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Bangalore Detectives Club #4
Into the Leopard's Den
Amateur detective Kaveri Murthy returns with her most complex case investigating a series of murders that take her from the bungalows of Bangalore to the mist-enshrouded mountains of Coorg.
Bangalore, 1922: Pregnant and confined to the house by her protective mother-in-law, Kaveri Murthy has resolved to take a break from detection. But when an elderly woman is murdered at night and dies clutching a photograph of Kaveri while asking for her help—how can she refuse? Missing the assistance of her husband Ramu, who is working in Coorg, Kaveri investigates her new case with her able assistants, milk boy Venu and housemaid Anandi. They find a trail of secrets that lead them to suspect the killer may be in Coorg.
Eager to be reunited with her husband, Kaveri sets off to Coorg to investigate. When she arrives, she encounters a thorny thicket of cases. Why does a ghost leopard prowl the forests at night, terrorizing the plantation workers? And who is trying to kill Colonel Boyd, the Coffee King of Coorg? She finds suspects in every coffee bush and estate—from Boyd’s surly plantation manager and security guard to the feuding brothers who own the neighboring plantation—and the many women the Coffee King has pursued and abandoned.
When two vulnerable children appeal for her help, Kaveri is drawn deeper into the case, becoming emotionally involved in finding the killer. Soon, one murder turns into two—and then a few days later into three. Now the killer has tasted blood and needs to be stopped. Racing against time, Kaveri must take on her most complex challenge so far, with the assistance of Anandi and Venu in Bangalore, and with Ramu and Inspector Ismail in Coorg. In this stunning new novel by an acclaimed master of the form, the Bangalore Detectives Club must find and expose a brutally intelligent killer before they strike again.
Bangalore, 1922: Pregnant and confined to the house by her protective mother-in-law, Kaveri Murthy has resolved to take a break from detection. But when an elderly woman is murdered at night and dies clutching a photograph of Kaveri while asking for her help—how can she refuse? Missing the assistance of her husband Ramu, who is working in Coorg, Kaveri investigates her new case with her able assistants, milk boy Venu and housemaid Anandi. They find a trail of secrets that lead them to suspect the killer may be in Coorg.
Eager to be reunited with her husband, Kaveri sets off to Coorg to investigate. When she arrives, she encounters a thorny thicket of cases. Why does a ghost leopard prowl the forests at night, terrorizing the plantation workers? And who is trying to kill Colonel Boyd, the Coffee King of Coorg? She finds suspects in every coffee bush and estate—from Boyd’s surly plantation manager and security guard to the feuding brothers who own the neighboring plantation—and the many women the Coffee King has pursued and abandoned.
When two vulnerable children appeal for her help, Kaveri is drawn deeper into the case, becoming emotionally involved in finding the killer. Soon, one murder turns into two—and then a few days later into three. Now the killer has tasted blood and needs to be stopped. Racing against time, Kaveri must take on her most complex challenge so far, with the assistance of Anandi and Venu in Bangalore, and with Ramu and Inspector Ismail in Coorg. In this stunning new novel by an acclaimed master of the form, the Bangalore Detectives Club must find and expose a brutally intelligent killer before they strike again.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2025
129 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 14, 2025
ARC Review
*Into the Leopard’s Den* by Harini Nagendra Narrated by: Soneela Nankani & Simone Lewis is a charming, atmospheric historical mystery that swept me right into 1920s India. Even though I started with book four in the **Bangalore Detectives Club** series, I had no trouble following the story or connecting with the characters—this cozy whodunit absolutely stands on its own.
Kaveri is a delight: smart, observant, and deeply compassionate. Her role as both a wife and a determined amateur sleuth is wonderfully balanced, and her growth—especially as an expectant mother—adds extra emotional depth. I loved how the book subtly but powerfully addresses themes like colonialism, gender inequality, and social hierarchy, while still keeping things engaging and character-driven.
Harini Nagendra’s writing is vivid and immersive. The story never loses its warmth or clarity, even with its intricate mystery and large cast of characters. The pacing stays steady, and I was constantly trying to guess how all the threads connected.
The **audiobook narration** by **Soneela Nankani and Simone Lewis** is *phenomenal*. Both narrators bring so much heart and nuance to the characters, enhancing the sense of time, place, and emotion. This is one of those audiobooks where the narration *adds* to the experience in every way.
If you're a fan of historical fiction, cozy mysteries, or female sleuths with heart and brains, *Into the Leopard’s Den* will definitely deliver. I can’t wait to go back and start the series from the beginning.
(3.5⭐“Originally reviewed on Fable. Cross-posted here for visibility.”)
*Into the Leopard’s Den* by Harini Nagendra Narrated by: Soneela Nankani & Simone Lewis is a charming, atmospheric historical mystery that swept me right into 1920s India. Even though I started with book four in the **Bangalore Detectives Club** series, I had no trouble following the story or connecting with the characters—this cozy whodunit absolutely stands on its own.
Kaveri is a delight: smart, observant, and deeply compassionate. Her role as both a wife and a determined amateur sleuth is wonderfully balanced, and her growth—especially as an expectant mother—adds extra emotional depth. I loved how the book subtly but powerfully addresses themes like colonialism, gender inequality, and social hierarchy, while still keeping things engaging and character-driven.
Harini Nagendra’s writing is vivid and immersive. The story never loses its warmth or clarity, even with its intricate mystery and large cast of characters. The pacing stays steady, and I was constantly trying to guess how all the threads connected.
The **audiobook narration** by **Soneela Nankani and Simone Lewis** is *phenomenal*. Both narrators bring so much heart and nuance to the characters, enhancing the sense of time, place, and emotion. This is one of those audiobooks where the narration *adds* to the experience in every way.
If you're a fan of historical fiction, cozy mysteries, or female sleuths with heart and brains, *Into the Leopard’s Den* will definitely deliver. I can’t wait to go back and start the series from the beginning.
