Vaseem Khan

On the day he retires, Inspector Ashwin Chopra inherits two unexpected mysteries. The first is the case of a drowned boy, whose suspicious death no one seems to want solved. And the second is a baby elephant. As his search for clues takes him across the teeming city of Mumbai, from its grand high rises to its sprawling slums and deep into its murky underworld, Chopra begins to suspect that there may be a great deal more to both his last case and his new ward than he thought. And he soon learns that when the going gets tough, a determined elephant may be exactly what an honest man needs...

The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra

'The leading character is the deftly drawn Persis Wadia, the country's first female detective. She's a wonderful creation and this is a hugely enjoyable book' Ann Cleeves 'This is historical crime fiction at its best - a compelling mix of social insight and complex plotting with a thoroughly engaging heroine. A highly promising new series' Mail on Sunday Bombay, New Year's Eve, 1949 As 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. And 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.

Midnight at Malabar House

In the enchanting new Baby Ganesh Agency novel, Inspector Chopra and his elephant sidekick investigate a murder at Mumbai's grandest hotel. For a century the iconic Grand Raj Palace Hotel has welcomed the world's elite. From film stars to foreign dignitaries, anyone who is anyone stays at the Grand Raj. The last thing the venerable old hotel needs is a murder... When American billionaire Hollis Burbank is found dead - the day after buying India's most expensive painting - the authorities are keen to label it a suicide. But the man in charge of the investigation is not so sure. Chopra is called in - and discovers a hotel full of people with a reason to want Burbank dead. Accompanied by his sidekick, baby elephant Ganesha, Chopra navigates his way through the palatial building, a journey that leads him steadily to a killer, and into the heart of darkness . . .

Murder at the Grand Raj Palace

The second book in the heartwarming and charming Baby Ganesh series. For centuries the Koh-i-Noor diamond has set man against man and king against king. Now part of the British Crown Jewels, the priceless gem is a prize that many have killed to possess. So when the Crown Jewels go on display in Mumbai, security is everyone's principal concern. And yet, on the very day Inspector Chopra visits the exhibition, the diamond is stolen from under his nose. The heist was daring and seemingly impossible. The hunt is on for the culprits. But it soon becomes clear that only one man - and his elephant - can possibly crack this case...

Baby Ganesh Agency Book 2

The Perplexing Theft of the Jewel in the Crown

Veronica Henry

Katie Fforde

Jenny Eclair

Rachel Hore

Mark Watson

Dorothy Koomson

Richard Madeley

Eva Verde

Helen Lederer

A seriously entertaining collection of feelgood stories guaranteed to put the smile back on your face written especially by ten bestselling novelists: Jenny Éclair Mark Watson Veronica Henry Eva Verde Richard Madeley Katie Fforde Dorothy Koomson Vaseem Khan Helen Lederer Rachel Hore From a hilarious race against time to a moment of unexpected eavesdropping, from righting wrongs in rural India to finding joy in unlikely places, these stories are all rich in wit and humour, guaranteed to lift your spirits and warm your heart. Stories to Make you Smile is a co-commission between The Reading Agency and Specsavers as part of World Book Night 2021.

The Reading Agency

Stories To Make You Smile

In the fourth rip-roaring thriller in the award-winning Malabar House series, Persis and Archie travel to the old colonial capital of Calcutta, where they collide head-on with the prejudices and bloody politics of an era engulfed in flame. 'Beautifully written and a fascinating insight into the turbulence of post independence India' PETER MAY 'Another exuberant thriller in his award-winning Malabar House series ... as usual with Khan, an entire era and community are conjured with quiet panache' FINANCIAL TIMES Can a white man receive justice in post-colonial India? Bombay, 1950 James Whitby, sentenced to death for the murder of prominent lawyer and former Quit India activist Fareed Mazumdar, is less than two weeks from a date with the gallows. In a last-ditch attempt to save his son, Whitby's father forces a new investigation into the killing. The investigation leads Inspector Persis Wadia of the Bombay Police to the old colonial capital of Calcutta, where, with the help of Scotland Yard criminalist Archie Blackfinch, she uncovers a possible link to a second case, the brutal murder of an African-American G.I. during the Calcutta Killings of 1946. Are the cases connected? And if Whitby didn't murder Mazumdar, then who did? 'Great stuff' MAIL ON SUNDAY A sumptuous, brutal, heart-stopping thriller. Vaseem Khan writes with charm and wit, and an eye for detail that transports the reader entirely. I couldn't love this series more' CHRIS WHITAKER 'Post-partition India is subtle, intriguing and dynamic; the hero, Persis, is brave, intelligent and charming; the plot is complex and rewarding. I loved Death of a Lesser God' GREG MOSSE 'Blends a grippingly modern plot with gritty and unvarnished history. A vibrant thriller about belonging - and who gets to decide who belongs. A superb book and his best yet' WILLIAM SHAW Breathless and brilliant, Death of a Lesser God propels Persis Wadia into dangerous and deadly new territory. Highly recommended!' D.V. BISHOP 'Crime fiction is a brilliant way of tackling social issues and, in Death of a Lesser God, Vaseem Khan delivers a masterclass in how it's done. Full of tension and political conflict, Khan brilliantly weaves in history and a deft portrait of post-Raj life in Bombay and Calcutta. The result is an immensely rich book' ALIS HAWKINS 'Tense, gripping and impressively plotted; Death of a Lesser God is historical fiction at its finest' WILLIAM RYAN

