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  • Midnight at Malabar House

  • The Malabar House Series, Book 1
  • By: Vaseem Khan
  • Narrated by: Maya Saroya
  • Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (287 ratings)
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Midnight at Malabar House

By: Vaseem Khan
Narrated by: Maya Saroya
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Summary

Bombay, New Year's Eve, 1949

As India celebrates the arrival of a momentous new decade, Inspector Persis Wadia stands vigil in the basement of Malabar House, home to the city's most unwanted unit of police officers. Six months after joining the force she remains India's first female police detective, mistrusted, sidelined and now consigned to the midnight shift.

And so, when the phone rings to report the murder of prominent English diplomat Sir James Herriot, the country's most sensational case falls into her lap.

As 1950 dawns and India prepares to become the world's largest republic, Persis, accompanied by Scotland Yard criminalist Archie Blackfinch, finds herself investigating a case that is becoming more political by the second. Navigating a country and society in turmoil, Persis, smart, stubborn and untested in the crucible of male hostility that surrounds her, must find a way to solve the murder - whatever the cost.

©2020 Vaseem Khan Limited (P)2020 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

What listeners say about Midnight at Malabar House

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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
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  • VK
  • 06-02-21

A great Historical Mystery

Persis Wadia is the first female detective in post partition India. Not only does she have to prove her worth but she has a murder to solve
This book not only takes you into India of the 1950 but immerses you in the life and struggles of the people in this turbulent part of Indian history.

The plot to this book is woven into history beautifully and certainly keeps you guessing. It flows so easily that it was hard to put down. The clever plot came together at the end in the most satisfying way

Persis is a great character and on this case she is working with Archie Blacksmith a forensic expert from Scotland Yard. They are a most endearing match and I hope that we will see them again in the future.

The narrator definitely needs a mention as she was brilliant.
I feel I have been entertained by a good murder mystery while being educated in the history of India.
I would definitely recommend this book.

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13 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another delightful thriller

Vaseem Khan writes the most entertaining thrillers and mystery novels. This one I consider one of his best. Alongside an intriguing story with India’s first woman detective as the main character, we are given some enlightening history of a dreadful time in India’s history.... partition. Although the subject and references are appalling, this is not a depressing book. On the contrary it highlights the resilience of the Indian character and has a gentle, old fashioned, “Agatha Christie” type of denouement which will knock your socks off!

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An Agatha Christie Style Ride

What a joy of a book. The story kept me guessing with plenty of twists and turns to keep up with. The struggles of India, of the poor, of women, were quite something, i had no idea. So as well as entertaining it was an education too.
The story was read to perfection, and i shall miss the characters like parting with old friends.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Conflict, corruption and a cracking good murder mystery

Inspector Persis Wadia is the first female police officer in India, and as 1949 draws to a close, she is handed a case that may bring her fledgling career to a close. An intriguing and enjoyable journey through a momentous time in a nation’s history, introducing us to characters we hope to meet again.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I enjoyed this book

A good murder mystery set in 1950s India with a lot of background information on the politics and events of the time. Narrated really well by Maya Saroya, I enjoyed it a lot and will continue with the series.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great mix of detective and historical fiction

I liked the way Vaseem Khan weaves into a decent detective story, information about partition, religious tension & politics, and India’s early days of post-colonial change. And the protagonist, Persis, is great.

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1 person found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

A pedestrian plod …

but I managed to get to the end! It obviously hadn’t held my attention as I couldn’t work out exactly who the characters were for the big reveal! I enjoyed the insights into the partition of India but felt it could all have been melded together with greater intensity and excitement. It’s a murder mystery after all! Perhaps the narrator’s voice just didn’t help the characters to be anything more than two dimensional. It had potential as the premise is an interesting one. Give it a go, though. This is only one opinion and I’m not a literary critic by any stretch of the imagination!

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It’s great

I wanted a crime novel with a strong sense of place, and this hit the spot. Great characters, very strong sense of place and time, strongly plotted. Really enjoyed the narration too. Look forward to more.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An interesting and entertaining murder mystery

This is my first listen to this author and found it fascinating, entertaining and informative. I am not sure I like Persus but I think she will grow on me in future tales. She has the unenviable position as the only female detective in India only a few years into Indian independence so her prickliness is probably understandable. I look forward to more on this indomitable female and also learning more on the development of the amazing continent of India.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Engaging mystery, Persis is a joy !

I loved this tale. Persis is a character whom I look forward to meeting again hopefully. The plot is detailed and thorough and setting took me to her world. I thought the narrator was excellent...with one minor grumble. I found the Scottish accent on one of the characters a bit difficult to hear.. maybe because I am Scottish!!! Loved this audio book.

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