I can always tell when I genuinely love a book. I start to read it much slower—because I don’t want it to end. That is what unexpectedly happened to me while reading Murder in Old Bombay.

It’s 1892 in India. Retired Captain James Agnihotri has been invalided out of the British Calvary due to injuries sustained in battle. He reads a newspaper story about two women falling to their death from a library’s reading room balcony. Their husband and brother, Adi, insists they were not suicidal. But the police fail to find the true culprit. The Captain offers to investigate as a newly minted reporter. But Adi and his rich parents insist on hiring the Captain as their personal private investigator. And the game is afoot!

The above blurb sounds interesting enough but fails to describe this wonderful story. The Captain loves Sherlock Holmes. He uses the Holmes canon as his toolbox of how to investigate the women’s death. Soon enough, he disguises himself using method acting like Holmes. The Captain finds his Watson in Adi’s remaining sister, the beautiful Diana. Breaking away considerably from Holmes, the Captain and Diana begin to fall for each other despite her family’s discomfort at the Captain’s mixed race and different religion.

The smells, sounds, and people of several Indian cities make the reader fully immersed in the setting. The setting and era include much about skirmishes between England, the Indian-controlled princely states, and various local factions.

The combination of a complex mystery, comparisons with Holmes, full-bodied characters, a marvelous setting, a fish-out-of-water story, and a sweet mixed-couple romance make Murder in Old Bombay my favorite book of the year! It’s like Gone with the Wind without all the racism. It should appeal to a wide range of readers—historical fiction fans, mystery readers, Holmes addicts, and romance fans. It entranced me. 5 stars and a favorite!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

In the late 1890's ,Bombay is the center of British India. Captain Jim Agnihotri lies in Poona military hospital recovering from war injuries. He spends his time reading his favorite author, Sherlock Holmes. A case in the daily paper catches his attention. Two women fell from the busy university’s clock tower in broad daylight. Jim is fascinated by this unsolved case and offers his help to the family.
Based on a true story, Jim's investigation leads to twists, turns, attempts on his life, and a possibility of romance in his future.

Well written, this entertaining cozy mystery much in the style of the Sherlock Holmes' mystery was a wonderful surprise to read. All of the main characters were well developed and very realistic. March's historical research was evident throughout in the interplay between the various Indian sects and the British. It was interesting to learn about the independent sections of India with their various rulers as well as the cultural boundaries between various Indian sects. The developing relationship between the MC's, Jim and Lady Diana Framji was wonderful to watch, and Diana's parents came up with the perfect solution for them to create a HEA ending.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Capt Jim investigates a death that the family feel is not a suicide. Lots of twists and turns keep you turning the pages. Wonderful interesting and complex characters. I received a copy from netgalley and I loved this book! A must read!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for this free ARC in return for an honest review. As I am not a huge reader of historical books, I do from time to time step outside my normal genres. This appeared to me a book that I would enjoy reading, I hoped to learn more about Bombay and get a feeling what it would be like to live there. Overall I found it to be a interesting read, but not one that catches me, and that I just can't put down what I look for in my 5 star reads. I would recommend this book to others.

Murder in Old Bombay is a historical mystery set in India 1892. Describing this book as a historical mystery is completely insufficient. It is an excellent mystery; it is an epic historical fiction; it has romance and adventure and heartbreak. It has themes of family, loyalty, secrets, love, history, reputation, religion, and patriotism. I loved it!

The story is told in first person from the perspective of Captain James Agnihotri, former cavalry turned private investigator. While recuperating in hospital, James reads of the deaths of two young women in the newspaper. They fell from the clock tower - was is suicide or murder? James feels compelled to investigate after reading the words of the bereaved husband, "They are gone, but I remain."

There is an excellent sense of time and place. The author is very descriptive and I was drawn right into the story. The plot is well-developed. The author takes her time telling the story yet I never felt like it was dragging. The characters feel like real people with real struggles, motivations, and strengths. Captain Jim is a huge Sherlock Holmes fan and I enjoyed the references to Conan Doyle's work. The glossary was helpful as well.

I really enjoyed this story. I really cared about the characters and felt very invested in what happens to them.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me a copy for review.

This book was such a delightful surprise! I love a good historical mystery and this one completely sucked me in. March did such an incredible job describing a world I knew nothing about, and it was a please or lose myself in it. Very much looking forward to her next one!

