Inspector Ghote Goes By Train

Inspector Ghote #7

by H.R.F. Keating

One of Britain's finest crime fiction authors, Keating has written more than twenty Inspector Ghote mysteries. Here, Ghote is sent to Calcutta to escort a master criminal back to Bombay. He takes the train, hoping to make the journey into a mini-vacation. Fate conspires, however, and an odd assortment of travelers turns the trip into something unexpected. Sam Dastor is masterful. As the anxious Ghote, he diligently uncovers the truth. Dastor's believable accents, from Bengali to Madrasi to American, act as instant photographs of each mysterious character. As the plot picks up steam, Dastor brings frustration, humor, and thrills to this trip across India and back. Combine the incisive wit of H.R.F. Keating and a bravura performance by Sam Dastor, and you have a memorable listening experience. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

Genres: India, Fiction, Crime, Mystery

240 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Henry Reymond Fitzwalter Keating was an English writer of crime fiction most notable for his series of novels featuring Inspector Ghote of the Bombay CID.

H. R. F. KEATING was well versed in the worlds of crime, fiction and nonfiction. He was the crime books reviewer for The Times for fifteen years, as well as serving as the chairman of the Crime Writers Association and the Society of Authors. He won the CWA Gold Dagger Award twice, and in 1996 was awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for outstanding service to crime fiction.

Series:
. Inspector Ghote
. Harriet Martens

Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Perfectly Criminal

Reviews

[Ram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspector Ghote of the Bombay CID has landed what seems to be a straightforward assignment. All he has to do was to go to Calcutta and escort a notorious confidence man back to Bombay to stand trial. But if there’s an easy way to do it and a roundabout way to do it, trust our friend to take the long route. Here it takes the form of a 2-day train journey from Bombay to Calcutta across the Indian sub-continent which Ghote hopes to enjoy to the full. However, his well laid out plans are thwarted by his companions – a glib talker, two hippies and their guru, and an Indian Railways official. Halfway through his onward journey he also gets a telegram that puts an unexpected spoke in his plans. As the train carries him and his companions closer to Calcutta, Ghote realises that perhaps the antidote to his troubles could be amongst his travelling companions themselves. And no sooner has he reached Calcutta than he must start on the return journey over the same route, and one that has its own perils.

Keating has marvellously sketched out this story over two train journeys. Inspector Ghote may come across as a bungling clueless character initially but his doggedness and a late-awakening sense finally get him his man.

A nice story set in the never-a-dull-moment Indian Railways environment. No great mystery here but like the steady pace of the great train that cuts across the subcontinent, so too are we kept entertained by this story to a steady soothing rhythm.

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[Roshni · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read

I enjoyed this next book in the Inspector Ghote series, but did find it dragged a little. Overall, worth the read but the first in the series is still my favourite so far.

[Zeb Kantrowitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one should be a no brainer for Ghote. He has to go to Calcutta and bring back to Bombay a notorious swindle to face justice. Ghote insists that he wants to go by train which will take 40 hours, instead of an airplane which will take three hours. The first class train car he travels in becomes a rolling home to a group of people half of whom are travelling for free. Half way to Calcutta he is notified that the man he is supposed to bring back has escaped custody.

He is able to catch his prisoner and decides to return to Bombay on the same train he came out in. But the Bombay Police rent a 'special' train so that he will have a safe secure way to travel. After an odd set of circumstances, most of the odd group that came out with him end up travelling back to Bombay with him.

Most of this episode of this series is beyond believable. That what goes on during this trip is just too ridiculous to contemplate. I assume that Keating meant this book to be a comment on Policing in India or just to make some cultural comments, but I found it tedious.

[John Frankham · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting idea for this seventh Inspector aGhote whodunnit, taking place on a train journey from Bombay to Calcutta and back, but the protagonist is so grating and annoying that I found the book likewise. Still, good fun.

The GR blurb:

'One of Britain's finest crime fiction authors, Keating has written more than twenty Inspector Ghote mysteries. Here, Ghote is sent to Calcutta to escort a master criminal back to Bombay. He takes the train, hoping to make the journey into a mini-vacation. Fate conspires, however, and an odd assortment of travelers turns the trip into something unexpected, as the anxious Ghote diligently uncovers the truth.'

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sad because the audiobook isn't available. However, I soldiered on with the print version. Which, funnily enough would be approved by Inspector Ghote whose nostalgia for traditional ways has been shown in the early pages of this book.

I really enjoyed the way this was almost like a play where characters are thrust in and out of the room with a comic effect. At the center is a battle of wits between Inspector Ghote and a notorious con man. We know that the annoying fellow passenger, under an alias, is actually the criminal himself but Ghote only has his suspicions. I love the way Ghote never gives up and his continual efforts to weigh possibly innocent motives versus suspicious actions of his fellow passenger.

Most enjoyable and the denouement was particularly satisfying.

[John Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbelievable, but it is fiction. Good detail, impossible plot, Ghote is a pain in the neck, as I am sure intended by the author. Proposed subtitle: Bad Trip for Bengali's. Spell check won't let me get the apostrophe out.

[Lizzytish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m so relieved that long train ride is over. I was bored to tears. Ghote was so inept, but the hippies were fun.

[Maya Gopalakrishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fun!

[Jlnpeacock Peacock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in how an Indian detective would compare with the American and British heroes. It was fascinating to read about India in the early '70s and to see how their populace was dealing with democracy and the residual effects of having lived under Britain's rule. I was in sympathy with Inspector Ghote's character and would probably not read another in the series.

[Pream · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved Keating's skilful weaving together of various elements of suspense, humour, and cultural stereotypes to create an engaging narrative. To me the plot is little absurd, but I'm sure that fans of crime fiction and those interested in diverse cultural perspectives will find this book a delightful addition to their read list. 🌳 🚂🌳🌳🌳🌳

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

A nice little story for about 1/2 the book when it should have been done. If accurate, the culture makes it very different from American based characters who are more hard hitting and certainly not as submissive or polite to their suspects. Based in India

[Les Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favourite of the Inspector Ghote mysteries that I have read.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and elegant.