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