The Perplexing Theft of the Jewel in the Crown (Baby Ganesh Agency Investigation, #2)

by Vaseem Khan

father – the late Shree Premkumar Chopra – he had inherited both an admiration for the British

to the subcontinent, and...

come calling. Naturally, Poppy did not agree. All her friends had already been to see

else. Chopra’s eventual surrender was inevitable. He had rarely refused his wife

perennial war between the sexes it behoved

to be all the rage following the release of a new Bollywood movie set in the sixties. Her cheeks glowed

only – suit, a dark affair that his wife complained made him look like an undertaker. But he had

a concession he had made an effort with the remainder of his appearance. His thick black hair – greying

Nothing could be done about the frown

forehead. Supressing a sigh, Chopra looked back out

Mumbai where a hapless constable was attempting to he...

The queue at

mob was being held in check by the

them stretched all the way around the museum, adding an air of intrigue

inched forward, Chopra took the opportunity to once again admire

topped by a Mughal dome, he felt a gladness knocking on his heart. This feeling overcame him each time

which scholars now claimed might be the oldest of them all.

constable from his native village in the Maharashtrian interior, a bright-eyed

he had learned a great many lessons, the most painful of which was that

constant striving for the future, as if the past were a yoke that had to

He had found the museum a refuge from this headlong rush into the unknown, a balm for the affliction of nostalgia

of ancient India, one of a dwindling number. He knew that his country

there was still much to be gleaned from the traditions of a culture that

problems. They purchased

thoroughly searched by the Force One guards. Security had been a major

prepared, without any of the items on the widely advertised pro...

shouldered Sikh man ahead was asked

argued at first but eventually gave up the weapon. Another man insisted on taking in his gutka pouch.

article. At least the guards are being thorough, Chopra

deposit their phones and cameras, as these were not permitted inside the exhibition. Search completed,

to pass through a metal scanner.

woman refused to give up her gold wedding necklace. Th...

scanner with the thick steel bracelet on his wrist, an...

time – when it seemed that he might explode – he was ...

hands, then exchanged mystified glances. Eventually, they shrugged and handed it back.

Chopra was intrigued to note that the usual exhibits had been replaced by a collection

India’s

empire of Asoka the Great; a cl...

around ‘the Queen’s’ waist whilst his wife beamed at him. Chopra glowered. He would have

urging him onwards and upwards. They followed the herd as everyone jostled their way up the marble staircase, past Miniature Paintings and Himalayan