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Extracts

Extract: Hunted by Abir Mukherjee

A collage of photos of Ruth Ware, Abir Mukherjee, Lisa Jewell and more against a black, shadowy background.

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Reading lists

So good it’s criminal: Penguin authors pick their favourite crime novels

Books to transport us to other lands and places

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Features

Books to transport you to different places and times

A Highland heist thriller specially written for BBC Radio 4

Raiders of the Lost Cask

A Highland heist from award-winning author Abir MukherjeeSunita lives a quiet life in the village of Glentorrance, running the local post office. When a letter arrives on her doorstep, her husband’s shady past threatens to disrupt their lives, spurring Sunita into an unwanted adventure which will change everything. Her peace is soon shattered when she finds an intruder in her shop, and as the past catches up with her, she must figure out who she can turn to and who she can trust…Can Sunita rely on Margot from the village shop to help her? Will Roddy’s craft whisky, fit for the finest palate, be enough to save the terrified postmistress? And what are the plans of Primakov, the mysterious billionaire with a temper and a taste for the best?Read by Sudha Bhuchar (Virdee, Eastenders, Coronation Street), this gripping story was written specially for BBC Radio.Writer Abir Mukherjee is the author of the award-winning Wyndham and Banerjee series of action-packed thrillers set in Raj-era India.Cast and creditsWritten by Abir MukherjeeProduced by Eilidh McCreadieRead by Sudha BhucharFirst Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3rd - 7th February 2025© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

A Rising Man

Quick Reads 2025

10th Anniversary Edition

**A historical mystery from one of Britain's BEST crime writer's, COMING OUT in Quick Reads Format** 
 
India, 1919. A man is found dead. A note has been left in the dead man’s mouth. It warns the English to leave India. If they don’t, more blood will be spilled. 
 
Two police officers, Captain Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee must solve the crime quickly. But there are some people who will do anything to stop them. 
 
You won’t be able to put down A Rising Man, the first mystery in the Wyndham and Banerjee series by award-winning crime writer Abir Mukherjee.

Abir Mukherjee is the bestselling author of the award-winning Wyndham &amp; Banerjee series of crime novels set in 1920s India and the British Book Awards Crime Thriller of the Year 2025 Hunted. His books have been translated into sixteen languages and won various awards including the CWA Dagger for best Historical Novel, the Prix du Polar Européen, and the Wilbur Smith Award for Adventure Writing. 
 
 
He also co-hosts the popular Red Hot Chilli Writers podcast which takes a wry look at the world of books, writing, and the creative arts, tackling everything from bestsellers to pop culture. Abir grew up in Scotland and now lives in Surrey with his wife and two sons. 
 
 
Website: abirmukherjee.com Twitter, Threads &amp; Instagram: @radiomukhers Facebook: AuthorAbir

Hunted

** WINNER OF THE CRIME &amp; THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS 2025 ** 
** WINNER OF THE THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2025** 
 
A TIMES THRILLER OF THE YEAR 
'A damn exciting read’ JAMES PATTERSON 
‘A pretty much flawless thriller’ LEE CHILD 
'A masterclass in intelligent suspense’ MICK HERRON 
‘A kick-ass, pedal-to-the-metal thriller’ MARK BILLINGHAM 
'Thought-provoking, intriguingly taut, propulsive and highly original' STEPH McGOVERN 
 
The clock is ticking. Who will find them first? 
 
 The epic and thrilling story of two parents thrown together to stop their children from committing an unthinkable crime. 
 
 A missing daughter. Suspected of plotting a terror attack in the US. 
 
 A father arrested. Police storm Heathrow Airport to bring him in for questioning about his daughter. 
 
 A terrifying connection. In Florida, a mother discovers a link between her son and the missing girl, fearing they have been radicalised. 
 Hunted. On the run from the authorities, the two parents are thrown together to find their children before the FBI does and more lives are lost. 
*The paperback edition comes in two different colour options: the bold yellow colour, and a stunning foiled gold. If you order online, you will receive one at random. The gold is available for a limited time only* 
 EVERYONE LOVES HUNTED: 
 
‘A mature, intelligent thriller... Stunning' Janice Hallett 
'Smart and blisteringly contemporary' Mail on Sunday 
'Skintight plotting and a twisting storyline… [Hunted is] unputdownable' Sunday Times 
'Tense, twisty…will keep you guessing' Ruth Ware 
'A high-octane, high-adrenaline thriller…Chillingly plausible' Erin Kelly 
'Mukherjee enters contemporary thriller-dom with a bang… his cunning twists make for a buoyant read' Daily Telegraph ‘Breathtakingly paced with twists and turns all the way’ The Guardian

An irresistible blend of high-octane thriller plot, nuanced characterisation and smart writing. Not to be missed!

