Madhulika Liddle

Madhulika Liddle is an Indian author primarily known for historical crime fiction, particularly her Muzaffar Jang series set in 17th century Mughal Delhi. She became the first Indian to write historical detective fiction in English with her debut novel "The Englishman's Cameo" in 2009. Beyond historical mysteries, Liddle writes across multiple genres including contemporary fiction, travel writing, and food writing. Her short story collection "Woman to Woman: Stories" won the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association's Short Story Competition in 2003. Liddle maintains a blog called "Dusted Off" where she reviews classic Hindi cinema, and her articles on film, food, and travel appear regularly in various Indian publications. Her non-fiction work includes detailed explorations of Delhi's history and architecture. The Muzaffar Jang series, comprising four novels and one volume of short stories, has established Liddle as a significant voice in Indian historical fiction, combining careful period research with detective storytelling. She previously worked in the hospitality industry before becoming a full-time writer.

Reviews point to strong historical research and authentic portrayal of Mughal-era Delhi in Liddle's Muzaffar Jang series. Readers note her talent for period detail and scene-setting. On Goodreads, the first book "The Englishman's Cameo" averages 3.8/5 stars from 200+ ratings. Readers praise: - Clear explanations of cultural practices and terminology - Complex mystery plots - Descriptions of architecture and daily life - Inclusion of actual historical figures Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Too many secondary characters to track - Some dialogue feels modern - Plot twists can be predictable On Amazon India, her books maintain 4+ star ratings but with limited reviews (under 50 per title). Blog reviews highlight her food writing expertise and knowledge of heritage buildings. A recurring reader note is that the books work better as historical fiction than as mysteries. Ratings across platforms show consistent 3.5-4.2 stars out of 5.

Historical Fiction: The Garden of Heaven - A mystery set in 17th century Mughal India following a poet-detective investigating the murder of a courtesan.

Crimson City - A murder mystery set in 1950s Delhi where a police inspector navigates post-partition tensions while solving a series of killings.

Detective Series (Muzaffar Jang Mysteries): The Englishman's Cameo - A nobleman investigates a murder in 17th century Delhi when a friend is falsely accused of the crime.

The Eighth Guest & Other Muzaffar Jang Mysteries - A collection of short detective stories featuring Muzaffar Jang solving cases in Mughal-era Delhi.

Engraved in Stone - Muzaffar Jang investigates the murder of a Persian nobleman found dead in a sealed garden.

Crimson City - Muzaffar Jang pursues a killer targeting women in 17th century Dilli.

Non-Fiction: My Lawfully Wedded Husband and Other Stories - A collection of contemporary short stories exploring dark themes and unexpected twists.

Woman to Woman: Stories - Short story collection focusing on relationships between women in modern India.

Travel Writing: Delhi: 14 Historic Walks - A guide combining historical information with walking routes through Delhi's heritage areas.