I really enjoyed this book, there was so much character development and all kinds of twists I didn’t see coming like the fact that James was out of it for a year and had no idea that a year had passed when he started the framji case.

All the little anecdotes were also really night and while they didn’t seem to tie in with the rest of the book at first the writer always found a way to tie it all in and make it make sense.

The end was really pleasing too, I was hoping that James and Diana would get married. I would love to see another book that follows their lives in Boston.

(Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an early ready copy!)

What a delightful book, well written and very interesting. Set in Bombay in 1892, British/Indian Capitan James Agnihotri (Jim)happens upon news story that catches is his interest: 2 well to do young women apparently threw themselves to their death from a clocktower. But something about the event seemed strange to him, and he reached out to one of the victims' husband to see how he could help, and the husband engaged him to investigate. A devotee of Sherlock Holmes, Captain Agnihotri throws himself into the investigation, often thinking about how Sherlock would approach things. Along the way he becomes friends with Adi, the husband, and as things progress Jim becomes almost a part of the family. At the same time the head of the local constabulary is interested in hiring him, and his military contacts come back to get his help in solving another mystery. And along the way there is of course a bit of forbidden romance that comes his way.

Capitan Agnihotri is a delightful and well developed character and his Sherlock Holmes-isms are creative and funny. Adi, his parents and sister, household staff, are all beautifully drawn and engaging. Nev March inserts the politics and social mores of the day in a realistic and compelling fashion, which only adds to the appeal of Captain Jim and the other characters.

I really enjoyed this book. I believe it's a debut novel and I hope that Nev March continues to write; in fact I can see several great sequels featuring Captain Jim! Murder in Old Bombay is a lovely, entertaining, interesting and engaging murder mystery that should not be missed!

I was pleasantly surprised at just how much I enjoyed this historical crime novel, set in 1892 British India.  Thirty year old Captain Jim Agnihotri, son of an unknown English father and an Indian mother who left him with a church before she died, has been convalescing in a hospital, from injuries that occurred over a year ago. During the skirmish that killed all but a handful of his fellow soldiers, Jim was injured so badly that he has only become aware of his surroundings in the last few months. He's left with horrible nightmares, panic attacks, and an overpowering sense of guilt and grief for not being able to save his companions.

During his time of recuperation, Jim rereads Sherlock Holmes stories and scours newspapers for information on the deaths of two young women who fell from a clock tower. The book is full of references to Holmes and Watson, as Jim decides to investigate the suspicious deaths of the two women, once he's out of the hospital. Parsee Adi Framji, widower of one of the women, along with his entire family, take Jim in as one of their own, glad to have his help and friendship. Being of mixed heritage, Jim, having been an orphan from the age of two, values the time he spends with this loving family, knowing he is never really a part of any group, because of his mixed heritage. 

The story is told in Jim's words and for this reason, we aren't always sure of the thoughts and motivations of others in this story. Jim knows that he really has no place in the life of this family, other than as an employee, but he can't help having feelings for Adi's sister, Diana. Jim also values his friendship with Adi and the way that Adi's parents show real feelings for him, in the manner of a mother and father. 

Midway through the book, Jim travels to Lahore, right before the fighting breaks out and he must make his way to safety. During this time, he acquires five traveling companions and I loved this part of the book and Jim's relationship with his five charges. The author allows us to see Jim from many sides, because he really does belong to no one group but instead can pass for both Indian or an Englishman. So much of the book reminds me of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, as Jim is able to use disguises, mirroring the way Sherlock would change his looks and demeanor. 

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

I loved the concept for this book. Late 19th century Bombay and a mystery was sure to pull me in. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The best part of this book for me were the characters. I grew to love the supporting characters.

The main character was wonderful! He was complex and interesting. He was learning and changing. Through Jim we see a vibrant and multi-cultural city. It’s so real because everything isn’t just beautiful. There are prejudices freely discussed and the characters don’t question them much. This is British ruled India. Yet it’s done in way that doesn’t feel racist or “othering”.

The descriptions and the way the story was woven into a mystery pulled me in. This is a stunning debut!

