A Rising Man: A Novel (Wyndham & Banerjee Mysteries) - Mukherjee, Abir Review & Synopsis

 Synopsis

 In the days of the Raj, a newly arrived Scotland Yard detective is confronted with the murder of a British official-in his mouth a note warning the British to leave India, or else... 

 Calcutta, 1919. 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. He is immediately overwhelmed by the heady vibrancy of the tropical city, but with barely a moment to acclimatize or to deal with the ghosts that still haunt him, Wyndham is caught up in a murder investigation that threatens to destabilize a city already teetering on the brink of political insurgency.

 The body of a senior official has been found in a filthy sewer, and a note left in his mouth warns the British to quit India, or else. Under tremendous pressure to solve the case before it erupts into increased violence on the streets, Wyndham and his two new colleagues-arrogant Inspector Digby and Sergeant Banerjee, one of the few Indians to be recruited into the new CID-embark on an investigation that will take them from the opulent mansions of wealthy British traders to the seedy opium dens of the city.

 Masterfully evincing the sights, sounds, and smells of colonial Calcutta, A Rising Man is the start of an enticing new historical crime series.

Review

Abir Mukherjee is the Edgar Allan Poe Award-nominated author of A Rising Man, which was the first in his Captain Sam Wyndham mystery series, which followed with A Necessary Evil and Smoke and Ashes, also available from Pegasus."An enthralling debut."

 - Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review 

"A vibrant and powerful debut."

 - Seattle Times 

"Winner of the Harvill Secker Daily Telegraph crime writing competition, this stirring, entertaining first mystery bursts with lively, colorful historical details about colonial Calcutta. The developing relationship between Wyndham and Banerjee is a delight. A fine start to a new crime series that will attract readers of M.J. Carter and Tarquin Hall."

 - Library Journal (starred and Debut of the Month) 

"British author Mukherjee's outstanding debut and series launch combines a cleverly constructed whodunit with an unusual locale-Calcutta in 1919-portrayed with convincing detail. The nuanced relationship between Wyndham and his Indian assistant adds even more depth. "

 - Publishers Weekly (starred) 

"This checks pretty much every box in our "should we read this mystery?' checklist. First, it launches a new series. Second, it's set in the past in another country, in this case Calcutta in 1919. Third, it was a hit overseas (in London). Fourth, the trades (Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, etc.) have praised it. Fifth, is enjoying enthusiastic support from early readers. Sixth (and this is a new one for us), it features a character known as "No Surrender' Banerjee, which seals the deal."

 - BookFilter 

"A marvelous new historical crime series. "

 - Book Riot 

"The novel is filled with fascinating historical detail, intriguing crime, and a minefield of political pitfalls the characters must navigate. Both Sam Wyndham and Surrender-not Banerjee are two creatively developed characters who are more than capable of carrying readers through Calcutta for many books to come."

 - Criminal Element 

"A crime novel that is, quite simply, enormous fun. Wyndham's next assignment can't come soon enough."

 - The National (Abu Dhabi) 

"With a sly authorial wit, quirky characters, and historical details that anchor the story to its steamy, exotic locale, this debut novel is the first in what looks to be an entertaining new series similar to Barbara Cleverly's Detective Joe Sandilands mysteries (especially The Damascened Blade, 2004)."

 - Booklist 

"[A] splendid debut...and his hero, Captain Sam Wyndham, is a winning creation."

 - The Times (London), Crime Book of the Month 

A Rising Man

**A THE TIMES/SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB TOP 40 BOOK OF LAST FIVE YEARS** 'An exceptional historical crime novel' C.J. Sansom India, 1919. Desperate for a fresh start, Captain Sam Wyndham arrives to take up an important post in Calcutta's police force. He is soon called to the scene of a horrifying murder. The victim was a senior official, and a note left in his mouth warns the British to leave India - or else. With the stability of the Empire under threat, Wyndham and Sergeant 'Surrender-not' Banerjee must solve the case quickly. But there are some who will do anything to stop them... **WINNER OF THE CWA ENDEAVOUR HISTORICAL DAGGER ** Praise for the Wyndham and Banerjee series : 'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 'Does for the Raj what Philip Kerr did for the Reich' The Times/Sunday Times Crime Club 'Highly entertaining' Daily Telegraph If you enjoyed A Rising Man, further books in the Wyndham and Banerjee series are available now: A Necessary Evil Smoke and Ashes Death in the East The Shadows of Men

But there are some who will do anything to stop them... **A THE TIMES/SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB TOP 40 BOOK OF LAST FIVE YEARS** Praise for the Wyndham and Banerjee series : 'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 'Does for the Raj ..."

Death in the East

*A SUNDAY TIMES BOOKS OF 2021 PICK* 'Death in the East is the best so far of an unmissable series' The Times Calcutta police detective Captain Sam Wyndham and his quick-witted Indian Sergeant, Surrender-not Banerjee, are back for another rip-roaring adventure set in 1920s India. 1905, London. When Bessie Drummond, an old flame of Sam Wyndham's, is attacked in the street, he is determined to get to the bottom of it. But the next day, Bessie is found dead in her room and Wyndham soon finds himself caught up in her murder investigation. The case will cost the young constable more than he ever imagined. 1922, India. Leaving Calcutta, Wyndham heads for the hills of Assam, ready to put his opium addiction behind him. But when he arrives, he sees a ghost from his life in London - a man thought to be long dead, a man Wyndham hoped he would never see again. Wyndham knows he must call his friend and colleague Sergeant Banerjee for help. He is certain that this figure from can only be after one thing: revenge... **WINNER OF THE CWA SAPERE BOOKS HISTORICAL DAGGER 2020** 'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express 'A brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil - beautifully crafted' C. J. Sansom 'Mukherjee brings sardonic wit to his portrayal of British rule in India, and the action is perfectly paced.' Daily Mirror If you enjoyed Death in the East further books in the Wyndham and Banerjee series are available now: A Rising Man A Necessary Evil Smoke and Ashes The Shadows of Men

**WINNER OF THE CWA SAPERE BOOKS HISTORICAL DAGGER 2020** 'Death in the East is the best so far of an unmissable series' The Times Calcutta police detective Captain Sam Wyndham and his quick-witted Indian Sergeant, Surrender-not Banerjee, ..."

