The Lost Man of Bombay sees Inspector Persis Wadia return for the third installment of Vaseem Khan's brilliant Malabar House historical crime series set in the 1950s as India is adjusting to independence.

As the first female Inspector in the Indian Police Service, Persis finds herself tucked away with other out of favour officers who no-one wants to work with, and assigned the cases no-one wants to touch. She is as skilled at sabotaging her personal life and offending her colleagues with her no-nonsense manner as she turned out to be at solving cases, but unfortunately all the credit goes to men only tangentially involved in the case.

When an unidentifiable frozen body is discovered in the Himalayas with no clues besides a Bombay stamp, the case inevitably finds its way to Malabar House and Persis is forced to work with Oberoi's self importance and incompetence.

Meanwhile, she continues to deny her feelings for Archie, who is on the receiving end of some slapstick moments, and worries about changes in her father's behaviour.

This installment sees Persis exploring further afield and brings a great sense of the country and the era, with the bumpy road of her fledgling career mirroring the teething problems the country has to overcome.

Well written, cleverly plotted, informative and engaging read.

The Lost Man of Bombay is the third book in the Malabar House series and this time Inspector Persis Wadia is involved in her most puzzling case yet when she is tasked with finding out the identity of a man who had been found frozen in a cave in the Himalayan mountains. It is not going to be easy for her as unfortunately the mans face has been crushed beyond all recognition and apart from a notebook there were no personal effects found with him. With the case going nowhere Persis soon finds herself involved in investigating the murders of a local businessman and a priest. What she can’t work out is if these murders are connected to each other and if so why.
I do love this series and each book is better than the last. Persis is a character that has really grown on me as I love her spirit and determination to solve the case (or cases in this book). She is still quite prickly and not one to trust people, but it is understandable to an extent as she is still seen as an interloper in a man’s world and not one that is always tolerated by her colleagues which is more than evident when she is forced to work with one in particular. He sees her as an inconvenience that is out to undermine him, and she sees him as a lazy office who is quick to judge.
This is a baffling case that’s for sure and it was fun watching Persis follow the clues even when others told her she was wrong. If anything, this made her more determined than ever to hunt out the truth which put her in direct danger more than once. When the connections were revealed the actual truth to the murders was not one I expected.
Persis is also struggling with her personal life and her relationship with Archie Blackfinch is as intriguing as ever. Whilst Archie would like things to develop, Persis will always hold back as she sees no future for them, a decision as much about the prospect of having to give up her career as it is about their very different backgrounds and the times they live in. Whilst I can understand her reluctance, I also love their interactions as they definitely spark off each other and am as keen to see where things go with them as I am to see what case Persis ends up involved in next. With the backdrop of an ever changing India this series is one you should not miss

Part of a series but could definitely be read on its own.
Persis Wadia, Bombay's finest (only) female detective is still being given the cases that no-one else wants and the mysterious discovery of the Ice Man in the Himalayas is just another obscure case to add to this list.
But then another murder occurs much closer to home and is followed by another. Persis has to stand up to detectives who do not want her on the case and want a quick resolution to the problems, But these deaths are connected in some way and Persis' persistence takes her on a different route to untold riches and old hatred.
I really enjoyed this book, it had me gripped from the start and I felt that the characters develop and improve as the series continues.

Another fantastic book in this series by an author who is genuinely passionate about India in the post partition years. Inspector Persia Wadia, Bombay and India’s first female officer is once again thrust into the action after the body of a white man is found frozen in the Himalayan foothills. She calls again on her friend from the Met Police to help her find out how the incident happened. Then there are more killings of Europeans, are they connected? She has to also stand up to the British instilled chauvinism and misogyny that comes with her position. This book has all the humour and depth of the previous two and demonstrates Vaseem Khans deep understanding of Indian politics and history.
Indian history. This is a must for fans of Abir Mukherjee

This was another great outing in this series to be enjoyed in one sitting due to the twists and turns.

