The Palace Tiger: A Detective Joe Sandilands Mystery [Hardcover]

Barbara Cleverly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 2005

India, 1922: Joe Sandilands, Scotland Yard detective, is staying with Governor Sir George Jardine in Simla when there is some unexpected news. Sir George sends Joe off to the Princely State of Ranipur in the company of Edgar Troop, an experienced hunter, at the request of the Maharajah, an old ally of the British. A man-eating tiger is terrorizing the northern villages, and the two men are invited to join a hunting party in the forest. But the quality of the weaponry with which Sir George supplies him raises Joe’s suspicions. The rifle will be perfect for the tiger, but why has he also been issued with the small Browning M pistol, designed for use on human targets?

The Maharajah is dying and the succession is unclear. His first son has recently been killed in a panther-related incident. Then a second son dies dramatically before Joe’s eyes. The third and last remaining son—the favorite successor in the eyes of the British—is only twelve years old.

In the luxurious setting of the Maharajah’s court with its array of powerful, scheming characters, Joe must track down a clever murderer—all under the mocking and hostile eye of the ruthless Chief of State Police.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. The fourth Joe Sandilands whodunit (after 2004's The Damascened Blade) places Cleverly in the first rank of historical mystery writers; with each successive novel, she has displayed an increasingly impressive ability to depict a convincing, three-dimensional colonial India through the perspective of her rugged, insightful sleuth, who balances acumen and action. This time, Sandilands, a Scotland Yarder whose temporary posting to the Raj keeps getting extended, investigates the death of an Indian royal prince. As the maharajah, the dead man's father, is himself in failing health, and the future leadership of his domain is of vital importance to the British, Sandilands must ascertain whether foul play was involved. But as soon as Sandilands arrive on the scene, the next heir to the throne falls victim to a fatal accident. The detective divides his attention between unraveling the hidden alliances within the royal family and seeking to protect the maharajah's third son, the new presumptive heir. Cleverly's trademark twisty plotting rises to new heights, and while the clues are all hidden in plain sight, even veteran mystery readers may find it a considerable challenge to arrive at the correct solution. As the author's research and period detail are exemplary, this should have crossover appeal to Paul Scott readers and others fascinated with the waning years of the British Raj.
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From Booklist

Scotland Yard inspector Joseph Sandilands is once again in India visiting Governor Sir George Jardine. It is 1922, and the Maharajah of Ranipur, a British ally, has requested assistance. A man-eating tiger is terrorizing the villagers, so the governor sends Sandilands and Edgar Troop, an experienced hunter, to kill it. The tiger, however, turns out to be the least of their problems. The maharajah is dying, and the line of succession is unclear. His first son died in a suspicious incident involving a panther, and the second died in a plane crash. The remaining son, only 12 years old, is the British favorite to succeed his father. Sandilands and Troop must ensure his survival while tracking down the murderer and navigating the rough terrain of the palace social order. As always, Cleverly (The Last Kasmiri Rose, 2002; Ragtime in Simla, 2003; The Damascened Blade, 2004) draws readers into the British raj with colorful historical details, a complex plot, and fascinating characters. This fine addition to the series will please readers who enjoy visiting colonial India. Barbara Bibel
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf; First Edition edition (July 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786715723
• ISBN-13: 978-0786715725
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #705,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara Cleverly is a former teacher and a graduate of Durham University who now lives in Cambridge. Her debut, The Last Kashmiri Rose, was a New York Times Notable Book of 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a completely riveting and absorbing read, September 27, 2005

By 

tregatt (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Palace Tiger: A Detective Joe Sandilands Mystery (Hardcover)

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!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating historical mystery, September 7, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Palace Tiger (Joe Sandilands Murder Mysteries) (Paperback)

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

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing, August 1, 2006

By 

Bookreporter (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Palace Tiger: A Detective Joe Sandilands Mystery (Hardcover)

"Heard someone say the other day, `Where Sandilands goes, trouble follows.' Come on, Joe, live up to your reputation --- enliven our dull lives,'" remarks a character in the opening pages of THE PALACE TIGER.

Scotland Yard detective and WWI hero Joe Sandilands already has experienced his share of excitement while on assignment in 1920s India. In his fourth outing, he is drawn into a world of royal intrigue. Joe's detecting and diplomatic skills are put to the test as he solves a series of murders while navigating the tenuous political line between the ruling British and the government of the princely state of Ranipur.

The maharaja, the ruler of Ranipur, is terminally ill, and the line of succession is in question after the death of his eldest son in an incident first believed an accident and then determined to be murder. Along with a colleague, the enigmatic Edgar Troop, Joe is sent to Ranipur under the pretense of taking part in a hunting party to track down a rogue tiger that has been attacking villagers.

Before Edgar and Joe arrive at the royal palace, another fatality occurs. This time it's the second of the maharaja's sons, whose demise also appears to be accidental until clues are uncovered that suggest otherwise. Unable to act in an official capacity because of political restrictions, Joe is tasked with discreetly investigating the murders and with protecting the maharaja's last living son, Bahadur, from harm.

No sooner does Joe arrive in Ranipur than he finds himself embroiled in the private lives of the palace's inhabitants, among them Madeleine, the widow of the slain second son; Stuart, Madeleine's brother and a former World War I fighter pilot; Claude Vyvyan, British Regent of Ranipur, and his secretive wife, Lois; Shubhada, the ruler's unconventional third wife; and Udai Singh, the reigning maharaja.

In THE PALACE TIGER, Barbara Cleverly unfolds a classic whodunit against an exotic backdrop. Her descriptions of the palace, from courtyards bursting with colorful blooms to winding marble corridors and gilded rooms to the customs and practices that take place within its walls, are intriguing enough. Add to that a clever mystery and a dashing detective, and it makes for an appealing read.

The character of Joe Sandilands is without a doubt the main draw. Just as the major players in this drama are compelled to confide in him, readers too will be drawn in by his intelligence, confidence, kindness, and quiet authority. But even Joe had better heed the advice given to him by his mentor, Sir George Jardine: "There are man-eaters in Ranipur, certainly ones with four legs but quite probably another prowling the corridors on two legs." As Joe discovers, Sir George is not far off the mark.

--- Reviewed by Shannon McKenna