Book Review: ‘The Shadows of Men’ by Abir Mukherjee

This was one of my most anticipated novels of 2021 – I have absolutely loved all the mysteries featuring Captain Sam Wyndham and his partner, Sergeant Surendranath Banerjee set in Colonial India during the 1920s. This is the fifth book in the series and was out on 11th November.

You’re going to need a copy of this one!

The plot opens explosively – a prominent Hindu theologian is murdered and Sergeant Banerjee arrested for the crime. The killing sparks riots across Calcutta between Hindus and Muslims and Captain Sam Wyndham is thrown into the case of his life – one that has impossibly high political stakes and determines the fate of his partner.

This book had all the things I’ve come to expect – indeed, all the things that mark it out as top-level historical fiction. The sense of setting in time and place is beautifully done – we move from the slums of Calcutta to bustling Bombay, from posh hotels to seedy opium dens, from police stations to opulent private apartments. All this is done seamlessly with historical and local detail woven into the narrative, I had no real idea about the tensions between Hindus, Muslims and the British in Colonial India – yet I do now, with no sense that I’ve been fed a dry history lesson.

The plotting is also clever and the story genuinely tense. Previous books have focused more on the British Captain Wyndham, but this novel brings Sergeant Banerjee to the fore in alternate chapters to Sam’s narration. It’s really fabulous to hear Banerjee’s voice so vividly and experience his perspective. Gone is the man referred to by the Anglicised name of Surrender-Not and instead we have Surendranath Banerjee – an Indian man who increasingly struggles with his place in the police force run by the oppressive British in 1920s India, The subtleties of his character are explored beautifully and there is real character progression from previous books.

As a British reader, it is horrifically eye-opening to read about the entrenched racism within the period of the Raj. The fact that Sam’s life in India is so different to Surendranath’s is evident throughout – from the way they are treated, their expectations, the places they can go – and it is shocking. Mukherjee presents all this in a matter-of-fact way that really got under my skin – it’s an uncomfortable reading experience at times, exactly as it should be.

All this makes the book sound weighty and serious. In some ways it is, but Mukherjee also adds some excellent comic touches that keep the book entertaining and enjoyable. I laughed out loud at Wyndham having to take directions from his hostage in the unfamiliar city streets and there were lots of bits that were warm and affectionate and humorous, especially in the relationship between Sam and Surendranath.

I liked that this book had some interesting female characters too – Colonial India was really all about male power and status, so it was good that two women in particular come to the foreground in the novel. They appear as well-rounded characters too, not just plot devices – so top marks from me on that front!

I honestly could write forever about this book – it managed to balance being page-turningly exciting, engaging and humorous, but also deeply thought-provoking. Wyndham, Banerjee and Colonial-era politics now have a permanent position in my brain – and Banerjee in my heart!

Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Header photo by Martin Jernberg on Unsplash.