The Palace Tiger

A man-eating tiger (not as melodramatic in context as it sounds in this review) is terrorizing villagers in the state of Ranipur, India. The Maharaja Udai Singh has sent for his old friend, the big-game hunter Edgar Troop to organise a hunt, who jumps at the chance to by of assistance - taking Joe Sandilands (our detective/protagonist) along with him for the ride. But once Joe arrives in the province, he realizes that there are more than vicious tigers endangering the people; as another character tells him: "there are man-eaters about in Ranipur, certainly one with stripes and four legs, but quite possibly another prowling the corridors on two legs." It is not long before Joe is investigating the seemingly-accidental deaths of the Maharaja's first two sons, killed by a panther and in an airplane accident respectively. With the Maharaja swiftly succumbing to cancer, it seems that the line of inheritance now falls to his bright and confident (and illegitimate son) Bahadur. Joe finds himself trapped in court intrigue, in which the Maharajah's three wives vye for power, white officials manipulate Britain's agenda behind-the-scenes and two people find themselves in very grave danger: the twelve-year old heir to the throne, and the last prince's widowed wife - a young American woman who is now stranded in a hostile environment. Joe discreetly begins his investigations, meeting and interviewing a wide range of interesting and colourful characters (so interesting in fact, that I wish the book had a bit more padding in order for us to get to know them better) and uncovering a viper's nest of intrigue and ambition. As usual, the setting and atmosphere is spot-on - I could almost feel the heat of India wafting off the pages of the book, along with all the sounds and smells and sights that Cleverly describes so vividly. For the time it took me to read this book (which wasn't very long, considering I raced through the pages), I was in India. Out of all her novels, this one is quite reminiscent of M.M. Kaye's The Far Pavilions, particularly in the portrayal of life in the Indian court. Likewise, I appreciated the grey-areas of characterization and motivation in the wide cast of characters: everyone has their own secrets and agendas, which can make several bump heads with each other, whilst still being perfectly amiable toward Joe. Behind every smile and polite word seems to be a cunning mind, all bent on their own ambition and desires. Consequently, for the first time Joe is entirely on his own, separated from a trustworthy companion or "sidekick" that he can turn to for advice. His isolation is palpable, and the sense that he's wading in dangerous waters is clear throughout. Perhaps "The Palace Tiger" not the most successful of her stories in terms of resolution: Joe goes through several "solutions" as to who the culprit is, some of the earlier ones being more likely than the final resolution. However, Cleverly once again delivers exactly what I've co

It is rare that I cannot solve a mystery long before the book ends, let alone be fooled as I was with this wonderful mystery. I like that. In The Palace Tiger Cleverly manages to combine the traditional post WW I English House Party murder mystery sub genre with the complicated relationships of the Raj period in India. She is also an excellent writer. As with her previous Joe Sandilands in India mysteries, Cleverly gives abundant clues as to the complex aspects of Indian and British cultures that provide the motives for the crimes, but in such a subtle way that she does not make it easy for the reader to guess the outcome. I found myself awakening at 4 am when about 2/3 rds of the way through this book, with a sudden insight into who had perpetrated the crimes. In an odd way I was partially right, but not for the reasons I had originally thought. I have not yet read any of the later Sandilands books that take place in England and France, but I suspect that I will miss the brilliantly depicted sights, sounds, scents, colors, foods, and heat of India that make up such a large part of these excellent mysteries.

This is my first Joe Sandilands book, but it will not be my last. The characters are great and the history presented is fascinating.

In 1922 Scotland Yard detective Joe Sandilands is staying with Governor Sir George Jardine in Simla, India when the Maharajah of Ranipur asks for some help. Sir George asks Joe to help, which he agrees. He will accompany hunter Edgar Troop as they join a party tracking and killing a man-eating tiger preying on the villagers. Sir George provides Joe with a rifle designed for hunting four legged animals and a Browning M pistol used to kill the deadliest species known two legged beasts. Upon arriving in Ranipur, Joe finds the Maharajah near death and his heir Bishan recently killed by a panther. When the next in line son dies in front of Joe, he obviously becomes suspicious of foul play but by whom. The only one to gain with these deaths is the youngest son, a preadolescent who is the favorite of the British Empire even as the cop wonders whether his country authorized murder. THE PALACE TIGER is a fascinating historical mystery that brings to life 1920s India. The story line is fast paced, filled with action, and plenty of twists including a shocking finish. Joe is a terrific protagonist who feels like an outsider as he makes inquiries that are resented by the Maharaja's family especially his second wife and the local law enforcement. Readers will appreciate this powerful tale and seek out other Raj mysteries (see THE LAST KASHMIRI ROSE) by Barbara Cleverly (perfect name for this author). Harriet Klausner

Once again Barbara Cleverly delivers: "The Palace Tiger" is yet another Joe Sandilands mystery novel that is full of cunning plot twists and turns, red herring suspects and a storyline that's full of suspense and intrigue -- and all set in a lush and colourful India of the British Raj. Because a man-eating tiger seems is on the loose in Ranipur, its ruler, Udai Singh, requests that the well known adventurer, Edgar Troop, come up to help kill it. And because he is feeling bored and completely at loose ends, Joe Sandilands gladly agrees to accompany Troop to Ranipur when Troop asks him if he'd like to come along for the adventure. Once there, however, both Sandilands and Troop quickly realize that a man-eating tiger is the least of the rich and wily Udai Singh's problems. The kingdom is facing a real crisis because both of Udai Singh's legitimate sons have fallen victim to freak accidents, leaving the principality without legitimate heirs to take over -- of course there is the King's twelve-year-old illegitimate son, Bahadur. And as Sandilands ponders on Udai Singh's singularly bad luck, a question looms in his mind: were the two princes victims of circumstance, or were they victims of a ruthless killer? Determined to protect Bahadur, Sandilands begins to hunt for answers, and so begins the hunt for a very dangerous killer who seems to stalk the very corridors of the palace... "The Palace Tiger" is yet another thrilling and suspenseful installment in the Joseph Sandliands mystery series that demands that one finish the book in one go. So that even though I'm not an absolute fan of the series (it is difficult to be a real fan when Cleverly's portrayals of the Indians tends to fall along stereotypical lines: they're either unscrupulous and always smiling or else they're really foolish and always smiling), honesty compels me to admit that Ms. Cleverly knows how to write a good, riveting read that will keep you happily engrossed till the very last page. Complete with a cast of fascintating characters, vivid imagery, atmosphere and an absorbing and intriguing storyline, "The Palace Tiger" was a riveting read from beginning to end. But I have to admit, even though I did enjoy "The Palace Tiger," to being thankful that Barbara Cleverly's next Joseph Sandilands mystery novel will take place in England. Perhaps now I will be able to enjoy this series without reservations!