23, 2020

A huge round of applause for this author’s debut novel! Based on true events, it had a little of everything I love – mystery, crime, drama, romance, history.

While recuperating from military injuries, Captain Jim peruses the Bombay newspaper and reads about the “crime of the century.” Two well-to-do young women fell to their deaths from a university clock tower. Sloppy investigators rule suicide, the wealthy Parsee family suspects otherwise, and Jim is hired to look into the case.

The story transports readers to the sights and sounds and smells of Bombay in
the late 1800’s, when India was under British rule. Despite their socio-economic differences - and the ingrained attitude to keep to your class - Jim and the victims’ family develop deep and respectful friendships.

After the first few chapters, this charming page-turner picked up steam, and I fell in love with the likable characters.

Thank you to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for this advance copy.

3.75 stars (rounded to 4)
The setting is Bombay, colonial India. The year is 1892. A badly wounded Anglo-Indian British army cavalryman, James Agnihotri, is recovering in hospital reading about the deaths of two young Indian women who fell from the university clock tower. After the acquittal of their accused murderers, the grieving husband Adi Framji writes an impassioned letter to the newspaper, declaring his wife would never commit suicide.
Months later, after his medical discharge from the army, James offers his services to the widower, citing his admiration of Sherlock Holmes and offering to use Holmes’ methods of observation and deduction to help solve the mystery of the women’s deaths.
What follows is a long, winding investigation that takes many twists and turns. James has many adventures, always turning to Holmes as inspiration for his actions, like donning disguises to follow the subjects of his suspicions.
While James admires Sherlock Holmes, he is drawn as a sympathetic hero who has a sensitive nature and a desire to help people, whereas Holmes was characterized as cooler and more removed from emotion. I like that the story is told in the first person, in James’ own words. The reader is given an insight into his feelings and ruminations on his plight as a mixed race, only child growing up without a father or siblings, who longs for a real family and children.
The author’s writing has a warmth to it and is eloquent when writing of James’ feelings and when describing the country and its culture. The adventures may be a bit far-fetched at times, but the complexity of James Agnihotri keeps the reader engaged and interested.
I would definitely look for more books written by Nev March.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/MacmillanUSA for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book, the writing was good, overall it was ok, but I think that could have been shortened, it was too long and the pace was slow and I expected more of the colourful, historic Bombay setting..

This book will be appealing to those who are interested in the social history of Colonial India.. It is based on true events. Writing is a bit turgid in sections.

"Murder in Old Bombay" is a mystery set in 1892 in India. The story started out with Jim carefully collecting and analyzing the evidence and asking questions of the various suspects. He was trying to follow the methods of his literary hero, Sherlock Holmes. But some of his witnesses were now in areas involved in fighting or were otherwise difficult to get to. The story turned into a suspense as Jim headed into danger using his wits and talent for disguise to save not just himself but others as well. Throughout the story, Jim was interested in the sister of his employer, an intelligent, beautiful, and bold young woman. She becomes his friend as much as his employer and the rest of the family, but their romance is forbidden due to their ethnic and religious differences. The story ended with their trying to figure out if they could marry without dire consequences to themselves and her family.

Due to the danger stirred up by Jim asking questions as well as the politics of the time, there was plenty of suspense as Jim narrowly avoided death again and again. The historical and cultural details were deftly woven into the story without slowing the pacing and brought the story to life in my imagination. The mystery was clue-based. Jim asked good questions and was clever in how he collected his evidence. The characters were engaging, complex, and reacted realistically to events. I cared about what happened to them. There was no sex. There was some bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this interesting, engaging story.

Murder in Bombay was a good read. Thank you, Net Galley, for an advance copy for an honest review.

