Description

Selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020

Mumbai, murder and a baby elephant combine in a charming, joyful mystery for fans of Alexander McCall Smith and Rachel Joyce.

On the day he retires, Inspector Ashwin Chopra discovers that he has inherited an elephant: an unlikely gift that could not be more inconvenient. For Chopra has one last case to solve…

But as his murder investigation leads him across Mumbai – from its richest mansions to its murky underworld – he quickly discovers that a baby elephant may be exactly what an honest man needs.

So begins the start of a quite unexpected partnership, and an utterly delightful series from the award-winning author of the Malabar House novels.

Publisher Review

Keeps things heart-warming while tackling corruption at the highest levels and violent crime at the lowest. Endearing and gripping, it sets up Inspector Chopra - and the elephant - for a long series. * Sunday Times * Enchanting * Woman & Home * Chopra, diligent, incorruptible and not entirely at ease with shiny new India, is a delight, as is his redoubtable wife, Poppy - and Ganesha the elephant, once he has cheered up a bit, proves a very useful ally indeed. Utterly charming * Guardian * Delightful and uplifting * The Bookseller * A cast of intriguing characters that it will be a joy to see develop. But the greatest strength is the setting in the teeming city of Mumbai, from which the colour and atmosphere flows out of every page in this enjoyable, whimsical tale * Daily Express * A sparkling debut with a zippy plot and an endearing set of characters * The Lady * A quirky murder mystery... full of colourful characters and insightful details about human motivation * Irish Examiner * A debut Mumbai-based "cosy" - complete with baby elephant - that keeps things heartwarming while tackling corruption at the highest levels and violent crime at the lowest. Endearing, exotic and gripping, it sets up Inspector Chopra's detective agency - and the elephant - for a successful series. * The Sunday Times *