A Necessary Evil

**WINNER 2018 WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE** 'Even better than his first' Daily Telegraph India, 1920. Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee of Calcutta Police must investigate the dramatic assassination of a Maharaja's son... Sam Wyndham is visiting the kingdom of Sambalpore, home to diamond mines and the beautiful Palace of the Sun. But when the Maharaja's eldest son is assassinated, Wyndham realises that the realm is riven with conflict. Prince Adhir was unpopular with religious groups, while his brother - now in line to the throne - appears to be a feckless playboy. As Wyndham and Sergeant 'Surrender-not' Banerjee endeavour to unravel the mystery, they become entangled in a dangerous world. They must find the murderer, before the murderer finds them. *SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 HISTORICAL AND GOLD DAGGERS* *LONGLISTED FOR THE 2018 CWA STEEL DAGGER* Praise for the Wyndham and Banerjee series : 'An exceptional historical crime novel' C.J. Sansom 'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express If you enjoyed A Necessary Evil, further books in the Wyndham and Banerjee series are available now: A Rising Man Smoke and Ashes Death in the East The Shadows of Men

A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express If you enjoyed A Necessary Evil, further books in the Wyndham and Banerjee series are available now: A Rising Man Smoke and Ashes Death in the East The Shadows of Men"

Smoke and Ashes

** A THE SUNDAY TIMES BEST 100 BEST CRIME NOVELS SINCE 1945** 'Smoke and Ashes is Abir Mukherjee's best book yet; a brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil - beautifully crafted' C.J. Sansom India, 1921. Captain Sam Wyndham is battling a serious addiction to opium that he must keep secret from his superiors in the Calcutta police force. But Wyndham finds himself in a tight spot when he stumbles across a corpse in an opium den. When he then comes across a second body bearing the same injuries, Wyndham is convinced that there's a deranged killer on the loose. However, revealing his presence in the opium den could cost him his career. As Wyndham and Sergeant 'Surrender-not' Banerjee set out to solve the two murders, Wyndham must tread carefully, keeping his personal demons secret, before someone else turns up dead... SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 CWA SAPERE HISTORICAL DAGGER SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 HWA GOLD CROWN LONGLISTED FOR THE 2019 CWA GOLD DAGGER Praise for the Wyndham and Banerjee series: 'It is the flamboyant evocation of Calcutta that makes this such a mesmerising read' Guardian 'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express If you enjoyed Smoke and Ashes further books in the Wyndham and Banerjee series are available now: A Rising Man A Necessary Evil Death in the East The Shadows of Men

** A THE SUNDAY TIMES BEST 100 BEST CRIME NOVELS SINCE 1945** 'Smoke and Ashes is Abir Mukherjee's best book yet; a brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil - beautifully crafted' C.J. Sansom India, 1921."

The Shadows of Men

*Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month* **A 'Book of the Year' pick in The Times** 'An engaging, evocative thriller that captures the heat of Indian nights and heady days of a bygone era, without being sentimental or simplistic' Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal 'Abir Mukherjee is doing something uniquely different in the crime genre...breathtaking' PETER MAY, Sunday Times bestseller Calcutta, 1923. When a Hindu theologian is found murdered in his home, the city is on the brink of all-out religious war. Can officers of the Imperial Police Force, Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant Surendranath Banerjee track down those responsible in time to stop a bloodbath? Set at a time of heightened political tension, beginning in atmospheric Calcutta and taking the detectives all the way to bustling Bombay, the latest instalment in this 'unmissable' (The Times) series presents Wyndham and Banerjee with an unprecedented challenge. Will this be the case that finally drives them apart? 'The Shadows of Men finds the always reliable Crime Writers' Association Dagger Award-winner Abir Mukherjee on fine form' Financial Times ______________ PRAISE FOR THE WYNDHAM AND BANERJEE SERIES 'An exceptional historical crime novel' C.J. Sansom 'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express

*Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month* **A 'Book of the Year' pick in The Times** 'An engaging, evocative thriller that captures the heat of Indian nights and heady days of a bygone era, without being sentimental or simplistic' Janice ..."

In the Whirl of the Rising

DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "In the Whirl of the Rising" by Bertram Mitford. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

“Roll up, man , and hear your luck. Miss Vidal is going to write a book and make you the principal character.” “Really, Mr Wyndham , I wouldn't have believed it of you,” laughed Clare. “To tell such shocking taradiddles."

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As the author of The Conservative Mind and other seminal books, Russell Kirk is usually thought of as one of the American conservative political movement’s most important progenitors. But as this collection demonstrates, Kirk was perhaps at his best as an essayist. This volume also confirms that Kirk’s was principally a literary and historical conservatism that refused to fit the irreducible complexity of human experience to the requirements of any ideological straitjacket. With The Essential Russell Kirk, literary critic George A. Panichas captures the breadth and depth of Kirk’s intellectual project by gathering together forty-four of the most masterful of Kirk’s essays, along with a unique chronology told in Kirk’s own words and a substantial introduction that articulates the deep humanism that animated Kirk’s philosophy. The result is a carefully assembled volume that gives us a fuller picture of an extraordinary man and writer, one whose labors had, and continue to have, remarkable repercussions on the American literary and political landscape.

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