A Disappearance in Fiji is an engaging and enjoyable debut by Nilima Rao.

1914, Fiji and Sergeant Akal Singh had once had a promising career ahead of him. Full of ambition and determined to climb to the top of the ladder, Akal believed that the future loomed bright for him – until he made one humiliating and potentially career-ending mistake that cost him dear. Forced to leave the job in Hong Kong which he loved so much, Akal is forced to abandon all of his professional hopes and dreams and head over to Fiji as a punishment – and to say that he is unhappy on this tropical island would be a massive understatement.

Lonely, humiliated and desperate to get off Fiji, Akal yearns for a big case that would enable him to show his superiors what he’s capable of, redeem his reputation and get back to his rightful place in the police force. When an indentured Indian woman goes missing from a sugarcane plantation, the newspapers all believe that this was a kidnapping and when Akal is assigned the case reluctantly by the inspector-general, he is immediately told not to waste too much energy looking for the missing woman. However, on his arrival on the plantation, Akal immediately realises that there is far more to this story than meets the eye…

With the plantation owners’ stories diverging, clearly there are plenty of people here with something to hide and Akal Singh is determined to find out what. Will he manage to solve this case? Or is Akal heading for another crushing disappointment?

I started Nilima Rao’s debut crime novel expecting a historical cosy crime novel and got so much more besides. While A Disappearance in Fiji is a nail-biting puzzle spiced with tension, suspense and intrigue, it does not shy away from the cruelty and injustices that people during that time endured which adds an emotional layer to Nilima Rao’s deftly plotted and cleverly constructed crime novel.

A Disappearance in Fiji heralds the arrival of a talented new writer in the genre of historical crime fiction and fans of Vaseem Khan will certainly want to add Nilima Rao’s name and her debut novel to their reading list.

I have never read a book based in Fiji, so it was really nice to read a book set in Fiji, especially a historical fiction book.

I did not know much about the British Governments interactions in Fiji during this time period. I felt like this book did a great job of throwing you into the setting and the political aspect of this time and location. I felt that this was done very well. I love historical fictions that I feel I can truly learn from and get a little history lesson from it, and adding the thriller/mystery aspect to it was so ideal.

This book is the first in a series, and I am very interested to see where this series goes! There are so many layers to this book that all interlope and interact with each other. I felt like the interactions between the characters was done perfectly to really show the dynamics between not only characters but also to show the political differences.

I liked this historical mystery that I enjoyed and kept me guessing. There's drama, food for thought and a well plotted and solid mystery.
There's the sadness of the situation of indentured people, colonialism, and a main characters who should be humiliated by a punition but he's able to investigate.
I hope there's going to be other stories in this series soon, this one is investigated
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The characters themselves are richly developed, each harboring secrets and complexities that add depth to the plot. The protagonist's relentless pursuit of the truth and the web of intrigue and deceit surrounding the disappearance ensure that the story remains engaging and unpredictable.

This book is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense, as it expertly combines elements of intrigue, romance, and adventure in a lush and captivating setting. "A Disappearance in Fiji" is a thrilling literary escape that will leave readers on the edge of their seats and longing for their own journey to the enchanting islands of Fiji.

‘A Disappearance in Fiji’ is a debut novel and the start of a historical mystery series set in 1914 Fiji. It features 25-year-old Sikh Indian police officer Akal Singh, who has been sent to Fiji in disgrace after a scandal when he was serving in the Hong Kong force. I love historical mysteries, especially those set in exotic places and worlds which I know nothing about. You learn about cultures and places as well as being entertained as a reader. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series!

When Akal Singh arrives in Fiji after being sent there in disgrace after a scandal in Hong Kong, he is determined to redeem himself and return home. But due to the rumours which have followed him, his boss General Thurston refuses to take him seriously and gives him the most menial of tasks. He has been tasked with finding the Night Prowler but with varied witnesses testimonies it's proving hard to get a lead. Akal asked to look into a missing Indian indentured woman Kunti, but it's mainly for political reasons as he is the only Indian officer available. Also, there is a delegation from India on the Island looking into the whole indentured scheme and its future so a quick response is required!