A firecracker of fiction. Incendiary, devastating, wildly exciting. Strap yourself in and brace for the ride

...epic, thrilling, tragic and humane. Like 24 meets Homeland with heart. And damn the writing is excellent

Jo Callaghan, Sunday Times bestselling author of In the Blink of an Eye.

HUNTED is a damn exciting read. It’s also a brave book. Nothing quite like it has been published before

A pretty much flawless thriller, HUNTED works on every level imaginable. Terrific characters are subtly and mercilessly pushed along by a plot as propulsive as it is constantly surprising.

'Hunted is a phenomenal achievement, with its sizeable cast of memorable characters, flawless juggling of multiple storylines, and a political dimension that makes it more than pacey entertainment.'

If you're looking for a kick-ass, pedal-to-the-metal thriller you need HUNTED by the supremely talented Abir Mukherjee

A rip-roaring, bang-up-to-date political thriller that grabs you from the first pages and never lets go. Twists you won't see coming, nail-biting suspense and finely drawn characters that will linger long after reading. Unmissable

A thought-provoking, intriguingly taut, propulsive and highly original thriller

Hunted is a mature, intelligent thriller written with forensic skill and observation. This irresistible spiderweb of twisting fates moves seamlessly from the personal to the global. I was swept along on an epic and fast-moving adventure, crafted with insight, empathy and devastating attention to detail. Mukherjee has put the world in a book and I dare anyone to put it down. Stunning

A high-octane, high-adrenaline thriller where global politics light a fuse under family life. Chillingly plausible

Tense, twisty and full of heartstoppingly real characters, Hunted will keep you guessing until the very end

A masterclass in intelligent suspense fiction. Hunted is an absolute banger

This book is that rare thing: a thriller with a courageous and complex neurodiverse lead character whose authenticity shines through, making an already gripping story even more compulsively readable

A timely and intelligent thriller that makes you think. Puts ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances to create a fast-paced novel about family, prejudice & the devastating consequences of polarised politics.

An exciting, dark and kinetic thriller from one of the UK's greatest crime fiction talents, Hunted is a must-read

Adrian McKinty, bestselling author of The Chain

Hunted is a high-octane thriller that’s epic in scale, urgent in theme + intimate in character. Clever, nuanced, propulsive, it explores patriotism, prejudice and unbelonging in a volatile political climate. Anyone who's fought for their right to exist will see themselves in it.

Kia Abdullah, bestselling author of Those People Next Door

Mukherjee deftly interweaves the personal and political, subverting expectations, while taking the reader on a rollercoaster journey of emotions in this tense and brilliant thriller

An urgent and blisteringly-paced chase thriller

The diverse, well-drawn cast, clever investigative work, and breakneck pacing easily carry the readers through the novel’s many-tentacled plot. With this pulse-pounding thriller, Mukherjee proves he’s just as good at mining the present for suspense as the past

This novel will make you shudder. It’s taut, credible, and scary.

A race-against-time story with some excellent twists and subversions of expectations

Smart and blisteringly contemporary

With multiple narrators, a fast pace and a horribly credible storyline, this white-knuckle ride across a fractured country grips from start to finish

[Mukherjee] carries off the change of gears with tremendous panache… Apart from the sheer éclat of the storytelling, Mukherjee’s star is his unconventional and bloody-minded heroine

This intelligent chase thriller…is extremely timely

[With] skintight plotting and a twisting storyline… [Hunted is] unputdownable

Immediately catapults [Mukherjee] into the ranks of best action-thriller

[A] pulse-pounding new action thriller

Enjoyable and compelling… Hunted is obviously destined to be a bestseller

Mukherjee abandons his Raj settings for a terrorism scenario in contemporary America, negotiating the change of gears with panache

With a fast pace and deftly juggled multiple storylines, this is a true white-knuckle ride

An action thriller written with forensic skill and observation

A never-lets-up thriller that brilliantly combines the personal and the global in the crafting of a fabulous tale

Mukherjee&rsquo;s first foray into the contemporary thriller arena tackles a slew of hot button issues: How innocents are radicalised. The divisive nature of modern political rhetoric. The responsibility that parents bear for the actions of their children. Set against the upcoming Presidential election, this is an urgent and blisteringly-paced chase thriller

Abir Mukherjee is the bestselling author of the award-winning Wyndham & Banerjee series of crime novels set in 1920s India and the British Book Awards Crime Thriller of the Year 2025 Hunted. His books have been translated into sixteen languages and won various awards including the CWA Dagger for best Historical Novel, the Prix du Polar Européen, and the Wilbur Smith Award for Adventure Writing. 
 
