Novel spanning 500 years set in MURANO / VENICE
Murder mystery set in a spa complex above RISHIKESH
15th December 2023
Death in the Air by Ram Murali, murder mystery set in a spa complex above Rishikesh, in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Welcome to Samsara, a smart and super expensive spa above Rishikesh, in the foothills of the Himalayas. It attracts wealthy and wonderful people, offering medicinal healing and bodily therapy to loosen those overworked bones and minds. A Swiss inspired facility with yoga, steaming and bathing.
We meet Ro Krishna first in Bermuda as the book opens (there aren’t many novels set in Bermuda, so that was a bonus) and then he travels via London and Paris to India, where he settles into the cushioned comfort of the spa over the Christmas period. We have already met some of his friends, and the scene has been set for his stay. He notes the arrival of the owner, Mrs Banerjee (Mrs B), a flamboyant woman, who utters the prescient and immortal words: “It’s not like the West here, you see. People have secrets. Things to hide…” Indeed.
Then, one of the residents is found dead. Who, amongst the privileged inmates might be behind this? It becomes clear that the victim has been hit with a stone. Inspector Singh arrives and Ro is commandeered by Mrs B to be an overseer – after all, a potentially suspicious death at place like this is not good for business – and so he brings his acumen to this very important role. Interviews are carried out by the inspector in a speedily revamped room, where, from behind a one-way screen, Mrs B and Ro sit and eat popcorn, whilst observing the interviewees being questioned. This offers ample opportunity for running commentary and hypothesising.
The author has clearly been heavily inspired by the works of Agatha Christie. All the components have been carefully assembled and choreographed, the lush setting makes a good prop for the unfolding story and the characters have been given their backstories and context; there are sly observations on colonialism and class, and humorous interludes to relieve the tension. But for me this novel never developed into a compelling read. It felt like an exercise in story construction, but without the spontaneity of natural, relaxed storytelling. The author’s bio, included with our ARC copy, details his incredible achievements on so many fronts, noting especially his tremendous academic history; in view of that, it feels like the author was perhaps writing overwhelmingly from his head, not from his heart, where the passion and feelings of his characters might have garnered deeper expression. Storytelling from both the head and heart would have taken the novel up to the next level. As it was, the narrative felt a little too stilted, stiff and contrived for my taste.
Tina for the TripFiction Team
Thank you to Atlantic Books for an early copy.
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