I must admit I knew nothing about the indentured scheme at all. Rao uses the platform of the mystery to educate readers on it. It is clearly well researched and it showed an an authentic look at the horrors of the system. Destitute, illiterate and low-caste Indians were brought to Fiji on mainly five year contracts to work in the sugar plantations. It's basically government sanctioned slavery. Long hours, back breaking work and horrible living conditions for extremely low pay. The authorities don't want to mess with the status quo and wants the disappearance of Kunti wrapped up quickly. But when Father Hughes goes to the press to highlight her situation he states she would never of run away as she wouldn't want to leave her daughter.

Rao manages to create Fiji brilliantly on the page as I felt I was instantly among the sugarcane fields with the hot and moist jungle pressing in! I found her writing to be crisp and sharp at times but languid and graceful at others. Her characterisation was spot-on. I have read extensively about this period, especially the Raj and it was an authentic portrayal of attitudes from white society against Indians and the indigenous population. I became very indignant on Akal’s behalf! Akal is at first dismissive of the plight Kunti and the indentured as his prejudices and pre-judgements have also transferred from India and its caste system. It's not until he is confronted with the horrible living conditions and how they are treated that his compassion starts to kick in. He is also forced to look at himself as he is branded as ‘just another coolie’ even though he sees himself as superior to the workers.

This was a great debut and it managed to create a marvellous sense of location and time in history. It was clearly well-researched and the author touches on this in the authors note and her family background to the story. I can't wait for the next in the series!

Let me know if you pick this one up!

This is a historical mystery that has many layers. It explores the prejudices of the colonial classes in Fiji and other nations during the early twentieth century whilst producing a murder mystery with many suspects and twists. The detective is likeable, desperate to prove his skills and seek justice for the victim, but facing prejudice and the closing of the colonial ranks. The story is full of well-researched historical detail and an understanding of the socio-political climate of the time. I like the setting, the complex characters and the insightful message this story delivers.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A wonderful debut.................
A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao is a wonderful story which entertains you to the end. The storyline reveals the racist culture in plantations in Fiji which was really unnerving. Akal, our protagonist also a policeman faces racism during his investigations which was really astonishing for me. The mystery deepens and the readers are transported into a world of plantations and exploitation of women. Indeed, the story is focused on the conditions of women in Fiji during British rule. Akal's character rules the story, but other's are also good. A grasping plot with an unexpected climax is what I would like to define the book as. It was a pleasure reading the book.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an opportunity to read and review the book.

A Disappearance In Fiji by Nilima Rao is an absolutely marvellous historical debut novel that I just could not put down.
The action is set in Fiji as we follow an Indian police sergeant, sent from Hong Kong, to help set up a working police force in Fiji. Unfortunately, at the police force’s head is a racist white man. The year is 1914 and it is white men who rule. Their word is law, it comes above the truth, as he would rather reports be rewritten than the truth to reign.
We witness a character having a crisis of conscience – tell the truth? Or toe the line? He must be able to live with his decision and to hold his head up high.
There is much racial prejudice and injustice within the novel. This should make us angry at the terrible conditions and treatment dished out to the Indian people – whether they were police officers or indentured servants. Everyone was judged on the colour of their skin and their gender. Very few saw the hearts that beat beneath the skin.
Indian women as indentured servants working on the plantations were treated abominably. Not only were they worked to death but were sexually abused by white overseers, who believed they were above the law.
This is an upsetting read. The prejudices and hate are beyond awful – there are no words. This is a powerful read. We need to be informed as to what happened. As a white woman, I am totally ashamed and horrified by the treatment dished out to the Indian people of Fiji by the white ruling men.
This book is a social commentary on the times. We need to know about the past and make sure we do not repeat the horrors.
Thank you Nilima Rao for educating us in your powerful debut novel, A Disappearance In Fiji.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Australian Fijian Indian author Nilima Rao writes a debut atmospheric historical mystery, the first in a series, set in 1914, featuring a 25-year-old Sikh Indian police sergeant, Akal Singh, sent to colonial Fiji after a scandal in Hong Kong, where he had been serving as a police officer. He arrives in Suva intent on doing well enough to return to Hong Kong, but rumours of what happened means his boss, Inspector-General Thurstrom, refuses to take him seriously. Akal has been left to work the Night Prowler case, at which he has so far been unsuccessful. However, as the only Indian officer, he has now been put in charge of investigating a missing woman, Kunti, but it has been made clear to him to leave well alone and to let matters slide.

