The delightful Sergeant Akal Singh is sent, quite reluctantly, to the neighbouring island of Ovalau to chaperone a young woman and her aunt. He's accompanied by the cheerful Taviti, who has not been home to the island in a while, and though reluctant, travels with Akal to the island.

The two first check n fon Ovalau first with a young and very green constable, who tells them there are reports of a group of Germans who are very far from home and the fighting in WW1.

Taviti takes Akal to meet his family and father, the local chief. Akal is welcomed by Taviti's family, and told by the quietly chief that Taviti should be home, focusing on his tribe, and not working as a police officer. Akal, though sympathetic, must rope Taviti into an investigation when a local shopkeeper is found murdered, and the Germans, once captured, claim to be Norwegians, and had nothing to do with the death.

Then, there are the other two matters:
-The "Norwegians" have killed and eaten a sea turtle, a death sentence for anyone not the chief.
-The two women, particularly the younger one, wants to be a reporter, and a friend to Akal. This touches off some deeply uncomfortable emotions in Aksl, as he was pushed out of Hong Kong because his benign friendship with a white woman blew up in his face.

Nothing is as it appears in any of the situations, and it will take careful questions and observation for Akal to find a way through all the tangled messes he's landed in.

Author Nilima Rao not only gives us interesting mysteries in this story, but also shows how difficult the relations are between the tribal people and the colonial government, which has disrespected and trampled and all over longstanding traditions. Rao also weaves in an actual case (the marooned Germans), while expanding our understanding of Akal's past and difficult working relationship with his superior.

Voice actor Sid Sagar does a great job voicing Akal again, as well as the irrepressible Taviti, and all the other characters, of course.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and learning about this part of Fiji in 1915, and hope there are more Akal Singh adventures on the horizon.

Thank you to Netgalley, Soho Press, Echo Publishing, and RBMedia for these ARCs in exchange for my review.

An extraordinary story, a most enjoyable read.

A lovely cast of characters. They are very different and each brings something special to the relationships.

The evolving and deepening friendship between Akal Singh and Taviti is unfolding in this book. There is so much they still don't know about each other.

The deep cultural backdrop (in FijI) and leadership style of the Uncle of Tavita is in strong contrast to that of the British colonial government style and this, along with an unusual and intriguing storyline held my attention throughout. It was such a treat.

I didn't read the first in the series but there was no problem picking up on the characters and their back stories.

This is definitely a five out of five star for me. I look forward to seeing where Akal goes next

With my thanks to Echo Publishing and Netgalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review

Rao's sophomore mystery serves up colonial intrigue with a delicious side of Fijian wit—imagine Hercule Poirot sweating profusely in the tropics while wrestling with his starched collar. Our perpetually exasperated Sergeant Akal Singh finds himself island-hopping to Ovalau, where investigating Germans supposedly lurking in paradise feels about as necessary as bringing sand to the beach.
The true star here is Fiji itself—a lush, complex character simmering with cultural tensions. Rao masterfully navigates the social hierarchy of 1915 island life, from the imposing village chief (Taviti's uncle, who commands respect faster than you can say "bula vinaka") to the imprisoned Norwegian sailors who discover that paradise comes with fine print. The author's meticulous research delivers a Fiji beyond the postcard—one where colonial policies clash with indigenous traditions and where the war in Europe casts long shadows across azure waters.
When Katherine, our aspiring journalist with more ambition than a politician on election day, starts stirring the pot, Akal must solve a murder while preventing his own career from washing out to sea. Clever, atmospheric, and sharper than a freshly macheted coconut, this tropical whodunit proves Rao knows her way around both a mystery plot and the fascinating cultural tapestry of early 20th century Fiji.

I couldn't wait this one to be out. After the first book, I knew that I would love the upcoming novels in the series - and I did.

We get to know more not only about Akal's background but Taviti's too, and our education on the Fijian traditions is continuing. Here, in Europe, we have our memories and history of the First World War and we hardly think of what happened at other parts of the globe during those years. It's an interesting journey to see what life was like in Fiji, India or Australia.

Beyond an entertaining whodunnit story, this book is packed with culture and history.