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A Necessary Evil

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A Necessary Evil

By: Abir Mukherjee
Narrated by: Simon Bubb
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About this listen

The fabulously wealthy kingdom of Sambalpore: home to tigers, elephants, diamond mines and the beautiful Palace of the Sun. When the heir to the throne of Sambalpore is assassinated in Calcutta in the presence of Captain Sam Wyndham and his colleague 'Surrender-Not' Banerjee, Wyndham works to uncover the reasons behind Prince Punit's death, despite the opposition of his commanding officers. Travelling to Sambalpore, he discovers a kingdom riven with suppressed conflict. Prince Punit was a moderniser whose attitudes - and romantic relationship - may have upset the more religious elements of his country while his brother appears to be a feckless playboy. And when Annie Grant, the first woman to capture Wyndham's heart since the death of his wife, arrives in the kingdom, Wyndham knows this is going to be a case that is as challenging personally as it is professionally.

©2017 Abir Mukherjee (P)2017 Random House Audiobooks
Crime Fiction Historical International Mystery & Crime Police Procedural Suspense Mystery Fiction Royalty Exciting Heartfelt
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What listeners say about A Necessary Evil

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Tricky plot

You’ve got to pay attention. Complex twisty plot, if a little slow at times. Wyndham is a pretty rubbish detective though.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Nothing is what it seems!

Vivid and engaging, this keeps you gripped and guessing till the very end, which, when it comes is oddly satisfying.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Exceptional

What a throughly enjoyable follow up to A Rising man, kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last chapter. Cannot recommend this enough and look forward to reading what Sam and Surrender-Not get up to next.

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  • Overall
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Very evocative

The author treads very well the fine line evoking the prejudice of the people, time and place

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Out of his comfort zone!

Moving the story to a principality that is not dominated by the English gives opportunities to deepen the individuality of 'Surrender-Not' and 'Annie' and by interaction, 'Sam'. 'Sergeant Bannerjee's' patrician background comes into amusing play in a role reversal as do his superior capabilities in many areas. Annie is a more independent character and her dual nationality and deep feelings about that are challenged. Characters are starting to 'pick sides' in this historical era and the representative of the conventionally 'dominant' team has his ambivalence towards the justifications of the British Empire extended by the experience; more and more taking mental refuge in a focus on the technical aspects of police detection. Added to this are really interesting depictions of contemporary Indian life and a very satisfying and exciting detective story. Top stuff, although I still don't understand why Colonel Dawson of Book 1 has become Major Dawson of Book 2! Great books!

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Just as good as the first book.

Brilliant narration, beautifully crafted story. Has made me want to find out much more about India in the 1920s.

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A good story which is well narrated.

This is a really good listen. I liked the way that the characters and relationships had all developed onwards from the first book. The 1920s setting in an India under British rule makes for interesting twists. The narration is excellent depicting a lively caste of characters and nationalities with ease.

Cannot wait for Book 3 !

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So sad when the Audio book ended ...

My favourite of the 3 (so far?) Sam Wyndham Audio books ... engrossing story, wonderful narration and very atmospheric setting.

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Engaging from start to finish

Loved this! The narration is first class and Simon’s voice brings the characters to life. The story is super with Sam Wyndham and Surrender-a-not’s Banerjee on their second adventure in the hunt for the murderer and plot for who would want to kill the Maharaja of Sambalpore’s son. I bought the paperback and also the audible and while I am a avid physical book reader, found myself reaching for the audible version because the narration is just so good! Highly recommended.

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Another adventure

Beautifully and evocatively read this story sums up the complicated political history of the Raj. captain Wyndham seeks for the truth and justice but in old India the two are perhaps not the same.

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2 people found this helpful