The Edge of Darkness is a richly atmospheric and intelligent book that combines a classic locked room mystery with a fascinating and turbulent period in India’s history. Vaseem Khan once again proves how skilfully he can weave crime fiction with political and social context.

It is 1951 and Persis Wadia, India’s first female police detective, has been exiled from Bombay after disobeying orders. Now stranded in the remote Naga Hills District, she finds herself living at the decaying Hotel Victoria, her career seemingly over. When a prominent politician is found brutally murdered in his locked hotel room, decapitated and surrounded by unanswered questions, Persis is pulled back into investigative work whether the authorities like it or not.

Working alongside her loyal sub inspector James, Persis must navigate a web of suspects, each with compelling motives. The local militia are eager to blame the insurgents in the surrounding jungle, seeing the crime as a convenient excuse to justify violence. Persis, however, suspects the truth lies elsewhere and begins digging into the past, even as the danger to her own life escalates.

The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, with clues slowly emerging and suspicion constantly shifting. I particularly enjoyed how the puzzle became more complex rather than clearer as Persis uncovered more information. The possibility that an old photograph may hold the key adds an intriguing layer to the investigation.

What elevates this book is its historical depth. The looming first post Independence election and the political unrest of the time are seamlessly integrated into the story, giving real weight to the setting and stakes. This is not only an engaging mystery, but also a thoughtful exploration of a pivotal moment in India’s past.

The Edge of Darkness is a compelling and rewarding book that will appeal to readers who enjoy historical crime fiction with strong characters and a vivid sense of place.

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It's 1951 and Persis Wadia has been banished to the far reaches of India.
She's been there a couple of months when an eminent politician staying at the same hotel as her is found dead. Not only dead, but decapitated and in a locked room.
It's down to Persis and her sub inspector James to solve the mystery. The local militia want the blame to be in on the insurgents as this would give them an excuse to traipse into the jungles and kill anyone who gets in their way.
Persis is not so sure that this is the case and digs into the past to find clues.
Putting her life in danger several times, she finds that most of the suspects have reasons to want the man dead and the puzzle gets more blurred.
Could an old photograph be the key?
An interesting read not only for the mystery but for the history surrounding the events of the turbulent time in India's past.

This is one of my favourite police procedural series and this didn’t disappoint. Book 6 in the Malabar House Series and India's first female police detective, Persis Wadia, has been transferred from Bombay to Kohima in the Naga Hills district of India leaving her father Sam behind at his bookshop and Archie Blackfinch, a man she got close to, in a coma in hospital. This is nigh on exile for Persis and a punishment for ignoring orders. Her boss Roshan Seth has received a similar punishment. I’m fascinated by India and relish the historical aspect; the Naga desire for independence from India was something I had previously been unaware of.

Briefly, just weeks after arriving in Kohima Persis is staying in the Hotel Victoria when she is summoned by a member of staff concerned about another resident. Mohan Sinha the regions Governor is not answering his locked door. Breaking down the door Sinha’s body is found in his bath, with his head missing. A Christieesque locked room mystery with Persis identifying a cast of five suspects all of whom were in the hotel.

Certainly up there with my favourites in the series. I love Persis. She is such a strong character, not the best at people skills, and doesn’t allow herself to be manipulated by her male colleagues, although she is starting to be a little more circumspect than in the past. A good plot and I was completely fooled as to the killer, and just when I thought that was it another big revelation! A cracking read.