This is the first in this historical crime series. I loved the characters. The setting is wonderful. It is a good mystery.

I loved this book so much. It was absolutely incredible. The cover is stunning but the prose inside those pages is what captured my heart immediately.

I quite enjoyed this book as the first in a series. There was a lot of background detail about India and the culture, food and society which detracted slightly from the mystery but I could understand the reason for scene setting as an introduction. I hope the next book moves along a bit faster now that the background has been established.

The Bangalore Detective's Club is a historical mystery whodunit story , taking place in India in the 1920s. This has a very cosy feeling and a strong female main character, but the mystery was quite predictable and often the things that happened or were discovered were too convenient. It was a pleasant read and I enjoyed the rich depictions of Indian culture and recipes. Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.

I liked a lot about this, The setting, the start of the relationship of the married couple, the wider social circle, the political background… but as much as I liked all of this it caused the mystery to suffer. I hope that the second book, not needing to set up as much, will be more balanced.

This Indian-set mystery started out quite strong and exciting, with an enjoyable main character who is determined not to live by the rules, a loveable husband who is happy to let her do so, and a nice historical setting. The mystery, initially, was also intriguing. However, by about 30% of the way through, I found it all became far too repetitive, and everything that happened was way too convenient for the main character. I ended up skimming the last half, and when the mystery was finally solved, was at least gratified to know that I had got the solution right from the get go. Lovely idea, just not for me...

As a first book in a new series, I found this book to be very good. I really enjoyed the main character, and her feminist ideals.

I also thought the historical background of Indian society was very interesting. I think that the depictions of Indian culture, food and dress was really important and allowed for representation we often don't see in other books.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

A cosy-ish crime set in 1920s India with a young 19 year old new bride Kaveri donning the detective hat. Kaveri is educated and she navigates the world of her supportive doctor husband, mother in law who does not want girls to be educated, and progressive father in law who wants girls to be educated. The story also refers to the historical climate of the country (India was still under the British rule then). Enjoyable read. The characters were alright, but occasionally the story isn't fully mystery focussed (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just something I expect in a cosy mystery). Harini Nagendra writes great. Would rec Cities and Canopies, her non fiction book, for those who are interested.

This is the first book from this author and. One that I have devoured. I have loved Kaveri it has been a joy to go through this book with her. She is a delight and one who is coming to terms with her character and beliefs.

This is a book filled with vibrant and vivid descriptions which really transports you as a reader. I have found myself completely unable and unwilling to put this book down. I have been transported to the setting, felt connected With the characters.

I found the writing of this gem has flowed and been a book which has been difficult to put down. I found myself craving the information of what was going to come next.

This is definitely an interesting read and I already cannot wait for more from Nagendra.. I am eagerly anticipating the next book already.

The excellent debut of a historical cozy series set in India during the 20s.
It's compelling, gripping, and well written. The characters are interesting, the mystery solid, and the historical background is vivid and made me learn something new.
I hope to read other books featuring these characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I very much enjoyed reading The Bangalore Detectives Club. This cosy whodunnit is set in the state of Mysore, Bangalore in the 1920s and its telling is speckled with cultural and historical interest. Kaveri, the protagonist, is a feisty, intelligent 19-year old woman and a mathematics student, married to hospital doctor, Rama Murthy (Ramu to family and friends). The plot is centred around the murder of a pimp named Ponnuswamy which takes place at a plush, extravagant event...

The writing is good and both the author and the protagonist deserve a second outing. There are rich descriptions of locations and plenty more, with recipes included at the end, along with a short coverage of Bangalore's history. Intelligent fun and well worth a look.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Little, Brown Book Group UK, Constable via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

A new series, where the sleuths are set in India. Humorous at times, and some really lively characters with gorgeous settings. Really enjoyable read!

This is an excellent debut and the first in a new detective series set in 1920s colonial India and featuring a fabulous, young, newly married, female detective Kaveri.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is a cosy-type murder mystery, which our heroine sets out to solve, despite it not being a suitable pursuit for a young woman in India at that time. The plot and the mystery itself were excellent, and my desire to uncover who the murderer was, compelled me to keep reading, it is a real page turner.

The author creates a fantastic sense of place, and is able to appeal to all of the reader’s senses, the descriptions of food and plants in particular, transported me to 1920s Bangalore. Moreover, she is able to depict colonial India and the impact of that on Indians, accurately and well.

However, my favourite part of the book was Kaveri and her very sweet, very progressive, husband Ramu, I loved them.

Thank you to the author, Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for an ARC in return for a honest review.

I am so glad this is going to be a series, I have ordered a hard copy of the book, I have recommended it to family and friends and I can’t wait for the next instalment.

I somehow knew I was in for a treat with this book. It's a delightful read, I think I loved everything about it: the setting, the writing style, the characters, it's just a joy to read!
It would have been an interesting book even without the mystery murder format (which is an added bonus of course!) because I found the historic and social background extremely fascinating and thought-provoking.
Highly recommended, I literally can't wait to read the next installment of the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Bangalore Detectives Club is a very promising first book in a new series of murder mysteries set in 1920’s Bangalore, featuring feminist mathematician and sleuth Kaveri Murthy and her new doctor husband Ramu.

A thoroughly enjoyable story with some very interesting insights into pre-independence India and social mores of the time. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the clothes and food, so the recipes at the back of the book were appreciated.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.

