Our mystery story starts out with two suspected suicides. Two young women seem to jump from the university's tower in Bombay but all seems quite shady and devious. As Captain Jim Agnihotri reviews the case in his hospital room in Pooma, where he is recovering from wounds suffered on the northern frontier, he puzzles over the case and the pieces he puts together do not make any sense to him. He once again reverts to his fascination with his idol Sherlock Holmes and believes these deaths are more than meets the eye. He wonders what would Holmes think and do as he recovers from his injuries.

Adi, the husband and brother of the victims, approaches the Captain and enlists his help for he too, believes the ladies did not kill themselves. Jim then finds himself embroiled in a case that will test his wits and his reliance on the keen advice found in the books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle of his idol Sherlock Holmes.

The Framji family, a wealthy family, is anxious to know the truth and Jim is on the trail of many nefarious characters who seem to have the finding of a special letter foremost on their minds and will do whatever is required to obtain it. While becoming closer to the family, Jim meets the beautiful Lady Diana Framji, sister to Adi. Their attraction to one another is strong but Captain Jim is a half breed, half British and half Indian, so he is considered inferior and no match for Lady Diana. She joins Jim in his pursuit of the truth placing herself in danger, but also showing a cunning that endears her even more so to Jim.

Was this a double suicide or were the ladies murdered by the dark forces that seem to swirl around the family and the times they live in? What is so special about this letter and could it be the one thing that gives this case its direction? Will Diana and Jim find out the truth as they find themselves becoming more enamored with one another?

Based on an actual event, the story paints a wonderful revealing background of colonial India with all its environments and visual beauty that it was. Ms March does a fine job with the background as well as the characters which she portrays against the lushness, the beauty, riches and also the sordid parts of India back in the 1890s.

Thank you to Nev March, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this convincing tale due out on November 10, 2020.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This books was filled with vivid descriptions and rich scenery to supplement the mystery of why a man’s wife and sister died. Enter Jim Agnihotri, a former military soldier who uses the deaths as his escape from his memories of fighting in battle. The investigation leads Jim to the Framji family, including Adi the husband and brother of the deceased and his other sister Diana. The simmering chemistry between Jim and Diana moves the story along as the motive for the deaths are revealed. There are moments when the story felt a bit belabored but it was still a rich tale to read.


Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the arc.

I had my doubts about Murder in Old Bombay before I began reading it. Perhaps it would turn out to be one of those novels that romanticize colonialism—but perhaps it would turn out to be a really solid mystery that acknowledges the nature and costs of colonialism. Murder in Old Bombay turned out to be the second of those two, and I'm quite glad I took a chance on it. If you really want to understand the impact of colonialism in 19th Century India, you'll need more than a mystery novel, but Murder in Old Bombay can serve as a stepping off point.

Jim Agnihotri, our detective, is half British, half Indian, recently retired from the British military with both heroism and regrets to his record. On leaving the military he drifts a bit and falls into work investigating the deaths (suicide or murder?) of two women. In the process, readers are given glimpses into the social complexity of the times. Caste matters. But no caste is high enough to put one on equal footing with the British. Occupied India and small, independent states coexist with very differing sets of rules. The wealthy, both honorable and dishonorable, compete with one another. And we readers learn a bit about the history of Indian uprisings against the British.

What I particularly enjoyed about this title was its length and complexity—the mystery isn't easily solved and keeps unfolding. Every time the reader thinks a resolution is coming, another complication or a new direction of inquiry opens up.

This title is well worth reading on multiple levels. It will entertain, engage—and teach readers a thing or two about history. I received a free electronic ARC of this title for review purposes. The opinions are my own.

A mystery, set in 19th century Bombay, was an intriguing idea for a book, and I enjoyed it very much.

