THE SILVERSMITH'S PUZZLE

After exposing clever killers in colonial India, at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, and aboard a transatlantic ship, former Indian soldier and occasional sleuth James Agnihotri, aka Jim O’Trey, and Lady Diana Framji are back in London when another baffling whodunit presents itself. Diana’s brother, Adi, who’s sent James an urgent cable—“NEED HELP PLEASE COME”— anxiously explains that he’s the prime suspect in the murder of his business partner, silversmith Satya Rastogi. Solving the murder and exonerating Adi involves a return to Bombay, with Adi disguised as a woman. Captain Jim and Lady Diana’s fourth adventure unfolds in short, titled chapters narrated by Jim in a jaunty first person, each adding a small piece to the complex solution. Jim’s probe begins at Adi’s factory, where surgical tools are made. The employees he questions seem frightened to talk to him. After he has a similar conversation with Bala Mali, the elderly gardener is brutally attacked. There’s a hidden key in Satya’s office that may unlock secrets. Subsequent interviews around the city paint a shady side of Satya, who’s been secretly trying to borrow a large sum of money. A Zoroastrian temple and the imperial mint provide more clues. Diana, feeling the intense scrutiny of her family, is anxious to depart. But the solution comes only at the end of a long and winding road packed with historic detail and local color.

May 13, 2025 - 05:23

After exposing clever killers in colonial India, at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, and aboard a transatlantic ship, former Indian soldier and occasional sleuth James Agnihotri, aka Jim O’Trey, and Lady Diana Framji are back in London when another baffling whodunit presents itself. Diana’s brother, Adi, who’s sent James an urgent cable—“NEED HELP PLEASE COME”— anxiously explains that he’s the prime suspect in the murder of his business partner, silversmith Satya Rastogi. Solving the murder and exonerating Adi involves a return to Bombay, with Adi disguised as a woman. Captain Jim and Lady Diana’s fourth adventure unfolds in short, titled chapters narrated by Jim in a jaunty first person, each adding a small piece to the complex solution. Jim’s probe begins at Adi’s factory, where surgical tools are made. The employees he questions seem frightened to talk to him. After he has a similar conversation with Bala Mali, the elderly gardener is brutally attacked. There’s a hidden key in Satya’s office that may unlock secrets. Subsequent interviews around the city paint a shady side of Satya, who’s been secretly trying to borrow a large sum of money. A Zoroastrian temple and the imperial mint provide more clues. Diana, feeling the intense scrutiny of her family, is anxious to depart. But the solution comes only at the end of a long and winding road packed with historic detail and local color.