Death of a Lesser God

THE THRILLING NEW MYSTERY FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF MIDNIGHT AT MALABAR HOUSE 'A delightful book, well-researched, complex and hugely entertaining' ANN CLEEVES 'A twisting plot and an intriguing cast of characters, together with vivid glimpses of the vibrant, complex world of post-Independence Bombay - and a narrative that thunders along with the pace and drama of an elephant on the rampage' ANDREW TAYLOR Bombay, 1950 When the body of a white man is found frozen in the Himalayan foothills near Dehra Dun, he is christened the Ice Man by the national media. Who is he? How long has he been there? Why was he killed? As Inspector Persis Wadia and Metropolitan Police criminalist Archie Blackfinch investigate the case in Bombay, they uncover a trail left behind by the enigmatic Ice Man - a trail leading directly into the dark heart of conspiracy. Meanwhile, two new murders grip the city. Is there a serial killer on the loose, targeting Europeans? Rich in atmosphere, the thrilling third chapter in the CWA Historical Dagger-winning Malabar House series pits Persis against a mystery from beyond the grave, unfolding against the backdrop of a turbulent post-colonial India, a nation struggling to redefine itself in the shadow of the Raj. 'A stunning, richly imagined and downright thrilling mystery. Vaseem Khan has that rare ability to transport you wholly to a bygone time, and he does so with such skill and charm. I loved it' CHRIS WHITAKER 'A compelling historical thriller ... Codes, crime and conspiracies collide in post-colonial India' D.V. BISHOP 'One of my top reads this year. A peerless portrait of early independent India through the eyes of new crime fiction star, India's first police detective, Persis Wadia' BARBARA NADEL "The brilliant Persis Wadia is one of the most electrifying figures in crime fiction today. Vaseem Khan keeps getting better and better' WILLIAM SHAW 'Outstanding' IMRAN MAHMOOD 'This is historical crime fiction at its best - a compelling mix of social insight and complex plotting with a thoroughly engaging heroine. A highly promising new series' MAIL ON SUNDAY 'This is historical crime fiction at its sharpest' SUNDAY TIMES 'The Lost Man of Bombay is the latest outstanding entry in the Malabar House series. Persis Wadia is shaping up to be a giant of the scene - a detective as dogged and determined as any out there, with a point to prove and a chip on her shoulder as deep as it is justified. Her latest case is as beautifully written and evocative as you've come to expect from Vaseem Khan, a gripping and engrossing mystery that draws deeply on its setting and time period but nonetheless reads as fresh and original. This is a writer at the top of his game and a series that just keeps getting better' ROD REYNOLDS

The thrilling new mystery from the acclaimed author of Midnight at Malabar House

The Lost Man of Bombay

Mumbai is a city that thrives on extravagant spectacles and larger-than-life characters.But as Chopra is about to discover, even in the city of dreams, there is no guarantee of a happy ending.Rising star and incorrigible playboy Vikram Verma has disappeared, leaving his latest film in jeopardy. Hired by Verma's formidable mother to find him, Inspector Chopra and his sidekick, baby elephant Ganesha, embark on a journey deep into the world's most flamboyant movie industry.As they uncover feuding stars, failed investments and death threats, it seems that many people have a motive for wanting Verma out of the picture.And yet, as Chopra has long suspected, in Bollywood the truth is often stranger than fiction...

