Disappearance in Fiji, A
Rao, NilimaFrom 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."
272
2023
Reviews
