Life in the slums of an unnamed city in present day India, told by 9 year old Jai – who, with his two friends Pari and Faiz, turns detective when other children living in their basti go missing.
Author page: Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line – Deepa Anappara
Io Saturnalia!
As Tiberius investigates nut wars Albia becomes embroiled in nefarious affairs of another kind – involving two of Rome’s leading crime families….
And in the background, two small grieving boys, family traditions and ageing vigiles partying hard.
Author page: A Comedy of Terrors – Lindsey Davis
Historical Whodunnit, devilish goings on onboard a Dutch East Indies merchant ship sailing back to Amsterdam with a valuable cargo of spices – and more.
Felt like it should be part of a series.
Publisher page: The Devil and the Dark Water – Stuart Turton
Another excellent Istanbul investigation in the company of Ikmen and co, with the added twist that Mehmet’s now 16 year old son is staying with him for a fortnight. Handily, for not-natural-parent, an old case of Mehmet’s resurfaces when a TV star is found murdered at home, along with the husband of his convicted murderer.
Some ongoing plot lines surface too – Syrian refugees, Mehmet’s love life, the djinn in the kitchen.
Publisher page: Forfeit – Barbara Nadel
Kate Teltscher follows eighteenth century East India Company man George Bogle on his diplomatic trade missions to Bhutan and Tibet in the hope of opening up opportunities in Qing China, as British imperial ambitions emerge under Governer-General Warren Hastings.
Author page: The High Road To China – Kate Teltscher