 
He also co-hosts the popular Red Hot Chilli Writers podcast which takes a wry look at the world of books, writing, and the creative arts, tackling everything from bestsellers to pop culture. Abir grew up in Scotland and now lives in Surrey with his wife and two sons. 
 
 
Website: abirmukherjee.com Twitter, Threads & Instagram: @radiomukhers Facebook: AuthorAbir

Your kids are missing, accused of plotting to kill thousands. Can you find them before it's too late? 
 
It's a week before the presidential elections when a bomb goes off in an LA shopping mall. 
 
In London, armed police storm Heathrow Airport and arrest Sajid Khan. His daughter, Aliyah entered the USA with the suicide bomber, and now she's missing, potentially plotting another attack on American soil. 
 
But then a woman called Carrie turns up at Sajid's door after travelling halfway across the world. She claims Aliyah is with her son and she has a clue to their whereabouts. Carrie knows something isn't adding up - and that she and Sajid are the only ones who can find their children and discover the truth. 
 
On the run from the authorities, the two parents are thrown together in a race against time to stop their kids and prevent a catastrophe the likes of which the world has never seen. 
 
For fans of Adrian McKinty's The Chain, Clare Mackintosh's Hostage and global bestseller I Am Pilgrim, this blockbuster contemporary thriller will turn your world on its head.

The Shadows of Men

Wyndham and Banerjee are back in a stunning new instalment in this award-winning, Raj-era series.

A city on the brink. A murder that could ignite it.When a Hindu theologian is found murdered in his home, the city is on the brink of all-out religious war. Can officers of the Imperial Police Force, Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant Surendranath Banerjee track down those responsible in time to stop a bloodbath?Set at a time of heightened political tension, beginning in atmospheric Calcutta and taking the detectives all the way to bustling Bombay, this instalment in the 'unmissable' (The Times) series presents Wyndham and Banerjee with an unprecedented challenge. Will this be the case that finally drives them apart?'The Shadows of Men finds the always reliable Crime Writers' Association Dagger Award-winner Abir Mukherjee on fine form' Financial TimesDiscover the rest of the Wyndham and Banerjee series:A Rising ManA Necessary EvilSmoke and AshesDeath in the EastThe Burning Grounds‘An engaging, evocative thriller’ Janice Hallett‘Breathtaking’ Peter May‘A thought-provoking rollercoaster’ Ian Rankin

Captivating, moving and exciting, it's historical fiction at its finest

Another compelling, thoughtful and atmospheric episode in this fine series

Abir Mukherjee is doing something uniquely different in the crime genre. His evocation of 1920s India under British occupation is breathtaking. He takes you there with luscious strokes of his pen and a dry wit, keeping you on the edge of your seat as he spins his tale.

Peter May, Sunday Times bestselling author

I loved the slick dovetailing of the dual narrative and the sharp, humorous writing...An engaging, evocative thriller that captures the heat of Indian nights and heady days of a bygone era, without being sentimental or simplistic. For me, the murder mystery and historical elements were perfectly woven together.

Janice Hallett, author of Sunday Times bestseller The Appeal on The Shadows of Men

Abir Mukherjee's terrific crime novels are set in India in the 1920s. The Shadows of Men is vivid and brutal

The Shadows of Men displays all Mukherjee's usual brio, comic timing and eye for historical colour. It is a crime story, but also the tale of Banerjee's reckoning with himself and his involvement in the British Raj, a regime he increasingly despises. Thought-provoking, page-turning and immersive.

Once again, Mr Mukherjee tells a captivating tale with an intricate plot, compelling characters, wry humour and diverse range of locations.

The Shadows of Men is a fabulous read - exciting, moving and highly entertaining.

This brilliant mingling of real history and fictional invention kicks off a series that does for the Raj what Philip Kerr did for the Reich

The pacing and twists are among the author's best work. This is a sterling example of a riveting whodunit plot coupled with a vivid portrayal of a seminal historical moment.

A brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil - beautifully crafted'

The Shadows of Men finds the always reliable ... award-winner Abir Mukherjee on fine form, with his quirky detective duo Sam Wyndham and Surendranath Banerjee struggling to forestall a religious war in 1920s Calcutta after

A gripping story, underpinned by the lovely bromance of the two main characters

This is historical fiction of the highest order, and a crime/spy mystery with everything an aficionado of either could want; but it is perhaps the awful timeless resonance of some pervasive background details that hits hardest

Mukherjee evokes the chaotic atmosphere of his setting wonderfully, and handles his complex plot expertly. Thought-provoking, immersive and gripping in equal measure, this is top-class writing from start to finish

Brilliant storytelling; humour, a bit of history and a decent mystery

Captivating, moving and exciting, this is the latest instalment in an unmissable series billed as historical fiction at its finest

*Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month* 
**A 'Book of the Year' pick in The Times** 
 
'Abir Mukherjee is doing something uniquely different in the crime genre...breathtaking' Peter May, Sunday Times bestseller, on The Shadows of Men 
 
Calcutta, 1923. When a Hindu theologian is found murdered in his home, the city is on the brink of all-out religious war. Can officers of the Imperial Police Force, Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant Surendranath Banerjee track down those responsible in time to stop a bloodbath? 
 
Set at a time of heightened political tension, beginning in atmospheric Calcutta and taking the detectives all the way to bustling Bombay, the latest instalment in this 'unmissable' (The Times) series presents Wyndham and Banerjee with an unprecedented challenge. Will this be the case that finally drives them apart? 
 
'An engaging, evocative thriller that captures the heat of Indian nights and heady days of a bygone era, without being sentimental or simplistic' Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal 
 
'The Shadows of Men finds the always reliable Crime Writers' Association Dagger Award-winner Abir Mukherjee on fine form' Financial Times 
 
______________ 
 
PRAISE FOR THE WYNDHAM AND BANERJEE SERIES 
 
'An exceptional historical crime novel' C.J. Sansom 
 
'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 
 
'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express

Death in the East

The fourth novel in the award-winning Sam Wyndham historical mystery series

** A THE SUNDAY TIMES 100 BEST CRIME NOVELS AND THRILLERS SINCE 1945** 
 
**WINNER OF THE CWA SAPERE BOOKS HISTORICAL DAGGER 2020** 
 
'Death in the East is the best so far of an unmissable series' The Times 
 
Calcutta police detective Captain Sam Wyndham and his quick-witted Indian Sergeant, Surrender-not Banerjee, are back for another rip-roaring adventure set in 1920s India. 
 
1905, London. 
 
When Bessie Drummond, an old flame of Sam Wyndham's, is attacked in the street, he is determined to get to the bottom of it. But the next day, Bessie is found dead in her room and Wyndham soon finds himself caught up in her murder investigation. The case will cost the young constable more than he ever imagined. 
 
1922, India. 
 
Leaving Calcutta, Wyndham heads for the hills of Assam, ready to put his opium addiction behind him. But when he arrives, he sees a ghost from his life in London - a man thought to be long dead, a man Wyndham hoped he would never see again. 
 
Wyndham knows he must call his friend and colleague Sergeant Banerjee for help. He is certain that this figure from can only be after one thing: revenge... 
 
*A SUNDAY TIMES BOOKS OF 2021 PICK* 
 
Praise for the Wyndham and Banerjee series : 
 
'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 
 
'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express 
 
'A brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil - beautifully crafted' C. J. Sansom 
 
'Mukherjee brings sardonic wit to his portrayal of British rule in India, and the action is perfectly paced.' Daily Mirror 
 
If you enjoyed Death in the East further books in the Wyndham and Banerjee series are available now: 
 
A Rising Man 
A Necessary Evil 
Smoke and Ashes 
The Shadows of Men

As ever, Abir Mukherjee brings sardonic wit to his portrayal of British rule in India and the action is perfectly paced, but this volume has a depth that makes it stand out. His best yet

In his most accomplished and complex novel yet, Mukherjee keeps the reader enthralled as the duo race towards a brilliant conclusion. Death in the East is a contender for the best thriller of the year.

