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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Smoke and Ashes is the third book about Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant Bannerjee. I greatly enjoyed the first two books, and I looked forward to reading the third book. I was not disappointed. This series of mysteries is unique because of its placement in Calcutta during the later days of the British Raj in India. While the mysteries are in and of themselves excellent and well-written, I also appreciate that it is grappling with the issues of British imperialism in India. This third book in the series goes even deeper, as the characters interact with significant leaders in the India non-violence movement such as Das, who was a real figure who worked with Gandhi during this time period to end British rule. It could be incorporated into world history classes on the British Raj through book clubs. I would also recommend that students who enjoy mysteries and historical fiction to read this book.
It took a little bit to get the story going but once it did it took off! Great book.
Despite being quite tired of the opium addiction and Wyndham’s frankly laughable attempts to woo Annie Grant, I still enjoyed this book.
I read this book earlier this year and I don't remember much about the plot. What I can say is that I love this series. It's set in British Colonial India. The protagonists are an English police captain and his Indian sergeant.
I love this series because the author is great at putting words to the paper. The writing is easy to read and follow and the characters are interesting. The setting of colonial India is also very well done and we get a great feel for the era when the British ruled India. I highly recommend reading this series in order as it details how the relationship between the 2 protagonists develop over time.
I love this series because the author is great at putting words to the paper. The writing is easy to read and follow and the characters are interesting. The setting of colonial India is also very well done and we get a great feel for the era when the British ruled India. I highly recommend reading this series in order as it details how the relationship between the 2 protagonists develop over time.
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The previous books in the series bothered me because as much as I enjoyed the way the history was wound into the plot the story felt strained. This one, however, did a great job at really bringing this particular period in history to life and the plot was great. I want more of Surrender-not however.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a well-written, intriguing mystery set in the British Raj that does a good job of incorporating historic events such as the lingering effects of the First World War, Gandhi's non-cooperation movement and the visit of the Prince of Wales (later, briefly, Edward VIII) to Calcutta.
That said, I don't think this series entry can stand on its own. The English detective has a full-blown opium addiction that monopolized the first half of the book from page 1. I assume this was built up in previous entries, but as a new reader I had a hard time coming to grips with his character, and it took a while for the mystery to take center stage. I would also have liked more from the perspective of the Indian sergeant to understand his decision to continue working with the British during a time of upheaval.
That said, I don't think this series entry can stand on its own. The English detective has a full-blown opium addiction that monopolized the first half of the book from page 1. I assume this was built up in previous entries, but as a new reader I had a hard time coming to grips with his character, and it took a while for the mystery to take center stage. I would also have liked more from the perspective of the Indian sergeant to understand his decision to continue working with the British during a time of upheaval.