A Rising Man

By: Abir Mukherjee

Narrated by: Malk Williams

Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

In the days of the Raj, a newly arrived Scotland Yard detective is confronted with the murder of a British official - in his mouth a note warning the British to leave India, or else....

Calcutta, 1919. Captain Sam Wyndham, former Scotland Yard detective, is a new arrival to Calcutta. Desperately seeking a fresh start after his experiences during the Great War, Wyndham has been recruited to head up a new post in the police force. He is immediately overwhelmed by the heady vibrancy of the tropical city, but with barely a moment to acclimatize or to deal with the ghosts that still haunt him, Wyndham is caught up in a murder investigation that threatens to destabilize a city already teetering on the brink of political insurgency.

The body of a senior official has been found in a filthy sewer, and a note left in his mouth warns the British to quit India, or else. Under tremendous pressure to solve the case before it erupts into increased violence on the streets, Wyndham and his two new colleagues - arrogant Inspector Digby and Sergeant Banerjee, one of the few Indians to be recruited into the new CID - embark on an investigation that will take them from the opulent mansions of wealthy British traders to the seedy opium dens of the city.

Masterfully evincing the sights, sounds, and smells of colonial Calcutta, A Rising Man is the start of an enticing new historical crime series.

©2017 Abir Mukherjee (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

enjoyable and entertaining

narrator was great. storyline was pretty easy but all the history and India descriptions were worth the listen. loved the detective noir in India angle. nice

A whole new world for me.

Very much enjoyed being introduced to Calcutta after World War I. Mr. Mukherjee created some really wonderful detective characters and I look forward to hearing more. I am concerned about what could happen to AG in the next part of the journey.

Fun and addictive

British imperial might versus India’s ascension to independence. Would be long and deeply sad. Crickets ! The major characters are alluring, sultry with a puff of opium now and again Tearing through the trilogy Exquisite and funny!

My Favorite Kind of Book

I just love books that both keep me entertained and teach me something about a time, place, and culture that are different from my own. This is one of those offerings. Thanks, Abir Mukherjee.

Simply enjoyable while being informative

The setting was interesting without being overdone. A good well rounded story. Easy to listen to while doing other things. Not a mysterious detective who done it as you could say you knew the most likely perpetrators all along but it was a thoughtful and fun romp to go with the good cops while they figured it out. Worth the listen.

Suspenseful Mystery in Fascinating Setting

Set in 1919, in post WW1 India, an emotionally damaged veteran and former Scotland Yard detective, Captain Wyndham, is a newcomer to Calcutta. He has come to head up a detective unit and is immediately assigned a major murder case. The mystery is well-developed and suspenseful so watching it unfold was a pleasure, but what really makes this book a standout was the setting, towards the end of British rule. Through the eyes of Captain Wyndham, we learn about changes to the British rule over time and the ongoing conflict. The history is brought up naturally, never seeming pedantic. When the story opens, many Indians are bridling under colonial rule and ready for a change, with some supporting violence and others supporting nonviolent resistance. British leadership is struggling to hold on, with leaders holding different perspectives and attitudes. The detectives have to navigate the internal and external conflict that is brewing around this issue as they try to solve the murder. The main characters are complicated, interesting, and well-developed. When I first started reading, it took me a little while to get into the rhythm of this book, as I was largely unfamiliar with this location and time period. Over time, I got engrossed. I highly recommend!

The Raj

If you enjoy stories about the raj, this is a great way to understand it better. The characters are well drawn and the plot super interesting.

Refreshing setting for historical fiction detective novel

The author makes this chock full of real feeling details that not only make you feel you are there but also give you a sense of how someone there and if that era would have seen things with their own eyes, Biases and experiences.

The detective story doesn't let you down, it's intricate but well plotted and the resolution is appropriate and neither obvious or a swindle. Lots of side stories

The budding Watson and Holmes freindship of the detective and his sidekick makes it enjoyable and I'm eager to read another of their adventures.
It's funny too. The first person narration is wise cracking. It perhaps breaks the fourth wall a couple times with a wink to modern audiences. But all in the service of reminding us that if we find the Victorian times quaint that we should not think of our own times won't be quaint some day. It fits with the undercurrent theme of the book that people fool themselves into thinking themselves morally superior to others who are culturally less empowered.
Narration gets the accents, male and female voices, and distinctly separate voice characterization make it easy to follow which character is speaking. The narrator injects a fun spark into this fast paced tale.

Loved it.

The narration is fabulous and the setting is fascinating. really fine work. I can't wait for the next one.

New Historical Crime Series

Great narration, good story and likable characters along with interesting information regarding Calcutta India and the British around 1918. The author is a good story teller and pulled me in right from the beginning. I'm looking forward to the next in this series.