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City of Destruction

The Malabar House, Book 5

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City of Destruction

By: Vaseem Khan
Narrated by: Maya Saroya
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About this listen

 'Vaseem Khan writes with charm and wit, and an eye for detail that transports the reader entirely. I couldn't love this series more' CHRIS WHITAKER
'Historical fiction at its finest' MAIL ON SUNDAY

From the award-winning author of MIDNIGHT AT MALABAR HOUSE and THE LOST MAN OF BOMBAY comes a brilliant new mystery featuring the inimitable Persis Wadia.

Bombay, 1951. A political rally ends in tragedy when India's first female police detective, Persis Wadia, kills a lone gunman as he attempts to assassinate the divisive new defence minister, a man calling for war with India's new post-Independence neighbours.

With the Malabar House team tasked to hunt down the assassin's co-conspirators - aided by agents from Britain's MI6 security service - Persis is quickly relegated to the sidelines. But then she is given a second case, the burned body of an unidentified white man found on a Bombay beach. As she pursues both investigations - with and without official sanction - she soon finds herself headed to the country's capital, New Delhi, a city where ancient and modern India openly clash.

Meanwhile, Persis's colleague, Scotland Yard criminalist Archie Blackfinch, lies in a hospital fighting for his life as all around him the country tears itself apart in the prelude to war...©2024 Vaseem Khan (P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Crime Fiction Historical Mystery Thriller & Suspense War

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All stars
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I really appreciate a good mystery laced with lots of history, geography, culture and religion. I also enjoy the characters the author creates, especially Persis. I am only sad that I was so keen to get this latest book that I gobbled it all up practically in one go and will now have a long wait for the next. I like the reader too as there was no time that her presentation grated on me as is sometimes the case . It’s great to be taken to a hot steamy Indian city full of colour when it idd Sd cold and miserable here in Europe.

I love this series

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Engaging, engrossing, beautifully written and beautifully performed. a first class addition to a superb series.

Continuing Excellence

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I’ve loved all the books in this series, all beautifully and evocatively narrated by Maya Soraya. They describe not only a fascinating period of history, but do so from both from the original and personal viewpoint of the lead strong female character, Inspector Persis Wadia. They also have more twists and turns than a twisty turny thing!

A fascinating view.

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This is the latest book in the Malabar House series. They seem to get better every time. Strong story with many twists and turns. Brilliantly narrated

These books just keep getting better

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Well done Vaseem another superb read, Criminality, morality and politics what more could a reader want.

gripping

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A very good addition to the series and bittersweet i’m now looking forward to the next instalment and may it come quickly!

Couldn’t put it down

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Apart from a few drawn out chapters, excellently performed, great plot, historic insights. Great captivating listen.

Excellent twisting plot.

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Great story. I love this series and can’t wait for the next instalment. Vaseem Khan is a fantastic writer and the reader is perfect.

As great as ever

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love this series and Saroya provides a masterful performance - my favourite crime series at the moment.

great story and performance

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Good story and great characters. The complexity of being an educated and tenacious investigator whilst dealing with the racial and gender bias of this time. Not all that different from current policing issues.

Description of post partition India

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