Customer Reviews

Blood Moon Over Bengal

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Ever since watching the Masterpiece Theater dramatization of Paul Scott's Raj Quartet AKA The Jewel in the Crown, I've been interested in British Colonial India. So when I stumbled onto this book which takes place in the waning years of the British Raj (specifically 1932 Calcutta) I wouldn't have missed it! Murder mystery, imperialism, prejudice and forbidden love all combine for an enjoyable and interesting debut for this new author. Those who loved Scott's romance between English-educated Indian Hari Kumar and British born and raised Daphne Manners may also enjoy this story.

"Modern girl" Elizabeth Mainwarring has just recently inherited millions in addition to a sheep station in New Zealand on the death of her beloved mother. Elizabeth was born in India but her mother left her controlling, dictatorial, military man father when she was a child using malaria as her public reason for returning to England with her daughter. Now on her way to her inherited property in New Zealand, Elizabeth drops in (quite literally!) on her father's military compound in India to attempt reconciliation.

Major Nigel Covington-Singh is what is unkindly referred to in Brit circles, a "cheechee" or "blacky-white" meaning he is half Indian and half English. And even though his father is the Maharaja of Kashmir and his grandfather was the English Duke of Avesbury, he cannot escape the prejudice of the British with whom he works and lives among. When several Brahmin (Indian upper-class) women are savagely murdered Nigel is given the task of investigating the murders.

When his commanding officer's estranged daughter shows up quite unexpectedly, it shakes Nigel's world as he is very attracted to her. Unfortunately, there are two very good reasons that he cannot pursue her: one, she is the daughter of his boss; two, an English woman would be ruined if she consorted with an Indian man - no matter how exalted his family tree. It just is not done. But Elizabeth cannot understand such prejudice and Nigel cannot resist her and so a discreet (and steamy) romance begins. Things escalate when English women begin numbering among the killer's victims - especially women who have "consorted" with Indian men. Which makes it all the more imperative to keep their relationship under wraps and could put Elizabeth in danger. Can Nigel find the killer before another Englishwoman dies?

This is really more historical murder mystery than romance novel but I still enjoyed it as I love the setting and period in which the story takes place. If you are looking primarily for a romance, there may not be enough here for you. The murder mystery was well done as the author set up several plausible suspects and it took me a good while to figure out whodunit. And the author really brings India and the period to life for the reader. But I must say that toward the end she throws in a few unnecessary complications and sometimes she went on too long in describing fairly minor characters or situations and I found myself skimming. But I did enjoy this story and will likely check out her next book which will be set in WWII London. A promising new author.

Blood Moon Over Bengal

Prejudice digs deep in its sack of tricks to doom the relationship of Elizabeth and Nigel.

State of Bengal, 1932.

Elizabeth Mainwarring, heiress to a cheep station in New Zealand, lands her plane in Calcutta, on a military runway, for a last go at mending relations with her estranged father, Colonel Andrew Mainwarring, (C.O.) commanding officer of the post.

No sooner has she vacated her plane that a crossed security officer, Major Nigel Covington-Singh intercepts her. This Major breathes military protocol, and they quickly clash over breached security measures. Meanwhile the confrontation insidiously promises a future relationship.

Separately, both are strongly discouraged in pursuing a relationship as the British officers and wives on the post consider the Major, of mixed race, beneath their station. Despite this fact, it is well known that handsome Nigel would be a catch to a couple of uppity wives.

Half English and half Indian, Nigel feels that Elizabeth is his superior as per the local prejudice, and primarily out of reach -- her being the daughter of his commanding officer.

Having spent her teens and adult life in Britain, Elizabeth is too modern to let prejudice govern her relations. But unbeknownst to her, the dashing officer is an Indian prince! When she does find out ... Elizabeth feels unworthy of such a relationship. Nigel would never contemplate a future with her, on a sheep farm of all places! Thus updated on the politics and his family status, her relationship with Nigel becomes strained.

Meanwhile Nigel seeks a promotion and to be considered for one he must resolve a slew of murders, which has put the post in total panic with the ladies. The killer has killed Indian women but recently has targeted British women, who venture outside their own race. Nigel knows that the "Bengal Killer" has now targeted Elizabeth despite their rare appearances together.