In the Bangalore Detectives Club we meet 19 year Kaveri, newly married to lovely doctor Ramu and starting her new quiet life as a wife after finishing her studies in 1920’s Bangalore. It’s all going pretty well, we’ve even managed to get rid of the controlling mother in law for a bit until the young couple go to a party at the swanky Century Club and get mixed up in the rich, white people mess.
This was a nice easy read, it’s define on the cozy side and I wasn’t too thrilled about the culprit, it’s an old trope that needs to be put to bed especially in murder mysteries set in this time period, another thing I found odd was that there was prologue that never really went anywhere or added anything. There was no epilogue to tie the two ends together. Why is that unknown guy in her shed reading her books? It’s odd.

Kaveri has come to Bangalore to be with her husband Ramu, who is a doctor at the hospital. She has been lucky enough to be able to finish school before she joined him but now has to fulfil wifely duties to the expectations of her mother in law.
When the couple are invited to a dinner at the Century Club with other doctors, she sees a strange incident on her way to the ladies. A while later a man is found murdered and the Police arrive. Inspector Ismail is fortunately the kind of policeman that accepts help and when Kaveri seems to be a natural detective, he accepts her help.
When the wife of their milkman is hit over the head and left in a coma, things take a nasty turn. This is turn spurs Kaveri on and on the way to unmasking the murdered some other truths are uncovered.
This is a lovely book set in 1920s India. It's like reading and being hugged.

Indeed - as the description of this book, Kaveri the clever yet headstrong newly-wed is full of empathy and she is feisty. She cannot stand social injustice or the inequality between men and women. This book is set a hundred years ago, but still very timely in this day and age.

Beautifully written, with lots of details in the scenes and scenery, and entertaining as well.

The only thing I was unhappily surprised by was Kaveri's dislike of Daphne the moment they were introduced at the dinner party in the Century Club. She finds a kind element in everyone else's character, but with Daphne it seems she doesn't even tried... on the other hand, don't we all have those moments? But still, it made me wonder.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

As I currently am going through a mystery phase, I thought I'd request this book and I am so glad I did. With incredibly well-written settings that bring 1920's India to life and characters that just leap from the page, this book is a wonderful beginning to I hope a series that charts the detective work of Kaveri.

The plot moves quickly after we get a quick introduction to these characters, and it makes for a great start to a story that hooks you as soon as it really begins. Kaveri is smart, fun and interesting and exudes main character energy whenever she appears on the page as she goes looking for the murderer, the supporting characters well developed and adding to the story so much throughout.

Exploring every part of life under colonial rule, from the richer areas to the slums, this book is not shy about exploring India no matter where you are in it. The characters are well written, developed and really allow for the story to develop and grow - it's a fantastic book with a mystery that grips you until the very end.

I loved reading this book, thank you bank holidays for giving me time to finish this treat up!

(I received an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).

This is the first in Harini Nagendra's historical crime fiction series set in the state of Mysore and the bustling city of Bangalore at the beginning of the 1920s in an India under British colonial rule where political protests are beginning to grow. Young bride, Kaveri, obsessed with Mathematics, has moved to Bangalore to be with her husband, Dr Ramu Murthy working at the Bowring Hospital run by Dr Charles Roberts, married to Daphne. She is apprehensive as to what awaits her, fortunately Ramu proves to be a wonderful and progressive husband, who adores his wife, at a time where a woman's dreams are dependent on just how fragile the male ego is. For Kaveri, it is her mother in law that is the problem, expecting her to adhere to the strict and rigid social expectations of women not to be educated, to cook and clean, have children and centre their lives around the man and his whims.

As Kaveri finds her feet, she is studying mathematics with a view to attending college, she begins to establish a close social circle of friends and a unconventional sense of community that defies the norms underlying caste, class and women. This is to hold her in good stead when she begins to investigate a murder that takes place at the Century Club Dinner she is attending, the victim is a local pimp, Ponnuswamy. She is aided by a number of people, she befriends elderly neighbour, Uma aunty, who helps her to learn new recipes to cook for Ramu as well as joining Kaveri's exploits to find the killer. Ramu has various concerns and worries about her investigating, but as he is to learn, Kaveri will do what she must, so accepts her for who she is and helps instead. Then there is Deputy Inspector Ismail, unlike many police officers, he is not corrupt, and has no problems welcoming, accepting and encouraging Kaveri's input in the case. However, they all have to race against time to prevent a miscarriage of justice taking place.

Nagendra may well be writing cosy crime fiction but it takes place amidst a nation with a growing movement planning to overthrow the British who are determined to continue exploiting the 'natives' for profit and perpetuating a deeply racist culture steeped in their beliefs in their own superiority. The creation of Kaveri as the central protagonist is one of the highlights, she is a delight, coming to terms with who she is and what she stands for. She has a strong sense of compassion, helping others, teaching literacy, and lets nothing stand in her way, whether they be rules that prohibit her from doing what needs to be done or the people who stand in her way. There are explicit references to Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie's Poirot and Lady Molly, not to mention the emerging science of finger prints. This is crime fiction that began to increasingly captivate me the more I read, there are vibrant and rich descriptions of the locations, food, clothing and culture. There are recipes included at the end, along with a short coverage of Bangalore's history as well. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.