(3.5⭐“Originally reviewed on Fable. Cross-posted here for visibility.”)
July 4, 2025
Each book in this series has gotten better! Very enjoyable historical fiction mystery.
June 10, 2025
I love this richly evocative series set in 1920’s India. While India did not achieve independence until 1947, unrest is already present. There’s an understandable resentment toward the British who have intruded on their country and culture and tried to remake it in their own image. While Negendra is far from a political writer, she folds these sentiments into her stories organically, in this book in the form of an unpleasant British planter.
As the book opens, our heroine Kaveri is feeling both confined by her pregnancy and her protective mother-in-law, and missing her husband, Ramu, who is in the state of Coorg attempting to help the people there with their medical needs. Coorg was a big coffee growing region, controlled by the British until independence, and Ramu is staying with a friend who owns a coffee plantation.
Kaveri is also drawn into the mysterious death of an old woman who lived in a hut on the abandoned circus grounds. She was found clutching a piece of a magazine article that praised Kaveri’s prowess as a detective. When Kaveri learns the old woman had visited Coorg right before her death she knows she must both visit Ramu and untangle the mystery.
The clues are sparse but what is apparent is that someone doesn’t want Kaveri investigating, and that her friend’s plantation is being crippled by a so-called ghost leopard. The workers are so afraid of it they refuse to come to work, and the coffee beans are going unharvested. As Kaveri gets to know her way around the city, she’s also made aware of the unpleasant Brit, Colonel Boyd, who has acquired swaths of land and imposed his own “scientific” farming methods on them. He’s so disliked it seems someone is intent on killing him, and he asks Kaveri to look into who might be behind the murder attempts.
While Kaveri doesn’t care for the Colonel she also can’t resist a mystery. As she delves into the lives of the workers at her friend’s plantation, looks for possible missing relatives or family of the dead woman, and tries to figure out if there really is a ghost leopard, she finds she’s taken on a complex and baffling case – or several.
Negendra is a very skillful traditional storyteller, and these books are intelligent and well plotted classic mysteries, with the added bonus of the wonderful characters of Kaveri and Ramu. The setting of the novels is also practically a character. Much like Tana French, she is able to describe a place and a landscape so explicitly it is almost poetic. While this book is set in Coorg and not Bangalore, the mountainous terrain and surrounding jungle are beautifully portrayed, and you feel as a reader as though you have been transported.
Kaveri has her “ground crew” back in Bangalore looking for clues to the old woman’s death as well, and the communications with Uma Aunty, her next door neighbor and fellow detective, add spice to the story, especially as Uma Aunty is able to help out with a few necessary threads to the puzzle.
The book ends in the way you think it might – the crime is solved, and Kaveri’s pregnancy ends, leaving the question for the reader: how will a new mother continue to investigate crimes? I feel certain she will and I very much look forward to discovering how she’ll manage. This is a beautiful series, one I cannot recommend more highly.
As the book opens, our heroine Kaveri is feeling both confined by her pregnancy and her protective mother-in-law, and missing her husband, Ramu, who is in the state of Coorg attempting to help the people there with their medical needs. Coorg was a big coffee growing region, controlled by the British until independence, and Ramu is staying with a friend who owns a coffee plantation.
Kaveri is also drawn into the mysterious death of an old woman who lived in a hut on the abandoned circus grounds. She was found clutching a piece of a magazine article that praised Kaveri’s prowess as a detective. When Kaveri learns the old woman had visited Coorg right before her death she knows she must both visit Ramu and untangle the mystery.
The clues are sparse but what is apparent is that someone doesn’t want Kaveri investigating, and that her friend’s plantation is being crippled by a so-called ghost leopard. The workers are so afraid of it they refuse to come to work, and the coffee beans are going unharvested. As Kaveri gets to know her way around the city, she’s also made aware of the unpleasant Brit, Colonel Boyd, who has acquired swaths of land and imposed his own “scientific” farming methods on them. He’s so disliked it seems someone is intent on killing him, and he asks Kaveri to look into who might be behind the murder attempts.
While Kaveri doesn’t care for the Colonel she also can’t resist a mystery. As she delves into the lives of the workers at her friend’s plantation, looks for possible missing relatives or family of the dead woman, and tries to figure out if there really is a ghost leopard, she finds she’s taken on a complex and baffling case – or several.
Negendra is a very skillful traditional storyteller, and these books are intelligent and well plotted classic mysteries, with the added bonus of the wonderful characters of Kaveri and Ramu. The setting of the novels is also practically a character. Much like Tana French, she is able to describe a place and a landscape so explicitly it is almost poetic. While this book is set in Coorg and not Bangalore, the mountainous terrain and surrounding jungle are beautifully portrayed, and you feel as a reader as though you have been transported.
Kaveri has her “ground crew” back in Bangalore looking for clues to the old woman’s death as well, and the communications with Uma Aunty, her next door neighbor and fellow detective, add spice to the story, especially as Uma Aunty is able to help out with a few necessary threads to the puzzle.
The book ends in the way you think it might – the crime is solved, and Kaveri’s pregnancy ends, leaving the question for the reader: how will a new mother continue to investigate crimes? I feel certain she will and I very much look forward to discovering how she’ll manage. This is a beautiful series, one I cannot recommend more highly.
July 24, 2025
https://blog.medhaapps.com/2025/07/bo...
It was 1922 Bangalore; Kupamma who worked as a house help was attacked and killed in her single room house, and the attacker grabbed a book that she buried inside her hut, before running away. Few moments before dying, Kupamma asked Venu that Kaveri from the Bangalore Detectives Club finds the culprit; Kaveri who was pregnant has decided to take a break from being a detective until Venu showed the newspaper clip of Kaveri that Kupamma handed to him in her dying moments.