Death in the East is the best so far of an unmissable series

The perfect combination of mystery and history

A skilfully blended dual narrative: twice the intrigue, twice the fun. Mukherjee is at the top of his game

Mick Herron, award-winning author of London Blues

My favourite historical crime series by far. The dark days of the British Raj are so vividly painted. Utterly magnificent

MW Craven, author of The Puppet Show

The gloriously atmospheric Death in the East is his [Mukherjee’s] best book so far, a cracking read

Death in the East is an outstanding work of historical fiction that brings characters and their imagined histories to life like no other writer.

Imran Mahmood, author of You Don't Know Me

Mukherjee’s style is elegantly conversational, his research is convincing and one of his murder methods is ingenious

Mukherjee not only steeps us in the atmosphere of the Raj but also recreates a teeming early-twentieth-century London, exploring issues of migration and xenophobia, matters all too relevant to our current moment. The author spoils us by presenting not one but two locked room mysteries, the second particularly devilish.

Vaseem Khan, author of the Baby Ganesh Agency series

Issues of identity, nationalism, historical memory…and cultural hybridity course through Mukherjee’s hugely entertaining novels. Like their creator, they are both good-humoured and socially engaged

Mukherjee brings sardonic wit to his portrayal of British rule in India, and the action is perfectly paced. It’s his best yet

A brilliant change of pace, displaying Mukherjee’s growing confidence as a writer

Death in the East is as vivid and atmospheric as its predecessors

Mukherjee’s series…is emerging as one of the finest in contemporary crime fiction

I feel my skin prickle with the heat when I read Mukherjee’s books, and I’m desolate when I come to the final page and realise there is no more. In Death in the East, he employs a dual narrative which, despite being set a century ago, draws disturbing parallels with society today.

Almost criminally entertaining… offering contemporary crime readers a complete package of well-conceived characters, compelling crimes to be solves, a rip-roaring rollercoaster ride of plot, a smattering of sardonic humour, a vividly evoked setting and thought-provoking insights into the historical context of the period Abir is writing about

In a story rich in historical detail and intrigue, spending time with Wyndham and Banerjee is a joy. This is a contender for thriller of the year

A brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil - beautifully crafted

[A] fine series of crime novels . . . tightly plotted portraits of British rule in India

Mukherjee, who only gets better and better with each book, has established himself as a leading historical mystery writer

[It] is the flamboyant evocation of Calcutta that makes this such a mesmerising read

'Death in the East is the best so far of an unmissable series' The Times 
 
Calcutta police detective Captain Sam Wyndham and his quick-witted Indian Sergeant, Surrender-not Banerjee, are back for another rip-roaring adventure set in 1920s India. 
 
1905, London. 
 
When Bessie Drummond, an old flame of Sam Wyndham's, is attacked in the street, he is determined to get to the bottom of it. But the next day, Bessie is found dead in her room and Wyndham soon finds himself caught up in her murder investigation. The case will cost the young constable more than he ever imagined. 
 
1922, India. 
 
Leaving Calcutta, Wyndham heads for the hills of Assam, ready to put his opium addiction behind him. But when he arrives, he sees a ghost from his life in London - a man thought to be long dead, a man Wyndham hoped he would never see again. 
 
Wyndham knows he must call his friend and colleague Sergeant Banerjee for help. He is certain that this figure from can only be after one thing: revenge... 
 
**WINNER OF THE CWA SAPERE BOOKS HISTORICAL DAGGER 2020** 
*A SUNDAY TIMES BOOKS OF 2021 PICK* 
______________________ 
 
Praise for the Sam Wyndham series: 
 
'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 
 
'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express 
 
'A brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil - beautifully crafted' C. J. Sansom 
 
'Mukherjee brings sardonic wit to his portrayal of British rule in India, and the action is perfectly paced.' Daily Mirror

Smoke and Ashes

Captain Sam Wyndham and his side-kick Surrender-not Banerjee return in this prize-winning historical crime series set in 1920s Calcutta, India.

** A THE SUNDAY TIMES 100 BEST CRIME NOVELS SINCE 1945** 
 
HUNTED, Abir Mukherjee's explosive contemporary thriller, is available NOW 
 
'Smoke and Ashes is Abir Mukherjee's best book yet; a brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil - beautifully crafted' C.J. Sansom 
 
India, 1921. Captain Sam Wyndham is battling a serious addiction to opium that he must keep secret from his superiors in the Calcutta police force. 
 
But Wyndham finds himself in a tight spot when he stumbles across a corpse in an opium den. When he then comes across a second body bearing the same injuries, Wyndham is convinced that there's a deranged killer on the loose. 
 
