Murder at the Grand Raj Palace

the warm and witty cosy crime series from the acclaimed author of the Malabar House books

By: Vaseem Khan

Narrated by: Madhav Sharma

In the enchanting new Baby Ganesh Agency novel, Inspector Chopra and his elephant sidekick go undercover to investigate a murder at Mumbai's grandest hotel.

For a century the iconic Grand Raj Palace Hotel has welcomed the world's elite. From film stars to foreign dignitaries, anyone who is anyone stays at the Grand Raj.

The last thing the venerable old hotel needs is a murder...

When American billionaire Hollis Burbank is found dead - the day after buying India's most expensive painting - the authorities are keen to label it a suicide. But the man in charge of the investigation is not so sure. Chopra is called in - and discovers a hotel full of people with a reason to want Burbank dead.

Accompanied by his sidekick, baby elephant Ganesha, Chopra navigates his way through the palatial building, a journey that leads him steadily to a killer, and into the heart of darkness . . .

(P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2018 Vaseem Khan

Critic reviews

Praise for the Baby Ganesh series

A most beguiling series

I can't imagine anybody not enjoying this book... the same winning blend of thrills, charm and local colour as Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

Delightful

There have been many insipid imitators of the Alexander McCall Smith formula, grafting a cosy mystery into a depiction of a foreign culture dripping with local colour, but Khan has the quirkiness and hint of grit to make his portrayal of modern Mumbai memorable

Keeps things heart-warming while tackling corruption at the highest levels and violent crime at the lowest. Endearing and gripping, it sets up Inspector Chopra - and the elephant - for a long series.

A sparkling debut with a zippy plot and an endearing set of characters

Enchanting

Chopra, diligent, incorruptible and not entirely at ease with shiny new India, is a delight, as is his redoubtable wife, Poppy - and Ganesha the elephant, once he has cheered up a bit, proves a very useful ally indeed. Utterly charming

A cast of intriguing characters that it will be a joy to see develop. But the greatest strength is the setting in the teeming city of Mumbai, from which the colour and atmosphere flows out of every page in this enjoyable, whimsical tale

A quirky murder mystery... full of colourful characters and insightful details about human motivation

Another Great Story

I am a big fan of the series and this one did not disappoint. As the series continues forward, the scale of the stories is also growing. A good mix of Indian culture into the storytelling will inform the listener of the intricacies that have to be considered as well as how various generations are dealing with evolution.

Another Great Story

This was another great addition to the Baby Ganesh Agency series. I am still loving Chopra and his dogged investigations in the face many obstacles. Poppy had her own side investigation in this book and it is a bit silly but also has echoes of Chopra and Poppy's problems they are dealing with in this book. The mystery is a good one and one that has no shortage of suspects I was unsure who did it until almost the end. All in all a good book and I will definitely be continuing on.

Book is great! Narrator is not!

The narrator dragged the story down with his lugubrious delivery. It became difficult to finish the book. He sounds too old (and I’m over 70).

Good story and excellent performance

The story is enjoyable, but the performer’s voices and dramatics were simply outstanding! He made a good story great.

Best book this year

I have read several of Vaseem Khan's Baby Ganesh novels and enjoyed them all, but listening to this story, I appreciate even more his beautiful use of words. The narrator was also highly skilled. I may go back and listen to the other novels I have read, as it was such a delight to hear this story performed.