Murder in Shimla

Description

Who is Rosa Rodriguez and why did she come to Chartsville Hall? In the

answer to that question lies the key to solving her murder. Inspector Ram Sen

sets about diligently finding it, ably assisted by the redoubtable Mrs Tweedy,

who knows everything that goes on in Shimla, though she hardly ever leaves

her little cottage.

The line-up of suspects includes William Parker-Smith, the seemingly bland

and boring Assistant Deputy Commissioner, his wife Helen, a very pukka

English memsahib, and his acid-tongued sister, Emily; the gin-swilling Rani

Sahiba of Manon and her dashing ADC, Johnny Singh; and a disgruntled

domestic staff, led by Matilda, Helen's faithful ayah.

Which of them had a hand in Rosa's murder-and why? As Ram Sen and Mrs

Tweedy-with help from William's gentle niece, Mary, and Boris, the taciturn

Russian-unravel the mystery, they are led into the murky world of the

Lower Mall, of drug dealers and opium addicts, spies and assassins.

With her unerring ear for dialogue and skilfully drawn characters, Bulbul Sharma

recreates the world of the British Raj-complete with English memsahibs who

stroll down the Mall with their parasols, mansions with manicured lawns, and

Brigadiers and their ladies who can crack a crime over bridge at the club. In

the tradition of Agatha Christie and Alexander McCall Smith, Murder in Shimla

doesn't let up on the mystery and suspense until the last page.