When Kaveri found a recent travel ticket of Kupamma to and fro Coorg, she decided to travel to Coorg to find further clues about Kupamma’s murder, on the pretext of staying with her husband Ramu who was setting up a new clinic in Coorg. The first day in Coorg was a haunting experience for Kaveri as she received an anonymous note warning her to return back to Bangalore.
The residents of Coorg had more troubles which they wanted Kaveri to help solve — a ghost leopard that scared the villagers from crossing the forest and multiple attempts of murder on Colonel Boyd. Along with solving Kupamma’s murder mystery, will Kaveri be able to solve the other mysteries in a new place amidst strangers, forms the rest of the story.
Kaveri Murthy is back to solve another murder mystery albeit in a new place with new characters involved. The story begins with Kupamma’s murder in Bangalore and quickly shifts to Coorg; the coffee plantations and politics around it in pre-Independence India, especially the hidden conflict between locals and the likes of Colonel Boyd are perfectly captured by the author. The characters are well layered and Kaveri struggles to uncover the clues as every character has their own share of secrets.
The number of characters are less which makes every one a suspect, but the way the author reveals the mystery slowly, especially in the second half makes the story intriguing. The backdrop of Coorg is the highlight of the story as the author transports the reader to Coorg a century ago — the marketplaces, the sacred forests, the coffee plantations, the palaces, the clubs frequented by the British.
The Bangalore Detectives Club series has been getting better with each installment in the series and this is definitely the best so far. Along with solving the murder mystery, the story in parallel also progresses Kaveri’s personal life and her characterisation is what holds the reader’s imagination throughout.
A periodical fiction blended with mystery, Into the Leopard’s den makes for a gripping mystery.
It was 1922 Bangalore; Kupamma who worked as a house help was attacked and killed in her single room house, and the attacker grabbed a book that she buried inside her hut, before running away. Few moments before dying, Kupamma asked Venu that Kaveri from the Bangalore Detectives Club finds the culprit; Kaveri who was pregnant has decided to take a break from being a detective until Venu showed the newspaper clip of Kaveri that Kupamma handed to him in her dying moments.
When Kaveri found a recent travel ticket of Kupamma to and fro Coorg, she decided to travel to Coorg to find further clues about Kupamma’s murder, on the pretext of staying with her husband Ramu who was setting up a new clinic in Coorg. The first day in Coorg was a haunting experience for Kaveri as she received an anonymous note warning her to return back to Bangalore.
The residents of Coorg had more troubles which they wanted Kaveri to help solve — a ghost leopard that scared the villagers from crossing the forest and multiple attempts of murder on Colonel Boyd. Along with solving Kupamma’s murder mystery, will Kaveri be able to solve the other mysteries in a new place amidst strangers, forms the rest of the story.
Kaveri Murthy is back to solve another murder mystery albeit in a new place with new characters involved. The story begins with Kupamma’s murder in Bangalore and quickly shifts to Coorg; the coffee plantations and politics around it in pre-Independence India, especially the hidden conflict between locals and the likes of Colonel Boyd are perfectly captured by the author. The characters are well layered and Kaveri struggles to uncover the clues as every character has their own share of secrets.
The number of characters are less which makes every one a suspect, but the way the author reveals the mystery slowly, especially in the second half makes the story intriguing. The backdrop of Coorg is the highlight of the story as the author transports the reader to Coorg a century ago — the marketplaces, the sacred forests, the coffee plantations, the palaces, the clubs frequented by the British.
The Bangalore Detectives Club series has been getting better with each installment in the series and this is definitely the best so far. Along with solving the murder mystery, the story in parallel also progresses Kaveri’s personal life and her characterisation is what holds the reader’s imagination throughout.
A periodical fiction blended with mystery, Into the Leopard’s den makes for a gripping mystery.
October 12, 2025
The story begins mysterious murder of old lady kuppamma. Kaveri ,a sharp and courageous woman who was part of Bangalore detective club somehow ends up solving the mysterious murder of Kuppamma during her pregnancy. This leads her to Coorg from Bangalore, where she joins her supportive husband, Dr. Mr. Ramamurthy in Coorg. Kaveri starts investigating Kuppamma’s murder, but unexpectedly finds herself entangled in one case after another in Coorg.
Kaveri faces one after another setbacks in her investigation yet her sharp detective instincts shine throughout the story.The leopard mystery in the story will keep you hooked,this makes the story even more absorbed into the story. The author has beautifully described Coorg’s abundant nature, ancient houses, and rich culture,traditions also how the locals suffered under colonial power.
Even this is your first book from the Bangalore Detective Club series, it is very easy for anyone to connect with the story and characters. The characterization is so excellent, and you don’t have to read the earlier books to connect with the characters appears in this Book.
This book has every thing heart stopping suspenses, myths, deep secrets and perfect amount of twists that won’t let the one reading this put the book down. One of the favourite parts is how the author gave recipes of the dishes mentioned in the story and the best part author also mentioned character inspirations and historical references at the end of the book.
Im a fan of Poorna Chandra Tejaswi’s books like Chidambara Rahasya and Jugari Cross, this book by Harini Nagendra really impressed me.And I am definitely definitely going to read the other books in the Bangalore Detective Club series.
Kaveri faces one after another setbacks in her investigation yet her sharp detective instincts shine throughout the story.The leopard mystery in the story will keep you hooked,this makes the story even more absorbed into the story. The author has beautifully described Coorg’s abundant nature, ancient houses, and rich culture,traditions also how the locals suffered under colonial power.
Even this is your first book from the Bangalore Detective Club series, it is very easy for anyone to connect with the story and characters. The characterization is so excellent, and you don’t have to read the earlier books to connect with the characters appears in this Book.
This book has every thing heart stopping suspenses, myths, deep secrets and perfect amount of twists that won’t let the one reading this put the book down. One of the favourite parts is how the author gave recipes of the dishes mentioned in the story and the best part author also mentioned character inspirations and historical references at the end of the book.
