Last Victim of the Monsoon Express: A Baby Ganesh Agency novella

Baby Ganesh Agency Investigation #4.5

by Vaseem Khan

A new novella in the 'beguiling' (Financial Times) Baby Ganesh Agency series.

In a symbolic journey of reconciliation, the Monsoon Express is travelling between hostile neighbours India and Pakistan. The passenger list includes politicians, celebrities, former Mumbai policeman Inspector Chopra and his baby elephant ward Ganesha.

Then a senior diplomat is found murdered in his cabin. Accusations fly, tensions rise, and an international incident seems certain. But is the murder political - or personal?

Tasked to investigate, Chopra has just hours before the train reaches its destination and the news goes public. He must unmask the killer quickly if he's to stop the last journey of the Monsoon Express going entirely off the rails...

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Novella, India, Cozy Mystery, Short Stories

127 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 13, 2019

About the author

Vaseem Khan is the author of two award-winning crime series set in India and the upcoming Quantum of Menace, the first in a series featuring Q from the James Bond franchise. His debut, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020. In 2021, Midnight at Malabar House, the first in the Malabar House novels set in 1950s Bombay, won the CWA Historical Dagger. Vaseem was born in England, but spent a decade working in India. Vaseem is the current Chair of the UK Crime Writers Association.

Reviews

[Annet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waiting for the next book of Inspector Chopra and his Baby Elephant Ganesha 'Bad day at the Vulture Club', very happy to have found this intermediate novella while waiting. So what can I say, this is the Indian version of Murder on the Orient Express. Poirot is Chopra and the thing is that Chopra has his baby elephant as his sidekick :-) A novella, 155 pages long, I read it on my mobile (I have a rather big screen :-)) easily, after work and before going to sleep, very relaxing, I love Chopra, although without his characterful wife Poppy, and Ganesha did not have much of a role because how can an elephant move around on a train? I like this series a lot, very entertaining, big fan of all books India, and just very relaxing. Four stars and so looking forward to the next book, which I think will arrive very soon. I enjoy this series!

In a symbolic journey of reconciliation, the Monsoon Express is travelling between hostile neighbours India and Pakistan. The passenger list Indian and Pakistan delegations includes politicians, celebrities and among them former Mumbai policeman Inspector Chopra and his baby elephant ward Ganesha are invited. Then a senior diplomat is found murdered in his cabin. Chopra is tasked to investigate...

[Carolyn Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

While awaiting the August release of the next book in the Baby Ganesh Agency series, I was pleased to discover this 155 page novella which is an enjoyable addition to this mystery series. The Monsoon Express is a refurbished train on which many were slaughtered during the partition. This is an Agatha Christie type mystery occurring in present time on the train travelling from India to Pakistan on a symbolic reconciliation mission.

On board are Inspector Chopra with his baby elephant Ganesh, a delegation of Indian and Pakistani politicians, a judge, and a former Bollywood actress and a couple of other women. The leader of the Indian diplomatic mission is found stabbed to death in his cabin and the bloody murder weapon is discovered hidden in the room of his Pakistani counterpart. Was the killing done to inflame already existing tensions between the two countries and to derail the peace initiative? While Chopra investigates the murder, no one can enter or exit the train.

Chopra discovers that the murdered politician was hated for many reasons, and many individuals on the train had motives to wish him dead. Baby Ganesh finds a clue which helps in the investigation, but unfortunately spends most of the trip in the storage compartment. I am deducting a star for his absence. At the conclusion, Inspector Chopra gathers everyone around him to reveal the killer and motivation for the crime.

I always find this series to be a delight and am eagerly awaiting Bad Day at the Vulture Club to be released in August.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I read these and the more I learn about India, the more I realize that these books HAVE to have a tinge of sadness to them. Some of the stories told in this one, as Chopra searches for a murderer on a train, are sad and frustrating and absolutely infuriating. Just because it isn't "our" history, doesn't mean its not history worth learning and learning FROM.
Excellent read.

[Julie Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

If, like me, you are a huge fan of Vaseem Khan’s Baby Ganesh Agency detective series and you are waiting impatiently for the next book in the series to be released, you can damp your impatience in the meantime by reading this little novella featuring Inspector Chopra and his elephant sidekick, Ganesha, as they solve a murder mystery on the Monsoon Express.

That’s right, in this book Chopra becomes India’s answer to Hercule Poirot as he is embroiled in a mystery on a diplomatic train journey between India and Pakistan and the peace and prosperity of both countries may rest on the outcome of his investigation, so no pressure there!

This book contains all the usual charm and fun you will have come to expect from the Inspector Chopra books and Ganesha has a starring role in the investigation which makes me happy as the little elephant is my favourite character in the series. It only took me a couple of hours to read, so perfect for a rainy afternoon, and was just enough to tide me over while I wait for the next full-length book. I missed Poppy and Rangwalla, as there was not really enough room in the novella format for them to have a role, but I know they will feature in the next book and I enjoyed this for the fun story it was.

