Join me as I venture on a literary journey through the bustling streets of Bombay, the dynamic city of Bangalore, and the historical charm of Delhi and Kolkata, all in the company of some of the most renowned fictional detectives.
From savoring samosa-kachori to relishing nippatu, exploring the glamor of film city to navigating the IT capital of India, these 9 delicious desi mysteries promise to tantalize your taste buds, invite you to dance to Bollywood beats, and engage your grey cells.
What makes this journey more exciting for me is the opportunity to introduce you to my hometown, the city that holds my roots. Together, we’ll unravel the mysteries of Bangalore through two exciting mystery series that offer a unique blend of present-day intrigue and historical allure.
So, let’s dive into this captivating adventure and let the pages of these mysteries reveal the enchanting secrets of India.
#1: Bangalore Detective Agency by Harini Nagendra
Set in 1920s Bangalore, this series revolves around Kaveri, a sari-wearing detective, and her husband Ramu. Initially resigned to a quiet life, Kaveri’s world transforms during a fateful party at the Century Club, where she stumbles upon an uninvited guest in the shadows, leading to a murder.
When a vulnerable woman becomes linked to the crime, Kaveri, armed with a talent for mathematics, a logical mind, and a doctor husband, launches a private investigation. Her sleuthing takes her from an illustrious brothel to an Englishman’s mansion as she endeavors to solve the mystery and save the connected woman. Thus unfolds the captivating sleuthing adventures of the lady detective in a sari.
#2: Inspector Gowda Series by Anita Nair
The Inspector Gowda series, penned by Anita Nair, unfolds in the vibrant city of Bangalore, India. Centered around the character Inspector Borei Gowda, a seasoned detective in the Bangalore Police Department, the series delves into the gritty and realistic world of crime in contemporary Bangalore.
Inspector Gowda, a complex and multifaceted protagonist, grapples with personal and professional challenges as he tackles a variety of criminal cases. Nair’s storytelling not only captivates readers with intricate mysteries but also paints a vivid picture of the social and cultural landscape of Bangalore, making the series a compelling exploration of crime and character in an urban Indian setting.
#3: Vish Puri Mysteries by Tarquin Hall
The series features the main character Vish Puri, a private investigator based in Delhi, India. Vish Puri is often referred to as India’s Most Private Investigator and is known for his keen investigative skills and unique methods.
The novels in the series follow Vish Puri as he takes on various cases that involve a mix of mystery, humor, and a glimpse into Indian culture. The stories not only focus on the detective work but also provide insights into the social and political landscape of contemporary India.
#4: Baby Ganesh Agency Investigations by Vaseem Khan
The Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series, penned by Vaseem Khan, is a charming and whimsical detective series set in modern-day Mumbai, India. The series revolves around Inspector Ashwin Chopra, who inherits a baby elephant named Ganesha and, together, they form an unlikely detective duo.
The novels blend crime-solving with elements of humor, culture, and the unique bond between man and elephant. This series is known for its light-hearted and entertaining approach to crime fiction, offering readers a delightful mix of mystery and Indian charm.
#5: Wyndham and Banerjee by Abir Mukherjee
The Syndham and Banerjee series, written by Abir Mukherjee, is set in colonial India during the early 20th century. The series features Captain Sam Wyndham, a former Scotland Yard detective, and Sergeant Surrender-not Banerjee, his Indian colleague.
The series explore the complexities of British-Indian relations during the Raj and delve into the intricacies of crime and justice in a historical context. Mukherjee’s series is celebrated for its historical accuracy, engaging mysteries, and the dynamic partnership between its two protagonists.
#6: Parveen Mistry by Sujata Massey
Sujata Massey’s Perveen Mistry series is a captivating historical mystery collection set against the backdrop of 1920s Bombay (now Mumbai), India. The series introduces readers to Perveen Mistry, a trailblazing character as India’s first female solicitor. As the protagonist, Perveen navigates the challenges of her era with strength and independence, all while solving intricate mysteries and legal cases.