The dangerous flavor of India's jungles mixed with the political climate will provide readers a read they soon won't forget.

The author's cast of characters is superbly done. I found myself caring in `one way or another' for all of them.

And, having served in the military myself, I must say that the author is bang on with the dependant's way of life - rumor mill and all. Kudos to the author.

The mystery never stops. The ongoing relationships within the cast of characters will thrill you, literally. The prejudice is well presented. The forbidden love enthralling.

Kudos to the author. Looking for more...Miss McKendrick Pippin.

The action takes place in India in 1932. "Ultra-modern" Elizabeth Mainwarring has inherited a fortune and a sheep farm in New Zealand. After her mother abandoned her father when she was a child, she grew up in England and decides to visit her father to try to get closer to him. She arrives with her best friend and companion Fiona in an unforgettable way. They arrived in an old flyer, Elizabeth being the pilot and doing an emergency landing on a parade ground.

Major Nigel Covington-Singh is the son of an Indian maharaja and the grandson of an British duke. He has been educated in England, and is trying to make a career for himself, without the help or influence of his father. He has to face a lot of prejudices and as soon as he sees Elizabeth feels a powerful attraction to her, but he knows that no British father wants a blacky-white near his daughter.

Lately, people are worried because of the violent murders of women. Nigel is in charge of the investigation and he suspects than the killer is British and that this is not the first time or place he has acted. Soon he fears that Elizabeth could be the next victim, since it seems the killer is attacking women who are involved with men of other races.

I don't have words to describe this book. The author makes a great work placing us in the middle of the British Colonial India. I could imagine everything perfectly as if I was watching a movie, since she covers all: the clothes, the weather, the gossip and intrigues, the prejudices, the political turmoil, etc. And the suspense is great too. Who is this killer and who will be the next victim? And for the romance, I really like Nigel and Elizabeth. Their characterization is great, and they are very interesting with virtues and flaws. And they are so perfect to each other, in spite of all their differences. They so deserve a happy ending. There is also a whole cast of secondary characters very well developed.

I love the book, and it is amazing that this is the first book the author has published. I hope she will write more stories in this particular period as well as in others that are not so frequent. I can't hardly wait for her next novel.

In an exotic locale, prejudice digs deep in its sack of tricks to doom an attraction between Elizabeth and Nigel.

State of Bengal, 1932.

Elizabeth Mainwarring, heiress to a cheep station in New Zealand, lands her plane in Calcutta, on a military runway, for a last go at mending relations with her estranged father, Colonel Andrew Mainwarring, (C.O.) commanding officer of the post.

No sooner has she vacated her plane that a crossed security officer, Major Nigel Covington-Singh intercepts her. This Major breathes military protocol. They clash over breached security measures. Meanwhile the confrontation insidiously promises a future relationship.

Separately, both are strongly discouraged in pursuing a relationship as the British officers and wives on the post consider the Major, of mixed race, beneath their station. Despite this fact, it is well known that handsome Nigel would be a catch to a couple of uppity wives.

Half English and half Indian, Nigel feels that Elizabeth is his superior as per the local prejudice, and primarily out of reach -- her being the daughter of his commanding officer.

Having spent her teens and adult life in Britain, Elizabeth is too modern to let prejudice govern her relations. But unbeknownst to her, the dashing officer is an Indian prince! When she does find out ... Elizabeth feels unworthy of such a relationship. Nigel would never contemplate a future with her, on a sheep farm of all places! Thus updated on the politics and his family status, her relationship with Nigel becomes strained.

Meanwhile Nigel seeks a promotion and to be considered for one he must resolve a slew of murders, which has put the post in total panic with the ladies. The killer has killed Indian women but recently has targeted British women, who venture outside their own race. Nigel knows that the "Bengal Killer" has now targeted Elizabeth despite their rare appearances together.

The dangerous flavor of India's jungles mixed with the political climate will provide readers a read they soon won't forget.

The author's cast of characters is superbly done. I found myself caring in 'one way or another' for all of them.

And, having served in the military myself, I must say that the author is bang on with the dependant's way of life - rumor mill and all. Kudos to the author.

The mystery never stops. The ongoing relationships within the cast of characters will thrill you, literally. The prejudice is well presented. The forbidden love enthralling.

