Set in late 1800s Bombay, Captain Jim is medically discharged from the British military and needs a new vocation. While in the hospital, he had read about two women who fell/were pushed from a university tower months earlier and the trial that ended in one man's acquittal. So Jim applies for a job at a local newspaper so that he can continue seeking the truth of what happened to these two women. This leads to a job as a detective for the Framji family who treat Jim as part of their own. Jim uses detective techniques similar to Sherlock Holmes to investigate. This novel included mystery, military intrigue and side adventures as well as some light romance. The characters were warm and believable. If you enjoy Sherlock Holmes type novels, you will enjoy this book. After reading this, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the book was based on a true story. I would like to thank NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you love history? Do you love realistic settings? Do you love old world who-dunnit's? Murder in Old Bombay is that kind of book. You get suspense, a sense of the old way of storytelling, especially in a detective-style novel.

There is of course murder as the book title states. I found it interesting that Nev March created a world full of historical traditional roles between men and women what with so many people writing books that portray those roles as bad, as a way to belittle women. I appreciate that Ms. March keeps these roles as they were right after the Afghan war. There is emotional turmoil, Romance, intrigue, and suspense.

Captain James Agnihorti works for Adi Framji and his family trying to solve the mystery of who killed his wife and sister. As the detective for the family, he experiences threats that he didn't foresee, dangers that land on the family's estate, and criminals lurking around every corner in Old Bombay.

The story sometimes got a little slow, but only because Ms. March was building Bombay's beauty through detailed descriptions. It might add a speed bump to the storyline, but I am not sure that it deserves a rating reduction.

I found Captain Agnihotri's back story to be a great addition to the current environment he is living in especially when his comrades sit around the dinner table at the Framji's home because it made the Captain more likable.

This story is complex, with so many twists and turns. The backstories of each character are what adds to the endearingness of the characters, without those backstories some of the Framji family members would be like any rich person. I do like that the Captain experiences all levels of living in the city. You have college students, workers, and the elite. There was biase, PTSD from the war, and trauma due to the murders. This is what makes the world go around and I enjoyed the fact that Ms. March created a realistic world that we can delve into not just some pretty-little-bow-solved mystery by a smoothed-over, one-dimensional man, or the stereotypical rich family. I appreciate the author for not committing that egregious type of story.

If you love a good Agatha Christy type mystery, old detective movies from the 40's you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

Thank you, NetGalley, Nev March, and St. Martin's Press (Minotaur Books) for the opportunity to read, Murder in Old Bombay in lieu of my honest review.

I read this book twice during quarantine just to feel as though I'd travelled in space and time to another world. I loved the setting, the detective, the story. I hope to see more of Nev March.

This book was a really slow read for me. At times I was confused and had to go back and reread several paragraphs to get back into the story. However, I really liked the characters. Captain Jim was a lovable character with many great traits. I felt sorry for him every time he got hurt and his disguises were very creative. I found the idea of basing his disguises on actual people he knew to be very clever. I enjoyed the historical tidbits about India interwoven throughout the story and the way Jim discovered who he really was during his travels around India. I also enjoyed the happy ending. It was the perfect way to end this story that was based on an actual event.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

A welcome debut from this author combining multiple genres. This book has a Sherlock Holmes vibe with the atmosphere and accuracy of setting to really draw the reader into the plot. The characters are engaging and the the mystery feel is here. The only thing lacking is the pacing in this book. There are times where the story moves well and other times where you wonder if everything is necessary to the plot or setting of the story. This is a small issue with an otherwise wonderful read.
Recommend to those true mystery/whodunit fans.
#MurderInOldBombay #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #Minotaur

Set in 19th century Bombay we follow Captain Jim Agnihotri as he follows a twisty path to solve the murders of two young Parsee women who allegedly fell from a University tower. When the Captain suspects that it wasn't a suicide as originally declared the girls family tasks him with finding the truth.

I enjoyed this historical mystery a lot. I found that while reading it it felt almost episodic as even though solving the girls murders was the primary premise there were several other mini-adventures that took place along the way all which forwarded the story and assisted with the investigation. This book would make an excellent show.

A well-rounded cast of characters from all walks of life during that period, it was as informative as it was entertaining. Currently it's a stand-alone but the author's both ended this satisfactorily for it to remain so as well as leaving the door slightly cracked if they want the character to continue.

So if mystery, adventure, intrigue, and romance are things you like in your fiction, I'd highly recommend this wonderful debut.

Fascinating blend of a crime novel with an adventure tale set in the British India of 1892, a time of the Raj. Captain Jim Agnihotri, of English father and Indian mother, leaves the army after spending over a year in hospital. Reading Sherlock Holmes has given him a path for a post army career, that of reporter. Soon that morphs into investigator into case where two young women died from falling from a clock tower. The husband and brother of the girls doesn't believe they committed suicide. March paints vivid pictures of Old Bombay, society, and the army. Danger is rife, but mixed with an unusual love story. I can see this being adapted for a mini series with so much happening and historical detail.