However, a few things just didn’t work for me:

1. I didn’t like the mystery. I don’t mean the plot or how it was written. I just didn’t like how it played out. The reasoning behind certain actions and decisions fell flat for me. It didn’t make it difficult to finish the book but it didn’t feel surprising nor suspenseful the way I’m used to in a mystery.

There was no feeling of guessing what might be happening or the reasons behind something or what the outcome will be. The big reveals were a bit dull. I can’t believe I’m saying that because they are pretty big but they didn’t land with impact.

2. At first the addition of a bit of romance was fine, but by the end it felt like the romance was driving the story and I didn’t like it.

3. Finally, this felt too long. The chapters were short but there were almost 70! They weren’t slow, and sometimes I felt they ended too soon, but it still felt long.

I like a mystery with a bit more drama I guess.; that’s the reason for taking off a star. I would still recommend this. Also loved the addition of the glossary at the back.

I found this book a lot more enjoyable than I expected to. I don't read much historical fiction, but the premise of this book intrigued me, and it did not disappoint.

Set in the late 1890's in Bombay, India, Captain Jim Agnihotri is recovering in hospital from serious wounds he received during his stint in the army. His only reading matter is a copy of a Sherlock Holmes novel (which he reads several times over) and the local newspapers. Bored, he becomes intrigued by the story of a high profile crime - two women from a prominent local family fell to their deaths from a local clock tower, and despite some suspicion of foul play, their deaths have been ruled a suicide.

Once he leaves the hospital and the army, Jim is trying to decide what to do with his life. He is still interested in the story, and decides to follow Sherlock Holmes' methods and to investigate the crime. Initially he goes to interview the family as a reporter from the local paper, but is soon hired by the Framji family as a private investigator.

I really enjoyed the characters portrayed in this book, especially the strong women characters. The novel didn't particularly feel like it was set so far back in time - rather just set in a completely different culture. I enjoyed the way Jim investigated, and the many turns this took. Tensions between local principalities and the areas under British rule all added to the difficulties Jim faced - not everyone wants his to discover what truly happened to the young women. Connections from his army past also muddy the waters as he continues his quest.

I found the sense of the tight family connections within the Framji's household very interesting, and enjoyed the ending - you were never sure quite how the family situation was going to turn out.

All in all a book I really enjoyed. I would read more by this author - this was their debut novel and it was very well done.

Much thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur books for the chance to read this ARC in return for an honest review.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press, in return for an honest review. This is a stand-alone mystery, sent in 1892 India. This is a wonderful and sweeping story. If you liked the Agatha-winning ‘Widows of Malabar Hill’, you should really enjoy this book. It combines mystery, drama, intrigue, romance. All are set against a backdrop of the British rule in India. The protagonist is Captain (medically retired) James Agnihotri. He is a half-Indian/half-Anglo, so outcast in both societies. The book opens when he’s in long-term convalescence after a serious injury in the military. He reads a letter in the Bombay newspaper from a young widower whose wife and sister died from falls at the University tower. The falls were ruled suicides based on the evidence at the time. A closing line resonates with Captain Jim and he seeks out the widower, Mr. Adi Framji. Adi lives with his parents and younger siblings in a grand mansion while he studies law. Captain Jim initially plans a career as a newspaper reporter with this as his first story. Instead Adi hires Jim to investigate the deaths and determine what really happened. As a great Sherlock Holmes fan, Jim believes he can apply order and method to his investigation. Things really take off from there, with trips to neighboring Princely States and to areas under Afghan and British skirmishes. Jim encounters people from all classes and castes; he’s exposed to religious issues and how ethnicity and status permeate all areas.
I enjoyed this book very much. Other reviewers note that it is long and does contain a great deal of plotline. I was okay with this as the story moved well for me. I also enjoyed the romance in the story. There is triumph and tragedy in the story. The characters are believable and engaging. This book is definitely worth the reading time.

I absolutely loved this book!!! Since I visited India & fell in love with the place, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It certainly is so true to the facts that I had learned while there!
Definitely a must!!!

