A Necessary Evil

Even better than his first… What is most striking about Mukherjee’s novels is his infectious enjoyment of the human oddity of the British in India… Even better is his portrayal of the mix of opulence and spirituality that characterises Sambalpore under its sybaritic but benevolent maharaja… I can’t imagine anyone failing to enjoy it – Jake Kerridge * Daily Telegraph *A year ago I welcomed the arrival of Captain Sam Wyndham and his faithful Sergeant… and I am delight to report that his return is every bit as engaging – Geoffrey Wansell * Daily Mail *A richly detailed period gem boasting the British Raj’s exotic setting and a gripping “whydunit” spun around an intriguing cast – Christine Tran * Booklist *An intriguing and enjoyable crime novel – Sarah Shaffi * Stylist *He writes beautifully, bringing the colourful kingdom of Sambalpore to vivid life and taking the reader on a highly entertaining journey to unearth the dark secrets as its core, with unexpected twists on the way to a satisfying finale – Jon Coates * Daily Express *Wyndham is an appealing character, reckless and self-aware by turns, and the contradictions of the Raj are beautifully evoked – Joan Smith * Sunday Times *An exceptional historical crime novel. * CJ Sansom *A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj. * Daily Express *A Rising Man is a whodunnit set in the social and political tinderbox of 1919 Calcutta – a thought-provoking rollercoaster. * Ian Rankin *Splendid…Captain Sam Wyndham is a winning creation. * The Times, Crime Book of the Month *

Abir Mukherjee is the bestselling author of the award-winning Wyndham & Banerjee series of crime novels set in 1920s India and the British Book Awards Crime Thriller of the Year 2025 Hunted. His books have been translated into sixteen languages and won various awards including the CWA Dagger for best Historical Novel, the Prix du Polar Europeen, and the Wilbur Smith Award for Adventure Writing. He also co-hosts the popular Red Hot Chilli Writers podcast which takes a wry look at the world of books, writing, and the creative arts, tackling everything from bestsellers to pop culture. Abir grew up in Scotland and now lives in Surrey with his wife and two sons.

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