This book is set in 1892 with the British ruling India. Captain Jim Agnihotri is a recently retired officer who was in the hospital recovering from a terrible fight which he cannot recall. He is an orphan of mixed heritage. He starts a new career as a newspaper reporter but is quickly hired to find out what happened to two women who fell from a bell tower.
Jim channels his idol Sherlock Homes and goes after the mystery.
The story is told from Jim’s point of view. He uses all his wit and talents to find out the deep mystery surrounding the murders. We see a great deal of India and the sweeping changes on the way. Jim has a love interest who is way above his station.
The writing was brilliant – we find out who the murderer is, but the reason comes out in the twist and turns.
I loved the book and love the way the Family of the murdered women took Jim in and treated him as family. I am looking forward to the next book by this author

Hired by the son of a wealthy Indian businessman, James Agnihotri investigates the mysterious deaths of his young wife and cousin. Having read and memorized much of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's adventures of Sherlock Holmes, the former soldier assumes Holmes's methods to discover what secret the two women were trying to protect.

This book is the first in a new mystery series. Full of puzzles and red herrings, it provides a look into life in late 19th century Bombay (today's Mumbai). It was a quick and satisfying read. I look forward to the next in the series.

Set in the late 1800's in colonial India, this is a story steeped in its setting. March does a masterful job of giving us just enough description to place us in the story, without boring us with too many details. You feel the agony of the protagonist as he struggles with lost time from war injuries and as he finds himself in an impossible position to marry the woman he loves - all the while,trying to figure out who killed her family members. A perfect blend of mystery and light romance which makes for a relaxing read.

This is a great historical adventure story/mystery! I particularly enjoyed how the author kept the narrator (who is also the protagonist) and all the other characters behaving, thinking and speaking in sync with the era in which they live. This had a very similar feel to it as reading other stories that were written in the Victorian era such as the Anna Katharine Green books, but with far more action and adventure.

I really enjoyed this and highly recommend!

I wish to thank NetGalley and the Publishers St Martin Press, Minotaur Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a mystery that you will not want to put down. It is a long story, but you will want to come back to it often and with great interest. It is set in British India in Bombay in 1892. The main character, Capt Jim Agnihotri is charged with trying to solve the murder of two women. He is a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast and the story is one that would certainly follow in those footsteps. It keeps you guessing to the very last word. The descriptions of life in India at that time are brilliant and the reader is transported to a totally different settings. Throughout the book you travel to many places and learn so much about each place and its customs. You learn the history of the area in the different caste systems and places and about the East Indian Company. This book has it all, history, mystery, romance, fashion, intrigue and wonderful characters. You can actually smell the different settings described. I just loved it. The story is one of loss and survival and you cheer for the heroes and boo for the villains. What more could anyone want in a story? This book is one that I believe lots of people will love and refer their friends and book clubs to it. Thank you Nev March for a great read.

At its heart #murderinoldbombay is a love story set in 1890’s British India. It is wrapped around a mystery set up like a Sherlock Holmes take as that is what the hero reads during his convalescence in a military hospital. I learned a lot I didn’t know about this time period and the Indian caste system which was presented factually and unapologetically. It was a pretty fast paced read but had me rooting for the main characters and crying over the sad parts. I wish to thank #netgalley and the publisher for this ebook to read and honestly review ahead of publication.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for this free ARC in return for an honest review. For a first novel this is quite good! I really enjoy novels/mysteries that are set in foreign locales and here we travel back to late 19th Century India as the author takes us quite and journey to lead us to find the killer of tw0 young girls who are members of an elite family in Bombay. He introduces us to a gentleman who is recovering from both battle wounds and what appears to be PTSD, one Jim Agnihotri who is part Indian and part English which puts him on the outside of both societies. Two girls are killed after a jury determines the ladies fell off the top of a clock tower and it was ruled a suicide. The family is not content with this and eventually hires Jim, who is a firm believer in the Sherlock Holmes method of solving cases. Jim takes us throughout India, and along the ways has numerous side adventures, all of which will eventually be part of the plot. We learn a lot about Indian society, as well as a possible love interest for Jim. Lots going on in this book and the middle part of the book was a bit labored even if they eventually tie into the overall plot and solution to the murders. I liked this book a whole lot and thought that it really picked up steam the last 125 pages.