A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao
A Disappearance in Fiji
by Nilima Rao
was published in paperback on 31st August 2023 by Zaffre Books.
My thanks to the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review and to
Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to take part on the tour.
Synopsis
1914, Fiji: Sergeant Akal Singh would rather be anywhere than this tropical paradise - or, as he calls it, 'this godforsaken island'. After a promising start to his police career in Hong Kong, Akal has been sent to the far-flung colony of Fiji as punishment for a humiliating professional mistake. Lonely and embarrassed, he dreams of solving a big case, thereby redeeming himself and gaining permission to leave. Otherwise, he fears he will be stuck in Fiji for ever.
When an indentured Indian woman goes missing from a sugarcane plantation and Fiji's newspapers scream 'kidnapping', the inspector-general reluctantly assigns Akal the case, giving him strict instructions to view this investigation as nothing more than cursory. But as soon as Akal arrives on the plantation, he identifies several troubling inconsistencies in the plantation owners' stories, and it seems there is more to this disappearance than meets the eye . . .
Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Disappearance-Fiji-charming-historical-mystery-ebook/dp/B0BX3GG44R/
US - https://www.amazon.com/Disappearance-Fiji-charming-historical-mystery-ebook/dp/B0BX3GG44R/
My Review
This isn't just one of those everyday Murder Mysteries that are ever popular amongst readers of all generations. This is a book with so much historical depth to it that it makes you feel ashamed as you learn how people of different cultures were treated in the colonial era of the early 1900's.
For a debut novel Nilima tells an excellent story whilst weaving through the historical threads of the time so that you, as the reader, understands what life was like for the coolies out on the sugar plantations in colonial Fiji, where the vast majority were treated worse than the animals, and how little value was placed on their lives by unscrupulous white plantation owners.
Each character within the novel brings another piece of the jigsaw to the table and consequently is important in their own right as to how the story progresses, and resolves, whether we agree with the resolution or not. The friendship that develops between Akal and Robert is cleverly orchestrated throughout and leaves you feeling at the end that Akal has found contentment and companionship.
Cover ups, and the truth not being acceptable, are tantamount in this incredibly well-written mystery which, even though it has been described as "An utterly charming novel" by Alexander McCall Smith, enlightens you to events and instances that were common place at this time.
For me this was a 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 thought provoking read and I will be looking out for Nilima's second book with excitement in the near future and keeping my fingers crossed that we here more from Sergeant Akal Singh in a series of books.
About the Author
Nilima Rao is a Fijian Indian Australian who has always referred to herself as 'culturally confused'. She has since learned that we are all confused in some way and now feels better about the whole thing. When she isn't writing, Nilima can be found wrangling data (the dreaded day job) or wandering around Melbourne laneways in search of the next new wine bar. A Disappearance in Fiji is her first novel and she is currently working on a second.
You can find out more about Nilima Rao and A Disappearance in Fiji and future books on the following links:
Social Media Links –
https://www.facebook.com/nilimaraowriter/
Publisher Social Media Links
https://www.instagram.com/zaffrebooks/
https://twitter.com/ZaffreBooks
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