With a nod to ‘Murder on the Orient Express,’ fans of Agatha Christie will get a kick of reading this story and spotting the similarities whilst enjoying the Indian twist that adds a delightful colour and flavour to the story. The story is very quick, so not too much room for a lot of character development or lengthy plot twists but the author makes the most of the small word count and includes enough to keep the reader interested throughout. There is nothing not to like about this book, I was thoroughly entertained and would highly recommend. If you haven’t read any of the Inspector Chopra mysteries before, this book will give you a delicious taste, and I’m sure you will find it very more-ish.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

In homage to Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, a murder occurs on the Monsoon Express traveling from Mumbai, India to Pakistan. Did the murder have anything to do with the volatile relationship between the two countries? Or was it something else? Chopra gets his way and quarantines the train to find the killer. A solid short story that taught me a bit more about the Partition of India-- although I did think it was a stretch to put a baby elephant on a train!

Also a word of warning: The description says this is 155 pages long, but it's not. A good third of the length is a sneak peek of the first chapter of the next Baby Ganesh novel. Personally, I didn't care. I enjoy Khan's series, and the price is right.

[Jan Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read

A cast of unlikely heroes , well written interesting and an intriguing storyline makes this series so enjoyable. And then there I s the baby elephant that captures everyone's heart

[Alison C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspector Chopra (Retd) is invited, with his baby elephant Ganesha, to travel on a restored train between India and Pakistan, full of diplomats and other luminaries in an effort to broker warmer relations between the neighboring countries, but when the leader of the Indian contingent is murdered, suspicions are high amongst the adversaries and it is up to Chopra to determine the culprit before an international incident is sparked…. This novella, published between the fourth and fifth novels in the Baby Ganesh Agency series, is a showcase for Chopra’s powers of observation, along with Ganesha’s extraordinary qualities including a very precise sense of smell. It isn’t necessary to have read the novels in the series; in fact, this short book might be a great entry into the series as a whole. And, of course, as a novella it is primarily a sidebar to the longer books, but it’s a delight just the same and well worth reading on its own merits; recommended.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A murder taking place on a train, sound familiar? This one was a bit difficult to follow on audio as there were many different characters and I had a hard time keeping track of them. Chopra and Ganesh are on a diplomatic mission aboard the renovated Monsoon Express train from India to Pakistan. Tensions are high between the two countries and have been ever since the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. I admit that I didn't know a lot about that event in history and was glad to learn about it some. When the head diplomat from India was found murdered in his cabin, there are plenty of suspects, from his wife, who he refuses to divorce, to the Pakistani diplomat. In the end, it was a woman seeking revenge for her deceased father. Not a bad novella but not as successful as other books in the series.

[Dan Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of good stuff about this book. Khan is an engaging writer, and he managed to put a lot of interesting bits of India/Pakistani history into the book without bogging it down. It took a classic Christie premise and gave it a fresh setting.

But ultimately I read crime fiction like this for the mystery, and for me it fell flat. The Killer leaves a bobbin inside the victim's throat. Chopra calls up his associate on the phone and gets him to track down the serial number on the bobbin. Remarkably, after forty years, the mere serial number is enough for the associate (not the MC!) to track down who it was sold to. Who was on the train. Who then confesses. So I didn't feel Chopra, the main character, did much actual investigating.

Overall, good story but poor mystery.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old-fashioned mystery set on a train. The murder of an Indian politician evokes the violence of the separation of Pakistan from India and Chopra is asked to solve the politically sensitive case before it can incite further violence. He finds that the politician had a history of dark deeds and many on the train have motives both political and personal. Chopra has brought along his partner, Ganesha, in the baggage car but the author has to really stretch to fit the baby elephant into the plot, even peripherally. The story is fun to read, but the contrived plot and simplified character dynamics are not up to the standard of the book-length entries in the series.

[Rhoda Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is described as 'charming' and it really is!
Inspector Chopra is on a revived steam train and his ward, the baby elephant Ganesha is travelling with him. An Indian politician is murdered and Chopra has to solve the mystery before the train stops or risk there being a major international incident.
I liked how the history of partition was woven into the story (only where it was relevant). I really appreciated the Poirot-esque murder mystery.
This was a fun short read. I liked the gentle humour in the story, even though Inspector Chopra is a very serious man, his observations are sometimes funny.
I will be checking out the other books in the series.

[Nadia Masood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cozy mystery novella has a Murder on the Orient Express vibes, but with a baby elephant as the detective's sidekick! This is my first Vaseem Khan book, and I had so much fun reading it.

Last Victim on the Monsoon Express is a quick read, none of those lengthy plot twists but not a single boring moment, either. There weren't a lot of clues to help me guess who committed the murder and so the story kept me hooked till the end.

There were laugh-out-loud moments for me and I loved Inspector Chopra. I definitely look forward to reading the other books in the Baby Ganesh Agency series.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Inspector Chopra series - they are pleasant, simple plot, interesting characters. In this book, Chopra finds himself invited onboard the Monsoon Express which is a symbol of unity for India and Pakistan as delegations are aboard traveling through both countries. There's a murder and Chopra has less than 48 hours to solve who might have done it with a train packed with motive.

