An epic story of murder, mystery, love, and heroism that will transport you to another place and time and hold you captive. Captain Jim’s bravery and cleverness were inspiring, and his journey to finally finding a family by revealing the truth about a murder was quite an adventure. A long and detailed road that left me satisfied that a thorough and complete story was told; I was swept away.

Two women supposedly committed suicide by jumping from a clock tower in a tall building. The family isn't convinced. Enter Captain James Agnihorti to investigate.
He's an interesting character. He's considered a half-breed b/c he's an illegitimate child of an Indian mother & a British father. He's also a war hero who has the makings of a good detective. The women are Parsee which was a culture I've never heard of and liked learning more about them. They are followers of the Zoroastrian religion which I also didn't know much about.

Because this is a historical mystery, the writer does a good job of describing some of the history, the places & people of India during that time.

It takes place in 1892 when Sherlock Holmes was popular. Jim uses Sherlock as an example of how to be a detective. I found this amusing. And it's my understanding that b/c the stories were covered in serial form in the papers, many had trouble differentiating Holmes from fiction vs. reality.
It's also fascinating that characters in contemporary mysteries also use him as an example today as well as other famous fictional detectives. So no matter the time period or culture, this is a common societal occurrence.

The negatives i have were that it was long & slow moving. Also, the story deviates from the mystery going in several tangents. And there was a loose end concerning Jim's father.

Overall, a good debut by a new writer.


On a side note: Halfway thru the book, I looked up the writer. I highly suggest that you check out her website-https://www.nevmarch.com/. She has background info on the true story that was the inspiration for the book as well as pictures which helped me visualize the people & places better.

Hard to believe that this is Nev March's debut novel the writing is fantastic! Well-developed and believable characters. Interesting plot, pacing and descriptions. I look forward to reading more of Nev March in the future! Thanks to Minotaur books and NetGalley for ARC. This will be a great addition to our public library collection and also to my personal collection. The cover is gorgeous!

I really enjoyed this new genre and the book. I think the book did a great job mixing mystery with the history of the time. I felt like I learned a lot about the time and place where the story took place. I did want to dive deeper into other characters and their intentions. Especially Diana, Adi, Bacha and Piloo.

I did feel like the story went on for a much longer time than I expected. Especially in the beginning, it takes forever to really pick steam. I was also not interested in the romance between Jim and Diana. It felt a little obvious and not too interesting.

Historical fiction at its finest! The year is 1892. Captain Jim Agnihotri has been medically discharged from the Army and feels untethered and a bit lost. Inspired by his love of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, Captain Jim uses his keen observational skills and Army training to launch a new career as an investigator.

While convalescing, Captain Jim reads about the suicide of two young brides. The facts don't add up. Enter Captain Jim to find some answers for the grieving widow and brother of the girls. He takes readers on a suspenseful ride through 19th century India. The setting is perfect. The characters are well-written and so likable. You truly feel for Captain Jim as he tries to find a sense of belonging in the world.

It's been a long time since I read a book that I really loved. Murder in Old Bombay checked all the boxes for me. Hoping for a series because I would love to spend more time with these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for a copy of this novel.

Nev March's Murder in Old Bombay reminds me of the classic Sherlock Holmes mysteries where a set of clues, leads the detective (and the audience) to solve the murder. Set in British India in the late 19th century, this mystery was enjoyable to reads and try to solve on your own. I would recommend it to all the mystery solvers out there.

It is 1892 and cavalry captain Jim Agnihotri is recovering in hospital after some then unknown traumatic event. Fighting boredom he is reading and rereading a Sherlock Holmes novel and all the papers he can get a hand on. A murder trial really gets his attention: two girls have jumped off a tower or were pushed off it. Jim is wondering how Sherlock Holmes would solve a case like this. The accused are acquitted and the widower/brother writes an open letter to the newspaper. And the final line in that letter finds it's way directly into the soul of captain Jim; "They are gone and I remain".

"His words cut into me, the sharp burn of his grief. I knew something of his pain, for my brothers in arms were gone, yet I remained."

You immediately start to suspect that something had horribly gone wrong with his regiment. Remember it is the era of mutiny and wars with the Afghans.

Jim checks out of the hospital, resigns his commission and contacts the widower. The young man offers him a job to help solve the murder mystery.

