Midnight at Malabar House (The Malabar House Series)

Midnight at Malabar House (The Malabar House Series) by Khan, Vaseem. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9781473685468.

*** SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA SAPERE BOOKS HISTORICAL DAGGER 2020, and an INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER *** The leading character is the deftly drawn Persis Wadia, the countrys first female detective. Shes a wonderful creation and this is a hugely enjoyable book ANN CLEEVES This is historical crime fiction at its best - a compelling mix of social insight and complex plotting with a thoroughly engaging heroine. A highly promising new series MAIL ON SUNDAY Bombay, New Years Eve, 1949 As India celebrates the arrival of a momentous new decade, Inspector Persis Wadia stands vigil in the basement of Malabar House, home to the citys most unwanted unit of police officers. Six months after joining the force she remains Indias first female police detective, mistrusted, sidelined and now consigned to the midnight shift. And so, when the phone rings to report the murder of prominent English diplomat Sir James Herriot, the countrys most sensational case falls into her lap. As 1950 dawns and India prepares to become the worlds largest republic, Persis, accompanied by Scotland Yard criminalist Archie Blackfinch, finds herself investigating a case that is becoming more political by the second. Navigating a country and society in turmoil, Persis, smart, stubborn and untested in the crucible of male hostility that surrounds her, must find a way to solve the murder - whatever the cost.