Captivating, moving and exciting, it's historical fiction at its finest

Another compelling, thoughtful and atmospheric episode in this fine series

Abir Mukherjee is doing something uniquely different in the crime genre. His evocation of 1920s India under British occupation is breathtaking. He takes you there with luscious strokes of his pen and a dry wit, keeping you on the edge of your seat as he spins his tale.

I loved the slick dovetailing of the dual narrative and the sharp, humorous writing...An engaging, evocative thriller that captures the heat of Indian nights and heady days of a bygone era, without being sentimental or simplistic. For me, the murder mystery and historical elements were perfectly woven together.

Abir Mukherjee's terrific crime novels are set in India in the 1920s. The Shadows of Men is vivid and brutal

The Shadows of Men displays all Mukherjee's usual brio, comic timing and eye for historical colour. It is a crime story, but also the tale of Banerjee's reckoning with himself and his involvement in the British Raj, a regime he increasingly despises. Thought-provoking, page-turning and immersive.

Once again, Mr Mukherjee tells a captivating tale with an intricate plot, compelling characters, wry humour and diverse range of locations.

The Shadows of Men is a fabulous read - exciting, moving and highly entertaining.

This brilliant mingling of real history and fictional invention kicks off a series that does for the Raj what Philip Kerr did for the Reich

The pacing and twists are among the author's best work. This is a sterling example of a riveting whodunit plot coupled with a vivid portrayal of a seminal historical moment.

A brilliantly conceived murder mystery set amidst political and social turmoil - beautifully crafted'

The Shadows of Men finds the always reliable ... award-winner Abir Mukherjee on fine form, with his quirky detective duo Sam Wyndham and Surendranath Banerjee struggling to forestall a religious war in 1920s Calcutta after

A gripping story, underpinned by the lovely bromance of the two main characters

This is historical fiction of the highest order, and a crime/spy mystery with everything an aficionado of either could want; but it is perhaps the awful timeless resonance of some pervasive background details that hits hardest

Mukherjee evokes the chaotic atmosphere of his setting wonderfully, and handles his complex plot expertly. Thought-provoking, immersive and gripping in equal measure, this is top-class writing from start to finish

Brilliant storytelling; humour, a bit of history and a decent mystery

Captivating, moving and exciting, this is the latest instalment in an unmissable series billed as historical fiction at its finest

Will have you tearing through the pages

Combines shocking twists effortlessly with sensitive explorations of family dynamics

Superb plotting. I could hardly catch my breath between twists

As soon as I finished the first page, I knew I wouldn't be able to put this down

Unforgettably dark and complex

Kept me up last night. Scary. Twisty. All too believable

Kept me guessing right up to the thrilling finale

Absorbing and chilling

It's impossible to guess the shocking ending

A fab and twisty page-turner

So twisty, turning and grippy

A story as unsettling as the island that serves as its setting. Don't trust anyone at The Retreat.

Deliciously paced with rich worldbuilding, The Retreat teems with questionable motives, unspoken frustrations, and hair-raising cliffhangers. I absolutely could not put this book down!

'Dazzling and inventive, like an Agatha Christie mystery split open by a heatwave. The Retreat is transporting, with an unforgettable setting and a complex web of secrets. I didn't want it to end.'

'The Retreat is a delightfully creepy thriller set in a fantastic gothic location. I loved it!'