Rao uses the vehicle of this mystery to inform and educate in this well researched novel about the horrors and terrors of the indentured servitude system, particularly for women, slavery in all but name, in which destitute and illiterate Indians from India were hustled and misled into going to a British administered Fiji to serve on the sugar cane plantations on a fixed term cpntract. However, the workers must toil long hours in the heat, cheated by ruthless plantation owners, almost starved, physically and sexually abused, regularly facing daily beatings, powerless to address their circumstances. The authorities do not want to know, and it is only because Father Hughes goes to the press, suggesting that Kunti has been kidnapped, she would never have run away and left behind her daughter, that Akal has his first big case.

Akal is to find it a transformative experience, his initial indifference to the plight of the 'coolies' begins to dissipate when he himself is perceived as a coolie, encountering non-stop obstacles and abysmal treatment, and slowly a fire of anger begins to build within him when he witnesses just how appallingly the plantations treat their workers. His loneliness is eased considerably with his growing close relationships with the supportive Dr Robert Holmes and the joyous banter and help of Taviti. This is a marvellous debut, with a great sense of location and time, illustrating the culture and attitudes prevalent within the British Empire at the beginning of WW1, much of which will have you spitting with fury. I recommend this to crime and mystery readers and I am looking forward to the next in the series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I was disappointed with this book I'm afraid. There was no sense of place, which is what I was looking forward to. There was also nothing to make this book stand out above all the other similar titles. I liked the main character Akal however, and will look out for further books in this series in the future.

It was an interesting and misterious read. I think it was the first time I read about colonial Fiji and it was eye opening. It is a mystery where our main character has to find out how a woman disappeared. The mystery was held quite well til the end. Just found out this will be a series so I look forward to the next one!

A Disappearance in Fiji is a captivating historical mystery set on the vibrant tropical island paradise of Fiji in 1914. The debut novel of Fijian Indian Australian Rao and the first instalment in what appears to be a very promising new series, the story follows 25-year-old Sergeant Akal Singh, a police officer working for the British Raj, who arrived in Suva a mere six months ago from Hong Kong and is less than happy about it. A rising star in Hong Kong, his exile and transfer had occurred as what seems to be a form of punishment after he had made an embarrassing misstep thereby tarnishing his previously spotless career record after he was deceived in a criminal case by young Englishwoman Emily Strahan. In his new home, he feels isolated and does not hit it off with his superior, Inspector General Thurstrom, however, a growing friendship with Fijian corporal Taviti who has been kind and warm to him as a colleague has helped Akal to settle in more easily.

The case of The Night Stalker, an elusive peeping tom who preys on young children, is causing the police problems, yet no sooner than Akal is placed on the case he is removed and asked to turn his attention to the disappearance of Kunti, an indentured sugar plantation worker of Indian descent employed by Henry and Susan Parkins, an influential Australian couple. Barely any attention is paid to her being missing until local missionary Father David Hughes contacts a newspaper and purports that Kunti was kidnapped. Singh being assigned to the case is merely supposed to placate the priest and journalists who are rabbiting on about the missing worker. However, when Akal arrives at the plantation he realises she isn't the only worker missing - overseer John Brown has suffered the same fate, and despite the owner remaining nonchalant about the pair's vanishing act claiming that the two of them were lovers and must have run away together, Singh can sense something deeper is going on and intends to put everything into solving this challenging case.

This is a compelling, beautifully plotted novel that follows Singh as he attempts to prove his worth in a new country in a time when casual racism and slavery were the norms. Rao's descriptions are vivid and elegant phrasing makes it a joy to devour. The deep-rooted racism of the island's white inhabitants during the height of Britain's imperialist dream gives way to horrendous living and working conditions for immigrants, especially Indians in what is a complex backdrop in which to set a thoroughly engaging mystery. There is plenty of suspense as I felt I couldn't tell which direction it was heading a lot of the time and the cast of characters are so intricately and eloquently described that they come alive on the page; Singh, in particular, is a ballsy and determined protagonist. This is an eminently readable cosy mystery set in the searing heat of the South Pacific archipelago and backed up by a scathing critique of the horrors of British colonial rule. I cannot wait to see what the follow-up instalment has in store.