I received a free electronic copy of this excellent historical novel from Netgalley, Nev March, and St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. This is a tightly wound mystery in picturesque 1890's Bombay, peopled with protagonists that will become friends.

I loved the clear picture of Bombay (now known as Mumbai) and the overview of British law and order in India during this time period. . Our story is first-person from the viewpoint of Captain Jim Agnihotri, a half-caste soldier just retired, disabled, from the British Army, Fourteenth Light Cavalry Regiment, following a catastrophic battle at Port Karachi where most of his regiment was wiped out.
His injuries were near-lethal, injuries that had him hospitalized for a year with broken bones, a serious brain injury, and PTSD, most of that hospitalized year lost from his memory due to trauma and pain and drugs for pain. Well enough to leave hospital care, at last, he decided to train himself in the shadow of Sherlock Holmes in the private investigation business. And his first case, the death of two young, vibrant, wealthy woman, is going to be a doozie. If he can just control the flash-backs to the battle of Karachi and avoid the battles in play between British troops and rebel armies wanting independence from British Rule, he should be able to work through the facts of this case and find the truth at its root. Or so we hope.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot, which has already been covered by many other reviews.

This is apparently the debut novel from Nev March, which surprised me as it is very accomplished on many levels.

I chose this title as I enjoy both mysteries and historical fiction, and by coincidence, my husband was listening to an audio book set in India in the same period as this novel.

The author paints a vivid picture with plenty of background detail to help you understand life in India in the late 19th century (1892). The level of detail gives it a very authentic feel, and the author has obviously done a lot of research, which pays off. The book covers wider issues than you would expect from a novel - including the main religions, politics, ethnicity, and social strictures prevalent at the time, It all adds to the rich mix.

The characters are well observed and well described. The supporting cast includes some very likeable figures (particularly the little band of urchins). I liked the nods to Sherlock Holmes, and the various escapades undertaken by our hero - Captain James Agnihotri - were exciting and believable. I was drawn into the story and wanted to find out what happened next...so read on late into the night.

To begin with I wasn't entirely sure about how the romantic element would play out, but it fits with the overall plot, and might possibly lead to a sequel? Let's hope so!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

1892 Bombay Two sisters, Bacha and her sister by marriage Pilloo, have jumped from a university clock tower in daylight and three men were charged with murder and later acquitted, with the evidence stating it was suicide. The family is convinced that it was not and the husband Adi Framji is approached by Captain Jim Agnihotri who is then hired for a six month period to investigate. The story is from his point of view.
An interesting and entertaining complex Victorian mystery and adventure story, with its varied and likeable characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Great mystery, a lot of interesting characters and location but a lot of details too. I liked Jim. Introduced to him quickly as a man who is injured and stuck in hospital. He reads a current scandal in the papers about 2 women who have died falling from a building. The inquest has decided suicide but the grieving husband to one, brother to the other - he knows it was not suicide. Jim decides he would like to try his hand at detective work, like Sherlock Holmes.

It has an interesting setting, Bombay, but Jim also travels all over the area. He visits war-torn areas that are dangerous and bumps in to very interesting character. He seems to enjoy this new job and finds second-hand clothes and dons many disguises and personas in order to get clues.

But the story was a bit long. It got bogged down a few times as he was stuck in areas and even stuck with groups of people. Although I appreciated what that added to the story, it did bog it down a bit and made it take longer to really get to a conclusion. I enjoyed the last few chapters for wrap up and I'm glad I read this one. And what a gorgeous cover.

*Winner of the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers Of America First Crime Novel Award

Murder In Old Bombay by Nev March is so much more than an historical crime novel based on a true story. It is a rich vibrant fully imagined saga of India in the throes of 19th century English colonialism, a murder mystery worthy of Sherlock Holmes, a heartbreaking commentary of class and religious bias, a soldier's survivor's guilt imbued with intense PTSD, a forbidden romance and, most of all a beautifully written must read novel.

In 1892 Captain Jim Agnihotri is recuperating from war wounds and trying to deal with the loss of his fellow soldiers when he becomes obsessed with a news story about two sisters who fell from a clock tower to their deaths. Ruled a double suicide there are things that don't add up to the Captain and eventually he investigates the deaths on behalf of the family of the victims.

