Publisher's Weekly Review
The sudden, violent death of a British memsahib launches this pleasing prequel to the long-running Inspector Ghote series (Breaking and Entering, etc.) from CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger-winner Keating. Newly minted police inspector Ghote is summoned by Sir Rustom Engineer, the former Bombay police commissioner, to find out why the pregnant Iris Dawkins, who seemed the epitome of the contented young housewife, would shoot herself at the hill station of Mahableshwar. In uncovering the often sad facts of Dawkins's background, Ghote delicately navigates the minefields of touchy British officials, jealous and stupid subordinates, and frightened and obstructive servants while worrying about the impending arrival of his first child back home. Although the solution to Dawkins's death may not surprise many readers, loyal fans will welcome the return of the compassionate Indian investigator with the earnest determination to see right done. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
Eight years after bringing down the curtain on the storied career of Bombay's Inspector Ghote (Breaking and Entering, 2001, etc.), Keating raises it once more for a prequel. Hours after learning on March 15, 1960, of his promotion from Assistant Inspector to the dizzying heights of the Detection of Crime Branch, Ganesh Ghote is snatched from the side of his loyal wife Protima, pregnant with their first child, whom he'd planned to take to a screening of the Laurence Olivier Hamlet. The Bombay police commissioner is troubled by a letter from his former friend Robert Dawkins, a retired civil engineer expressing bewilderment that his pregnant wife Iris should have committed suicide. Protima will not only miss Hamlet but will be deprived of her husband's support while he's off in Mahableshwar condoling with the irascible widower; asking questions of his closemouthed servants; and fencing with Inspector Pathan Barrani, whose nickname when he was Ghote's schoolfellow was Bullybhoy. Most readers will be well ahead of Ghote in identifying the motive for Iris's death. But few of them will match him for sensitivity, kindness, consideration and simple humanity as his attentiveness to echoes of Hamlet leads him to the mystery's solution. "Why, oh why, is it hard so often to decide what to do?" laments Ghote once he's in possession of the facts. Despite Protima's complaints, his indecision stems only from a delicacy that was evidently in full flower during his very first case. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Several years after ending his long-running Inspector Ghote series (Breaking and Entering, 2001), British procedural author Keating revives his most famous creation with the all-new story of the inspector's first case. Informally seconded to former police commissioner Rustom for two weeks before a new posting, Ghote is sent off to Mahabaleshwar in the hills outside Bombay to investigate the suicide of a young woman married to an old British friend. Ghote rushes off to begin the investigation after a fight with his pregnant wife, Protima, and for the rest of the investigation, he alternates between being unable to make a decision and rashly leaping ahead. Yet even in his early years, Ghote is already a talented investigator, willing to look beneath the surface to find the truth. From dialogue to setting, Keating's story is lush with the detail and heat of Bombay, making for an intensely atmospheric tale. A real treat for fans of Inspector Ghote, and an excellent introduction for new readers.--Moyer, Jessica Copyright 2009 Booklist
