Disappearance in Fiji, A

  6 Reviews

From a promising start to his police career in Hong Kong, to relegation to Fiji for a professional misstep, Sikh police sergeant Akal Singh has plenty to prove to his superiors. When an Indian woman plantation worker goes missing, Akal is assigned to the case with strict instructions to make it 'go away', but as he delves into Kunti's disappearance, he comes face-to-face with the undeniable abuses of colonialism.

Illuminating the 'Indian indenture servitude programme' and the racism fuelling 1914 Fiji, this is a charming and multilayered mystery with its sympathetic hero resplendent in his emerald green (woollen!) uniform.

Comments from BDS Reviewers

"A very enjoyable and charming mystery that explains some of the social history of Fiji - absolutely recommended."

"If this book was set elsewhere, it would just be a charming mystery, but because of its historical setting in Fiji, it elevates the book to another level."

"A charming and atmospheric debut mystery."

"The novel is built around a mystery, but its real subject is the impact of colonialism - very well done."

"I enjoyed this book. The writing is descriptive, and it was easy to envision each scene. Clues are scattered like breadcrumbs at regular intervals."

"Rao does a wonderful job of showing the brutality of the workers' existence and the racism of the English ruling class."

"Through this book we see the effects of colonialism in grim reality."

"I was successfully transported to Fiji and I learnt about the indenture process which I knew nothing about."

Reviews

WESTP 001

15-07-2024

We all rated this book as a good read. The characters are mostly, likeable. We learned about the indenture system which brought Indians to Fiji to work in the sugarcane plantations in the early 1990s, and there was enough mystery to keep us interested in the book through the 272 pages. We would read a sequel, perhaps the Night Prowler crime will be solved and Akal's honour will be restored.

CHCH 125

10-06-2024

Our Group enjoyed this book. We didn't know much about the indentured servitude system in Fiji, and the human story interwoven with the historical information made it very readable. We hope that Nilima Rao writes a sequel.

WAIKA 012

20-05-2024

Some of our group found this to be very light with limited character development and a predictable plot. Others found this to be its strength - unchallenging and enjoyable. The context of Fijian Indians was illuminating.

WAIKA 001

18-04-2024

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed reading this first book by the author. Several mentioned that they are looking forward to her second book. Many issues mentioned in the book were discussed, including colonisation.

CHCH 488

11-03-2024

We all liked this book, not as much for the story as for the characters and setting. An awful part of history depicted in a way that didn't shy away from the brutality but was somehow still light hearted and easy to read.

TAUR 047

12-02-2024

Most enjoyable. Very descriptive. Characters very believable. Would recommend.