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Read The Palace Tiger (2005)

The Palace Tiger (2005)

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Rating
3.73 of 5 Votes: 2
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ISBN
0786715723 (ISBN13: 9780786715725)
Language
English
Publisher
carroll & graf

The Palace Tiger (2005) - Plot & Excerpts

I received an advance reading copy of the Palace Tiger, which went on sale 7/25/06, by Barbara Cleverly. I had not previously read any of her works and was not aware until I received it that there was a series of books based on the character Joe Sandilands.All in all, the book was well-worth the read and I anticipate going back to her earlier works to read some more.The book is set in India in 1922 and features a ranging cast of characters including the main character Joe Sandilands, a Scotland Yard investigator, who has been asked to visit the principality of Ranipur, where the deaths to two sons of the Maharajah, have occurred. More disconcerting is the fact that the Maharajah himself has cancer and will die soon, requiring a transition of the throne.Sandilands is joined by his Russian acquaintance Edgar Troop, and sent by Sir George. In Ranipur, the wives of the ruler and his sons, an illegitimate child of the ruler, the Regent, and a number of others are keenly aware of the situation and nearly each is calculating his or her own path to power.The tiger is a real threat to villagers in one of the prince's territories, having acquired a "taste for man" it has attacked and killed numbers of children and people, and a hunt is held to end its reign of terror.The physical and metaphorical tiger is revealed in this wonderful climax.I thought Cleverly wrapped things up well and did a great job of portraying this period in time.

A favorite author and a fascinating place, both in history and the country itself. Each state is like it's own country, and Joe Sandilands roving policeman from Scotland yard, but spending time in India is sent to visit a colleague in the north who has just received an order to look into a situation in a neighboring state. Turns out to be a very exciting adventure, especially since the present ruler is dying of cancer and his position is sought after by a number of people for a number of reasons. It takes place early last century. The characters are all 3 dimensional and can clearly be real to the reader. I felt I knew them, but there were some surprises. And not all of them pleasant. But Cleverly uses many facets to her personalities. Few are just all good or all bad. There is are the traits of humanity to balance the characters as unique individuals that you meet and get to know in various degrees as their part of the story. With each book I feel I have made a visit to the time and place.

What do You think about The Palace Tiger (2005)?

Like the Charles Todd Ian Rutledge series, I've enjoyed all the Joe Sandilands books. I sometimes find it hard for him to avoid temptation with all the women throwing themselves at him, but I guess that is a gentleman of the era. I also find it hard to believe that he doesn't put his foot down and demand to be allowed to go home; he's been in India a while. However, I guess that also comes with being a gentleman--knowing and doing his duty. Besides, I wouldn't have all these great stories to read if he went home.I enjoy the writing, the atmosphere, the knowledge of India, the eye into life of the times, and learning about Joe the man.A great series; I'll be sad when I've read the last one.
—Madonna

This mystery is set in the time of the British Raj in northern India. Detective Joe Sandilands, war hero and Scotland Yard policeman is sent to witness the succession of the dying prince. Ranipur is noted for its hoard of priceless gems, an isloated expensive palace, and medieval local customs. The heirs keep dying and Joe has to find out if they have been killed, who did it and why. The many suspects range from English officials, American and Indian wives, and even a mistress. Tigers, panthers, and kraits appear as weapons as well. Interesting and a good read. The author has written several others with the same detective.
—Sandie

This is the 4th book in the Joe Sandilands mystery series, so far set in India during the time of the Raj. Sandilands is a Scotland Yard commander who, in the first book, was seconded to the British police in India to teach law enforcement techniques to the Indian police and to learn from them as well. In the 4 books he has also worked for Sir George Jardine, the governor of Bengal, travelling around India solving various mysteries and acting as Sir George's eyes and ears in outlying areas. This story finds Sandilands in Ranipur, looking into the suspicious deaths of two heirs to the throne of the prince who is also dying. As well, he is to assist if possible with tracking and killing a tiger that has been killing local people. I like the pace of the story and I've grown to like Sandilands, his detective style and his personality. The mystery is interesting and worked at methodically and this allows Barbara Cleverly to give an excellent portrayal of the region and of life in the Raj at the time. The story isn't complex but it's still an entertaining read. I will now have to find the next in the series, The Bee's Kiss, which finds Sandilands returning to London. I'm looking forward to seeing him in action in more familiar turf for him. 3.5 stars.
—Bill

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