The protagonist, a military veteran retired because of disability, is a Sherlock Holmes fan, and has spent his recent time in hospital reading Sherlock Holmes books. He reads a letter to the editor in the newspaper about two women who supposedly committed suicide by jumping off a tower, and is taken by the letter, written by the husband of one of the women, brother of the other woman - it resonates with him, because of the closing of the letter. The writer's feelings of being left alone resonates with his own feelings of being left alone after the military battle in which he was severely wounded, so he decides to investigate the case, in a Holmesian manner.

I enjoyed the characters involved - the protagonist was satisfyingly good, while the villains were bad. Others in the book were less perfectly noble, but had good intentions, even if personal considerations sometimes got in the way. The plot was intriguing, and the book kept my attention, even when some of the plot elements were not as familiar to me because of the time and the location. But, I learned some things, and enjoyed it along the way.

The only real criticism I have of this book is that it got a little convoluted - it felt as if too many different mysteries were being crammed in here and too many new characters. While I liked the children that Jim picked up along the way (presumably to further demonstrate what a good guy he was, as well as to advance one plot point), I really thought that whole plotline was more of a distraction. I might have liked the book even better if it had been more focused, particular in the later parts of the book.

On the whole, a very promising debut. While this mystery is solved in the book (no annoying to-be-continued plot lines), it certainly leaves an opening for further books involving the main characters, and I will definitely keep my eyes open for more books by Nev March!

Nothing beckons the imagination and the forthcoming thrill as a murder set in the panorama of Old Bombay.

It's 1892 and Captain Jim Agnihotri is recovering in a Bombay hospital. He has served honorably in the 14th Light Cavalry Regiment for twelve years on the Frontier. Jim has come to a crossroads and has decided to take on a job as a journalist for the Chronicle of India.

But as strangers cross paths, Jim is contacted by a wealthy businessman, Adi Framji, who is about to change Jim's life with a proposition. Adi's young wife, Bacha, and her cousin, Pilloo, fell from the top of the Clock Tower in the main plaza. The police ruled it as a double suicide. Adi thinks otherwise and hires Jim to investigate what he believes is murder.

And here is where Nev March takes us deep into the bindings of what is based on a true story. Her well developed character of Jim is laden with a remarkable backstory. March has Jim hitting the ground running in each chapter as he follows his instincts along with some nebulous clues into what exactly happened to these two women in broad daylight in the market.

March fills her storyline with the vivid sights and sounds of life in India. The customs of Indian society ruled by the British in the 19th century draw us into the history that benefitted some and eliminated others. Nev March injects the story with a bit of true history weaved within. This all comes to pass along these pages filled with the reality of its people and the fight for survival during trying times.

Murder in Old Bombay is quite the read. I'm wondering if the story will continue in a future offering. The character of Captain Jim Agnihotri is one to follow into a promising next adventure.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Minotaur Books (St. Martin's Press) and to Nev March for the opportunity.

I really wanted to love this. I picked it up because I was hoping it would be a true mystery a la Agatha Christie. And for a while, I was really enjoying it. I love a good murder mystery and this one seemed primed to deliver. However, at some point, it just got too long. I thought this was actually closer to 500, 600 pages until I checked Goodreads and saw that it was only 400. I put it down for 3 months because I was bored. A good chunk of the middle of the book were side stories that I think honestly could have been their own books. And once we got the answers to a lot of questions that had been hanging over the book, we still had a significant part of the book to go. I think it could have done with a bit more editing for content.- I would have happily read a 3 part series that touched on this murder, and then some of the other plot lines in the book. I also think there were a couple of storylines (such as Jim's parentage) that were wrapped up too nicely and too quickly. I think focusing on that storyline and the romance would have made more sense.

That said, I learned a LOT about India during this time. I appreciated that. I appreciated the main murder story. I thought it was well written, and I would probably pick up another book by Nev March. I think there's an audience for this story, it just wasn't me.

