Set in 1915, this historical novel tells the story of an Indian policeman transferred from Hong Kong to Fiji on a punishment posting, within a context that is very much flavoured by the culture of Imperial Britain - not least its racism!

Sent on something of a fool's errand to a neighbouring island, Sergeant Akal Singh of the Fijian Police Force, along with his native colleague Taviti, ends up uncovering the most unusual plot, to the considerable surprise of his superiors.

The writer does an excellent job of bringing to life a diverse cast through nuanced and engaging storytelling, and offering insights into multiple cultures of the time through Indian, Native Fijian, Australian and British characters. Highly recommended.

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.

I really enjoy this series! I think I enjoyed the first one a bit more but still liked this one.

The narrator is perfect for this setting. I listen on 2x speed & they were still easy to understand

Review of A Shipwreck in Fiji by Nilima Rao

A Shipwreck in Fiji marks a strong second entry in Nilima Rao’s Sergeant Akal Singh mystery series, set against the vibrant backdrop of 1915 colonial Fiji. With meticulous historical detail and engaging characters, Rao delivers a deeply immersive mystery that feels both fresh and culturally rich.

4.5 rounded up. I liked this book very much - for the characters, the mystery, and the historical setting in a the British Crown Colony of Fiji just prior to WWI. The sticky relations between the Fijians and the Brits complicate everything. The other major group in Fiji are Indians, most of whom came under strict indenture contracts.

This is the second book in the series with Sergeant Akal Singh leading the charge. Singh had been on the police force of the colony of Hong Kong, but due to a major misstep he was re-assigned to the backwater of Fiji, much to the irritation of the head of station. In the first book, Singh is learning about Fiji, but now he has more confidence in his abilities and the lay of the land. When the Police Chief assigns him to escort two European women to the island of Levu and instructs him to stay out of trouble and by the way to check out the rumors of Germans being seen on the island, Singh remains wary. Is he being set up to fail? And of course there is a murder that pops up, that Akal must address.

The plot driven book moves rapidly, without skipping over societal issues of the time. There are characters with European, Fijian, and Indian perspectives that illustrate these challenges of colonialism. The author was born in Fiji, and is of Indian heritage. The narrator did excellent work, including the voicing of numerous characters, with different accents and status. A bonus of the audiobook is the Author's Notes where Rao discusses how she researched and developed this book. It was a lot of fun to "read".

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Soho Crime for providing the audiobook in return for my honest review.

A Shipwreck in Fiji is the second book of the Sergeant Akal Singh mystery series and follows our protagonist and his trusty companion Taviti, to the latter's hometown. Still under the microscope for past actions in Hong Kong, Akal Singh finds himself as the escort to two british women in search of family. But things are never as they seem and our sergeant finds himself in an interesting situation dealing with local customs, the british law, and a purported band of Germans who will have to be captured as prisoners of war.

This book focuses quite a bit on Taviti and his culture which I appreciated. He was an unsung hero in the previous book. The Sam to Akal's Frodo for the most part. A little more happening in this book as compared to the first but with the same easy writing that made the first book enjoyable. Cosy vibes with a history lesson, and an author's note at the end that helps clarify any lingering questions about the accuracies/inaccuracies of events in this book. I always appreciate that. I can see it being read as a standalone but I wouldn't recommend it as there are several allusions to events in the first book which may be a bit disorienting for the first time reader. Regardless, I'd definitely recommend this book for the cosy mystery vibes and endearing characters.

I’m not usually one for war books, but this is such a fun twist on historical fiction. Maybe I’m just used to books set in Europe. Either way, there is clearly more historical fiction to explore than my usual reads.

I picked this up because I LOVED the author’s - and the character’s - debut, A Disappearance in Fiji, and had high hopes that their second outing would be every bit as good. Which it was!

The year is 1915 and the world is at war. But the “war to end all wars” doesn’t seem to have reached the British colony of Fiji - at least not when this story begins. Not until the constabulary office in the colony’s capital, Suva, receives a report from a young and untried constable stationed at Levuka, the colony’s former capital but now a sleepy backwater village - that Germans have been sighted in the remote parts of the island.

After the events of A Disappearance in Fiji, readers are all too aware, as is Sergeant Akal Singh, that his Inspector General has it in for him. Singh came to Suva in disgrace, a last stop in a once promising career because Singh’s head had been turned by a beautiful woman and he revealed security arrangements for the houses of the rich and powerful in the Crown Colony of Hong Kong.

The mistake was real and stupid and SOME of Singh’s punishment is deserved. But the opprobrium heaped upon him seems to be more because Singh is Sikh and the woman in question was white than because he trusted the wrong person at the wrong time with sensitive information he should never have shared in the first place.

(Singh is only 26 in this second story, so his mistake was mostly because he was young and a bit foolish with it, but the violation of race and caste norms - even though all they did was talk - seems to stick in the craw of the ‘Britishers’ as much if not more than the actual, entirely verbal, indiscretion.)

So, the Inspector General believes that the report from Levuka is at best a fabrication, and at worst a wild goose chase. Making it a perfect way of reminding Singh yet again that he’s not trusted and not welcome.

Even better for the Inspector General, he is able to attach the even more degrading task of ‘baby-sitting’ a couple of English ladies who are traveling to Levuka to his order to Singh to suppress that report.

After all, there can’t possibly be Germans in Fiji. There aren’t any German forces, not even German naval forces, anywhere NEAR Fiji.

Unless, of course, there are.