Kudos to the author. Looking for more...Miss McKendrick Pippin.

Set in Calcutta, State of Bengal, 1932. Elizabeth Mainwarring was en route to New Zealand, where she has a sheep station and land full of oil. However, before she finally settles down in New Zealand, Elizabeth stops in Calcutta to visit her estranged father, Colonel Andrew Mainwarring, in hopes of mending the breach. The area is already in disarray due to several recent murders.

Major Nigel Covington-Singh is the youngest of the Maharaja of Kashmir's three sons. Even though he is a prince and an officer, the British officers and wives consider him beneath them in station. Nigel is a "wog", half English and half Indian. That does not mean that those snobbish wives do not try to seduce Nigel though. The man is very handsome. Nigel is part of the team investigating the "Bengal Killer". The killer has killed many Indian women already. Recently the killer began targeting the British women, but only those who have been with men outside their own race.

Elizabeth and Nigel cannot help the attraction they feel for each other. Elizabeth is too modern to care what others will think of her for dating Nigel, but feels as though she is not worthy of an Indian Prince. Interestingly enough, Nigel feels that she is his superior. The biggest problem they face, though, is the killer. And the killer now has Elizabeth penned as his next target.

***** This mystery-thriller has the taste of a Regency romance with the dangerous flavor of India's jungles mixed in. The only thing missing was the glorious ball rooms of London. But the majestic ball rooms of Bengal are just as breathtaking! The author set a murder mystery AND thriller plot during a volatile time in Bengal history. At this time, Bengal was still going for Home Rule (self government). The author added in several secondary characters that I could not help but care for. Fiona, Elizabeth's friend and companion, is but one example. I never found myself growing bored either. The mystery is ongoing, the thrills are non-stop, and there are lots of scandalous opportunities presenting themselves for my entertainment. Very well done! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

First of all, I loved the cover. Never mind that the Taj Mahal isn't in Bengal; at least I knew this would be set in India and that was an immediate attraction. The woman's goggles and scarf suggested early 20th Century aviation, another interesting element. And the guy looked like he might be Indian or at least half-caste. Unfortunately, that great cover didn't cover a great book. The heroine was no aviatrix -- she crash landed at the beginning of the book and flying never entered the picture after that. The hero is indeed half Indian and half British, so that much was correct. And the cover did it's job in getting me to buy the book.

I really wanted to rave about this book. The plot was all right and there were no gaping holes in it. The mystery element worked well. The weakness, however was that I found the characters to be little more than stereotypes. The bigoted British officers, their even more bigoted British wives, the slang-talking young people (the glossary is at the back of the book; too bad I didn't know until I'd finished the book) -- no one really broke any molds. In fact, I often had difficulty telling them apart because no one had enough depth.

The romance is pretty much lust at first sight but it works out well. I wish there had been more exploration of the emotional aspect of their relationship, but the difficulties were never really insurmountable so there was little doubt all would live happily ever after.

But the real shortcoming was the lack of a sense of India. Hot and humid, yes, but there should have been more of the culture and history and atmosphere, even the politics. Or at least I would have liked more. YMMV. There were only a few token native people included, and never in positions where they really impacted the story or the main characters. India itself hardly figured; virtually all the action took place within the British colonial atmosphere of clubs and bungalows.

The mystery added to the interest, however, and while the resolution wasn't a total surprise, at least it wasn't what everyone else in the story expected.

So yeah, it was a decent read, nothing wallbanging about it, but not quite the great story I was expecting.

I would have bought Blood Moon Over Bengal just because of its setting. I mean, how often do you get a romance novel set in 1930s India? But the storyline sounded interesting, too, kind of like one of those old MM Kaye Death In books.

I'm giving this one a very, very qualified recommendation. I had many issues, especially with the characterization and the writing, but the vivid setting and a romance and suspense subplot that became ok in the second half of the book, made up for it for me.

It's 1932 and heiress Elizabeth Mainwarring decides to have a go at reconciling with her estranged father before continuing on her way to her newly-inherited oil-rich sheep station in New Zealand. So off Elizabeth goes in her airplane to Calcutta, where her father holds an important military post.

