{"product_id":"midnight-at-malabar-house-the-malabar-house-series-9781473685505","title":"Midnight at Malabar House The Malabar House","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBombay, New Year''s Eve, 1949\u003c\/b\u003eAs India celebrates the arrival of a momentous new decade, Inspector Persis Wadia stands vigil in the basement of Malabar House, home to the city''s most unwanted unit of police officers. Six months after joining the force she remains India''s first female police detective, mistrusted, sidelined and now consigned to the midnight shift.\u003cbr\u003eAnd so, when the phone rings to report the murder of prominent English diplomat Sir James Herriot, the country''s most sensational case falls into her lap.As 1950 dawns and India prepares to become the world''s 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eMidnight at Malabar House\u003c\/i\u003e is a first-rate murder mystery set in a post-partition India. In Persis Wadia, India's first female police detective, and Archie Blackfinch, a Scotland Yard forensics expert, Vaseem Khan has created a partnership that should hopefully run and run. \u003cb\u003eClever, thrilling, this is a novel to be savoured\u003c\/b\u003e * William Ryan *\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eMidnight at Malabar House\u003c\/i\u003e is an exciting departure for Vaseem Khan, \u003cb\u003ea history-mystery with a marvellous new detective duo. \u003c\/b\u003eThe blend of classic tropes - including a maverick cop, a mysterious cipher, and a victim who gave plenty of people reasons to commit murder - and a wonderfully evoked setting in post-Partition India makes for a highly entertaining and informative read * Martin Edwards *\u003cbr\u003eOutstanding. I've always been a fan of Vaseem Khan but this latest offering is something special and something new. Vaseem is totally at the height of his powers with this novel which combines a flair for history, time and place with a genius for mystery. \u003cb\u003eA novel for our times\u003c\/b\u003e * Imran Mahmood *\u003cbr\u003eA compelling mystery set in a fascinating period in India's tumultuous history. Inspector Persis Wadia, the India's first female detective, is gutsy, stubborn and ideally suited to navigate both the complexities of a murder in Bombay's high society and the politics of a police force that want to see her fail. A stunning start to brand new series from \u003cb\u003eone of the UK's finest writers\u003c\/b\u003e * M.W. Craven *\u003cbr\u003eVaseem Khan's new book is \u003cb\u003ean absolute treat from start to finish\u003c\/b\u003e. A satisfying murder mystery and a fascinating evocation of India just after Partition, it also introduces the clever, endearing (and somewhat stubborn) Detective Persis Wadia to the world. I'm already looking forward to her next case * Antonia Hodgson *\u003cbr\u003eThe stabbing of an English gentleman at a New Year's Eve party in the early hours of 1950 sounds like a Golden Age murder mystery, and Murder at Malabar House has all the suspects, twists and red herrings that we'd expect.  But this is India, just after partition, and the leading character is the deftly drawn Persis Wadia, the country's first female detective.  She's \u003cb\u003ea wonderful creation and this is a hugely enjoyable book\u003c\/b\u003e * Ann Cleeves *\u003cbr\u003eThere are \u003cb\u003eplentiful fascinating\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003echaracters\u003c\/b\u003e * Sunday Times Crime Club *\u003cbr\u003eThis is \u003cb\u003ehistorical crime fiction at its best\u003c\/b\u003e - a \u003cb\u003ecompelling\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003emix of social insight\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003ecomplex plotting\u003c\/b\u003e with a thoroughly \u003cb\u003eengaging heroine\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003cb\u003eA highly promising new series\u003c\/b\u003e * Mail on Sunday *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA beautifully complex plot\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003ean Agatha Christie-ish denouement make for a thoroughly satisfying read\u003c\/b\u003e, and a \u003cb\u003eburning desire\u003c\/b\u003e to see what's next for Persis * Observer *\u003cbr\u003eThis is \u003cb\u003ehistorical crime fiction\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eat its sharpest\u003c\/b\u003e, set on the brink of independence and during a \u003cb\u003edramatic period\u003c\/b\u003e of the subcontinent's history * The Sunday Times *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA cracking mystery\u003c\/b\u003e set in a \u003cb\u003efascinating\u003c\/b\u003e historical era * Elly Griffiths *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eStylish\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003ethrilling\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003emasterfully told\u003c\/b\u003e * Chris Whitaker *\u003cbr\u003eKhan's \u003cb\u003edistinctive new protagonist\u003c\/b\u003e is clearly here to stay * Financial Times *\u003cbr\u003eA \u003cb\u003egripping\u003c\/b\u003e tale\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e * CrimeSquad.com *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDelightful, joyous \u003c\/b\u003e * Shots Magazine *\u003cbr\u003eIt is a \u003cb\u003ebeautifully written exploration of Wadia's struggle\u003c\/b\u003e to be accepted as a detective in a male-dominated culture, while navigating a country in turmoil. \u003cb\u003eA thrilling murder mystery\u003c\/b\u003e, it also \u003cb\u003ewonderfully\u003c\/b\u003e evokes a turbulent period of India's history * Daily Express *\u003cbr\u003eIt is the \u003cb\u003eabsolute answer to any doom or gloom\u003c\/b\u003e we might be feeling.\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e * The Bookseller Paperback Preview *\u003cbr\u003eAn \u003cb\u003eexcellent start to a series\u003c\/b\u003e featuring Inspector Persis Wadia, India's first woman police detective * Daily Mirror *","brand":"Hodder \u0026 Stoughton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48867250078039,"sku":"9781473685505","price":9.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781473685505.jpg?v=1722282425","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/midnight-at-malabar-house-the-malabar-house-series-9781473685505","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}