I really enjoyed this book set in Bombay in the late 1890s, during the British occupation of that country. I thought the author did a great job describing the country, the caste system, and how hard it was for people from different castes to be together. I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue, and the romance between Jim and Diana. Great storytelling.

I received this book via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Captain Jim Agnihotri is a welcome addition to the detective canon. A half-English, half-Indian veteran, he's thirty years old and needs to start a new life. A passion for Sherlock Holmes and an intriguing newspaper article lead him to a Parsee family who have suffered a terrible loss, the death of two young women of the household.

Jim and Diana, the daughter he falls in love with, are great characters and Bombay is beautifully rendered. There is a sense that because this is the author's first book, he/she has thrown everything into the pot, and often Jim's detection is slowed by the need to shove him into another historical situation.

Overall, though, I loved this book.

A unique setting and a well-written plot are always welcome. This book is slightly on the longer side, and the central mystery may seem to meander before reaching its conclusion.
The location is India in 1892, divided in one way under the British rule and in another, under its complete influence. It begins with a recovering soldier, a man whose mind is as weary as his body. He has no knowledge of his past and is an orphan in a place which cannot fully accept him. It is a very immersive situation into the Parsee community in Bombay at the time as well as the emotional conflict of a man unsure of his place. This slow proceeding through the place as well as the myriad emotions that our hero feels, constitute the bulk of the narrative.
The mystery starts off by chance, Jim Agnihotri chances upon a heart-rending note by a grieving widower. He feels connected to the emotion and ends up with the job to come to the bottom of a suspected suicide. I was a little annoyed by the back and forth with regards to the love story in the plot. Given the instant attraction and the growing affection, I felt there were one too many twists for the size of the book.
I would love to read what he does next given where he ends up, I am sure it will add a whole new flavour to the work. I do see more struggles in the future, as well.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers. The review is entirely based on my own reading experience as an Indian ( who found this view into the history of her country interesting).

Set in 19th century British India, Murder in Old Bombay is the story of Army Captain Jim Agnihotri. While recovering from his battle injuries in a military hospital in Poona, he comes across a mysterious case. Two women have fallen to their death from the city’s busy university clock tower, with the only suspect walking free. Moved by the sorrow of the widower of one of the victims, Captain Jim approaches the Parsee family and is hired to investigate the case. Set against the backdrop of colonial India, Murder in Old Bombay, is an old school mystery, reminiscent of a classic Sherlock Holmes case.

Murder in Old Bombay is much more than a murder mystery. It’s an adventure, an autobiography, a character-driven drama, sprinkled with romance and it also takes a look at the then elite society of colonial Bombay. What starts as a murder mystery, slowly immerses the readers into the life and main characters of the story. The mystery slowly reveals itself with plenty of interactions with eyewitnesses and painstakingly collected clues from all over the country.

The story unfolds slowly with lots of characters, but March’s writing style keeps you hooked throughout, as the mystery keeps unfolding one chapter at a time. The story feels lively and vibrant, with lots of mystery and drama. The writing was descriptive and fast-paced. The setting of the story felt unique, including the use of some of the landmarks of the city. Having visited these landmarks several times, I can say the writer was successful in capturing the mood and setting of Old Bombay. Captain Jim, is clearly inspired by the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, so most of Jim’s methods; from using disguises, hunting for clues, and interrogating suspects and witnesses remind you a lot of Sherlock.

There were places when I felt the story dragged a little especially towards the end and I think it could have been wrapped up sooner. The story went in a totally different direction midway with Jim’s travels all across India but it was all brought to a satisfactory conclusion. The story remained entertaining throughout despite the slower pace at times.

Nev March has created some well-written characters and a fascinating story that takes readers on an intriguing adventure alongside. Captain Jim Agnihotri is a flawed yet likable protagonist. From his life as an orphan to joining the military life, never fully accepted by the society and haunted by the loss of his army brothers, Jim’s character as a brooding tormented protagonist is multi-faceted and well flashed out. Jim’s backstory and romantic angle give a human angle to Jim’s character but it never distracts from the main plot.

Overall, Murder in Old Bombay is a highly entertaining novel with a great story and some excellent characters. The ending hints at a sequel which will be quite interesting to read. If you love reading mysteries with a historical setting, you will love this book. 3.5 stars rounded to 4

Many thanks to the publishers St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for the ARC.

Fantastic debut for a new historical mystery series that is intriguing and lively. The book grabs the reader from the first page to the last.

Truly a Sherlock Holmes style tale combined with history, interesting characters, and a mystery all wrapped in one. The storytelling was immersive and the imagery was potent. I would absolutely read more by this author.

A great Debut ! Murder In Old Bombay by Nev March was a great recommendation from a colleague and will likely be on many readers top 10 books for 2020! The author does a great job of creating a historical novel, in an exotic setting, filled with great characters & all neatly wrapped up in an intriguing puzzle that has readers trying to solve the mystery right along side Captain Jim and crew! This is one you will definitely hope leads to a more books featuring these great characters!

