Murder at the Grand Raj Palace

Baby Ganesh Agency, Book 4

By: Vaseem Khan

Narrated by: Madhav Sharma

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

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.... 

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

Fantastically Funny Mystery

I loved every minute of this book. I couldn’t help laughing aloud, even in public places. The reader is fantastic with a great range of Indian accents.

At long last!

If you are looking for a rousing good time, with a terrific mystery, a great detective character and his sweet little baby elephant sidekick, then this book is for you! I stumbled across this author by accident and am SO glad I did. Mr. Khan is a wonderfully gifted writer, who engages the reader from the first paragraph of his books. There is no foul language, but the real appeal of the books for me is that they take place in modern day Mumbai. There are a number of books in the Baby Ganesh Agency series, but I found that you can read them on a stand-alone basis. I am completely, utterly and gleefully addicted to this series. I don't think it fits the cozy mystery genre, but the books do not contain foul language, terrible violence or gore. The storyline is captivating and held my attention during every listening period. And Mr. Sharma, the narrator, was magnificent. I could listen to his voice and beautiful Indian accent forever. I have recommended this book (and the second book which is the one I read first) to total strangers. I'm going to read every book in the series and can't wait for others. Thank you, Mr. Khan, for sharing your view of India with those of us who are interested in the country and for your amazing writing!

Better with each novel in the series

Each book in this series can be enjoyed independently, but who'd want to do that? While the first book had rough edges, the writer improves with each book in the series. Bringing these books above the level of the usual cozy is the author's portrayal of Mumbai, each book focusing on different aspects and problems of modern India. There's a satisfying balance of humor, charm, and grittiness.

Ganesha the elephant requires some suspension of disbelief, which I do willingly for the sheer fun of having him in the books. I'll be perfectly happy if he remains a yearling elephant for the next twenty years with Chopra the detective and his wife Poppy never aging either. (In fact Chopra grew younger between book 1 and book 5.)

Some of the most marvelous humor comes in the outrageous descriptive similes. Listen and enjoy.

Bring Back 1st Baby Ganesh Narrator

The narrator was awful - his American accents are not accurate & the Indian voices are much, much too slow. Love the story & characters but please - another narrator. Will not buy another book with Sharma as narrator.

Spectacular!!!

The best narrative, mystery and narration to date!! Simply adore Chopra and his family, a force for good in this world. Thank you.

Narrator not as good or clear spoken as one on previous books by this author

The narrator for this book made it more difficult to follow. The story was still good and engaging with interesting insights into modern urban India.

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.

Better yet!

Each one in the series is better than the last and they are all excellent. The wit in the dialog and descriptions are as good as the story and worth reading for itself.

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.

Starts well and gets much better!

At first you think it’s just amusing and clever, which it is throughout. But at some point, maybe around the final third of the book, the plot becomes much deeper and more poignant, the writing more refined. I loved this narrator! This book is a GEM.

spoilt by the narration

I LOVE these books. Await eagerly each year for the next episode in Baby Ganesh career. This one is excellent, let down by the narration. The first 2 were fine, the voice engaging. But this and "Bollywood Star" were drawn out by the slow delivery. Won't stop me from buying anything Vaseem Khan writes but I wish you would revert to the original narrator.

Great listen

This book has possibly the best storyline in the series. Although I preferred the narrator of the first two of the four books, the performance of this final novel was more fluid than the previous (3rd) book and showed a definite improvement. A fun listen.

One of the best reads

For some strange reason this writer brings me joy. I'm on the streets of Mumbai. I'm lost in the mists of the past and Myth. Vaseem Khan has a lightness of touch and depth of narrative. I am being given a history lesson on my mobile phone. A rare talent brought to life by a story teller that inspires me to read to my own grandchildren in this way. Thank you both!
Phil

Great story & lovely narration

I have just got into this series and like all the stories but I particularly like this narration. The previous narration was good but not as expressive or charming, if I can say that without offending, as Madhav Sharma.

Very Enjoyabke!

Great exciting plot which moves along at a pace set in an exotic landscape! The story was enhanced by the great narrator who’s voice and expression added immensely to the story, hope he reads for us more novels!

Just Brilliant!

I'm reading these in chronological order, and this, I think, is the best so far. Vastly entertaining, it provides a broad-brush, unsentimental picture of the way India is today. The story is enhanced by an engagingly delightful narration. Highly recommended.

Wonderful narration

I love these books! The stories are always interesting and well written (and fun) but I also wanted to commend the narration which is excellent. Full of light and shade without getting overly melodramatic.A joy to listen to.