So for the first 20% of the novel you as a reader feel you stepped in a Sherlock Holmes novel. A slow pacing murder mystery were the author often has the habit of summarizing at the start of a new chapter. (DON'T!!!). I was at that time not quite hooked. (Suggestion: edit that part to get those summarizing out and up the tempo a bit).

But then the story takes a turn into an adventure novel and I was glued to my Kindle. The events become very thrilling but it also the person of Jim Agnihotri that develops into a real hero with layers like an onion. I was surprised to discover the writer was a woman as she so convincingly let us see India at the end of the 19th century through the eyes of a former soldier.

Maybe it is because I am an only child with not much family of my own what made me understand the ache of belonging that is in Jim's heart. The large Parsee family of the victims that takes him in like a son and who he longs to help as if he is a real brother. The peace he feels holding the children he is trying to save even if it might cost him his life and the joy it gives him when they call him father or brother.

The author also manages very well to describe PTSD: the horrible dreams, the flashbacks and the feeling of guilt. Captain Agnihotri is very courageous time and again but somehow he thinks he has been a coward. Slowly we learn what happened that is hunting him thus.

Although he dons the persona of his former friends as disguises in the best tradition of Sherlock Holmes it is also his moving way of trying to honour them and revive them somehow.

Jim is part English and part Indian which makes him not belonging to either group. As a captain he is at the highest rank someone of mixed race can get. The Parsee family is what he describes like him: Somewhere between East and West. (Parsees are refugees from Iran who moved centuries ago to India and only intermarry). Nevertheless the novel does not focus on discrimination as many have a habit to do. Maybe because the author was born in India and is a Parsee herself so thus familiar with a system of caste and groups that went beyond a difference between British and Indian. Maybe also because an Indian Friend who is himself a Parsee said they were very well accepted by the British. I also found it a breath of fresh air to read a novel set in the Raj-era that was not completely focussed on a British cast of characters. Here the British are friends, fellow officers and officials but the novel is mostly filled with Indian people ranking from beggar children to princes. The first 20% in Bombay was very "western" but when Jim travels toward what is now Pakistan and Afghanistan the setting and tone changes a lot.

The household also felt a bit like that of a medieval knight and his retainers. Servants are sometimes included in meetings and rescued children are not adopted but just given a position in the household. Like one team with a ranking system but still one big family.

It is obvious the author put in a lot of historical research (the ladies falling from that tower happened in real life but the mystery was never solved). The novel is filled with a lot of background information about India in those days: The semi-autonomous Princely states, the slave trafficking, honour preferring death over life, the British taught upper classes and the utterly poor, the caste system, the Parsee community. I think she made one error though: The author mentions that he is recommended for a VC but as he is not pure English cannot qualify and is given an Indian Order of Merit (or something). I recall Indian VCs so is this an actual error in the manuscript? The warrant for the Victoria Cross was extended to the military forces of the East India Company on 29th October 1957 I am told. But that was only for British men. I found out later that only from 1911 onwards the VC could also be awarded to Indian men. What is a bit odd and might have had to do more with conflicting medals as with skin colour as black men were awarded the VC before I believe.

Talking about VC's: I wonder if Thomas Kavanagh VC served as an inspiration.



The murder mystery is a complicated one that slowly unravels and is interesting because it is so much about psychology. However there is one person who acts a bit weird in my opinion.

Also the solution at the end sounds more 21st century to me and might be influenced by the authors own experiences.

I would also advice you to have a look at the author's website where she posted old pictures that served for her to visualise the people in her novel. The soldier in World War I uniform is a dish you would like to kiss but does not look like the captain Agnihotri of the novel to me as Jim was a military man in his thirties with 20 years experience in the army, who is tall and boxes and has a military moustache and looks so formidable that the small children in Adi's household are at first terrified by him

Conclusion: 1 5 stars out of 5 for a debut novel. It has murder mystery, adventure, romance and a lot of soulsearching.

Advice: put in notes. An American will not be familiar with foreign words and the glossary is at the end. Maybe move that forward? Also terms as "The Great Game" what was a dashing spying plot on Russia and the Afghans might not ring any bell in the USA. Some people will not pick up a dictionary but just flung a novel aside as soon as a "difficult word" appears.

