The Rising Man

A Rising Man is a crime novel set in 1919 Calcutta, following Captain Sam Wyndham, a former Scotland Yard detective who joins the Imperial Police Force. When a British official is found murdered in a Calcutta alley, Wyndham must navigate both a complex investigation and the tensions of colonial India. Wyndham works alongside Sergeant "Surrender-not" Banerjee, a Cambridge-educated Indian officer, as they pursue leads through the city's European enclaves and native neighborhoods. Their investigation reveals layers of political intrigue during a time of growing resistance to British rule. The book brings colonial-era Calcutta to life through details of the period's social structures, racial hierarchies, and daily life in the British Raj. The murder mystery serves as a lens to examine the relationship between the rulers and the ruled in 1919 India, while exploring themes of justice, loyalty, and power in a divided society.

Readers highlight the atmospheric portrayal of 1919 Calcutta and the complex dynamics between British colonials and Indians. Many note how the murder mystery serves as a lens to examine racial tensions and power structures of the era. Liked: - Historical accuracy and period details - Nuanced portrayal of Anglo-Indian relations - Sharp, witty dialogue between Wyndham and Banerjee - Balance of procedural investigation with social commentary Disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers note that female characters lack depth - British protagonist perspective rather than Indian Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (22,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (5,000+ ratings) Common reader comments: "Captures the sweltering tension of colonial Calcutta" - Goodreads review "Strong start to a series but takes time to find its rhythm" - Amazon review "The historical backdrop outshines the actual mystery" - LibraryThing review

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🔍 The novel's protagonist, Sam Wyndham, is a former Scotland Yard detective suffering from PTSD and morphine addiction following his service in World War I. 🏛️ Set in 1919 Calcutta, the book vividly depicts a period when the Indian independence movement was gaining momentum and the British Raj was beginning to lose its grip on power. ✍️ Author Abir Mukherjee was inspired to write the series after watching a BBC documentary about the British Raj, despite having no previous experience as a novelist. He wrote the book while working as an accountant. 🏆 The Rising Man won the Historical Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association and the Harvill Secker/Daily Telegraph crime writing competition. 🌏 Though Mukherjee was born and raised in London, his parents are from Calcutta, and he drew heavily on their knowledge and experiences to create an authentic portrayal of the city and its culture.