A Rising Man: A Novel (Wyndham & Banerjee Mysteries) - Hardcover

Mukherjee, Abir

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 168177416X ISBN 13: 9781681774169

Publisher: Pegasus Crime, 2017

Synopsis

In the days of the Raj, a newly arrived Scotland Yard detective is confronted with the murder of a British official―in his mouth a note warning the British to leave India, or else...

Calcutta, 1919. Captain Sam Wyndham, former Scotland Yard detective, is a new arrival to Calcutta. Desperately seeking a fresh start after his experiences during the Great War, Wyndham has been recruited to head up a new post in the police force. He is immediately overwhelmed by the heady vibrancy of the tropical city, but with barely a moment to acclimatize or to deal with the ghosts that still haunt him, Wyndham is caught up in a murder investigation that threatens to destabilize a city already teetering on the brink of political insurgency.

The body of a senior official has been found in a filthy sewer, and a note left in his mouth warns the British to quit India, or else. Under tremendous pressure to solve the case before it erupts into increased violence on the streets, Wyndham and his two new colleagues―arrogant Inspector Digby and Sergeant Banerjee, one of the few Indians to be recruited into the new CID―embark on an investigation that will take them from the opulent mansions of wealthy British traders to the seedy opium dens of the city.

Masterfully evincing the sights, sounds, and smells of colonial Calcutta, A Rising Man is the start of an enticing new historical crime series.

About this title

About the Author:

Abir Mukherjee is the Edgar Allan Poe Award-nominated author of A Rising Man, which was the first in his Captain Sam Wyndham mystery series, which followed with A Necessary Evil and Smoke and Ashes, also available from Pegasus.

Review:

“An enthralling debut.”
- Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review

“A vibrant and powerful debut.”
- Seattle Times

“Winner of the Harvill Secker Daily Telegraph crime writing competition, this stirring, entertaining first mystery bursts with lively, colorful historical details about colonial Calcutta. The developing relationship between Wyndham and Banerjee is a delight. A fine start to a new crime series that will attract readers of M.J. Carter and Tarquin Hall.”
- Library Journal (starred and Debut of the Month)

“British author Mukherjee’s outstanding debut and series launch combines a cleverly constructed whodunit with an unusual locale―Calcutta in 1919―portrayed with convincing detail. The nuanced relationship between Wyndham and his Indian assistant adds even more depth. ”
- Publishers Weekly (starred)

“This checks pretty much every box in our ‘should we read this mystery?’ checklist. First, it launches a new series. Second, it's set in the past in another country, in this case Calcutta in 1919. Third, it was a hit overseas (in London). Fourth, the trades (Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, etc.) have praised it. Fifth, is enjoying enthusiastic support from early readers. Sixth (and this is a new one for us), it features a character known as ‘No Surrender’ Banerjee, which seals the deal.”
- BookFilter

“A marvelous new historical crime series. ”
- Book Riot

“The novel is filled with fascinating historical detail, intriguing crime, and a minefield of political pitfalls the characters must navigate. Both Sam Wyndham and Surrender-not Banerjee are two creatively developed characters who are more than capable of carrying readers through Calcutta for many books to come.”
- Criminal Element

“A crime novel that is, quite simply, enormous fun. Wyndham’s next assignment can’t come soon enough.”
- The National (Abu Dhabi)

“With a sly authorial wit, quirky characters, and historical details that anchor the story to its steamy, exotic locale, this debut novel is the first in what looks to be an entertaining new series similar to Barbara Cleverly’s Detective Joe Sandilands mysteries (especially The Damascened Blade, 2004).”
- Booklist

“[A] splendid debut...and his hero, Captain Sam Wyndham, is a winning creation.”
- The Times (London), Crime Book of the Month

About this edition

• Publisher: Pegasus Crime
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 168177416X
• ISBN 13: 9781681774169
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 400