Although not a deep or even realistic story, this was a nice palette cleanse from other heavier books I was reading at the time.

[Bijayini · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the fastest read I have ever had !!

Wow, when I read the first book of this series, I was bored with unnecessary details and never thought of continuing this series again but somehow I had this book in my possession. (I collect every book where there is a murder on train , it's orient express effect) And I just started reading it..

Woow the speed of this story. One single unnecessary words were speared in this book. To the point writing!! I absolutely loved it !

Also what a perfect and imperfect time to read this book... Like literally!! But I loved it !!

A

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting overview of India - Pakistan relations, but...where’s the elephant?! While the inspector solves a murder mystery on the train (plot borrowed from Agatha Christie), the cute elephant is locked up in the baggage car. I missed the elephant! Another reason for the three stars is that there are so many characters Chopra suspects and they all have Indian-Pak names - hard to keep characters straight.

[Mrs. A.A. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Murdrer on the train to Delhi

Retired Police Inspector Chopra is travelling on the Monsoon Express when a murder is discovered. He is delegated with finding the culprit. Khan reflects on the progress of India since partition as he finds many suspects among the passengers. Anyone interested in the political arguments between Pakistan and India will enjoy this book. A very good read.

[Tammie Painter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightfully quick mystery featuring Inspector Chopra and his elephant. This is very much an homage to Agatha Christie and was so much fun to read. I did miss seeing what Poppy and the other characters were up to (the novella focuses mainly on Chopra's adventures), but I did appreciate how "tight" the story felt without the usual subplots.

If you've never met Inspector Chopra, this would be a great way to try out the series.

[Anthony Frobisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder on the Moonsoon Express

An enjoyable short story infused with the internecine history of India and Pakistan following the tragedy of Partition. Vaseem Khan creates a murder mystery crime story aboard a train of reconciliation heading from India towards and across the border into Pakistan. A whodunnit laced with intrigue, political and personal motive.
And with a very shrewd baby elephant in tow.
Easy to read and enjoyable, yet many salient points contained within.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have missed this series. I think I only have one short story left with Chopra and Ganesh and that is a bummer as this is one of my favorite series. This was a well-written novella, I loved that it took place on a train which is one of my favorite mystery settings. Chopra is such a good protagonist, smart, funny, and very likable. The mystery was quick because it was a novella, but still interesting and fun.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying the Baby Ganesh mysteries. When the world is too much with me, I need to visit another place and have different experiences. This does the trick. I also like what I learned in this one about some of the political/historical details on India/Pakistan that I missed in real life. These books are intelligent but flow with an ease of reading. It's all good.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspector Chopra always has a humorous was of describing mannerisms of his characters. He is quite insightful about human nature whether people are from India or the Western countries. I have read them all and look forward to more crime-solving in India. Human nature is the same everywhere, which makes his books all the more entertaining.

[Vijay Krishnamoorthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook.

A very enjoyable short novel - with a murder set in a train carrying Indian and Pakistani dignitaries. A concise commentary on politics, personalities and an enjoyable Agatha Christie style murder mystery aboard a moving train.

I really liked this addition to the Baby Ganesh detective series

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good mystery

I like to read books about countries other than my own. India is a place I’ve never been and probably will never visit. It is certainly very different from my own country USA. And this mystery and the way it was solved suited me. A limited amount of violence and gore. Many suspects to be considered. A life to review. Who would want him dead?

[Martie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an enjoyable book. I can’t wait for his next in the series, that actually is released tomorrow. If you’re looking for a book that is relaxing to read, has humor and suspense, this is the book for you. I really feel like I’m in Mumbai when I read Mr. Khan’s book.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Not as good as the novels, but this was solely down to the brevity of the novella, and not anything the writer did wrong. That said, it's a fine addition to the Chopra canon and easily worth the 99p it sells for!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! I really enjoyed this novella. An Agatha Christie style plot meets modern India. My only criticism of this one is that the baby elephant, Poppy and some of the usual characters were not featured enough because of the location. Still excellent though....

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is rather a rather short expedition, but I enjoyed it. I thought there was an obvious call back to 'Murder on the Orient Express' which was fun, but as usual, I also appreciated the insight into the Indian sub continent.

[Douglas Drummond · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short cozy murder mystery reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel. No originality here. The characters are caricature. This tag-along elephant is silly and not believable. Vaseem Khan can and has done better.

[Karen Lindh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only is this a satisfying murder mystery, but I have also learned about the culture of the Indian subcontinent. In this book, the emphasis is on the partition of India and Pakistan, based on religious beliefs. The narrator of these audiobooks really helps to bring the story to life.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great novella. loved everything about it- the setting, the crime, the culprit- all perfection! i know i just asked for a sixth malabar house book but is it too much to ask for a sixth baby ganesh detective agency book too?? 😭😭😭