Nev March’s Murder in Old Bombay (New York: Minotaur Books, 2020; 400 pp., $26.99) is set in colonial India in 1892, when James Agnihotri, an admirer of the Sherlock Holmes stories as well as a recently discharged captain in the British army, finds himself investigating two mysterious deaths. The local color and supporting characters are nicely done, and the novel (then titled The Rajabai Tower Mystery) won an award from the Mystery Writers of American in 2019 for the best unpublished first crime novel.

from the November issue of my monthly newsletter for Sherlockians and Doyleans , on-line at www.redcircledc.org/index.php?id=39

This murder mystery set in colonial India reads like an old-school epic adventure. Captain Jim Agnihotri has left the military after a serious injury but finds himself tempted to play Sherlock Holmes by investigating an apparent double suicide. The imitation of Holmes is mostly in the form of his frequent use of disguises to blend in—sometimes over many days—with the people he is investigating. This investigation brings him close to the family of the victims, and especially to the remaining daughter of the house, leading to an ongoing romantic subplot potentially thwarted by cultural considerations. The strongest parts of the book are those with fast-paced action; things flagged a bit when everyone would sit around contemplating their various romantic reversals. Fortunately, there is action aplenty: dramatic rescues, escapes on horseback, fistfights, and boxing matches, all very much in the style of one of those 3-hour adventure movies. Incidentally, the crime is solved, but by that point there is so much other drama to wrap up that the resolution is almost secondary.

Thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for a digital advance review copy.

It's 1892 in India and Captain Jim Agnihotri reads Sherlock Holmes books while he recovers from battlefield injuries. When he learns of the deaths of two young women by falling from the university's clock tower, he is eager to learn more, particularly after reading an emotional editorial by the widower of one and brother of the other.

At first, Jim convinced the newspaper editor to hire him as a reporter, but soon Adi, the young editorial writer, hires Jim to find the truth behind the deaths of the two women he loved. Jim, through his military training and a lifetime of altering his appearance and behavior to fit in, goes under cover and travels throughout the country, chasing leads and trying to find the truth. However, his most challenging role is Bombay society, especially after he falls in love with Adi's sister, Diana. His status of half-English and half-Indian will prevent him from marrying the young socialite.

This intriguing mystery, based on a true story, introduces the reader to a different world with very different rules. Jim's unique combination of incredible physical strength and emotional vulnerability make him a sympathetic character. MURDER IN OLD BOMBAY is not a quick read, but it's worth the time and effort. #MurderInOldBombay #NetGalley

Set in Bombay, British Indian, Captain Jim Agnihotri sets out to solve the case of two women who mysteriously fell from a clock tower. Following his hero, Sherlock Holmes, he is determined to resolve this heinous crime. Jim becomes close to the Framji family, and Adi, the husband of one of the women who fell. Escaping death and danger more than once in an effort to resolve this cacse, Captain Jim will stop at nothing to find out what happened to these two women, and may even find love himself along the day.
Overall, Murder in Old Bombay was a great read. It was a bit meandering at times, and the central story line got a bit side tracked throughout, but overall it was a great story. This novel is filled with action and adventure, and even some romance. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book!

19th century Bombay is the setting for the story. We have Captain Agnihotri a half caste as it is crudely said, just retired from the Army. We have a Parsi family the Framjis wealthy urbane and social. Friends of the British Raj and benefitting immensely from that friendship.

I have always been interested in minority communities and the Parsi's have fascinated me. This story drew me in. Even in the 19th century, they were different to the mass of Indians - very different, very far thinking, educated and elite. This gave them an edge always, (as it still does).

The Framjis have faced a double bereavement. The daughter and sister of the family in deaths deemed suicide. Adi the young husband of one and brother of the other and the family deem that there is more to the deaths and the Captain is brought in to use his skills as an ex military man to get to the bottom of things.

Crossing to Lahore and to the princely states (under the British Raj some of them) some of them independent was a precarious journey and Jim Agnihotri's enquiries obviously set the cat amongst the pigeons. Set upon, beaten up badly Jim knows that he is on the correct path but is frustrated because every person who could be a possible witness or who could give information is terrified to do so. Who is the person who is behind the terror, and what information did he have over the young ladies that he could use them to blackmail them so much.


So much history, so much drama, political machinations plus a touch of romance all set beautifully together in this story.

I adored this novel, which was very reminiscent of Golden-Age mysteries, as well as Golden-Age movies. The author well deserves the award for First Crime Novel, and does a superb job with pacing as well as character development. What makes this novel a cut above Golden-Age copy cats is the social justice backdrop, showing the racial and sexual divides that existed in 19th century India, and continue to resonate today.. The main character/detective, former soldier Captain Jim Agnihotri, exists in this social twilight as the son of an unmarried woman of the Brahmin caste and a British father. This liminal state allows him to move seamlessly in disguise between the various social classes during the course of his investigation and to see what others who have a set place in society cannot. I look forward to reading more from this author and hope that her debut is the beginning of a series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
.