BOOKS FROM FIJIA Disappearance in Fiji
by Nilima Rao
Tags:
Set in Fiji
Female author
Description:
Otherwise, he fears he will be stuck in Fiji forever. When an indentured Indian woman goes missing from a sugarcane plantation and Fiji's newspapers scream 'kidnapping', the inspector-general reluctantly assigns Akal the case, giving him strict instructions to view this investigation as nothing more than cursory. A charming debut historical mystery set in 1914 Fiji. Perfect for fans of Abir Mukherjee, Vaseem Khan and Sujata Massey. 'AN UTTERLY CHARMING NOVEL ... NILIMA RAO IS AN AUTHOR WELL WORTH DISCOVERING' ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH 'AN EXCEPTIONALLY PROMISING DEBUT' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY STARRED REVIEW 1914, Fiji: Sergeant Akal Singh would rather be anywhere than this tropical paradise - or, as he calls it, 'this godforsaken island'. After a promising start to his police career in Hong Kong, Akal has been sent to the far-flung colony of Fiji as punishment for a humiliating professional mistake. Lonely and embarrassed, he dreams of solving a big case, thereby redeeming himself and gaining permission to leave. Otherwise, he fears he will be stuck in Fiji for ever. When an indentured Indian woman goes missing from a sugarcane plantation and Fiji's newspapers scream 'kidnapping', the inspector-general reluctantly assigns Akal the case, giving him strict instructions to view this investigation as nothing more than cursory. But as soon as Akal arrives on the plantation, he identifies several troubling inconsistencies in the plantation owners' stories, and it seems there is more to this disappearance than meets the eye . . .
Reviews:
(5 months ago) |
19 Apr, 2025
This is a wonderful mystery novel reminiscent of Ngaio Marsh. Setting it more than 100 years in the past allowed for an excellent exploration of colonial effects on this small island, without detracting from the mystery story and without some of the language issues books from the past now face. I am anxiously awaiting the next book with Sergeant Akal Singh: A Shipwreck in Fiji.
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