Crime Fiction Bundle
Crime Fiction Bundle
Read four mysteries for the price of two: Murder in Amaravati, shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize; Banquet on the Dead, a chilling family mystery involving a dead matriarch; The Crows of Agra, in which Birbal saves Akbar's life, and The Tree Bears Witness, where a mango tree is called upon to save an innocent man's life.
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The bundle contains four novels:
- Murder in Amaravati
Welcome to the riverside village of Amaravati, where the Krishna's murmur is always heard. The well-known hostess, Padmavati, is found dead at the feet of Mother Kali in the temple one morning, and it falls to Krishna Shastri, the village priest, to find the killer.
Longlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize.
(Check out the Murder in Amaravati Product Page for more info.)
- Banquet on the Dead
Kauveramma, the head of the family, does not like water. Nor does she know how to swim. So when her body is found in the well, it comes as a jolt to everyone in the house. Inspector Valmiki Nagarajan is on the case, but he might need the help of an old friend to crack this one.
(Check out the Banquet on the Dead Product Page for more info.)
- The Crows of Agra
The year is 1650 A.D. Barely into his sixteenth year, Akbar is all set to ascend the Mughal throne. But there are forces at work in his family that want to keep him at bay. It is only after he meets the imitable Mahesh Das from Tikawanpur that Akbar learns how to safeguard his inheritance.
(Check out the Crows of Agra Product Page for more info.)
- The Tree Bears Witness
When Azgher Abbasi sees a murder take place between the two mango trees in the emperor's garden, he is convinced that a spectral force is behind it all. Birbal himself is stumped by the facts of the case - how might a man be killed by an invisible marauder? Or is the actual explanation simpler than it looks?
(Check out the Tree Bears Witness Product Page for more info.)
Four gripping stories for the price of two in this delightful bundle.
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Murder in Amaravati' stands out as my clear favorite from this collection, not merely because of its evocative setting along the Krishna river or its carefully delineated characters, but primarily due to that little twist in the final chapter. It got me turning the pages back to spot all the clues I'd missed. Exceeded my expectations in every way!
In 'The Crows of Agra' the puzzle seemed completely impossible to solve, yet when Birbal reveals the solution, it's so satisfying and logical. Sharath's writing is remarkably immersive, drawing you into Akbar's court with vivid detail and compelling characters. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys crime fiction that challenges your mind.
What struck me most profoundly was how these intricately plotted mysteries manage to deliver completely satisfying conclusions while simultaneously honoring the wit and wisdom of the Birbal we all grew up reading about in childhood tales. The opening chapter of Murder in Amaravati was particularly good, with Krishna Shastri's daily morning rituals described so realistically. Took me straight into the scene and kept me there! The Instant Download feature was excellent, because I could start reading straight away. Also appreciate the flexibility of formats - I can now read the books on any app I want.
I'm always on the hunt for authors who can deliver that same level of intrigue and clever plotting. I'd never heard of Sharath Komarraju before stumbling across this bundle, but the beautiful covers caught my eye and I decided to give it a try. The easy and immersive style of "Murder in Amaravati" completely transported me to that riverside village on the banks of the Krishna. Any mystery lover looking for well-crafted Indian crime fiction should definitely consider this bundle.
As someone who devours anything resembling an Agatha Christie mystery, I found 'Banquet on the Dead' to be my favorite of the two novels in this bundle. The rich tapestry of characters—especially the complex dynamics between the siblings anxiously waiting for old Kauveramma to die—reminded me so much of Christie's best family-centered mysteries. I had previously read Sharath Komarraju's Hastinapur Series and knew his storytelling abilities were excellent, but his skill in crafting crime fiction truly exceeded my expectations. The bundle comes with a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee, so if you're hesitating, take this reader's word for it: don't!