However, revealing his presence in the opium den could cost him his career. 
 
As Wyndham and Sergeant 'Surrender-not' Banerjee set out to solve the two murders, Wyndham must tread carefully, keeping his personal demons secret, before someone else turns up dead... 
 
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 CWA SAPERE HISTORICAL DAGGER 
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 HWA GOLD CROWN 
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2019 CWA GOLD DAGGER 
 
Praise for the Wyndham and Banerjee series: 
 
'It is the flamboyant evocation of Calcutta that makes this such a mesmerising read' Guardian 
 
'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 
 
'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express 
 
If you enjoyed Smoke and Ashes further books in the Wyndham and Banerjee series are available now: 
 
A Rising Man 
A Necessary Evil 
Death in the East 
The Shadows of Men

Smoke and Ashes is Abir Mukherjee's best book yet; a brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil – beautifully crafted.

[I]t is the flamboyant evocation of Calcutta that makes this such a mesmerising read

Well-researched and vivid in detail… [Smoke and Ashes] delights from the first page until the last. Simply superb

[W]onderfully rich and entertaining period crime series

Mukherjee weaves crime and history together with great skill

[A] fine series of crime novels… tightly plotted portraits of British rule in India, exposing the prejudices shared even by decent employees of the Raj

[Mukherjee’s] skills have been delightfully honed with each novel in this gripping and thoroughly entertaining series

Subtle and evocative tale of the last days of the British Raj

Abir Mukherjee had already proved himself a wonderful historical crime writer with his excellent first two novels. Smoke and Ashes is just as good, perhaps even better – and that’s saying something – a writer at the top of his game, as talented as the very best in the genre. The cauldron of 1920s Calcutta is described so superbly that every twist and turn wrenches your guts. Laid on top of this fabulously atmospheric background is a page-turning thriller which pits emerging South Asian nationalism against the ailing Raj. I can’t wait for the next instalment.

A thrilling mystery and a captivating journey

A satisfying read that grips attention from the outset

** A THE SUNDAY TIMES BEST 100 BEST CRIME NOVELS SINCE 1945** 
 
'Smoke and Ashes is Abir Mukherjee's best book yet; a brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil - beautifully crafted' C.J. Sansom 
 
India, 1921. Captain Sam Wyndham is battling a serious addiction to opium that he must keep secret from his superiors in the Calcutta police force. 
 
But Wyndham finds himself in a tight spot when he stumbles across a corpse in an opium den. When he then comes across a second body bearing the same injuries, Wyndham is convinced that there's a deranged killer on the loose. 
 
However, revealing his presence in the opium den could cost him his career. 
 
As Wyndham and Sergeant 'Surrender-not' Banerjee set out to solve the two murders, Wyndham must tread carefully, keeping his personal demons secret, before someone else turns up dead... 
 
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 CWA SAPERE HISTORICAL DAGGER 
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 HWA GOLD CROWN 
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2019 CWA GOLD DAGGER 
 
Praise for the Wyndham and Banerjee series: 
 
'It is the flamboyant evocation of Calcutta that makes this such a mesmerising read' Guardian 
 
'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 
 
'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express 
 
If you enjoyed Smoke and Ashes further books in the Wyndham and Banerjee series are available now: 
 
A Rising Man 
A Necessary Evil 
Death in the East 
The Shadows of Men

A Necessary Evil

India, 1920. Captain Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee of the Calcutta Police Force investigate the dramatic assassination of a Maharajah’s son

** A THE SUNDAY TIMES 100 BEST CRIME NOVELS AND THRILLERS SINCE 1945** 
 
**WINNER 2018 WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE** 
 
'Even better than his first' Daily Telegraph 
 
India, 1920. Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee of Calcutta Police must investigate the dramatic assassination of a Maharaja's son... 
 
Sam Wyndham is visiting the kingdom of Sambalpore, home to diamond mines and the beautiful Palace of the Sun. 
 
But when the Maharaja's eldest son is assassinated, Wyndham realises that the realm is riven with conflict. Prince Adhir was unpopular with religious groups, while his brother - now in line to the throne - appears to be a feckless playboy. 
 
As Wyndham and Sergeant 'Surrender-not' Banerjee endeavour to unravel the mystery, they become entangled in a dangerous world. They must find the murderer, before the murderer finds them. 
 