I wish to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this grand, epic tale set in Bombay during the latter part of the 19th century. The book gives a vibrant picture of life, luxury and turmoil during the British Raj and the Princely States which were never fully a part of British India in colonial times. These semi-independent states had their own regional rulers and had tenuous alliances with England, but often resented British rule. The book vividly portrays divisions in class, culture, caste, race, religion, and the place of women in society.

Captain Jim Agnihotri is recovering during a long stay in a hospital after being wounded in a battle in the northern frontier. While his body is healing, his memory is muddled and he experiences episodes of PTSD. He is overcome by grief due to the feeling that he failed his military team. He has never known the love of a real family. His father was English and his mother Indian. Because of his mixed heritage, he doesn't quite fit in with either race. He grew up in an orphanage and entered the army at an early age. He had kindly, supportive mentors at both stages of his youth.

While lying in the hospital, Jim's attention is drawn to reports of the deaths of two young women in the newspapers. The two young women, one married, and her sister-in-law fell to their death from a University tower. He feels the women's deaths are suspicious. He also reads a letter in the paper from the grieving widower and is determined to discover the cause of their deaths. Being a great fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories, he feels he can use Holmes' power of deduction and sleuthing to solve the mystery and bring closure to the husband.

It is believed by the police the two women committed suicide together for unknown reasons. Once released from the hospital, Jim is hired by the newspaper to write about the deaths. When he interviews the wealthy Parasee family, he is convinced they may have been murdered, but why?. He develops a strong attachment to the family who offers him the job investigating why they died. They will pay more than the newspaper, but he agrees primarily because he is now in the centre of a loving family with whom he sympathizes.

I found the first part of his investigation compelling and presented some tantalizing mysteries and intriguing characters. Later, I thought the story meandered too much as he donned many disguises to search for suspects and witnesses far and wide, becoming rather convoluted and moved along with a slower pace. I did not care for the romance with the flighty and flirtatious daughter if the family. This detracted from the investigation, and I found their love story to be melodramatic and overwrought. As Parsees do not marry outside their religion, this worry was an impediment to his investigation and state of mind.

Some earlier tumultuous history is mentioned that relates fierce, bloody battles between British regiments and native forces resulting in the slaughter of thousands. Were the participants of these uprisings patriots or terrorists? How does this history relate to Jim's investigation?

Overall, I found this a riveting, complex mystery that could have been shortened by omitting irrelevant tangents. There is an ending that hints that some of the characters may be continuing their story in America. I will hope that book will be forthcoming but will miss the dynamic, colourful, historic Bombay setting.
3.5 to 4 stars.

I loved this book! When I picked this story, I thought I would like it because it sounded like a good book and I love the cover. I was surprised by how thoroughly I enjoyed reading this book with all the twists and turns the plot took and all the places I got to see through it. Being a romance fan, I loved that there was also a romantic plot to it. The setting was an unusual one for me and I totally enjoyed learning about that country during that time period. I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers, especially those who like historicals and romance too!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I found this book delightful for the historical aspect and descriptions as well as the story line. It was a bit slow to start, but necessary for the plot of the book... I would recommend it to anyone interested in history, cultures, and of course, mystery!

I really liked this book. It is the perfect who-done-it. It reminds me a lot of Sherlock Holmes books. The book starts off a little slow, but don't give up, it pays off to keep reading! I love Cpt Jim he is so fun and weird but soft hearted at the same time.

Well written and intriguing murder mystery. The plot was very complex which kept me wondering what was next and kept me engaged. The many twists and different situations made the read very interesting and pleasant. The setting int Mumbai (Bombay) during the British Raj gave the book rich background to work from. I learned a fair amount about the Raj and various Indian groups and cultures. I appreciated the multiple points for view - British, Anglo- Indian and various Indian subcontinent tribes and cultures of different castes. Reading an unpublished version I missed the Glossary at first. I twas very helpful since some of the terms used I was not familiar with. I might but it at the beginning of ensure it is clear to a reader it exists from the beginning of the book. The only downside I found while reading was the length of the book. At times it did seem to plod and be a bit verbose. Some tightening up of the a narrative and fewer "side trips" could improve the read and the novel.