When I started this book I wasn’t sure it was the type of book I’d like but I ended up loving it. I liked the historical parts of India culture, the mystery parts of murder, and the small romance parts that added to the story. It had surprises that I never guessed would have happened and the future thoughts in the book also keep me guessing. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and enjoy it. #netgalley #murderinoldbombay

This novel is set in the late 19th century, 1892 to be specific. It is a first for this author and hopefully, won't be the last. Having never been to India, but hoping to get there one day, the scenes in this book were just what I'd imagined it may have looked like a long time ago.

This is a historical crime novel, rich with both a bit of history and a fresh take on Sherlock Holmes. It tells the story of 30-year old, Captain Jim Agnihotri, who is convalescing in a hospital, from serious injuries suffered in a skirmish. While he recuperates he rereads Sherlock Holmes stories. He also starts reading the Chronicle, the local newspaper, to gather information on the "suspicious" deaths of two young women who fell from a clock tower. Jim decides to investigate their deaths when he leaves the hospital. Jim even befriends the widower of one of the victims who also happens to be the brother of the other victim. The widower does not think either one committed suicide and Jim is set to find out what really happened.

There is also a backstory about Jim's upbringing, being part Indian and part English and having been orphaned at a young age. He also has a love story that develops with the widower's sister. Captain Jim gets involved in several skirmishes as he tries to solve the mystery for this family. Without giving too much more of the book away, it draws you in, captures your attention and gets you hooked until the very end.

This is a rich, epic tale that will transport you to another time period and is delicious to devour, page by page.

I wanted to like this book, but it fell flat for me.

Part of the problem was that I’ve read multiple mysteries set in British-ruled India, multiple Sherlock-inspired mysteries, ex-military member with PTSD mysteries. Some of these have been excellent. While it’s probably unfair to compare March’s novel with these others, I couldn’t help but make those comparisons and feel disappointed.

The book had a lot of potential.

The mystery should’ve felt compelling; a wife and sister fell to their deaths and despite the family’s protests and conflicting evidence, the verdict was suicide. Somehow, though, I never felt moved by this. It was also very strange to me that the police either didn’t find (or didn’t care to find) the “clues” that Jim readily found several months after the deaths.

For me, the book didn’t convey the intense tumult of India under British rule. Somehow, despite the author’s attempts, it came up lacking.

However, the background on the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was fascinating. This was one of the best aspects of the book. March did a good job tying the mutiny to the current mystery. The other fascinating thing was the information on Parsees and the Zoroastrian religion. I knew most of the information, but March, a Parsee Zoroastrian herself, really developed this and wove it naturally into the story.

Jim was a well-developed character. A half-Indian, half-English illegitimate man, he never knew his father. He was raised in a orphanage run by a Christian mission and later left to join the army. He left the army but the army hasn’t left him, as one character notes: he struggles with PTSD symptoms from some mysterious, bloody skirmish in Karachi.

Other than Jim, the characters felt shallow, and that included the victims and the family. That was unfortunate. I wanted them to come to life and wanted to care about them.

I was of two minds about the Sherlock inspiration. Part of me thought the book would’ve been better off without the Sherlock references. Yes, I know that Sherlock inspired Jim to investigate, etc., etc. But these references invited comparisons to both Conan-Doyle’s originals and the myriad of Sherlockian fiction since. Jim’s mind didn’t work like Sherlock’s, nor did he remain detached and dispassionate (especially after love interest Diana showed up). But another part of me really enjoyed Jim’s Sherlockian-style disguises as he impersonated a poor peanut seller, a new priest, and a Pathan, all of which he based on people he actually knew. That was a lot of fun.

But the overall impression of the book was that it felt unfocused and overly-long. The story took off on various tangents, some only superficially related to the investigation, and some of the plot aspects were unbelievable. The ending dragged out for multiple chapters, as each of the plots/subplots got an individual ending.