Escape Rating A-: I enjoyed A Shipwreck in Fiji and was every bit as caught up in its mystery as I was with the first book. I also had the opportunity to enjoy it a bit differently, as this time around I got the audio. Narrator Sid Sagar did an excellent job, not just of voicing Singh himself, but also of differentiating the various characters, including the female characters, in pitch, tone and accent. While I did finish the book in text because I needed to find out 'whodunnit' a bit faster, I was still hearing Sagar's voice in my head for ALL the characters.

But - and it’s more of a little but than a great big but - this second outing wasn’t quite as deep and certainly not nearly as harrowing as the first.

The first story delved dark and deep into murder and corruption, into the inhumane treatment of indentured workers brought to Fiji from India, and to questions for Akal Singh about who he is and who he counted as his own people, as well as a journey into his own soul about the costs of doing what was right versus the rewards of doing what was easy.

This second book reads like a bit more of a ‘usual’ historical mystery, albeit still set in a time and place that western readers are less likely to be familiar with - and all the more fascinating for it.

At the same time, it still follows the arc of the experience of those indentured workers, although from a different point in what became their immigration from India to Fiji. Many of the characters caught up in the murder investigation that Singh finds himself conducting are former indentured workers who have chosen, or been forced by economic circumstances, to make a life for themselves in Fiji. Some successfully, some considerably less so. And some criminally, because humans are, well, human.

Another part of the warp and weft of this story involves the relationship between the British colonizers and the native Fijians, as personified by Singh’s friend and fellow police officer, Taviti. Taviti is the heir to the local chief, and he's caught between two worlds trying to straddle a line that is likely to bloody him even as it splits him in half.

There is, as in all good mysteries, a dead body. A body that Singh and Taviti practically trip over in the hunt for the mysterious Germans who might be German, or merely European, or just plain suspicious and possibly outright murderous. Or all of the above.  Which leads to Singh not exactly following orders - again. But this time the outcome is considerably more in his favor.

Whether that will be enough to save him from the consequences of striking up a friendship with yet another female Britisher is something we’ll have to wait to find out in the next book in the series. I hope it does because I like this character very much, and would love to see him get out from under the mess he started out with.

But not until after he’s solved a few more fascinating mysteries!

I really loved the first in the series, but I think this follow-up was even better! The author takes us on journey to Fiji with rich characters and a strong sense of place. The main character Sergeant Singh has really grown from the first book, and I’ve enjoyed seeing him slowly regain the respect of his superiors and gain confidence in himself after his previous mistakes with his ever-present sidekicks, Dr. Holmes and Constable Taviti.

While this is a mystery, the story gives equal focus to the characters relationships and the history of Fiji. I did listen to this as an audiobook and thought the narrator did an excellent job making the characters seem distinct combined with a lovely speaking voice, which provided an enjoyable experience overall. I highly recommend this if you enjoy historical fiction, cozy mysteries, or learning about the culture of Fiji in this time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early audiobook! All opinions are my own.

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

Sid Sagar is one of my personal favourites when it comes to voice actors. His performance adds so much to the reading experience.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

First Impressions: A Mystery Rooted in Culture
A Shipwreck in Fiji is a warm and atmospheric mystery, rich with culture, family ties, and gentle humour. While not filled with twists or high-stakes suspense, it offers an entertaining and immersive journey through colonial Fiji—one that’s especially rewarding for readers who enjoy character-driven stories set in unique places.

Vivid Setting & Characters
The strength of this story lies in its deep cultural richness. From diverse traditions and religious practices to mouthwatering food descriptions (seriously, I could almost smell the meals), Nilima Rao builds a world that feels alive and grounded.

Akhal is the standout character—genuine, kind, and quietly heroic. I found myself rooting for him and wishing I could give him a hug. I also enjoyed the strong family elements woven into the plot, even if the uncle’s presence did get on my nerves at times.

The mystery itself is not particularly twisty—there are no major surprises, and the confession in chapter 11 felt a bit too easily obtained. Still, the journey is enjoyable. One of my favourite parts was the author’s note at the end, which blends fact and fiction and gives insight into Rao’s research and inspirations. Her enthusiasm and sincerity mirror the detective’s observant and respectful approach.

Narration & Audio Performance
The male narrator does a fantastic job bringing this story to life. His pacing is excellent, his voice is warm and clear, and his use of different accents helps distinguish the characters and reflect the cultural diversity of the setting. His tone suits the story perfectly—never over-the-top, but always engaging.

That said, I did find the rooster sound effects in chapters 5 and 9 quite jarring and unnecessary. I also occasionally struggled with unfamiliar names, which is more a personal challenge than an issue with the narration itself.

Audio Format & Story Flow
The audiobook has a gentle and consistent rhythm. Still, as with many audiobooks, I found it harder to track the passage of time. At times it felt like everything happened over two days; at others, over two weeks. This may be because I was multitasking while listening, which affected my focus. Visual readers may find the print or ebook versions easier to follow, especially when it comes to time jumps or transitions between scenes.

Final Thoughts & Recommendation
A Shipwreck in Fiji is not a fast-paced or twist-heavy mystery, but it is a rewarding listen for those who enjoy thoughtful storytelling, rich settings, and characters with heart. I would absolutely recommend the audiobook format thanks to the narrator’s excellent performance, though readers who prefer visual structure might get more clarity from the print version.

I haven’t listened to the first book in the series yet, but after this one, I definitely want to. And I’ll be looking forward to the next installment, whenever it arrives.