Smoke and Ashes
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  • Published: 7 June 2018
  • ISBN: 9781473562486
  • Imprint: Vintage Digital
  • Format: Audio Download
  • Length: 10 hr 14 min
  • Narrator: Simon Bubb
  • RRP: $22.99

Smoke and Ashes

‘A brilliantly conceived murder mystery’ C.J. Sansom

Formats & editions
Audiobook
7 Jun 2018
Paperback
6 Aug 2019
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Captain Sam Wyndham and his side-kick Surrender-not Banerjee return in this prize-winning historical crime series set in 1920s Calcutta, India.

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Smoke and Ashes by Abir Mukherjee, read by Simon Bubb.

**From the winner of the 2017 CWA Historical Dagger Award**

India, 1921. Haunted by his memories of the Great War, Captain Sam Wyndham is battling a serious addiction to opium that he must keep secret from his superiors in the Calcutta police force.

When Sam is summoned to investigate a grisly murder, he is stunned at the sight of the body: he’s seen this before. Last night, in a drug addled haze, he stumbled across a corpse with the same ritualistic injuries. It seems like there’s a deranged killer on the loose. Unfortunately for Sam, the corpse was in an opium den and revealing his presence there could cost him his career.

With the aid of his quick-witted Indian Sergeant, Surrender-not Banerjee, Sam must try to solve the two murders, all the while keeping his personal demons secret, before somebody else turns up dead.

Set against the backdrop of the fervent fight for Indian independence, and rich with the atmosphere of 1920s Calcutta, Smoke and Ashes is the brilliant new historical mystery in this award-winning series.

‘Smoke and Ashes is Abir Mukherjee's best book yet; a brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil – beautifully crafted.’ CJ SANSOM
  • Published: 7 June 2018
  • ISBN: 9781473562486
  • Imprint: Vintage Digital
  • Format: Audio Download
  • Length: 10 hr 14 min
  • Narrator: Simon Bubb
  • RRP: $22.99
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About the author

Abir Mukherjee

Abir Mukherjee is the bestselling author of the award-winning Wyndham & Banerjee series of crime novels set in Raj-era India. He has won the CWA Historical Dagger and the Wilbur Smith Award for Adventure Writing, and has been shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger, and HWA Gold Crown. His novels, A Rising Man and Smoke and Ashes were both selected as Waterstones Thriller of the Month. Smoke and Ashes was also chosen as one of The Times’ Best Crime and Thrillers since 1945. Abir grew up in Scotland and now lives in Surrey with his wife and two sons.

portrait photo of Abir Mukherjee

Also by Abir Mukherjee

Hunted
The Shadows of Men
Death in the East
A Necessary Evil
A Rising Man
See all

Praise for Smoke and Ashes

Smoke and Ashes is Abir Mukherjee's best book yet; a brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil – beautifully crafted.

CJ Sansom

[I]t is the flamboyant evocation of Calcutta that makes this such a mesmerising read

Barry Forshaw, Guardian

[W]onderfully rich and entertaining period crime series

John Williams, Mail on Sunday

Mukherjee weaves crime and history together with great skill

Antonio Senior, The Times

Well-researched and vivid in detail… [Smoke and Ashes] delights from the first page until the last. Simply superb

Daily Express

[A] fine series of crime novels… tightly plotted portraits of British rule in India, exposing the prejudices shared even by decent employees of the Raj

Joan Smith, Sunday Times

[Mukherjee’s] skills have been delightfully honed with each novel in this gripping and thoroughly entertaining series

Nilanjana Roy, Financial Times

Subtle and evocative tale of the last days of the British Raj

The Sun

Abir Mukherjee had already proved himself a wonderful historical crime writer with his excellent first two novels. Smoke and Ashes is just as good, perhaps even better – and that’s saying something – a writer at the top of his game, as talented as the very best in the genre. The cauldron of 1920s Calcutta is described so superbly that every twist and turn wrenches your guts. Laid on top of this fabulously atmospheric background is a page-turning thriller which pits emerging South Asian nationalism against the ailing Raj. I can’t wait for the next instalment.

David Young, author of Stasi Child

Mukherjee, who only gets better and better with each book, has established himself as a leading historical mystery writer

Publishers Weekly

A thrilling mystery and a captivating journey

Jon Coates, Daily Mirror

A satisfying read that grips attention from the outset

Jeremy Black, Critic