The Shadows of Men by Abir Mukherjee Book Review

Released: 16th June 2022

Genre: Fiction, Historical, Crime Drama

Number of Pages: 336

Since 2017, the Sam Wyndham series has received several accolades for its portrayal of India under British colonialism. The fifth entry, The Shadows of Men places Sam and his partner under the greatest pressure yet.

In 1923 a Hindu Theologian is murdered in his own house and Surendranath Bannerjee is the prime suspect of the attack. It’s a race against time to prove his innocence and prevent a full-blown war between religions. Much of the book takes places in familiar settings with a heavy focus on conflict between the Hindu and Muslim communities. Bannerjee is on the run with several chase sequences and a deadly attack in the early going pushes Wyndham away from his resources in Section H. In time, the underhanded tactics of imperial rule are brought to the forefront. Some familiar faces also return to lend a hand as the action moves to the more exotic Bombay. The conspiracy gradually expands over time, creating a more roguish set of characters.

Death In The East swapped between two timelines; The Shadows of Men swaps between two perspectives. Sergeant Bannerjee gets a lot more depth this time around; on top of being caught up in the case, we see more of his inner thoughts and a growing sense of self-doubt. Captain Wyndham has a difficult conundrum as he tries to clear his friend’s name while avoiding provocations from all sides. The duo have to take bigger risks as they rifle through a hotel room one moment and mingle with rich millionaires the next. Once again, the atmosphere is on top form; all the little details bring British India to life from train journeys to large religious gatherings.

Recommended?

YES: The Shadows of Men continues Abir Mukherjee’s flagship series with gusto. It’s a simple but effective entry that offers another blend of history and crime drama. The author has always made full use of his past heritage to tell the story and this makes the fifth book stand out. Long-time followers will enjoy it thoroughly.