As I said, this book fell flat for me. However, there are a lot of four and five star reviews from other readers. So when in doubt, pick up the book and try it.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

This review will appear on my blog on 6 November 2020.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In 1892, Bombay is the center of British India. Nearby, Captain Jim Agnihotri lies in Poona military hospital recovering from a skirmish on the wild northern frontier, with little to do but re-read the tales of his idol, Sherlock Holmes, and browse the daily papers. The case that catches Captain Jim's attention is being called the crime of the century: Two women fell from the busy university’s clock tower in broad daylight. Moved by Adi, the widower of one of the victims — his certainty that his wife and sister did not commit suicide — Captain Jim approaches the Parsee family and is hired to investigate what happened that terrible afternoon.

I received a free Advanced Copy in exchange for a honest review. The novel is by a new to me author. Though it was well written, I felt that the book was too long.

Highly recommended for readers who loved books about India as a jewel in the Crown of the British Empire.

Unfortunately to be brutally honest, there was really nothing I liked about this book (besides the cover).

It seemed to go on forever (much, much too long), the writing was disjointed without a good flow (and seemed even a little simplistic), and the characters were not that interesting or care worthy and one was downright unlikable. The mystery was OK but a bit far fetched and convoluted. Just not feeling it.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

Beautifully written story full of diversity! Murder in Old Bombay takes the reader on a journey. Captain Jim is recovering from a war injury and decides to take a look at some old favorites! He finds an old case that sparks his interest, and he doesn’t believe the suicide story that was published. Due to the social standards of this time, he doesn’t know what to do. However with some help he decides to try to make a difference. This is a story full of loss, love, and suspense. It is beautifully written and gives the reader a look into India in 1892 that is a learning experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it and consider it a must read!

This was an intriguing murder mystery, especially enjoyable if you like to read historical fiction in the time of the British rule in India in the late 1800's. Apparently the two women who "fell" from the clock tower in Bombay for this mystery, were actual victims during this time period. I liked pretty much all of the cast of characters, and the Sherlock Holmes-esque investigation by a war hero plagued by the memories of battle, and his loneliness in being half English in India. I do wish it had ended about 10 chapters earlier, as it felt like it had several endings, and I prefer all or almost all loose ends to be tied up in one or two chapters. 3.75 stars
~Thank you to NetGalley and publisher~

Murder in Old Bombay
By Nev March
September 23, 2020

A huge round of applause for this author’s debut novel! Based on true events, it had a little of everything I love – mystery, crime, drama, romance, history.

While recuperating from military injuries, Captain Jim peruses the Bombay newspaper and reads about the “crime of the century.” Two well-to-do young women fell to their deaths from a university clock tower. Sloppy investigators rule suicide, the wealthy Parsee family suspects otherwise, and Jim is hired to look into the case.

The story transports readers to the sights and sounds and smells of Bombay in
the late 1800’s, when India was under British rule. Despite their socio-economic differences - and the ingrained attitude to keep to your class - Jim and the victims’ family develop deep and respectful friendships.

After the first few chapters, this charming page-turner picked up steam, and I fell in love with the likable characters.

Thank you to Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for this advance copy.