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 HISTORICAL AND GOLD DAGGERS* 
*LONGLISTED FOR THE 2018 CWA STEEL DAGGER* 
 
Praise for the Wyndham and Banerjee series : 
 
'An exceptional historical crime novel' C.J. Sansom 
 
'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 
 
'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express 
 
If you enjoyed A Necessary Evil, further books in the Wyndham and Banerjee series are available now: 
 
A Rising Man 
Smoke and Ashes 
Death in the East 
The Shadows of Men

Even better than his first… What is most striking about Mukherjee’s novels is his infectious enjoyment of the human oddity of the British in India… Even better is his portrayal of the mix of opulence and spirituality that characterises Sambalpore under its sybaritic but benevolent maharaja… I can’t imagine anyone failing to enjoy it

A year ago I welcomed the arrival of Captain Sam Wyndham and his faithful Sergeant… and I am delight to report that his return is every bit as engaging

A richly detailed period gem boasting the British Raj’s exotic setting and a gripping "whydunit" spun around an intriguing cast

He writes beautifully, bringing the colourful kingdom of Sambalpore to vivid life and taking the reader on a highly entertaining journey to unearth the dark secrets as its core, with unexpected twists on the way to a satisfying finale

Wyndham is an appealing character, reckless and self-aware by turns, and the contradictions of the Raj are beautifully evoked

A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj.

A Rising Man is a whodunnit set in the social and political tinderbox of 1919 Calcutta – a thought-provoking rollercoaster.

Splendid...Captain Sam Wyndham is a winning creation.

Terrific...Mukherjee’s descriptions of Calcutta under the Raj are vivid, while Wyndham’s position as a newcomer with fresh eyes works brilliantly.

Evocative, intricate, beautifully written. A must read.

Vaseem Khan, author of the Inspector Chopra mysteries

One of the most exciting debut novels I've read in years.

A lip-smacking and highly entertaining mystery, set in a Calcutta so convincingly evoked that readers will find sweat bursting from their foreheads.

This vivid murder mystery moves at breakneck speeds.

An intoxicating debut… The most engaging detective since…James Runcie’s Grantchester series: utterly captivating.

Richly satisfying, in character, sense of place and colour, this is a crime novel to revel in.

Abir Mukherjee has a flair for recreating a place and time... The heat, the dust, the different way of life, all come together in a cracking story.

Another writer who shows how to inject unexpected warmth into credible stories of murder… Full of colour, wit and clever phrasing, this novel should be only the second in a long, long series

This second outing confirms Abir Mukherjee as a rising star of historical crime fiction

**WINNER 2018 WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE** 
 
'Even better than his first' Daily Telegraph 
 
India, 1920. Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee of Calcutta Police must investigate the dramatic assassination of a Maharaja's son... 
 
Sam Wyndham is visiting the kingdom of Sambalpore, home to diamond mines and the beautiful Palace of the Sun. 
 
But when the Maharaja's eldest son is assassinated, Wyndham realises that the realm is riven with conflict. Prince Adhir was unpopular with religious groups, while his brother - now in line to the throne - appears to be a feckless playboy. 
 
As Wyndham and Sergeant 'Surrender-not' Banerjee endeavour to unravel the mystery, they become entangled in a dangerous world. They must find the murderer, before the murderer finds them. 
 
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 HISTORICAL AND GOLD DAGGERS* 
*LONGLISTED FOR THE 2018 CWA STEEL DAGGER* 
 
Praise for the Wyndham and Banerjee series : 
 
'An exceptional historical crime novel' C.J. Sansom 
 
'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin 
 
'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express 
 
If you enjoyed A Necessary Evil, further books in the Wyndham and Banerjee series are available now: 
 
A Rising Man 
Smoke and Ashes 
Death in the East 
The Shadows of Men

The Pinnacle

Every floor has its secrets. 
Washed-up American heart-throb George Abercrombie hates India, even from the rarified heights of his apartment on the 68th floor of the Pinnacle, Mumbai’s grandest luxury skyscraper. He hates the noise, he hates the heat and maybe he’s even grown to hate his much younger wife, the newest queen of Bollywood, Sweety Sahota. 
When George wakes from a drunken stupor to find Sweety murdered in their bedroom, he knows he will be the prime suspect. But where is her computer, her phone – and where has his personal assistant gone?As George scrambles to piece together the night, others in the building are covering their tracks. Sweety’s assistant must find who is blackmailing her, and a servant who knows too much goes on the run. 
 Welcome to the Pinnacle. A place where murder meets luxury and the world’s most privileged depend on the most desperate. 
From the winner of the 2025 British Book Awards Thriller of the Year comes a pulse-pounding new novel, set in a world of lavish opulence where someone is always watching, because everyone is hiding something.