Im a fan of Poorna Chandra Tejaswi’s books like Chidambara Rahasya and Jugari Cross, this book by Harini Nagendra really impressed me.And I am definitely definitely going to read the other books in the Bangalore Detective Club series.
July 1, 2025
Into the Leopard's Den by Harini Nagendra was richly layered and atmospheric. Set in 1920s colonial India, the novel blends historical fiction and mystery in a thoughtful and engaging way. I loved stepping into the world of Bangalore through the eyes of Kaveri, a strong, intelligent, and endlessly curious woman who never stops pushing boundaries.
In this installment, Kaveri and her husband Ramu travel into the heart of the countryside, where a wildlife camp visit quickly turns into a murder investigation. The setting: lush, remote, and teeming with wildlife, added a whole new layer of tension to the story. I especially enjoyed the cultural and environmental details woven throughout; the scenes with the leopard and the more profound commentary on conservation were fascinating.
The mystery was well-paced, with enough twists to keep me guessing without feeling overdone. The resolution felt satisfying, and I appreciated how it tied into justice and colonial power themes. Kaveri continues to be such a compelling character: intelligent, compassionate, and quietly rebellious in all the right ways.
The audiobook narration was warm and well-suited to the story's tone, though there were a few moments when I had to rewind to catch some of the names or finer details. Still, that didn't take away from my enjoyment overall.
Into the Leopard's Den is absolutely worth your time if you enjoy historical mysteries with strong female leads, vivid settings, and just the right touch of suspense.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this installment, Kaveri and her husband Ramu travel into the heart of the countryside, where a wildlife camp visit quickly turns into a murder investigation. The setting: lush, remote, and teeming with wildlife, added a whole new layer of tension to the story. I especially enjoyed the cultural and environmental details woven throughout; the scenes with the leopard and the more profound commentary on conservation were fascinating.
The mystery was well-paced, with enough twists to keep me guessing without feeling overdone. The resolution felt satisfying, and I appreciated how it tied into justice and colonial power themes. Kaveri continues to be such a compelling character: intelligent, compassionate, and quietly rebellious in all the right ways.
The audiobook narration was warm and well-suited to the story's tone, though there were a few moments when I had to rewind to catch some of the names or finer details. Still, that didn't take away from my enjoyment overall.
Into the Leopard's Den is absolutely worth your time if you enjoy historical mysteries with strong female leads, vivid settings, and just the right touch of suspense.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2025
Hooter: An ecological whodunnit
As Kaveri continues to blossom into a full-fledged detective, this series is slowly picking up on its mystery genre too. Compared to the previous ones, I felt this focused more on the mystery and less on the history. This time time our protagonist lands up in Coorg in the 1920s India and whilst we get a glimpse of the historical setting - we do get a lot more angles and unknowns at play. We also see a lot more characters getting involved which helps move the story along in different arcs versus the Kaveri centric ones initially. Harini brings in one of her favourite elements into the story this time - nature at its finest.
A murder in Bengaluru of an old lady who had a photo of Kaveri as her dying wish leads our detective to hunt for more clues - all the way in Coorg and lands up with multiple other mysteries to solve including a threat to her life.
This also introduces Kaveri as an expecting mother and how she balances it with solving the mystery and ends with her attaining motherhood (oh! and solving the mystery) so not really a spoiler alert there. It'll be interesting to see how the next one gets set up - does a young mother get into action or will we fast forward a bit. She does have a brilliant support system in terms of a family and extended family to pull this off even if its the conservative 1920s at play. Then again - one other forte of Harini's writing has been highlighting gender inequality and the trailblazers each of her women characters have been irrespective of which generation and which social strata they are part of in the given timeline.
As Kaveri continues to blossom into a full-fledged detective, this series is slowly picking up on its mystery genre too. Compared to the previous ones, I felt this focused more on the mystery and less on the history. This time time our protagonist lands up in Coorg in the 1920s India and whilst we get a glimpse of the historical setting - we do get a lot more angles and unknowns at play. We also see a lot more characters getting involved which helps move the story along in different arcs versus the Kaveri centric ones initially. Harini brings in one of her favourite elements into the story this time - nature at its finest.
A murder in Bengaluru of an old lady who had a photo of Kaveri as her dying wish leads our detective to hunt for more clues - all the way in Coorg and lands up with multiple other mysteries to solve including a threat to her life.
This also introduces Kaveri as an expecting mother and how she balances it with solving the mystery and ends with her attaining motherhood (oh! and solving the mystery) so not really a spoiler alert there. It'll be interesting to see how the next one gets set up - does a young mother get into action or will we fast forward a bit. She does have a brilliant support system in terms of a family and extended family to pull this off even if its the conservative 1920s at play. Then again - one other forte of Harini's writing has been highlighting gender inequality and the trailblazers each of her women characters have been irrespective of which generation and which social strata they are part of in the given timeline.
July 20, 2025
How delightful!!! This historical mystery book by the brilliant Ms. Harini Nagendra is just as gripping and wonderfully sinister as the previous 3 books in this series!
I feel like I have just returned to reality after spending such a short time with my friend Kaveri Murthy, sleuthing away in 1922 Bangalore, India! The only negative about this book is that it had to end...Now what am I going to do to top this much fun?
The narration by prolific and wonderful Ms. Soneela Nankani is just simply superb! She owns each and every character, and there is no doubt as to who is speaking...she does not narrate, but she "performs" this book, and makes it come alive.
Very few historical mysteries have captured both my full attention, but also my heart as The Bangalore Detective Club. Being a fan of India and its culture, all the pages of this series tell us stories about the location, the people, the sounds, the tastes and the brilliant colors of amazing India! ...and a murder or two has to be solved by pregnant Kaveri, who travels to Coorg, which is not a fictional city.
There was so much research done for his book by Ms. Nagendra, and we learn so much from it. Thank you for all the fun facts that you weave into the stories within this book.
This is one of this year's most notable books that I have read. There is not enough praise that I could write about this book, so the best recommendation for me to post is for you to buy this book, or to request it through your library.