An excellent book. It transported me to the enigmatic nation of India. The story takes place in the city of Bombay, the most important center of the British Empire in this country. Captain Jim Agnihotri lies in the military hospital in Poona, where he is recovering from an armed conflict that occurred on the northern border. Jim's time in the hospital makes him feel a bit bored, so he tries to keep himself busy. He reads the Sherlock Holmes stories as well as the newspaper. One day, a case attracts his attention, what the newspaper calls the crime of the century: two women fell from a clock tower of an active university, in broad daylight. Not only that, but the victims are mother and daughter, which is not a suicidal case. Jim wants to help this family, so he is hired to investigate this terrible crime. A very entertaining book that reminded me a bit of the many adventures of Sherlock Holmes, only in this case in India. I liked the description that the author gives to Bombay since the relationship that the inhabitants of this city had with the British is very intriguing. The story kept me intrigued at all times. I was eager to know what was going to happen with Jim. I liked that it included a lot of the culture of India from that time. It made me feel suspense and excited, all the more so when Lady Diana Framji joins Jim in solving this case. A book that I recommend with compelling mysteries. I thank NetGalley, StMartin's Press, and Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 stars (rounded to 4)
The setting is Bombay, colonial India. The year is 1892. A badly wounded Anglo-Indian British army cavalryman, James Agnihotri, is recovering in hospital reading about the deaths of two young Indian women who fell from the university clock tower. After the acquittal of their accused murderers, the grieving husband Adi Framji writes an impassioned letter to the newspaper, declaring his wife would never commit suicide.
Months later, after his medical discharge from the army, James offers his services to the widower, citing his admiration of Sherlock Holmes and offering to use Holmes’ methods of observation and deduction to help solve the mystery of the women’s deaths.
What follows is a long, winding investigation that takes many twists and turns. James has many adventures, always turning to Holmes as inspiration for his actions, like donning disguises to follow the subjects of his suspicions.
While James admires Sherlock Holmes, he is drawn as a sympathetic hero who has a sensitive nature and a desire to help people, whereas Holmes was characterized as cooler and more removed from emotion. I like that the story is told in the first person, in James’ own words. The reader is given an insight into his feelings and ruminations on his plight as a mixed race, only child growing up without a father or siblings, who longs for a real family and children.
The author’s writing has a warmth to it and is eloquent when writing of James’ feelings and when describing the country and its culture. The adventures may be a bit far-fetched at times, but the complexity of James Agnihotri keeps the reader engaged and interested.
I would definitely look for more books written by Nev March.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/MacmillanUSA for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book, the writing was good, overall it was ok, but I think that could have been shortened, it was too long and the pace was slow and I expected more of the colourful, historic Bombay setting..

This book will be appealing to those who are interested in the social history of Colonial India.. It is based on true events. Writing is a bit turgid in sections.

"Murder in Old Bombay" is a mystery set in 1892 in India. The story started out with Jim carefully collecting and analyzing the evidence and asking questions of the various suspects. He was trying to follow the methods of his literary hero, Sherlock Holmes. But some of his witnesses were now in areas involved in fighting or were otherwise difficult to get to. The story turned into a suspense as Jim headed into danger using his wits and talent for disguise to save not just himself but others as well. Throughout the story, Jim was interested in the sister of his employer, an intelligent, beautiful, and bold young woman. She becomes his friend as much as his employer and the rest of the family, but their romance is forbidden due to their ethnic and religious differences. The story ended with their trying to figure out if they could marry without dire consequences to themselves and her family.

Due to the danger stirred up by Jim asking questions as well as the politics of the time, there was plenty of suspense as Jim narrowly avoided death again and again. The historical and cultural details were deftly woven into the story without slowing the pacing and brought the story to life in my imagination. The mystery was clue-based. Jim asked good questions and was clever in how he collected his evidence. The characters were engaging, complex, and reacted realistically to events. I cared about what happened to them. There was no sex. There was some bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this interesting, engaging story.

Murder in Bombay was a good read. Thank you, Net Galley, for an advance copy for an honest review.

This book is set in 1892 with the British ruling India. Captain Jim Agnihotri is a recently retired officer who was in the hospital recovering from a terrible fight which he cannot recall. He is an orphan of mixed heritage. He starts a new career as a newspaper reporter but is quickly hired to find out what happened to two women who fell from a bell tower.
Jim channels his idol Sherlock Homes and goes after the mystery.
The story is told from Jim’s point of view. He uses all his wit and talents to find out the deep mystery surrounding the murders. We see a great deal of India and the sweeping changes on the way. Jim has a love interest who is way above his station.
The writing was brilliant – we find out who the murderer is, but the reason comes out in the twist and turns.
I loved the book and love the way the Family of the murdered women took Jim in and treated him as family. I am looking forward to the next book by this author