This crime novel offers many comments on Indian attitudes to women in an earlier time, for sure, and those features are added attractions to the mystery of who killed the Ice Man suddenly found in an ancient cave - Persis tracks it all down despite the prejudices of her fellows - mostly males who are failed investigators or poseurs - it is slow moving I guess but that’s partly because the writer wants to explore the prejudices of that era. (Is it the same now?) We also learn that there were concentration camps for German prisoners during the war- in this case it’s where it all began, She has a boyfriend who is a British man and that causes her inner turmoil too. Altogether enjoyable enough … with many added benefits, I’d say. ..

I quite enjoyed the plot of this one, and how it spanned the years. Things start to develop between Persis and Archie, though she is still very prickly (to most people) - I’m hoping she mellows a little, as while it’s understandable, it’s also hard to warm to her too much. And I like how things were left with Oberoi, Persis owing him but him having to adjust to what he did… it moves events along without tipping the balance too much one way or another. She owes him, but he can’t lord it over her.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

This book wasn’t for me so I will not be providing feedback but that doesn’t mean that it is not a good book

I love a Vaseem Khan mystery and this one did not disappoint. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

A intriguing murder mystery set in India. Really enjoyed the plot of this book, kept attention held and trying to work out the whodunnit.

he third book in the Malabar House series and the mystery is as good as the first two. I love the characters, the atmosphere of India, which is captured so beautifully, and the fact that I can never guess the perpetrator despite some lovely clues. This was a bit different, digging into WWII and a prisoner of war camp.

I'm a firm fan of Vaseem Khan and love the way he creates these stories, incorporating some of the history of (the new) India, finding its feet after a messy partition post-WWII. A series I will absolutely be continuing.

Many thanks to NetGalley for introducing me to this writer. It is the first of the Malabar House series by Vasem Khan and I look forward to reading more. The heroine of the story, Persis, is (for the purpose of the story) the first Indian detective inspector. The intriguing and complex plot is made all the more interesting with the exploration of the character of Persis and the prejudices with which she has to contend during the early years of Indian independence. A detective story that also works as a historical novel. Highly recommended.

Not read the previous books but this one was extremely refreshing. No same old, same old with the police procedural. Atmospheric and well written I will seek out the other books in the series

Vaseem Khan is a master storyteller.

Inspector Persis Wadia, the first woman inspector for the Indian Police is summoned by her commanding officer, Roshan Seth after a body is discovered by two hikers in the lower reaches of the Himalayas. The body has been hidden for at least eight years and becomes known as the Ice Man. Even with all the newspapers publishing stories about the find, no relatives or friends can be found.

Within days of the body being discovered, some shocking murders take place. A husband and wife were killed in their beds and a religious man as he prayed at the altar in the seminary. Persis is disgusted when a fellow inspector, Hemant Oberoi is put in charge of the murders. Persis must bite her tongue while he bulldozes his way through the investigations of the murders. She’s also convinced that the Ice Man is connected to these murders. However, no one will listen to her.

Persis also has personal problems. Her father, Sam seems to have fallen in love and the criminalist, Archie Blackfinch is falling in love with her.

Once again, Vaseem Khan has written an exciting, extremely complicated storyline covering murders most foul, love, and romance combined with Persis still trying to assert herself among the very male world of police officers, as this series takes place in the 1950s.

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.
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Really enjoying the Malabar House series. This is the third book and I am really hoping it becomes a long project. Several bodies in this story and it is not clear how, or even if, they are connected. Like the rather unsettled relationship between Persis and Archie. Would love to live in a bookshop! Thanks to Netgalley.

This is such a wonderful book! I adored this as the next instalment in the Persis series.

Vaseem Khan continues to write enthralling mysteries and whilst I do miss the Baby Ganesha series (is it coming back??) this has satiated my desire for mysteries set in India in the meantime, with the heat coming off the page and the cups of chai.

Persis and Archie are wonderfully-drawn characters, as is Sam, and it feels so comfortable to come back to them with each mystery. I do find these mysteries are not ones readers could "solve" however it's enjoyable to read them unfold.

I checked and always rated a Vaseem Khan's novel five starts. This is another five stars and I loved this book sinced the first pages and couldn't put it down.
A page turner that made me travel in time and visit India in the time after the quit.
The historical background is as fascinating and vivid as usual, a realistic description and a sort of history lesson.
Persis is a great character, a strong women and I love her. I was glad to catch with her and the other characters.
The mystery is solid, full of twists and surprises. It kept me guessing and I didn't guess the culprit.
Another excellent mystery by this author, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Lost Man of Bombay is the third book in the Malabar House series, featuring Inspector Persis Wadia. Again, like the previous two novels, I loved the 1950s post-colonial setting and the central mystery was compelling.

