I absolutely love the Sam Wyndham books - I need at least seven more delivered straight into my brain, post-haste!

My library has a large hardcore historical mystery readers group and a hardcore historical fiction readers group, and they're hard to impress; I can recommend this series to some of the snobbiest of the, and receive good feedback. This was a strong, engaging addition to a standout, well-written series!

This historical fiction is fascinating for the insights into the byplay between British rule and Ghandi's non-violent protest and resistance. It is also interesting to see what opium addiction looked like in the early 1900's. The author did a wonderful job of evoking the period with his descriptions of clothing, building interiors, and travel.I found the novel intriguing.

Move over Nordic Noir, Indian Noir surprises!

My second reading of Abir Mukherjee's murder mystery novel set against related socioeconomic and political conditions in 1920's India, continues to enthrall. I am totally smitten with the goings on of former Scotland Yard detective Captain Sam Wyndham and his co policeman, Surendranath (Surrender-Not) Bannerjee
As always Mukherjee's knowledge of political events in 1920's Calcutta is well grounded.
Sam's struggle with opium addiction (a result of his psychological traumas of the Great War) continues. Not that it slows down his thinking processes but it does mean that sometimes he's in the wrong place at the wrong or right time depending on your point of view. This time Sam realizes that a ritualistic seeming murder is something he's witnessed already, in fact the night before at an opium den. And that's not a story your going to relate to your colleagues! A further murder of a nurse that has puzzling similarities and the take over of the investigation of the latter by military intelligence, has Sam and Bannerjee at a loss. All this against the background of a Calcutta preparing for a visit by the Prince of Wales--a security nightmare.
Once again a tautly charged crime thriller that drew me in and has left me wanting more! Bring on the fourth novel soon, please!

A NetGalley ARC

Smoke and Ashes by Abir Mukherjee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"The first drag of the first pipe was a deliverance, like the breaking of a fever. With the second pipe, the shaking stopped, and with the third, the nerves steadied."

Sam Wyndham's error was calling for a fourth. Smoke and Ashes spotlights Wyndham's opium addiction in the first scene--and nearly ends his career with the CID at Lal Bazar, when the vice division raids the Calcutta den he's visiting. During his escape from the authorities, Sam discovers a dying man, curiously mutilated. He continues his flight, but begins a low-key investigation into the murder in the following, which mysteriously appears to remain undiscovered as far as the authorities are concerned.

A more pressing matter is on his superiors' minds - the Indian National Congress and its leader, Mahatma Gandhi. The cause of self-rule have swept the country, with protest rallies, labor strikes, and the burning of British textiles. The Prince of Wales is touring India to restore goodwill and the status quo, and he is coming to Calcutta for Christmas. Alas, there will be no carols about it. One of Gandhi's primary supporters, C.R. Das, is leading the non-cooperation movement in the city, and Lord Taggart is sending Sam and his sergeant, "Surrender-not" Banerjee, to persuade him not to stage protests or stunts during the visit.

Sam Wyndham isn't looking forward to the job:

"I hated this new breed of pacifistic Indian revolutionary. So often they acted like we were all just good friends who happened to disagree about something, and that once the issue was resolved - obviously in their favour - we'd go back to taking tea and being the best of chums. It made punching them in the face morally difficult."

Shortly after their first visit to see Das (fruitless, of course), the second body turns up - mutilated like the man from the opium den.

The Das intervention and murder investigation turn the wheels of the plot after that, taking us into an unsavory part of British history in India, until all the elements come together at the climax of the book, shifting what was a mystery into a thriller.

My greatest pleasure in reading Abir Mukherjee, comes from his use of the language, his ability to slide between cultures, and his philosophical view of his subject matter. His commentary through Sam reminds me a bit of John D. MacDonald's writing.

"Calcutta was a city divided in more ways than one. To the north, there was Black Town, home to the native population; to the south, White Town for the British; and in the middle, a grey, amorphous area full of Chinese, Armenians, Jews, Parsees, Anglo-Indians and anyone else who didn't fit in. There was no law demarking the city, no barriers or walls; the segregation was just one of those things that seemed to have evolved when no one was paying attention."

His observations and seamless writing make the entire series a worthwhile read.

I am forever and always a fan of books set in the 1920s, but this was was a new perspective for me. This is the first 20's book I've read set in British-occupied India. Clearly the author has a passion for the history behind this story - I feel like I got a front row crash-course (and retained a lot more of the info for having it told through the characters!) And, although this book is third in a series, and I did not read the previous books, I did not feel lost, and felt like I got enough background to catch me up without spoiling the rest of the story.
I love Sam Wyndham and "Surrender-Not" (Surendrenath). The story begins with the pair a little on the outs, sharing an apartment, along with the elephant in the room - Sam's opium addiction. However, as the plot progresses, the two are drawn to rebuild their friendship as they band together against a ruthless killer and the powers-that-be that seem intent on covering up the crimes...
Mukherjee does an excellent job of portraying the tensions and issues of the time through inclusion of real historical characters, and in Surendrenath's personal struggle between upholding his personal sense of justice and holding on to his heritage and family.
I would certainly read more of the series, and intend to go back at some point and read the first two books.

In 1921, the people of India are chafing at British rule. After the assassination of a prince, Wyndham looks beyond the obvious to discover the power behind the plot.

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.

A tight and intriguing mystery set during the fight for India's independence. I couldn't put it down.

Our flawed detective continues his journey through the under and over worlds of inter-wad Calcutta. Combined with an interesting point in the independence movement, we are brought along on another exciting journey.

I'm always intrigued by stories of 1920s India. It's a fascinating time period that lends itself well to fiction stories. I enjoyed the story of Sam and his Indian sidekick. It's interesting and informative to get a glimpse of the opium problem during that time. Well written and engaging mystery with likeable characters. I recommend this one.

This is the third in the series set in 1920s India, but the novel easily stands alone. I will read the first two books, that’s for sure! Well-written and intricately plotted against the backdrop of Calcutta, this was a very interesting read.

Sam Wyndham, veteran of WWI, is a police detective in the days of the British Raj, but a change is coming. During a raid on an opium den (Sam is not part of the raid, but a partaker) Sam discovers a dead man with odd injuries. Two more bodies turn up with the same ritualistic markings and Sam and his partner Surrender-Not struggle to put the pieces together. Meanwhile, Ghandi has inspired his people to peaceful protests against British rule, namely Surrender-Not’s uncle and aunt, who have become leaders in the resistance. The past and present, the social turmoil of the age, begin to play a part in the investigation and for me, this was when the story really got fascinating and hard to put down. Sam is a great character, fighting his memories as a soldier, his subsequent addiction to opium, and against the rules that sometimes bind him as a police detective. Far from perfect, but determined.

This phenomenal new series is one of the best! Absolutely fascinating in setting and characterization, the author has gone from strength to strength in this stunning third story. I can’t say enough about the exquisite writing, the fascinating plots, and the complex, yet appealing characters of police captain Sam and his Indian policeman Surrender-not. This series is a pure treat!

A strong entry in this compelling historical mystery series, set in 1921 Calcutta. Captain Sam Wyndham and his trusted sergeant Surrender-not Banerjee once again are investigating a murder. But Sam has secret knowledge he can't reveal, without admitting to his opium addition. This book has appealing characters who struggle with real-world issues, and Mukherjee deftly evokes the troubled time period.