Banquet on the Dead
Banquet on the Dead
When an elderly matriarch's body is found floating in the family well, and when it is known that the lady was scared of water, suspicion comes to rest naturally on her many family members. Hamid Pasha and Inspector Nagarajan have to figure out the puzzle before it's too late.
This title is part of the Crime Fiction Bundle, a hand-picked 4-book collection that you can grab for just ₹599 (Save 50%). [See the Bundle]
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Product Description
Kauveramma loved life. She was terrified of water. So why was her body found floating gruesomely, hair fanned out, limbs outspread, in the well of the family compound?
Her sons, daughter, grandchildren-some of them resident, others far-flung-assemble at her death with expressions ranging from composed or confused to those of outright maniacal grief.
Things don't quite fit, and one of them demands an investigation into the mysterious drowning.
Enter a policeman, Inspector Valmiki Nagarajan, and a charming rogue, Hamid Pasha.
The latter is an elderly Muslim and a reformed criminal who spouts ghazals, has exquisite manners, and it's clear he's the brains of the two. He and the policeman regard each other with reluctant admiration and gruff affection.
They have been on opposite sides of the law and clashed in the past, and that has formed an unstated bond.
The duo interrogates each member of the family and staff in turn, unearthing secrets of their past, and calculating the degrees of their love, hatred or loyalty to Kauveramma-and each other.
As it happens, everyone had something to gain from Kauveramma's banishment from their lives.
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Number of pages (approximate): 350
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Taking off one star because there are four books in the bundle, and I didn't like all four equally. Maybe I am in the minority here, I enjoyed Murder in Amaravati and Banquet on the Dead more than the Birbal novels. But overall, easy to recommend these books to all mystery lovers at this price. A whole weekend of reading for the price of a meal, at the convenience of your home. Go for it!
What I liked: creative use of folklore to tell a crime story. The writing style is fluid without being too caught up. Reminded me of the old mysteries of the golden age. What I did not like: too many liberties taken with the historical record. Here and there, the language becomes modern and takes you out of the story. But despite all this, I enjoyed the book. Worth trying.
I was initially worried that loading the book into my Kindle would be difficult. But the instructions post order are very clear. I did not even know Kindle had a 'send to Kindle' feature? Be that as it may, I am glad I gave Crows of Agra and Sharath Komarraju a chance. More than anything I enjoyed the scenes in which Akbar and Birbal banter about how many crows there are in Agra. Brought back memories of the old Akbar-Birbal stories!
Must read for crime fiction fans! Bonus points if you also enjoy historical fiction and have a nostalgic love for Agatha Christie's Poirot and Marple. Finished all the books in one sitting. Two thumbs up!
I was a little hesitant in purchasing these books because I had not heard of Sharath Komarraju before. But I needn't have worried. The stories and writing are top class! Each of the four books have different themes, different plots, and different resolutions. No repetition of writing style or words. I am so happy to have discovered a new Indian writer!