Persis herself was a bit grumpy throughout this book and wasn’t very kind to a young woman assigned to be her assistant. Her relationship with Archie continues to be frustrating and again she experiences a lot of misogyny. So this book was good, but not always an easy read. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book in the series when it’s published.

Wow! How have I not read anything by this author before? I absolutely adored this book. Brilliantly plotted, great characters and a fantastic sense of place. Genius!

The discovery of a dead white man in a cave is baffling. He’s inadequately dressed for walking in the foothills of the Himalayas and his face has been destroyed seemingly deliberate attempt to conceal his identity. There are no clues to who he is other than the note book he has with him. So, there is an unidentified murder victim with no indication how he managed to get up there or motive for his killing. A difficult case which finds its way into Malabar House the dumping ground for cases no one else wants and staffed by officers no one wants to work with. Not much for Inspector Persis Wadia to go on, and progress is slow, but she has a reputation for not giving up easily.

When Italian ex-pat Stephen Renzi and his wife Leela Sinha are brutally murdered Inspector Oberoi is keen to close the case quickly and has one of their servants immediately in the frame. Though not directly involved in the case Persis has grave doubts as to his guilt. When German priest Peter Grunewald is found murdered in a similar fashion to Stephen Renzi, Persis is convinced of a connection between to two deaths. She decides to pursue both cases even though this is against protocol and will make her unpopular with her colleagues. Then when she discovers a link to all three murders life becomes complex and dangerous.

As if the investigations are not enough Persis has other problems to deal with. Her relationship with the English criminalist Archie Blackfinch is beginning to spill over into her private life and she has mixed emotions over that, and she is also instructed to mentor a young potential recruit Seema Desai. At home her long widowed father is taking interest in a woman to spend his remaining days with Persis has emotional battles to contend with.

The reader’s first impression might be that Malabar House is just Mick Herron’s Slough House transplanted to Bombay, but that would be a little unkind, like comparing Terry Pratchett’s Unseen University with JK Rowling’s Hogwarts. Yes, there are similarities, but they are their own uniquely imagined worlds and in no way facsimiles of each other.

The plot is part police procedural and part boys own adventure, with secret codes and treasure hunts all skilfully blended together. The writing style is upbeat and breezy making it a real pleasure to read. The setting, in terms of both time and location, is very evocative and beautifully described, giving the reader the sense a country in a state of flux with the juxtaposition of rich and poor, opulence and destitution side by side.

We see an India going through great change, casting off British Imperialism and embracing a self-determined future but at the same time experiencing a new series of problems. The swapping one elite for another, the pernicious caste system and of course their own brand of misogyny.

Persis’ emotions play a big part it the storyline, none more so than the falling out with her father, through her reluctance in accepting his new female friend, thereby breaking the strong bonds she has with her father. This is in part down to petulance but we also see the vulnerability that even a strong modern woman can have. We have Seema the proposed mentee of Persis who didn’t finish school because she had to work cleaning railway latrines. Persis appears appalled that she is seen fit to be her mentee, not helped by discovering that she was of course the best candidate because she was the only candidate. Caste bigotry or is she in part be trying to save Seema from herself, failure and the terrible misogyny she will face in the force? Persis is strong enough to face it down, but she is to date the only female officer. Persis has the dilemma of the developing relationship with Archie Blackfinch, she is physically and emotionally attracted to him, but at the same time recognises the difficulties presented by a mixed marriage and in some way wants to protect them both from future pain.

What stands out in the prose is the effortless wit. This is not a writer trying to shoehorn in a couple of great gags, every few pages there is some witty aside, description or observation that seem to flow naturally. These range from genuinely laugh out loud moments to parts that make you smile and think that is so clever, like a journey from Les Dawson to Noel Coward with numerous stops along the way.

The Lost Man of Bombay is a wonderfully entertaining historical crime novel, written with humour and great verve that captures the imagination. I for one hope there are more Persis Wadia stories to come.