It’s 1892, and Captain Jim Agnihotri is recovering in a military hospital when he reads about a puzzling case: two women have fallen from a clock tower. The husband of one of the women is certain that they didn’t die by suicide, and hires Jim to investigate. Jim is a devotee of Sherlock Holmes, and tries to use his methods to solve the mystery. The characters are very well written. I was impressed with the authors ability to write a male protagonist so convincingly. Captain Jim is a gallant and moral man. He cares deeply about the relationships he makes and is willing to put his life in danger to help them. The reader will love the suspense, as the author unveils a literary onion, constantly adding pieces to the puzzle.

I really enjoyed this historical mystery! Set in 1892 India the story unfolds as Captain Jim, an Anglo-Indian cavalryman, is recuperating from injuries sustained in battle. He opts to retire from the military and seeks a job as a journalist. He has read about the deaths of two women ruled as suicides. He is moved by a letter to the editor, written by the husband of one, brother of the other. He decides to interview the husband and ends up being hired by him and his family to find out what really happened. Captain Jim is a very likeable, honorable man who is caught between two worlds as an Anglo-Indian. His clients are a truly kind, warm Parsee family who take him to their hearts. I was really caught up in the investigation and the hints dropped here and there about Captain Jim's background. I hope this is the first entry in a series. I would definitely welcome more books about Captain Jim and the Parsee family he so admires!

This book is set in Bombay in the late 19th Century, which is completely different than my typical historical fiction/mystery read. It starts with Jim in a military hospital after being injured in India. He reads about an upcoming trial regarding what was considered the suicide of two women. Jim ultimately gets hired to find out what really happened and in the process becomes close to the family.

For the author’s debut, I was pretty impressed. The story was pretty well paced and I learned quite a bit about India during this time period! This novel was based off a real story, so bonus points for making a pretty unknown event in history interesting. I liked the shorter chapters, I thought it helped move the story along at a good pace. Bonus points for a great cover (especially when you go to the author’s site and see that the original cover was super boring!). The only thing that stuck out as a negative to me was the fairly repetitive phrases. Definitely a must read though for anyone who likes historical mysteries!

A very nice and sold mystery set in India. The mystery was written in Arthur Conan Doyle fashion, with complicated crimes to solve and unwind. This book reminded me of the classic English mystery, well developed characters, stable and solid plot. It was great to read a story without fluff and sensationalism, it reminded me of my early days of reading Sherlock Homes and Agatha Christie .

This cozy mystery is like an Indian Sherlock Holmes, with plenty of Arthur Conan Doyle nods to spare. It’s a unique setting, and a welcome change for those of us who have read mysteries that seem to always take place in the same few settings. It follows our protagonist working as an amateur detective in the 1890s The writing style is a bit plain, which is my only complaint. I look forward to seeing more from Nev March after this good debut.

Nev March's debut novel "Murder in Old Bombay" is an absolutely delightful trip to India circa the 1890's! Under British rule, the colonial era and its infusion of Victorian customs, manners, and rigidity are on full display against the backdrop of India's own mix of cultural and religious rules, a strict adherence to codes of behaviour, and ones acceptance (or exclusion) dependent on a centuries old, entrenched caste system linked to ethnicity and social class. March's Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award winning novel is an exciting leap into one of the most highly tumultuous time periods in recent history! Be ready to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, scents, and flavors of old Bombay!

Central to the story is our hero Captain James Agnihotri, a proud man of mixed Anglo and Indian ancestry. While barely recuperated from wounds sustained in a horrific battle in Karachi, the Captain finds himself drawn into the murder investigation of two young Parsee women. As an aficionado of all things Conan Doyle, Captain Jim pursues both elusive facts and nefarious villains in true Sherlockian style! With an unshakable code of honor, he follows each lead to its conclusion down the back alleys of Bombay and through the privileged mansions of the wealthy. In a true homage to Sherlock Holmes, our hero uses his considerable powers of observation, the logical principles of deductive reasoning, as well as adopting a clever disguise or two in his dogged pursuit of the truth.

If you are a fan of historical novels set during the Victorian period, March's work will be an enjoyable addition and I heartily recommend its reading! If a little mystery and a dash of romance as well makes you smile, you'll find those elements engagingly presented! I am hopeful that "Murder in Old Bombay" will be but the first of many in a new series by Nev March! While reading this book, Charles Finch's excellent, long-running Inspector Charles Lennox series (set in Victorian England) often came to mind as both authors share similarities in style and substance.

