Helpful Score: 2
The Last Kashmiri Rose was a very pleasant find. A new author to me that I will be able to check the backlist. I also enjoy recommending this book to others especially mystery lovers and those who enjoy settings in India during the British Raj. I fell for that period after discovering The Jewel in the Crown by Paul Scott along with the other books in the Raj Quartet. I believe this series by Barbara Cleverly will be a good match to the Quartet.
The detective, Sandilands, is a little bit of a surprise here. What is with his relationship with the married lady and her husband. That threesome is not something you would normally find in 1920s India. The mystery at the center of the story was a surprise to me in that I felt I should have figured it out. Things weren't really too complicated but still I was surprised. The characters were all likable (except for the evil bad guy). I look forward to reading more by this author.
The detective, Sandilands, is a little bit of a surprise here. What is with his relationship with the married lady and her husband. That threesome is not something you would normally find in 1920s India. The mystery at the center of the story was a surprise to me in that I felt I should have figured it out. Things weren't really too complicated but still I was surprised. The characters were all likable (except for the evil bad guy). I look forward to reading more by this author.
Celeste W. reviewed The Last Kashmiri Rose (Detective Joe Sandilands, Bk 1) on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This first in the Joe Sandilands series was most enjoyable. Although I've read other novels set in India, this one captured its particular time setting most convincingly. I have already embarked on the rest of the series and look forward to more of Inspector Sandilands' mysteries.
Rob K. (beachnbooks) reviewed The Last Kashmiri Rose (Detective Joe Sandilands, Bk 1) on + 73 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was a very good period piece debut mystery. I had put off reading this particular book expecting a more heavy story line since it was set in the early 1900's in India but instead, I was pleasantly surprised by Ms. Cleverly. It reads well and she uses an excellent prose style.
reallylily reviewed The Last Kashmiri Rose (Detective Joe Sandilands, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
Clever mystery set in India in the 1900s.
In the land of saffron sunsets and blazing summer heat, an Englishwoman has been found dead, her wrists slit, her body floating in a bathtub of blood and water. But is it suicide or murder? The case falls to Scotland Yard inspector Joe Sandilands, who survived the horror of the Western Front and has endured six sultry months in...English-ruled Calcutta. Sandilands is ordered to investigate, and soon discovers that there has been other mysterious death, hearkening sinister ties to the present case.
Jean M. (ChiWeenie) reviewed The Last Kashmiri Rose (Detective Joe Sandilands, Bk 1) on + 70 more book reviews
The clues were there and I guessed "who done it" but not why. A surprise at the end. It is a very enjoyable read and great insight to the India during the British occupation. I've already requested the next book in the Joe Sandilands series. Super character.
Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed The Last Kashmiri Rose (Detective Joe Sandilands, Bk 1) on + 858 more book reviews
An interesting look at life in India in the early 1900's during British occupation. A series of deaths years apart of English wives of British soldiers are apparent accidents....or are they? A London cop is called in to investigate. What ensues is a story of mystery, passion and murder!
Larraine F. (phillyartlovesbooks) reviewed The Last Kashmiri Rose (Detective Joe Sandilands, Bk 1) on + 59 more book reviews
This is one of the best books I've read in a while. It's really well written and the setting - 1922 India - is fascinating. Joe Sandilands, a Scotland Yard detective, has spent the last six months in India attached to the police. He's been asked to solve the case of a woman killed in a particularly horrible way. Soon he sees a pattern. Meanwhile there is a bit of romance with an unexpected twist. This was such a great read. I'm looking forward to catching up with the author's other books in the series.
Boring, uninspired, expected. No suspense, no interesting characters!