I feel like I have just returned to reality after spending such a short time with my friend Kaveri Murthy, sleuthing away in 1922 Bangalore, India! The only negative about this book is that it had to end...Now what am I going to do to top this much fun?
The narration by prolific and wonderful Ms. Soneela Nankani is just simply superb! She owns each and every character, and there is no doubt as to who is speaking...she does not narrate, but she "performs" this book, and makes it come alive.
Very few historical mysteries have captured both my full attention, but also my heart as The Bangalore Detective Club. Being a fan of India and its culture, all the pages of this series tell us stories about the location, the people, the sounds, the tastes and the brilliant colors of amazing India! ...and a murder or two has to be solved by pregnant Kaveri, who travels to Coorg, which is not a fictional city.
There was so much research done for his book by Ms. Nagendra, and we learn so much from it. Thank you for all the fun facts that you weave into the stories within this book.
This is one of this year's most notable books that I have read. There is not enough praise that I could write about this book, so the best recommendation for me to post is for you to buy this book, or to request it through your library.
July 25, 2025
I continue to enjoy The Bangalore Detectives Club series. Into the Leopard's Den takes place outside the city of Bangalore in the more rural area of Coorg. The setting is beautifully described by the author. It is an area of mountains, jungles and coffee plantations. However, this remote location means that the usual Detectives Club members don't have a large a part in the story. But, we were introduced to some new characters that I hope will be included in future books.
Kaveri is expecting her first child and her mother-in-law is very protective of her. I have enjoyed watching the relationship between them grow. Ramu is away from home helping to set up a clinic in Coorg where there is no doctor. In order to get some relief from her mother-in-law's hovering and to follow a lead on her newest case, Kaveri insists she must visit her husband in Coorg.
This mystery takes all of your attention. At one point, just as I was feeling a little overwhelmed with all the different people and situations, Kaveri pointed out that she was feeling overwhelmed with all the mysteries she was trying to solve. She then listed them. I was relieved I wasn't the only one feeling a little overwhelmed! After this the pieces started to come together.
One of my favorite things about this series is that each book ends on a hopeful note. Even after the tragedy of a murder taking place, there is something positive that comes out of it. I'm looking forward to watching Kaveri juggle motherhood with solving cases in future books!
Kaveri is expecting her first child and her mother-in-law is very protective of her. I have enjoyed watching the relationship between them grow. Ramu is away from home helping to set up a clinic in Coorg where there is no doctor. In order to get some relief from her mother-in-law's hovering and to follow a lead on her newest case, Kaveri insists she must visit her husband in Coorg.
This mystery takes all of your attention. At one point, just as I was feeling a little overwhelmed with all the different people and situations, Kaveri pointed out that she was feeling overwhelmed with all the mysteries she was trying to solve. She then listed them. I was relieved I wasn't the only one feeling a little overwhelmed! After this the pieces started to come together.
One of my favorite things about this series is that each book ends on a hopeful note. Even after the tragedy of a murder taking place, there is something positive that comes out of it. I'm looking forward to watching Kaveri juggle motherhood with solving cases in future books!
August 14, 2025
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐝'𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 is a cozy historical mystery.
Set in the 1920s before India's independence, it offers a subtle glimpse into colonial India and life back then. The story kicks off with an elderly woman being murdered at night, clutching a photo of Kaveri and asking for her help. To solve the case, Kaveri heads to Coorg, a beautiful hilly district in the western ghats of Karnataka. She starts her investigation with her trusted allies, Venu and Anandi, and soon their clues point to Coorg and a killer who might be hiding there.
What I loved most about Kaveri was her compassion. The deeper I got into the book, the more I adored her character. The writing is vivid and beautiful, and I felt like I was exploring Coorg alongside her.
Beyond the mystery, the book also touches on social hierarchy, justice, colonial power, and gender inequality.
I also loved the little extras, the author included a cute dictionary at the end and even a few recipes, which felt so thoughtful. These touches made the reading experience feel even more special.
This is the fourth book in the Bangalore Detective series. I had not read the first three, but it did not confuse me or take away from enjoying the story. I am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I loved detective novels and this one set in India felt extra special.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with amazing writing and a historical touch, this one is a must-read.
Love always💌
Set in the 1920s before India's independence, it offers a subtle glimpse into colonial India and life back then. The story kicks off with an elderly woman being murdered at night, clutching a photo of Kaveri and asking for her help. To solve the case, Kaveri heads to Coorg, a beautiful hilly district in the western ghats of Karnataka. She starts her investigation with her trusted allies, Venu and Anandi, and soon their clues point to Coorg and a killer who might be hiding there.
What I loved most about Kaveri was her compassion. The deeper I got into the book, the more I adored her character. The writing is vivid and beautiful, and I felt like I was exploring Coorg alongside her.
Beyond the mystery, the book also touches on social hierarchy, justice, colonial power, and gender inequality.
I also loved the little extras, the author included a cute dictionary at the end and even a few recipes, which felt so thoughtful. These touches made the reading experience feel even more special.
This is the fourth book in the Bangalore Detective series. I had not read the first three, but it did not confuse me or take away from enjoying the story. I am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I loved detective novels and this one set in India felt extra special.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with amazing writing and a historical touch, this one is a must-read.
Love always💌
July 28, 2025
As much as Kaveri is happy about her upcoming child, she also feels cramped by her over-caring MIL's nature, and dropping the investigations for the time being is really not helping. So when a murderous trail reaches her door, she finds herself swept away in its detection as she follows the links to Coorg, murder and mayhem amidst coffee plantations and the looming shadow of a ghostly leopard complicate every angle.
Kaveri is one of my favourite protagonists, and now I feel like I have a special connection with her. Her character has been so relatable to me right from Book 1 that by now I am absolutely fond of her. The layers of mystery and the Agatha Christie-style puzzle-solving at the end were a sweet spot for me.