I would like to thank both NetGalley and Nev March for the advanced digital copy of
"Murder in Old Bombay" in return for my honest review.

#NetGalley
#MurderInOldBombay

A wonderful blend of mystery, history and a bit of romance. James, a recently retired British officer, is asked to look into the deaths of 2 women from a wealthy family in Bombay. This well plotted mystery also manages to give us a great introduction into Imperial India and the cast system. An interesting and enjoyable book.

While recovering in a Bombay military hospital, Capt. Jim’s boredom leads him to follow the story of two sisters who fell to their deaths within moments of each other. Their deaths were ruled suicides but one of the victim’s husband is sure they were murdered. Jim gets so wrapped up in the story he approaches the Parsee family and is then hired to find out what really happened. This is a murder mystery based on real events. The story is interesting and left me wanting to know more about the real life story. While I enjoyed the book, the “big reveal” was rather lackluster, Still, overall it was a good mystery and I thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this copy.

I loved the plot but there were areas that became a bit dense. The detail was superb and it definitely was written in the vein of Sherlock Holmes; however, I feel like there were a few instances where I was lost. Still a highly entertaining read!

This is a wonderful mystery and so atmospheric! I did guess quite a few of the twists and turns, but I still quite enjoyed it. I will keep an eye on this author!

I was able to get an advanced copy of this book on Netgalley and really enjoyed this book. The characters are all well written. Captain Jim was raised at an orphanage and longed for a family. His mother was Indian and his father was English. This kept him from feeling like he fit in anywhere. While interviewing a husband about his wife's death, he is asked to investigate the death as a murder. As his investigation progresses, he becomes close to the family and is willing to risk his life to protect them. This story is set in Bombay, India. I am not familiar with the culture or the language so some of the names and words used were a little hard for me. There is a glossary in the back to help understand better. I felt like the story took off a little slowly, but it picked up speed and I didn't want to stop reading it.

The book starts out good enough, with a somewhat sympathetic main character and a somewhat interesting mystery, but before long the main character started to really bother me and the mystery didn't really captivate since I didn't care about the two girls who had died. But I was most bothered by the mystery of what happened at Karachi. The MC never stopped alluding to this horrible thing that happened but would never tell the reader what had actually happened. It drove me nuts! I think the author thought that the need to know what happened here would make me eager to keep reading, but instead it made me want to skim so I could find out sooner. Then once I finally found out what the MC's big secret was, I was astonished that this boring tale I was reading was enough to give anyone nightmares. I thought I must be mistaken, that there was something more to the story of this guy's PTSD, but it was nothing like what I expected. Definitely not interesting enough to carry an entire boring mystery novel.

And of course there is a totally predictable romance that everyone sees coming from miles away and is in no way interesting or different than every other side-story romance that can be found in other cozy mystery novels. The whole thing felt so bland, even the very cool setting couldn't keep me interested. I did like the references to Sherlock Holmes stories, as I have been reading a lot of those lately, but that's pretty much the only good thing I can say. When the MC decides he has to start saving people from slavery and poverty because his heart is just that big, I knew this book wasn't getting more than two stars from me. Haven't we all seen this character before? Someone with a dark past who cares far more for the downtrodden than people in his time and place probably would have? It felt very anachronistic, though I'm sure it did happen occasionally. My bigger issue was that this sort of thing happens SO MUCH in books like this. I guess the proper word would be derivative. Again I ask, haven't we all seen this before?!

I am so glad I was able to read and review this novel! The novel has every aspect of a Sherlock Holmes mystery and was so well thought out written in plot and character development. The story starts out with Captain Jim recuperating in the hospital after returning from war torn Karachi. He reads newspapers and comes across a story about 2 Indian women who fall to their deaths from the university tower and there has been no progress made in solving who committed the crime. Once Jim is released from the hospital he has a burning desire to find out exactly what happened to the women which leads him to contact the husband of one of the women -- Adi, who also desires to find out what happened so he hires Captain Jim.

There are many twists and turns as Captain Jim searches for the truth of what happened and relationships develop with the family. This book was a delight, leading me through historical India, the developing plot and the characters that were real and endearing. I was pulled into the story and was really sad when it ended. The author wrapped up the story at the end, but I'm still wanting more of Captain Jim and his mystery escapades. I recommend this novel for anyone who loves to ready historical fiction, romance, action and adventure or mystery thrillers. It was delightful!