A Rising Man
A richly atmospheric historical crime novel from the award-winning author of HUNTED
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 30 days of Standard free
A Rising Man
Buy Now for £9.48
-
Narrated by:
-
Simon Bubb
-
By:
-
Abir Mukherjee
Summary
The winner of the Harvill Secker/Daily Telegraph crime writing competition
Captain Sam Wyndham, former Scotland Yard detective, is a new arrival to Calcutta. Desperately seeking a fresh start after his experiences during the Great War, Wyndham has been recruited to head up a new post in the police force. But with barely a moment to acclimatise to his new life or to deal with the ghosts which still haunt him, Wyndham is caught up in a murder investigation that will take him into the dark underbelly of the British Raj.
A senior official has been murdered, and a note left in his mouth warns the British to quit India: or else. With rising political dissent and the stability of the Raj under threat, Wyndham and his two new colleagues – arrogant Inspector Digby and British-educated, but Indian-born Sergeant Banerjee, one of the few Indians to be recruited into the new CID – embark on an investigation that will take them from the luxurious parlours of wealthy British traders to the seedy opium dens of the city.
The start of an atmospheric and enticing new historical crime series.
Critic reviews
Would you try another book written by Abir Mukherjee or narrated by Simon Bubb?
Yes I am sure Abir has learnt from his mistakes and Simon Bubb is first rate.Has A Rising Man put you off other books in this genre?
No, but what genre is it?What about Simon Bubb’s performance did you like?
The general air of world weariness he brings to the character with subtle intonation and inflexion. He sounds exactly as you would expect a Public School educated policeman who had been through the First World War to sound.Do you think A Rising Man needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
It is left as though the main character will remain in Calcutta.Any additional comments?
I was very put off by the Northern English idioms. The main character is a Public School educated man from the South of England. He would never use such phrases as ''he was sat''. The word ''sat'' is used so often at one point I almost switched off. Also 'sat' is used to express a temporary situation; a building or a tree would stand in a position.Books set in India at the same time never use words like Peon (a South American peasant) or morgue (an American word that has only found its way into the English vocabulary in the last 30 years).
Why has his quest house got an electric fan? Punka Wallahs were more usual. In 1919 hardly anywhere in London had electricity, only gas, so how come Calcutta is so privileged?
I wonder if Abir has ever lived in a place as hot as Calcutta? The Detective has only one uniform? I don't think so. I know from my own experience that you need to change your clothes and shower at least 3-4 times a day. Also, your relationship with your laundry features highly on the daily agenda! Also he refer to 'jackets'. The uniform would have been a short sleeved cotton buttoned TUNIC and shorts; usually starched so much that they stand up on their own. The level of starching forms the basis of your relationship with your laundry. I suggest he looks on utube for authentic pix of the time.
Patchy historical detail and questionable vocab
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
not bad
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Fabulous story and dreadful grammar
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Brilliant
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Excellent!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.