The strange disappearance of a Bollywood star

The Dying Day

Lost Man of Dehra Dun

Il primo caso dell’agenzia investigativa Baby Ganesh Un esordio scintillante Una trama ritmata, una serie di personaggi inimitabili Il giorno in cui è costretto ad andare in pensione per colpa del suo cuore malato, l’ispettore Ashwin Chopra eredita due misteri del tutto inaspettati. Il primo è il caso di un ragazzo annegato, una morte avvenuta in circostanze sospette che nessuno sembra voler chiarire. Il secondo riguarda l’affidamento di un cucciolo di elefante, ma è davvero difficile scoprire chi possa avergli lasciato un’eredità tanto bizzarra e... ingombrante! La ricerca di indizi lo porta di vicolo in vicolo per la brulicante città di Mumbai, dai lussuosi grattacieli fino ai bassifondi, e Chopra comincia a sospettare che tutto quello che ha creduto fino a quel momento sulla colorata città indiana non sia che una pallida imitazione della verità. Chopra, nonostante la sua aria stralunata e il piccolo elefante sempre tra i piedi, imparerà che quando il gioco si fa duro rimanere un uomo tutto d’un pezzo non è poi così semplice... «È davvero divertente questo ispettore Chopra, anche mentre lotta contro corruzione e criminalità. Speriamo che sia il primo di una lunga serie.» Sunday Times «Chopra, detective fuori dal comune, è coscienzioso e incorruttibile. Semplicemente adorabile, come sua moglie Poppy. E l’elefante Ganesha, dopo aver rallegrato tutti si rivelerà un assistente fondamentale. Assolutamente imperdibile!» Guardian «Delizioso.» The Bookseller «Che piacere leggere le avventure di questo cast di personaggi così intriganti! Ma la forza più grande della storia è la brulicante città di Mumbai, che colora e profuma ogni pagina di questo divertente e stravagante racconto.» Daily Express «Un misterioso e bizzarro omicidio... una storia ricca di personaggi vivaci e molto umani.» Irish Examiner «La migliore recensione per questo libro sarebbe una lunga lista di aggettivi: divertente, emozionante, folle, affascinante, brillante, spiritoso... I personaggi, l’ambientazione e la trama sono adorabili.» Goodreads «Un esordio elettrizzante con una storia divertente e dei personaggi indimenticabili.» The Lady «Incantevole.» Woman & Home Vaseem Khan è nato a Londra nel 1973 e ha ottenuto la laurea in Economia e Finanza presso la London School of Economics. Ha trascorso una decina di anni in India per lavoro, è tornato nel Regno Unito nel 2006 e da allora ha lavorato presso l’University College di Londra per il Dipartimento di Sicurezza e Scienze criminologiche. Gli elefanti sono al terzo posto nella lista delle sue passioni: prima e seconda sono la grande letteratura e il cricket, non sempre in quest’ordine. L’inaspettata eredità dell’ispettore Chopra, suo esordio poliziesco, è stato salutato dalla critica e dai lettori come un piccolo miracolo narrativo. È appena uscito il secondo libro della serie e l’autore sta lavorando al terzo.

L'inaspettata eredità dell'ispettore Chopra

Maxim Jakubowski

Short Story Anthology

Inspector Chopra und der Juwelenraub

Am Tag seiner Pensionierung stolpert Inspector Chopra gleich über zwei mysteriöse Ereignisse: Das erste ist der rätselhafte Fall eines ertrunkenen Jungen, dessen Tod niemanden zu kümmern scheint. Die zweite Überraschung ist ein Babyelefant. Chopra nimmt sich beider an. Ohne seine Polizeimarke, dafür aber mit tatkräftiger Unterstützung von Elefantenbaby Ganesha, sucht er jeden Winkel Mumbais nach dem Mörder des Jungen ab. Er muss bald feststellen, dass sowohl an seinem Fall als auch an seinem neuen Schützling mehr dran ist, als es auf den ersten Blick scheint.

Kriminalroman

Ein Elefant für Inspector Chopra

Viola Shipman

After thirty years on the Mumbai police force, Inspector Chopra is retiring early on doctor's orders. But on his last day, why is no one investigating the drowning of a young boy? And why is a baby elephant waiting on his doorstep? These two mysteries need solving, and he can think of no better way to start his retirement,

The Charm Bracelet and the Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra

Select Editions Large Type

Perplexing Theft of the Jewel in the Crown

A murdered man. A missing treasure. Persis must solve the riddle to find the killer - or die trying . . . Bombay, 1950 India's first female police detective, Persis Wadia, is summoned to the 150-year-old Bombay Royal Asiatic Society at Horniman Circle. The society's preeminent treasure, a priceless manuscript of Dante's Divine Comedy, has vanished, as has the society's head curator, William Huxley, an Englishman with a passion for Indian history. Tasked to recover an item for which Benito Mussolini once offered one million pounds, Persis soon uncovers a series of murders, and a trail of tantalising coded clues that lead her into the dark heart of conspiracy... Gripping, immersive, and full of Vaseem Khan's trademark wit, this is historical fiction at its finest.

The Dying Days

For centuries, the Koh-i-Noor diamond has set man against man and king against king. Now part of the British Crown Jewels, the priceless gem is a prize that many have killed to possess. So when the Crown Jewels go on display in Mumbai, security is everyone's principal concern. And yet, on the very day Inspector Chopra visits the exhibition, the diamond is stolen from under his nose. The heist was daring and seemingly impossible. The hunt is on for the culprits. But it soon becomes clear that only one man -- and his elephant -- can possibly crack this case. . . Featuring the most charming crime-solving duo ever to grace the pages of a book, the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series is a must-read for fans of Alexander McCall Smith.

The Perfect Crime

An enchanting Baby Ganesh Agency short story: a million-dollar car is missing. Chopra has two days to find it, or the gangster who bought it will not be happy. The Premier No.1 Garage is the place to go in Mumbai if you want a luxury car. Even Mumbai's biggest gangster shops there - he's just ordered a classic race car worth millions. But now the car is gone. Stolen from a locked room, in the middle of the night. Who stole it? The mechanic who is addicted to gambling? The angry ex-worker? The car thief pulling off one last job? And how on earth did they make it vanish from the locked garage? Inspector Chopra has just days to find the culprit - and the missing car - before its gangster owner finds out ... and takes violent revenge.

Vaseem Khan

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