There is something different in the writing style this time. The story feels meticulously crafted, with all the details and no blank spaces. This time around, all my questions were answered by the end, so I was completely satisfied with the ending too.
I was listening to the audiobook as I was reading the physical copy, and let me tell you - the experience was immersive. I am only getting more and more fond of Kaveri as the series grows on me. If you are looking for a soft mystery that intensifies page by page in a historical South India setting, try it!
4.5 ⭐️
Kaveri is one of my favourite protagonists, and now I feel like I have a special connection with her. Her character has been so relatable to me right from Book 1 that by now I am absolutely fond of her. The layers of mystery and the Agatha Christie-style puzzle-solving at the end were a sweet spot for me.
There is something different in the writing style this time. The story feels meticulously crafted, with all the details and no blank spaces. This time around, all my questions were answered by the end, so I was completely satisfied with the ending too.
I was listening to the audiobook as I was reading the physical copy, and let me tell you - the experience was immersive. I am only getting more and more fond of Kaveri as the series grows on me. If you are looking for a soft mystery that intensifies page by page in a historical South India setting, try it!
4.5 ⭐️
August 13, 2025
Into the leopards den - Harini Nagendra
Set in the year 1922, Kaveriis pregnant and puts a pause on detective skills. But an old lady named Kupamma’s last wish was to find her killer. Venu saw this scene unfolding and told Kaveri. Her MIL is a bit overprotective of her, and she misses her husband, who is a doctor working in Coorg. To find the killer, she sets out on a journey to Coorg. Will she find the killer?
The story is set in the early 20s—that’s before independence. It was so interesting, and the way she described the beautiful greenery view of Coorg was just amusing. Kaveri’s detective skill and decoding were so mesmerizing. The characters involved in the story were so interesting, and the tiger’s backstory was so touching. Also the food prepared by Janaki was so drooling while reading. They are authentic Coorg Special. And the best there is a Receipe too.
Though I haven’t read other books in the series. It was easy to catch up with the plot.
I loved how the character of Lakkamma was bold enough and inspired by the women who hold an important part in Mysore Palace too. Always I loved how to read detective stories. It’s an interesting plot to find the result.
Without any doubt, you can go ahead with this book. Even if you haven’t read other books.
Favourite lines :
“If u want to see what a man is really like, watch how they deal with their inferiors, not their superiors or equals in society.”
“Death and Birth. The cycle of life.”
This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program
Set in the year 1922, Kaveriis pregnant and puts a pause on detective skills. But an old lady named Kupamma’s last wish was to find her killer. Venu saw this scene unfolding and told Kaveri. Her MIL is a bit overprotective of her, and she misses her husband, who is a doctor working in Coorg. To find the killer, she sets out on a journey to Coorg. Will she find the killer?
The story is set in the early 20s—that’s before independence. It was so interesting, and the way she described the beautiful greenery view of Coorg was just amusing. Kaveri’s detective skill and decoding were so mesmerizing. The characters involved in the story were so interesting, and the tiger’s backstory was so touching. Also the food prepared by Janaki was so drooling while reading. They are authentic Coorg Special. And the best there is a Receipe too.
Though I haven’t read other books in the series. It was easy to catch up with the plot.
I loved how the character of Lakkamma was bold enough and inspired by the women who hold an important part in Mysore Palace too. Always I loved how to read detective stories. It’s an interesting plot to find the result.
Without any doubt, you can go ahead with this book. Even if you haven’t read other books.
Favourite lines :
“If u want to see what a man is really like, watch how they deal with their inferiors, not their superiors or equals in society.”
“Death and Birth. The cycle of life.”
This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program
August 11, 2025
More a 4.5 but rounding up for a big improvement over the last book. I went in wondering if I would continue with this series, after the character evolution (or lack thereof) of Kaveri in Book #3. Thankfully, "Into the Leopard's Den" was tightly plotted and took place mostly outside of Bangalore. Nagendra dialed up the mystery and dialed down the need to put Kaveri at the center of everyone's universe. In fact, a handful of characters got to do some detecting on their own, which was refreshing and helped keep the pages turning. Kaveri's pregnancy was also handled well, with the focus on the independent, reflective Kaveri of the first few books. I appreciated learning more about the Coorg/Kodagu region of India in the early 1920s. Looking forward to what's next for Kaveri, Ramu and the Bangalore Detectives Club. Given the detecting forays of several other series regulars, could we see a move off the limited third-person POV toward a more omniscient narrator that can follow more than Kaveri around? It would do wonders for the work Nagendra attempts to broaden the reader's perspective and introduce a diverse cast of characters, from impoverished child laborers to Muslim police inspectors to women entrepreneurs. Now that the series is so well established, it'd be nice to get into their heads, too. Recommended if any of this sounds interesting!
June 16, 2025
Author Harini Nagendra's Bangalore Detectives Club Mystery series keeps getting better with each volume! Case in point, the third book in the series, Into the Leopard's Den, is full of intrigue as heroine and amateur detective Kaveri Murthy sets out to solve the murder of a woman in Bangalore, which takes her to Coorg, where she joins her husband Ramu, and is asked to solve more mysteries by various residents.
Kaveri is expecting the couple's first child, which brings its own challenges as she endeavours to solve the various cases - the original murder, reported sightings of a ghost leopard, and threats against a rich coffee farmer. Suspects and clues abound, and keep the reader turning the pages until the very end.
Once again, the settings of Bangalore and now Coorg are richly and skillfully described, bringing them to vivid life. Nagendra also looks at the social challenges of both of the areas of the 1920s, and the growing unrest of residents chafing against British rule.
Congratulations to the author on another stunning read, and thank you for the ARC of this excellent book.
Kaveri is expecting the couple's first child, which brings its own challenges as she endeavours to solve the various cases - the original murder, reported sightings of a ghost leopard, and threats against a rich coffee farmer. Suspects and clues abound, and keep the reader turning the pages until the very end.
