The Murder of the Maharajah

By: H. R. F. Keating

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

A princely state in India, 1930, under the British Raj. To Bhopore and its opulent Summer Palace comes a handful of Western visitors to meet the outrageous Maharajah and his entourage. There they meet the Maharajah's heir, the sensual Porgy, and his English chorus-girl mistress. They meet the enigmatic chief minister, and the aloof British Resident, with his dignified little nine-year-old son. And before long they also meet sudden death.

Various people in the Palace become suspects, and an imperturbable District Superintendent of Police is called in. But who will he find guilty of the murder of the Maharajah?

©1980 H. R. F. Keating (P)1995 Blackstone Audiobooks

Murder of the Maharajah

What made the experience of listening to The Murder of the Maharajah the most enjoyable?

Probably the best thing about this book is the narrator, Frederick Davidson. He is magnificent as the stuffy, upper class English Resident, Sir Arthur - as proper and pukka sahib as he can be. He also manages the Indian members of the cast with equal precision. His accents and characters are delightful.

What did you like best about this story?

This is a a gem of a mystery from a truly excellent writer. His Inspector Ghote series is hard to find, but well worth reading, and this book features equally colorful, interesting characters. The mystery is good, too. I didn't catch on until quite late in the book.

Which character – as performed by Frederick Davidson – was your favorite?

There are so many favorites here. Porgy, Miss Brattle, the Inspector. The old schoolmaster is an excellent Watson to the Inspector's Holmes.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Although this would be an interesting movie, I don't think it would be a money maker - more psychological than what is popular now. It is along the lines of Christie's Ten Little Indians or Murder on the Orient Express.

Any additional comments?

Truly delightful!

Terrible reading

I decided to exchange this version for another as I found the reading voice grating and almost caricatural. It completely detracted from the story.

Worse two chapters I have ever read.

I can't say it is the worse I have ever read, because I could not get through two chapters. I can't believe someone would even publish this book.