Using techniques he has learned reading the Holmes detective stories, like creative disguises, he starts to unravel the twisty details that led to these deaths.

Along the way the Captain must deal with his emotions regarding his mixed race upbringing as an orphan, his love for a woman whose religion forbids her to love him, and the realization that he does not have to do it all alone anymore.

This book is the perfect mix of historical fiction, romance, and mystery. It is written with vivid detail and should be adapted for Masterpiece Theater on @pbs ASAP!

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Would love to see a follow up on this story
I loved reading this story. Live in India 1892. Gives a bit better understanding of the caste system which to even in this day and age is to my regret still evident in India. Mixed race children are not accepted by either race. The time of colonization by the British in India wasn't all good or all bad but it certainly not a period we want to go back to but we can’t ignore it as it is part of the history of most countries in one way or another. I felt sad when the story ended because I fell so involved with Agnihotri that I wanted to continue reading on how he continue in his new live. He is a strong personality that hopefully will handle everything live might threw at him but I don't expect an easy path.

A ripping good historical mystery combined with an adventure tale AND a love story! Captain Jim finds himself at loose ends after he is medical-old out of the Army. It's 1892, he's of mixed race, and he doesn't have any prospects but he is fascinated with the alleged suicide of two young women. By chance he ends up working for the wealthy Parsee Framji family who are are mystified as he about why their girls plunged from a tower. Jim's investigation takes him across India, into the heart of the Raj, where he goes disguised a a variety of characters. Along the way, he finds a small band of children, who he helps. And, he falls in love with Diana, the charismatic and beautiful Framji daughter who is forbidden to him. It helps to know a bit about the history of the subcontinent (it's critical in spots) but don't worry- March supplies the info you need to enjoy this. Thanks to the Publisher for the ARC. It's a great and wonderfully atmospheric read.

Nev March creates rich characters and a captivating story that takes readers on an intriguing adventure alongside Captain Jim Agnihotri as he tries to unravel an enticing mystery. This is a persuasive, story that brings readers through the history of Colonial India culture, in 1892. The place is unique, and the time is turbulent. I liked how the Captain looks to his idol Sherlock Holmes for help in his investigating techniques that inspire and give him the courage to take on a double murder investigation. This novel has it all an interesting mystery, danger, drama, murder, a scandal with a splash of romance; sprinkled with several dams and "bloody hells" throughout. All based on true events. This author hits this debut novel out of the park. She is one to watch.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

It is 1892, and Captain Jim Agnihotri is in the hospital nearing the end of a long stay. He has been reading constantly, mostly Sherlock Holmes mysteries and newspapers. He finds an article, a letter to the paper, from a man whose wife and sister have been said to have committed suicide by jumping from a tower in Bombay. The man, Adi Framji, denies this. His final words in the article "They are gone but I remain," compel Agnihotri to action, and he goes to Bombay to investigate their deaths, using the methods of Sherlock Holmes.

I found the book to be interesting, but it moved slowly at times.. There are also many East Indian terms which may confuse the reader if they are not familiar with them. There is, however, a very helpful glossary in the back of the book. The description of the customs and restrictive caste system of 1890's India is well described, and the murder mystery is intriguing. There is a romance in the book that I thought was extremely well done.

If you enjoy murder mysteries, Indian history, or well written romances, you will enjoy this book. I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

Murder and more! Wow!

I don't know why I'm so enamored with historical fiction/mysteries set particularly in the Indian subcontinent. But I am totally hooked! Amidst the Indian struggles for Independence, the influence of the East India Company and the results of British rule, there's much to set as a background that beckons.
In this mystery, placed mostly in Bombay (now Mumbai) of 1892, an injured illegitimate Eurasian soldier formerly of the Fourteenth Light Dragoons, until recently stationed in Burma and the Northwest Frontier, Captain James Agnihotri, is recovering from terrible injuries incurred in Karachi. James reads a newspaper report about the suicides of two young women and decides there are too many loose ends. He's particularly struck by a letter to the editor written by the husband of one of the women. The young man proclaims, "They are gone but I remain." Sentiments of grief James can relate to, particularly after Karachi. He determines to call on his inner Sherlock Holmes to do all he can to investigate the truth of the matter. Firstly as an investigate journalist and then as a Private Investigator for James takes up the baton.
Captain Jim's quest takes him inside the workings of a warm and wealthy Zoroastrian Parsee family, the Framji's, whom he comes to admire, even as he falls further into danger and intrigue. For the reader it's a trip through the Anglo-Indian politics and cultural etiquettes of the day. Along with a journey of prejudices, "Indians did not tolerate the mingling of races any more than the English." The power of the British Raj in certain places hovers in the background, in others it has no jurisdiction. Jim falls in love but must remain aloof. He finds a family and looses it. He finds himself! So many wonderful characters from the young girl he adopts as a sister to the determined young woman he cares for.
A radiant, emotionally satisfying read that unravels towards a rewarding and complex end.

