Listen free for 30 days

  • Midnight at Malabar House

  • The Malabar House Series, Book 1
  • Written by: Vaseem Khan
  • Narrated by: Maya Saroya
  • Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (12 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Midnight at Malabar House cover art

Midnight at Malabar House

Written by: Vaseem Khan
Narrated by: Maya Saroya
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $30.09

Buy Now for $30.09

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

Bombay, New Year's Eve, 1949

As India celebrates the arrival of a momentous new decade, Inspector Persis Wadia stands vigil in the basement of Malabar House, home to the city's most unwanted unit of police officers. Six months after joining the force she remains India's first female police detective, mistrusted, sidelined and now consigned to the midnight shift.

And so, when the phone rings to report the murder of prominent English diplomat Sir James Herriot, the country's most sensational case falls into her lap.

As 1950 dawns and India prepares to become the world's largest republic, Persis, accompanied by Scotland Yard criminalist Archie Blackfinch, finds herself investigating a case that is becoming more political by the second. Navigating a country and society in turmoil, Persis, smart, stubborn and untested in the crucible of male hostility that surrounds her, must find a way to solve the murder - whatever the cost.

©2020 Vaseem Khan Limited (P)2020 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

What listeners say about Midnight at Malabar House

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    8
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not sure I will read the next one...

There are aspects of this book I really enjoyed. The mystery is quite good. The weaving in of historical events in India is very interesting. The narrator does a great job with the various characters. Before purchasing the book I read in some reviews that folks found our lead character, Inspector Persis Wadia, not very likeable. I figured that was because she is a strong female character; not something everyone likes. I like strong female characters so I thought I would be fine. Unfortunately, the author has tinged her strength with a propensity to fly off the handle. I understand that there are times when being female in a male dominated profession is infuriating, and no one is immune from losing their temper. However, the frequency of her work related outbursts is not professional and that bothered me. She loses her temper with relatives as well, that did not bother me at all because that is her personal life. I just find it hard to accept that someone could work so hard to achieve a respectable position in a police force and yet not be able to remain composed when pushed. If it had happened once, at some critical moment, fine. But it happens several times and that was disappointing to me. At it stands, I do not think I will carry on with this series. I might reconsider in future if I see reviews of later books expressing that Persis is less prone to unprofessional behaviour.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Love the history...love the detective

Persis Wadia, as the first female detective in India following the country's emancipation from the British Raj, is subject to all the flavours of the local misogenists. But she is a hero for the 21st not only the 20th century. Her family life is intriguing and I enjoyed the point of view on the British and all things stiff upper lip. The bumbling Britisher Archie is disappointing as a love interest, while being a great side kick and colleague. Time will tell. Lots of fun and if you like immersing in a historical setting, this is a good one.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A good murder mystery

I really enjoyed listening! the author is a good writer and the narrator was EXCELLENT

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!