The first person she meets when she crash-lands in the middle of a parade ground is officer Nigel Covington-Singh, son of an Indian maharaja and the English daughter of a duke. Elizabeth and Nigel are immediately very attracted to each other, but even with Nigel's very high birth, interracial relationships are still a no-no in British India.

Adding to the tension is the fact that Calcutta is being terrorized by a serial killer, who, after some murders among the Indian population (which no one paid much attention to), has started targeting British women, especially those who dare have contact with men of a different race. The investigation into the killings falls to Nigel, who needs to find the truth between huge pressures to find an (Indian) culprit and fast, and the need to protect Elizabeth as their relationship develops, because this makes her a prime target for the killer.

Pippin is a new author and I think that even if I hadn't known that as I started the book, I would have figured it out. There's just a certain awkwardness there, especially in the initial sections of the book. I think my main problem was with the characterization, with how most characters felt like caricatures, rather than like real people. Their reactions were way over-the-top, and the dialogue felt stiff.

Also, for all that I found Pippin's portrayal of her setting and her exploration of the main issues of the time fascinating (and, in fact, I thought this was the very best thing about the book), I can't deny that at times, this just wasn't naturally integrated into the story. Sometimes (and especially at the beginning of the book) you could see the author's hand very clearly, as she introduced characters solely for the purpose of expounding at length about this or that, whether it was believable or not that they would do so, usually using slang that felt self-conscious to me.

The romance didn't start out well, either. I very much liked Elizabeth, but at first, I just couldn't "get" Nigel. My first impression of him was that he was a seriously angry man, and it got tiresome after a while, even if I do wholeheartedly agree that he had reason to be angry. Just not at Elizabeth! I also got tired of the constant miscommunication between them, with each time and again assuming the worst possible interpretation of the other's behaviour. Did Elizabeth not throw herself at Nigel the minute he made an advance at her? Why, she's obviously disgusted because he's Anglo-Indian!

Plus, there's a whole lot of telling and not showing in the romance. We're told about how Nigel is sooooo lusting after Elizabeth, but it's just that: told. I didn't feel it, didn't feel I was being shown that.

This improved as the story advanced, though, and by the end of the book, both the suspense and the romance had acquired momentum and were proceeding very naturally and enjoyably. Nigel mellowed quite a bit, and I was finally able to understand him more, and I liked his pursuit of Elizabeth. As for Elizabeth, I especially appreciated how she was very much a creature of her time... a woman with certain aspects I recognized as modern, but with certain attitudes which would seem old-fashioned now.

Even with those problems I had with it, I found BMOB very promising. Pippin's new book, Blood Moon Over Britain, is out already, and though it's not related to this one at all, in spite of the title, it's got a setting that's just as unique: WWII Britain. I'm so getting it!

Blood Moon Over Bengal is a wonderful book filled with suspense and sexual tension. It's a must read for all Romantic Suspense readers. I'm looking forward to more books from Morag McKendrick Pippin in the near future.

I loved this book! I was enrapt with the unusual setting--it really made me hungry for Indian food! The hero is just dishy and dashing, and the suspense moved the story right along. I really rooted for a happy ending for those two.

Now I'm hungry again! Very recommended read.

In 1932 near Calcutta, Elizabeth Mainwaring lands her plane in a forbidden zone. Half-breed major Nigel Covington-Singh lectures her until he learns she is the daughter of his Commander. Still he warns her to be careful as the British are not very popular in Bengal.

Elizabeth finds herself very attracted to Nigel. He reciprocates, but knows that any relationship between them is dangerous for both of them as this is considered taboo. Nigel is also concerned how the British authorities have ignored the serial killing of natives until one of their own is murdered. Struggling to resolve his love for Elizabeth with her safety while trying to solve a series of homicides yet remain a good soldier, Nigel is pulled in numerous ways that leave unsure what to do.

BLOOD MOON OVER BENGAL is more a historical tale than a romance although there is an exciting star-crossed lovers' sub-plot. The story line enables the audience to look deeply into Bengal society in 1932 in which the native caste system has a British top loaded onto the hierarchal pyramid. The mystery is intriguing more in terms of the light it shines on the era. Fans of historical tales with romantic and mystery underpinnings will appreciate this fine look back.

Harriet Klausner