"A murder investigation bleeds out into a movie set and the case of a missing woman in this fascinating and compelling historical crime novel set in Calcutta."
If you were to ask me to name some of my favourite book series, this would be one of them. Here we are at number six in the fabulous Wyndham and Banerjee series by award-winning author Abir Mukherjee and there is a beautiful balance at play between the plot, characters, and sense of place and time. There are a number of intricate and intriguing layers within this series, each book leads with the current investigation (and therefore could be read as a standalone).
I would though, most definitely recommend reading the novels in order to see how each man develops as an individual, and the absolutely fascinating relationship between the two main leads as the Indian independence movement begins. The location is always exquisitely described, it is so easy to feel your surroundings in Calcutta as well as picture them in your minds eye.
The sense of time also embeds itself into the page and your thoughts as you read. In The Burning Grounds, Banerjee is returning from three years in Europe to an urgent family matter and finds Wyndham seriously out of favour with his bosses. I’ve always enjoyed hearing the two differing points of view and seeing the character development as the balance of power shifts.
A lightness of touch is also used to great effect while the pointed political and social aspects play out which is why this is not only a Liz Pick of the Month, it is also a LoveReading Star Book. My initial thoughts process led me in the right direction with this particular investigation, but there a number of tricky side schemes to ensure my sleuthing mind was kept thoroughly busy and entertained.
Compelling and oh-so beautifully readable, The Burning Grounds is a rewarding addition to this series.

| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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'Historical crime fiction at its best' Sunday Times'Compulsive reading. This is a master storyteller at the top of his game.' Ann Cleeves Pre-order the gripping new thriller from Abir Mukherjee where high-rise murder meets luxury in The Pinnacle - coming soon!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?
The Burning Grounds features in the following genres: Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Crime and Mystery, Historical Fiction, Sharing Diverse Voices, Thriller and Suspense, Historical crime and mysteries, Crime and Mystery, Historical Fiction, Crime and Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical crime and mysteries, Crime and mystery: police procedural, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Later 20th century c 1950 to c 1999
Paperback, Hardback. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Burning Grounds was written by Abir Mukherjee and published by Vintage an imprint of Random House
The Burning Grounds has 372 pages
Yes it is part of Wyndham and Banerjee Series series
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.