Once again, the settings of Bangalore and now Coorg are richly and skillfully described, bringing them to vivid life. Nagendra also looks at the social challenges of both of the areas of the 1920s, and the growing unrest of residents chafing against British rule.
Congratulations to the author on another stunning read, and thank you for the ARC of this excellent book.
July 1, 2025
When an old woman is murdered while clutching Kaveri’s photograph, Kaveri, despite being pregnant, knows she must take on the case to find the killer. Clues lead her to travel to Coorg where she is asked to look into several attempts on an English coffee plantation owner’s life. Furthermore, sightings of white leopard have the locals spooked. Kaveri is sure that somehow these happenings are all connected and she is determined to find out how.
In this fourth installment of the Bangalore Detectives Club series, readers are again offered a complex mystery that requires attention. There are a lot of characters and moving parts. I love the Indian setting and have enjoyed getting to know Kaveri and her family and friends. While this novel could be read alone, I think readers will find more enjoyment if they’ve known the characters since the beginning of the series.
The narration by Soneela Nankani is very well done.
In this fourth installment of the Bangalore Detectives Club series, readers are again offered a complex mystery that requires attention. There are a lot of characters and moving parts. I love the Indian setting and have enjoyed getting to know Kaveri and her family and friends. While this novel could be read alone, I think readers will find more enjoyment if they’ve known the characters since the beginning of the series.
The narration by Soneela Nankani is very well done.
July 2, 2025
I’m four books in and still loving the Bangalore Detectives Club series. 'Into the Leopard’s Den' takes Kaveri to Coorg, offering a fresh setting without losing the warmth and familiarity of her community in Bangalore. This is the point in a cozy mystery series where things could start to fizzle, but Harini Nagendra keeps the momentum strong. Kaveri’s growth—as an expectant mother and as a sleuth—feels natural, and her optimistic determination continues to make her a compelling lead.
If you enjoy amateur detective stories and learning about life in 1920s India, I recommend this book! And I definitely suggest reading the series in order. The writing is immersive, the historical detail fascinating, and Soneela Nankani’s narration adds extra charm. I’m eager to follow Kaveri's next adventure.
Special thanks to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for access to this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
If you enjoy amateur detective stories and learning about life in 1920s India, I recommend this book! And I definitely suggest reading the series in order. The writing is immersive, the historical detail fascinating, and Soneela Nankani’s narration adds extra charm. I’m eager to follow Kaveri's next adventure.
Special thanks to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for access to this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
July 2, 2025
I love a good book with a strong female character. Set in the early 1920's in India- we follow Kaveri, a women who helps solve mysteries and murders. Currently pregnant she has taken a step back from helping people and has been feeling pretty lonely while her doctor husband is in a small town called Coorg to help with people's medical needs. When an older woman is murdered in her house clutching a photograph of Kaveri she knows she must help her get justice. This sends her on a wild goose chase to the small town of Coorg to get answers. While she is there more strange things start to happen and someone is trying to stop her from uncovering the truth.
thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!
thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!
July 20, 2025
This is a cosy mystery set in India. It was more lighthearted than I expected in some ways, but while it has a lot of ‘cosy’ characteristics, there are also violent and misogynistic aspects to it. The wrap-up and reveal at the end were very much in the style of Agatha Christie, as is the situation of our main protagonist in her role as lady detective, although she’s not quite as charming (or as experienced) as Miss Marple.
It was an entertaining read and I always enjoy finding out more about Indian culture.
Four stars from me, with thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for an advance copy of Harini Nagendra’s latest mystery. Simone Lewis did a good job of the narration, bringing the different characters to life.
Into The Leopard’s Den released on 1 July.
It was an entertaining read and I always enjoy finding out more about Indian culture.
Four stars from me, with thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for an advance copy of Harini Nagendra’s latest mystery. Simone Lewis did a good job of the narration, bringing the different characters to life.
Into The Leopard’s Den released on 1 July.
August 8, 2025
Standard murder content warnings (murder, suicide), leopards, snakes, gun violence, mentions of sexual harassment/rape.
After A Nest of Vipers, this was my most-anticipated book of 2025. The descriptions in this one aren't quite as exquisite as its predecessor in my opinion, but I like my prose purpler than most.
There are so many interlocking mysteries here, which I really enjoy, and they're solidly told. It's also cool to see how Kaveri has to adapt to such different environments in each story. The last book had Kaveri relying a lot on her community. This book she's in a new place and also can't get up to as much combat due to her pregnancy.
This book might go up to 5 stars on re-read, when I'm not rushing to get to the ending.
After A Nest of Vipers, this was my most-anticipated book of 2025. The descriptions in this one aren't quite as exquisite as its predecessor in my opinion, but I like my prose purpler than most.
There are so many interlocking mysteries here, which I really enjoy, and they're solidly told. It's also cool to see how Kaveri has to adapt to such different environments in each story. The last book had Kaveri relying a lot on her community. This book she's in a new place and also can't get up to as much combat due to her pregnancy.
This book might go up to 5 stars on re-read, when I'm not rushing to get to the ending.
August 29, 2025
Into the Leopard’s Den: A Bangalore Detective’s Club Mystery
By Harini Nagendra
Narrated by Soneela Nankani
Tantor Media, 2025
Our intrepid detective, Kaveri Murthy, is pregnant and bored with her mother-in-law’s smothering ministrations. Her husband Ramu has been called to provide medical services in Coorg, and when she discovers a new case with roots in Coorg, Kaveri arranges to travel there to be with Ramu. The story itself never pulled me in the way the first three mysteries in the series did, but Soneela Nankani’s vibrant narration is as scintillating as always. Her facility with accents immerses the listener in the large community, differentiating among characters old and young, upper and lower class, Indian and British.