Massey skillfully weaves historical details into the narratives, offering readers a rich exploration of societal norms and cultural intricacies of early 20th-century India. The Perveen Mistry series not only provides engaging mysteries but also serves as a window into the historical and cultural tapestry of a bygone era in the Indian subcontinent.
#7: The Malabar House series by Vaseem Khan
The series centers on Inspector Persis Wadia, India’s first female police detective. As India celebrates the arrival of a momentous new decade, Persis stands vigil in the basement of Malabar House, home to the city’s most unwanted unit of police officers. The series provides a deep dive into the heart of modern India, offering readers a gripping narrative filled with suspense and intrigue.
#8: Inspector Ghote by HRF Keating
Inspector Ganesh V. Ghote is the central character in H.R.F. Keating’s long-running crime series set in Bombay (Mumbai), India. Serving in the Crime Branch of the Bombay Police, Inspector Ghote is depicted as a principled and determined detective, navigating the challenges of a bureaucratic and at times corrupt system.
The series, often characterized by its blend of crime and humor, explores a wide array of cases against the backdrop of Indian culture and society, with Ghote’s character at the forefront of numerous investigations, showcasing a commitment to justice in the face of adversity.
#9: Captain Jim and Lady Diana by Nev March
The series is set in 19th century Bombay and features Captain Jim Agnihotri and Lady Diana Framji. Diana Sinclair, a young woman with whom Jim becomes romantically involved. Diana plays a significant role in the novel, and her relationship with Jim is woven into the fabric of the mystery.
The novel not only serves as a mystery but also delves into the historical and cultural aspects of 19th-century Bombay, offering readers a rich and immersive experience.
Our journey alongside the fictional detectives who have graced these vibrant cities comes to an end here. I hope these desi mystery series
As I wrap up our journey through the mysteries of Bombay, Bangalore, and Delhi with these 9 captivating desi series, I find they have blended cultural richness with thrilling intrigue. From ‘garma-garam’ samosas to the IT corridors, each page is a delightful exploration of India’s rich cultural heritage. Let’s savor the allure of these must-read mystery series, where culinary delights and intellectual intrigue dance in unison.
The Book Decoder 
Thanks for the recommendations! I loved the first book in the Baby Ganesh series. Can’t wait to continue with the series.
😊
That’s an interesting list. Didn’t Sujata Massey have a detective series set in Japan? Or am I thinking of someone else?
I’m not a fan of Keating. From the books it would always become very obvious that he’d never seen Bombay. I would say it was as authentic as Mumbai in Across the Spiderverse.
Yes, she has written another series set in Japan.
Keating… well, it was written decades ago. Some of the older series aren’t fit for modern readers.
Thanks for the recommendations! I quite liked the first Agnihotri (although I thought it 50-100 pages longer than optimal) and have the Bangalore Detective Club book 1 on my TBR. The Baby Ganesh series sounds like a good hearty (pun intended) read. 🙂
I may have to give Massey’s Mistry series as another go as I found the patronisingly condescending didactism of her info dumps insufferable in book 1 and couldn’t finish it.
Have you read Madhulika Liddle’s Muzaffar Jang series? Mughal Dilli is a very unusual setting for an historical detective series, it’s one of my favourites. It helps that the author’s sister is a published historian whose specialty is Dilli, too.
Massey’s first book in the series might suffer from what is called “the first book problem” where everything other than mystery takes precedence. (Scene setting, series-plot setting, historical information, etc)
I haven’t heard of Liddle’s Jang series. I will check it out.
“the first book problem” Yes, I think this is what your piece has made me consider. Since my own genetically Anglo-Indian family was living in India in the time the series is set, perhaps I can skip the scene-setting debut and start from book two
I have observed this in many modern mysteries. Though the first book is the foundation for the series, it isn’t as good as the next installment.
It’s nice to know your family has Indian roots. 😊