Set against the backdrop of imperial Britain’s zenith, The Lascar Mysteries: A Fate Unwritten is a riveting narrative that plunges into the depths of the 1856 maritime world, where the East India Company reigned with an iron fist over the azure expanses. This is a world where lascars—the backbone of the British maritime leviathan—are wrenched from their homes and compelled to fuel the perpetual engines of empire, enduring the relentless assault of the sea and the biting cold of foreign climes.In the thick of these toiling masses is Arun Varma, who seems to be but a humble cook aboard the HMS Bengal. Yet, his is a tale of a sharp-witted, educated man, pulled from a life of intellectual pursuit by tragedy. Dreams of scholarly achievements and poetic endeavours are dashed when he is catapulted into the role of sole provider for his bereaved family after his father’s sudden demise. It is this vulnerability that Kabir Khan exploits, luring Arun with the veneer of opportunity, only to shackle him to the grim reality of servitude under the East India Company.As the story unfolds, Arun’s ordinary existence is swept up into the sinister undercurrents of Victorian London, where he inadvertently becomes embroiled in a menacing conspiracy of murder and deception. His unexpected collaboration with a Scotland Yard Inspector takes the reader through a maze of intrigue, leading to the dark heart of the empire where justice is a rare commodity. It’s a journey that will test his mettle, his intellect, and his courage as he becomes an unwitting detective, navigating through the enigmatic and perilous lanes of the city, determined to untangle the mysteries that threaten not only his life but the very fabric of the society he has come to know.The Lascar Mysteries: A Fate Unwritten promises an exhilarating adventure of historical suspense, exploring the resilience of the human spirit against the vast and oppressive forces of colonial power.
Delve into the narrative tapestry woven by B R Bhanu, an emergent storyteller who has transitioned from a career in commerce to the venerable craft of writing. Bhanu’s foray into literature is marked by a dedication to crafting narratives that captivate and resonate deeply with his audience. He possesses a unique talent for conjuring stories from the obscure recesses of history and the chilling voids of the human psyche.
Bhanu’s literary creations transport readers into atmospheres laden with suspense and shadow. His settings range from the ghostly silhouettes of ancient manors and the luminescent expanses of desolate heaths to the serpentine alleys of bygone eras where whispers of secrets abound, and perils lurk at every turn.
His narratives are a homage to timeless folklore, cryptic enigmas, and the limitless realms of his imagination, resulting in tales that are as exquisitely crafted as they are thrilling.
The characters crafted by Bhanu are memorable and complex, featuring detectives with a touch of old-world charm and villains whose sinister plans are as deep and dark as the ocean’s trenches. These characters leap off the page, ensnaring readers in a whirlwind of feelings, suspense, and intrigue.
But Bhanu’s identity extends beyond his written words. He is a voracious seeker of hidden stories, reviving forgotten sagas with renewed vigour and contemporary flair. To Bhanu, every shadow tells a story, every dilapidated structure whispers secrets, and he is the medium through which these silent voices find expression in our world.
Customer
Reviews
3 reviews
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This book had me hooked from the start! I'm a big fan of murder mystery books and I loved how this book had a very captivating and engrossing narrative while also exploring the life of a lascar under British rule.
Can't wait for another book by Bhanu!
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On the whole, this is an exciting, enjoyable book. I just wish the author had been a little less wordy (or is that ‘verbose’?), because it does sometimes interfere with the flow of the book and makes it more complicated.
I hear there’s another instalment coming soon, and I’d like to see where the story is going, so I’ll probably read it.
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The first thing that gripped me with this book was its backdrop of a little-known part of British colonial rule in India - the lascars. It’s a fascinating account of life from the point of view of an indentured lascar. Layered over this backdrop is a thrilling murder mystery story, navigating the merchant navy ships and London’s winding back streets.
Bringing this story to life is Bhanu’s evocative writing, evoking scenes and senses through his prose.
As a first novel, it explores new territory in the lascar world and delivers a gripping, well-paced tale. I am anticipating bigger and better things from this author’s future novels.
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