Murder in Old Bombay is a historical mystery novel set in 19th century India. The protagonist, Captain Jim Agnihotri, is hired to solve the mysterious deaths of two young women in the style of Sherlock Holmes.

The plot and characters are interesting and well-developed. I thought that March did an excellent job weaving the mystery and historical aspects of the book together.

My only criticisms are that it’s a bit of a slow build and the book does go off into different tangents. Personally, I could have done without the romance part as I prefer mysteries to focus solely on the mystery itself.

Overall, a solid debut by March - I look forward to see what she comes out with next.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for providing me with an eARC of Murder in Old Bombay to review.

This was a very well-written novel that kept me engaged throughout its entire length. Part mystery, part romance, part travelogue and part historical novel, the book expertly explores its characters and its 1890s India setting. The lead character is very appealing and hopefully Ms. March will be writing future novels featuring him.

Wonderful storytelling, The author is a master at weaving suspense. He paints a picture of India so vivid that one can not only imagine it but see it. The characters are very well developed.

I look forward to reading more of Nev March's work!

As soon as I saw this book was a historical mystery taking place in 19th century Bombay, I knew I had to read it. I was hoping I would get the opportunity to learn a thing or two and the author really did a good job incorporating a little bit of history into the book. Unfortunately while the story starts off with promise, my interest level did start to dip at about a third of the way in. A neat premise but a few problems with the execution.

Captain Jim Agnihotri has been recovering in a military hospital when a local news story catches his interest. Two women fell off a university clock tower. Adi Framji is the widower of one of the woman and the brother of the other one. He is convinced neither one committed suicide and he hires Jim to investigate. With Jim searching for answers, will he be able to uncover the truth?

There are many Sherlock Holmes references throughout the story and it helped contribute to a bit of a light tone to the story. I'm not sure if technically this book can be classified as a cozy mystery but in my opinion it had that vibe going on.

The story hooked me pretty much at the beginning as I felt as interested as Jim in finding out what really happened to the two women. I do think the story loses focus after awhile especially as you are learning more about Jim's backstory and a potential romance is brewing. While I appreciate the attempt to give a character depth, it was a weak part of the story. I think maybe the author was over ambitious and tackled too many things. Strangely enough I stopped caring about the two women and actually would have been fine if the story completely shifted to a regular romance novel. At 400 pages it's a long mystery without a significant payout.

I didn't love the story, but I didn't hate it either. Not sure if this book is the setup to a planned series or not, but if it is I would consider reading future books just as long as the focus is on the case rather than other side plots.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of Nev March's debut novel, Murder in Old Bombay.
Jim Agnihotri is recovering in a hospital after being injured in a battle. As he is recuperating he is reading his favorite detective, Sherlock Holmes and all the newspapers he can get. He reads a letter from the husband of one of the sisters who were killed in what was being called the Crime of the Century. Jim becomes intrigued and begins to use Holmes methods to investigate the story. This book is so well written, detailed and the characters are wonderful. I look forward to see what Nev March comes up with next!

This book reminded me of a Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot book. It had some interesting characters. The story was like a long winding road with a few detours in the middle. It had intrigue, romance and I really enjoyed the book! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

This debut historical mystery novel by Nev March was hard to put down. (We have to sleep sometime, right?😁) The intelligent, interesting characters are weaved into a riveting story, leaving me wanting more of Jim Agnihotri's adventures.

Thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur books for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Excellent! I love period tales, and this is a great one. Murder in Old Bombay is a wonderful mystery set in 1890's Bombay, British India. Captain Jim Agnihorti becomes fascinated with death of two young women, and sets out to solve the mystery of their death, using the methods of Sherlock Holmes. Nev March beautifully sets the scene with her description of life during that time, while revealing the backstories of the characters and the country at just the right pace. Sit back and enjoy this one - it's not necessarily one you'll race through, but I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I particularly liked the look at India's society and military of that time period, full of both grace and tragedy. I will definitely read whatever this author writes next. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the e-arc. 4.25 stars!