By Harini Nagendra
Narrated by Soneela Nankani
Tantor Media, 2025
Our intrepid detective, Kaveri Murthy, is pregnant and bored with her mother-in-law’s smothering ministrations. Her husband Ramu has been called to provide medical services in Coorg, and when she discovers a new case with roots in Coorg, Kaveri arranges to travel there to be with Ramu. The story itself never pulled me in the way the first three mysteries in the series did, but Soneela Nankani’s vibrant narration is as scintillating as always. Her facility with accents immerses the listener in the large community, differentiating among characters old and young, upper and lower class, Indian and British.
September 11, 2025
Another wonderful story in this excellent series of the Bangalore Detectives Club. The characters are charming and interesting, and the setting of 1920s India is magical. There was one jarring note, though, when Kaveri noted the English expression "stuffed to the gills". She said that she didn't understand the expression, as she did not have gills, and was not a fish. Ramu teased her that perhaps their child would be born with a human head and flippers instead of arms. This reminded me of the thalidomide tragedy of the late 1950s and early 1960s, when so many babies were born with deformities due to pregnant women ingesting thalidomide for morning sickness. This haunted me to the end of the book.
November 15, 2025
This is actually my second favorite of the series. I liked the fact that most of it takes place outside Bangalore. I don't know much about India, so it was really nice to see some of the countryside. Also, the mystery was...pretty good. It was obvious, but it was also reasonable that it would take the sleuths a while to figure it out - because the author tried so hard to be clever and...really, if you've read one very specific Agatha Christie book, it was obvious. (But, I did like it because there was a lot of stuff going on, mystery wise. It was nice.)
My biggest complaint, I suppose, would be the fact that Kaveri is pregnant. This is just a me thing, but pregnancy and/or young children tend to reduce my enjoyment of a book a little.
My biggest complaint, I suppose, would be the fact that Kaveri is pregnant. This is just a me thing, but pregnancy and/or young children tend to reduce my enjoyment of a book a little.
July 2, 2025
In 1922 Bangalore, pregnant detective Kaveri reluctantly returns to sleuthing when a dying woman asks for her help. A trail of secrets leads her to Coorg, where she discovers a family feud, two vulnerable children, and a ruthless killer.
I love this series, and this novel did not disappoint. The mystery is intricately woven and filled with intriguing characters. The author does a great job of bringing the setting to life. This fourth book in the series can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading in order for maximum enjoyment.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I love this series, and this novel did not disappoint. The mystery is intricately woven and filled with intriguing characters. The author does a great job of bringing the setting to life. This fourth book in the series can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading in order for maximum enjoyment.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
July 11, 2025
A solid addition to this fun series! Loved the new setting, the leopard subplot, and the nuance of the environmental and cultural conflicts in this one. But overall it didn’t grab me as much as the others - I think the complicatedness of the story and all the characters’ connections were just a little too much to try to keep track of.
The copyeditjng miss at the end was a disappointment too. The book begins in April 1922 when Kaveri is pregnant, but then at the end it’s September 1923 and she’s still pregnant. I went back to check and then thought maybe she was already having a second child. But no, still her first. Hope that gets corrected before this goes to paperback.
The copyeditjng miss at the end was a disappointment too. The book begins in April 1922 when Kaveri is pregnant, but then at the end it’s September 1923 and she’s still pregnant. I went back to check and then thought maybe she was already having a second child. But no, still her first. Hope that gets corrected before this goes to paperback.
August 10, 2025
This was my first Bangalore Detectives Club book and I was mesmerized by the writing. It’s so beautifully worded—you will get pulled in the story. I could exactly feel the mistiness and serene eeriness of Coorg through the pages. Kaveri was such a well balanced, emotionally resonating and sharp witted character, I absolutely loved her. Her brain works like no other and I so was invested in reading it! The murder mystery elements were so gripping and delicately detailed. Also those recipes at the end were mouth watering! I would absolutely recommend this to readers who have a taste for historical murder mysteries!
July 1, 2025
It is 1922 in Bangalore and an elderly lady is killed. Kaveri Murphy is pregnant and being over pampered so she agrees to investigate to fill her need for action. She will travel to Coorg and find more cases that need her attention. A coffee king, a ghost leopard and personal danger.
Very well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Very good characters in this well paced historically based novel. The Bangalore Detectives Club is once again in action, enjoy.
Very well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Very good characters in this well paced historically based novel. The Bangalore Detectives Club is once again in action, enjoy.
July 7, 2025
This was the first book that I read in the series even though it is the fourth one. I love the characters, culture, and history that the author interweaves throughout. I really like how the inequality between men and women and well as Indian and British cultures are brought out but also like how Ramu and Kaveri break the mold. I am definitely reading/listening to the rest of the series. Thank you NetGalley for the free review copy!
July 8, 2025
I love a good murder mystery and this one didn't disappoint. This book takes place in 1920's India and when a woman is found murdered clutching a photo of the fmc she knows she must look into it. However, during her detective work she finds herself away from home where danger seems to be just around the corner. If you want a series that will keep you guessing until the very end than this is for you.
September 12, 2025
Harini Nagendra consistently delivers with The Bangalore Detectives Club series. These cozy mysteries are perfectly crafted with fun characters and compelling plots. I initially picked up the series to explore more Indian/South Asian authors and have been captivated by the world of Kaveri and Ramu ever since. If you're looking for the perfect cozy mystery with pre-Independence Era India backdrop, this series is it. Quick, fun & captivating read!
November 28, 2025
3.6 stars
I enjoyed this, it was a really nice break from the books I've been reading lately and honestly I plan to start the series from its proper origination and read through in order, including this one again once that time comes. bumping slightly to 4 stars in the interim so I can come back next time and give it a more accurate rating when I am not missing some context as a result of my own errors.
I enjoyed this, it was a really nice break from the books I've been reading lately and honestly I plan to start the series from its proper origination and read through in order, including this one again once that time comes. bumping slightly to 4 stars in the interim so I can come back next time and give it a more accurate rating when I am not missing some context as a result of my own errors.
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