Every floor has its secrets.Washed-up American heart-throb George Abercrombie hates India, even from the rarified heights of his apartment on the 68th floor of the Pinnacle, Mumbai’s grandest luxury skyscraper. He hates the noise, he hates the heat and maybe he’s even grown to hate his much younger wife, the newest queen of Bollywood, Sweety Sahota.When George wakes from a drunken stupor to find Sweety murdered in their bedroom, he knows he will be the prime suspect. But where is her computer, her phone – and where has his personal assistant gone?As George scrambles to piece together the night, others in the building are covering their tracks. Sweety’s assistant must find who is blackmailing her, and a servant who knows too much goes on the run.Welcome to the Pinnacle. A place where murder meets luxury and the world’s most privileged depend on the most desperate.From the winner of the 2025 British Book Awards Thriller of the Year comes a pulse-pounding new novel, set in a world of lavish opulence where someone is always watching, because everyone is hiding something.

Abir Mukherjee

An utterly spellbinding triumph from a master storyteller.

I really enjoyed it. It was great to be back in the world of Wyndham and Banerjee as they solved a wonderfully imagined story told with all of Abir’s trademark wry humour. I especially liked the way he brought all of Kolkata’s satanic majesty to life.

I devoured it... Thrilling, evocative and amusing. It’s a book that has everything

Mukherjee’s tale from the Rag, full of local colour and excitement, is about blood, money and “the callousness of the universe”… Historical crime fiction at its best

Another gloriously brilliant deep dive into the dying days of the British Empire from one of our foremost historical crime writers

Another masterful Wyndham and Banerjee series, delivered with the usual panache

Sharp observation and ­stylish writing make it one not to miss

Throw in a beautiful English actress starring in an Indian film and you have the ingredients of a superb story set against the backdrop of colonial India . Sharp observation and stylish writing make it one not to miss

Mukherjee's eye for period detail and ear for dialogue bring this world vividly, dangerously alive

Mukherjee blends compelling plot with fascinating history

Another gloriously brilliant deep dive into the dying days of the British Empire from one of our foremost historical crime writers

The days of the Raj are conjured with the customary exuberant detail

In the Burning Ghats of Calcutta where the dead are laid to rest, a man is found murdered, his throat cut from ear to ear. 
 
The body is that of a popular patron of the arts, a man who was, by all accounts, beloved by all: so what was the motive for his murder? Despite being out of favour with the Imperial Police Force, Detective Sam Wyndham is assigned to the case and finds himself thrust into the glamorous world of Indian cinema. 
 
Meanwhile Surendranath Banerjee, recently returned from Europe after three years spent running from the fallout of his last case, is searching for a missing photographer; a trailblazing woman at the forefront of the profession. When Suren discovers that the vanished woman is linked to Sam's murder investigation, the two men find themselves working together once again - but will Wyndham and Banerjee be able to put their differences aside to solve the case? 
 
From the critically-acclaimed author of HUNTED comes the next instalment in the popular Wyndham and Banerjee series.

Abir Mukherjee

Praise for The Burning Grounds

An utterly spellbinding triumph from a master storyteller.

I really enjoyed it. It was great to be back in the world of Wyndham and Banerjee as they solved a wonderfully imagined story told with all of Abir’s trademark wry humour. I especially liked the way he brought al ...

I devoured it... Thrilling, evocative and amusing. It’s a book that has everything

An utterly spellbinding triumph from a master storyteller.

I really enjoyed it. It was great to be back in the world of Wyndham and Banerjee as they solved a wonderfully imagined story told with all of Abir’s trademark wry humour. I especially liked the way he brought al ...

I devoured it... Thrilling, evocative and amusing. It’s a book that has everything

An utterly spellbinding triumph from a master storyteller.

I really enjoyed it. It was great to be back in the world of Wyndham and Banerjee as they solved a wonderfully imagined story told with all of Abir’s trademark wry humour. I especially liked the way he brought al ...

I devoured it... Thrilling, evocative and amusing. It’s a book that has everything

Books by Abir Mukherjee

Series by Abir Mukherjee

Wyndham and Banerjee series

Articles featuring Abir Mukherjee

Extract: Hunted by Abir Mukherjee

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