A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This was different than any historical fiction/crime book I've ever read. This was a time period and area of the world that I had never read about and this book painted the perfect picture. This book is a perfect picture of divisions in class and of culture. I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Many thanks to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

I am in such a happy place, thrilled beyond measure to be transported to the OLD BOMBAY of the 19th century. The author has captured the era so beautifully that one can hear the clock tower chiming the hour from the Rajabai tower.

The story is one of those rare treasure that has brilliantly interwoven a murder mystery with pure historical facts. The author’s website gives a gallery of the images that had inspired her characters and have to say each of those are inspiring.

Captain James Agnihotri has been given a medical discharge; Sherlock Holmes, his ray of hope during the long months of recuperation in the hospital. It is this ardent desire to emulate his hero that a newspaper report of a double suicide that sounds mysterious and dubious piques his interest and sets him on the road of self-discovery. The enquiries that he undertakes for the sake of the Framji family his means of escape as the son Adi becomes his best friend and the daughter Diana his sunshine.

The journey of clues takes him across to Lahore, to Shimla, to borders of Pathankot in Kabul, the war torn countryside tearing him into pieces as he becomes aware of the children torn away from their homes and the lovable tale of Chutki woven thru the story gives a depth to the character of James, an Anglo Indian who always feel bereft, neither an Indian nor ‘Angrez’ (English/British) enough to belong to either sides.

The romance between Diana and James showcases the class and religious divide that was predominant in those days but I loved how the author has shown a father who is unable to break free of his traditions and beliefs.

Murder In Old Bombay has lot going for it, the amazing and detailed writing that entrances a reader and enchanting us with varied and diverse culture and subjects. There’s something about a story that touches the very core of one’s heart, one can’t help but love it immensely and this book is just that for me.

Looking forward in anticipation to the sequel of this dynamic tale.

I enjoy historical mysteries but most have been set in England or America. When I saw Murder in Old Bombay offered it got my attention. I was not disappointed. I learned more about India, the caste system and the British rule. The main character is a half caste - half Indian and half British. Capt. Jim Agnihorti's father was British and his mother was Indian. Having been seriously wounded in battle, he has spent a very long time in the hospital. Dealing with not only his injuries to his body but the nightmares and the survivor guilt, Jim finds comfort in reading Sherlock Holmes and the newspapers. One news story catches his attention and becomes his focus when he is discharged.
Two young women from a wealthy family fell to their deaths from the University clock tower. Was it a double suicide or was it a double murder? Jim wants to know more and goes to the newspaper to offer to investigate the story further. That leads him to be hired by the family to find out if it was murder. It also leads him to become attracted to Lady Diana Framji, sister of one of the victims.
Part history, part mystery, part romance - there is a bit of everything that I look for in a well crafted mystery. The addition of the works of Sherlock Holmes is a big plus. I put this title on my list of books to give as gifts without hesitation.
My thanks to the publisher, Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

It took me a while to get into the book but eventually I was hooked. The story takes place in India in the 1890s, when it was under British rule. The main character is half English and half Indian, medically retired from the Army in India, having sustained terrible injuries during a battle in Karachi. His mixed status often puts him in awkward positions, as Indian society was very class-conscious and religion-conscious and didn’t know what to make of him. While recuperating, he reads about a trial where the death of two young women from a wealthy Parsee family were ruled a suicide and he decides to follow up on the case. He winds up becoming a close friend and confidant of the family, the Framjis. This forms the basis of the entire book, which follows his adventures as he tries to uncover the truth, emulating his hero, the fictional Sherlock Holmes. His efforts take him all over India and what is now Pakistan. The publisher states that this story is based on a true story.

Recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.