Selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020Mumbai, murder and a baby elephant combine in a charming, joyful mystery for fans of Alexander McCall Smith and Rachel Joyce. On the day he retires, Inspector Ashwin Chopra discovers that he has inherited an elephant: an unlikely gift that could not be more inconvenient. For Chopra has one last case to solve…But as his murder investigation leads him across Mumbai – from its richest mansions to its murky underworld – he quickly discovers that a baby elephant may be exactly what an honest man needs.So begins the start of a quite unexpected partnership, and an utterly delightful series from the award-winning author of the Malabar House novels.

About the Author

Vaseem Khan is the author of two crime series set in India: the Baby Ganesh Agency series, and the Malabar House historical crime novels. His first book, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was a Times bestseller and has been translated into 16 languages. Midnight at Malabar House won the CWA Historical Fiction Dagger in 2021 and was shortlisted for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. Vaseem was born in London, but spent a decade working in India as a management consultant.

ReviewsKeeps things heart-warming while tackling corruption at the highest levels and violent crime at the lowest. Endearing and gripping, it sets up Inspector Chopra – and the elephant – for a long series. * Sunday Times *Enchanting * Woman & Home *Chopra, diligent, incorruptible and not entirely at ease with shiny new India, is a delight, as is his redoubtable wife, Poppy – and Ganesha the elephant, once he has cheered up a bit, proves a very useful ally indeed. Utterly charming * Guardian *Delightful and uplifting * The Bookseller *A cast of intriguing characters that it will be a joy to see develop. But the greatest strength is the setting in the teeming city of Mumbai, from which the colour and atmosphere flows out of every page in this enjoyable, whimsical tale * Daily Express *A sparkling debut with a zippy plot and an endearing set of characters * The Lady *A quirky murder mystery… full of colourful characters and insightful details about human motivation * Irish Examiner *

A debut Mumbai-based “cosy” – complete with baby elephant – that keeps things heartwarming whiletackling corruption at the highest levels and violent crime at the lowest. Endearing, exotic and gripping, it setsup Inspector Chopra’s detective agency – and the elephant – for a successful series.

* The Sunday Times *Book InformationISBN 9781473612280Author Vaseem KhanFormat PaperbackPage Count 320Imprint Mulholland BooksPublisher Hodder & StoughtonWeight(grams) 229gDimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 22mm