The Bangalore Detectives Club (The Bangalore Detectives Club Series) Paperback – 28 April 2022

A delightful cozy mystery with a golden age feel to warm these dark winter nights. Set in a pre-partition India still under British rule, this gives an insight into life under colonialism, alongside a hefty dose of murder and mystery. The details and descriptions transport the reader effortlessly into an older world but give us well-drawn characters who strive for equality and change whilst remaining true to the period in which the book is set. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will eagerly seek out the next in the series.

Easy reading yet gently addressed some important issues. A mystery of sorts and definitely setting up a group of characters for what I hope will be a continuing series. Perfect holiday reading or for a long journey

Readable and interesting in places.The story had potential ,but was unrealistic,too predictable and somewhat superficial, characters conveniently going along with various unlikely scenarios and situations.

I've developed quite a passion for crime novels set in pre partition India, a most fascinating period in Indian history. This is an absolute corker of a book, heading up there with and even surpassing the likes of Vaseen Khan and Sujata Massey. Set in 1920's Bangalore and now renowned for its IT and big companies. Kaveri a young, married and well educated lady is the main character, she is fearless, stubborn and headstrong. The English ladies and well to do Indian women are not so keen as she has no intention of being a stay at home wife or conforming to the rigid social rules of Raj era life. What makes this book so good is the way it parodies the racist, intolerant, hypocritical ways of the British in India at the time, something that other authors sadly miss. Anyway, I'm about to download book 2.

A very enjoyable read and I enjoyed the setting. Mind you to a white European male I have no rational way of judging the historical or cultural accuracy of a society a hundred years ago, on a different continent, with different languages and cultural usages. Bit of an anachronism to have a 1920s British doctor use the name Chenai, whereas at the time it was known as Madras as it remained until 1969.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters are so well written. The setting & historical context is fascinating. I cannot wait for the next book

This is the first in Harini Nagendra's historical crime fiction series set in the state of Mysore and the bustling city of Bangalore at the beginning of the 1920s in an India under British colonial rule where political protests are beginning to grow. Young bride, Kaveri, obsessed with Mathematics, has moved to Bangalore to be with her husband, Dr Ramu Murthy working at the Bowring Hospital run by Dr Charles Roberts, married to Daphne. She is apprehensive as to what awaits her, fortunately Ramu proves to be a wonderful and progressive husband, who adores his wife, at a time where a woman's dreams are dependent on just how fragile the male ego is. For Kaveri, it is her mother in law that is the problem, expecting her to adhere to the strict and rigid social expectations of women not to be educated, to cook and clean, have children and centre their lives around the man and his whims.As Kaveri finds her feet, she is studying mathematics with a view to attending college, she begins to establish a close social circle of friends and a unconventional sense of community that defies the norms underlying caste, class and women. This is to hold her in good stead when she begins to investigate a murder that takes place at the Century Club Dinner she is attending, the victim is a local pimp, Ponnuswamy. She is aided by a number of people, she befriends elderly neighbour, Uma aunty, who helps her to learn new recipes to cook for Ramu as well as joining Kaveri's exploits to find the killer. Ramu has various concerns and worries about her investigating, but as he is to learn, Kaveri will do what she must, so accepts her for who she is and helps instead. Then there is Deputy Inspector Ismail, unlike many police officers, he is not corrupt, and has no problems welcoming, accepting and encouraging Kaveri's input in the case. However, they all have to race against time to prevent a miscarriage of justice taking place.Nagendra may well be writing cosy crime fiction but it takes place amidst a nation with a growing movement planning to overthrow the British who are determined to continue exploiting the 'natives' for profit and perpetuating a deeply racist culture steeped in their beliefs in their own superiority. The creation of Kaveri as the central protagonist is one of the highlights, she is a delight, coming to terms with who she is and what she stands for. She has a strong sense of compassion, helping others, teaching literacy, and lets nothing stand in her way, whether they be rules that prohibit her from doing what needs to be done or the people who stand in her way. There are explicit references to Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie's Poirot and Lady Molly, not to mention the emerging science of finger prints. This is crime fiction that began to increasingly captivate me the more I read, there are vibrant and rich descriptions of the locations, food, clothing and culture. There are recipes included at the end, along with a short coverage of Bangalore's history as well. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

it reminds me miss marple books really enjoyed it

This book although supposedly set in the 1920s, had some flavours of the current century. It felt nostalgic to read about the neighborhood of Bangalore. The detective part was a,'feel good intriguing' book with Kaveri in the fore. Thoroughly enjoyable

Harini Nagendra introduces Kaveri, a smart, talented character and modern woman living in a traditional Indian society. Readers are invited to travel to the 1920s, a time India remains a British colony and traditional upper class women became domestic experts, according to expectations. But not Kaveri. When a man is murdered at a country club dinner, Kaveri’s curious nature and intellect rise to the forefront of this intriguing mystery. Thanks to the forward-thinking police commissioner and Kaveri’s husband, she’s able to aptly assist the investigation. Nagendra guides the reader through the storied setting with enticing descriptions of Bangalore’s architecture and natural surroundings, accompanied by gentle nods to India’s growing pains toward independence.

J'ai adoré l'histoire et le style d'écriture de cette auteure. Bien qu'elle ait créé un personnage féminin fort, déterminé et ambitieux, elle a également montré l'importance de la complémentarité entre les deux sexes dans un couple. Si vous appréciez la culture indienne et les romans policiers, vous allez également adorer ce livre.

What a fantastic debut! A young, talented, maths-loving Kaveri, turning detective in 1920s Bangalore. The historical setting, the characters and their politics - everything was perfectly painted. I need book 2!

Easy to read, set in India, full of cultural information, and fun. Definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in India and enjoys a murder mystery.