**WINNER 2018 WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE**

'Even better than his first' Daily Telegraph

India, 1920. Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee of Calcutta Police must investigate the dramatic assassination of a Maharaja's son...

Sam Wyndham is visiting the kingdom of Sambalpore, home to diamond mines and the beautiful Palace of the Sun.

But when the Maharaja's eldest son is assassinated, Wyndham realises that the realm is riven with conflict. Prince Adhir was unpopular with religious groups, while his brother - now in line to the throne - appears to be a feckless playboy.

As Wyndham and Sergeant 'Surrender-not' Banerjee endeavour to unravel the mystery, they become entangled in a dangerous world. They must find the murderer, before the murderer finds them.

*SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 HISTORICAL AND GOLD DAGGERS*
*LONGLISTED FOR THE 2018 CWA STEEL DAGGER*

Praise for the Wyndham and Banerjee series :

'An exceptional historical crime novel' C.J. Sansom

'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin

'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily Express

If you enjoyed A Necessary Evil, further books in the Wyndham and Banerjee series are available now:

A Rising Man
Smoke and Ashes
Death in the East
The Shadows of Men

India, 1920. Captain Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee of the Calcutta Police Force investigate the dramatic assassination of a Maharajah's son

About the Author
Abir Mukherjee is the bestselling author of the award-winning Wyndham & Banerjee series of crime novels set in 1920s India. His books have been translated into fifteen languages and won various awards including the CWA Dagger for best Historical Novel, the Prix du Polar Europeen, and the Wilbur Smith Award for Adventure Writing. He also co-hosts the popular Red Hot Chilli Writers podcast which takes a wry look at the world of books, writing, and the creative arts, tackling everything from bestsellers to pop culture. Abir grew up in Scotland and now lives in Surrey with his wife and two sons. Website: abirmukherjee.com Twitter, Threads & Instagram: @radiomukhers Facebook: AuthorAbir

Reviews
Even better than his first... What is most striking about Mukherjee's novels is his infectious enjoyment of the human oddity of the British in India... Even better is his portrayal of the mix of opulence and spirituality that characterises Sambalpore under its sybaritic but benevolent maharaja... I can't imagine anyone failing to enjoy it -- Jake Kerridge * Daily Telegraph *
A year ago I welcomed the arrival of Captain Sam Wyndham and his faithful Sergeant... and I am delight to report that his return is every bit as engaging -- Geoffrey Wansell * Daily Mail *
A richly detailed period gem boasting the British Raj's exotic setting and a gripping "whydunit" spun around an intriguing cast -- Christine Tran * Booklist *
An intriguing and enjoyable crime novel -- Sarah Shaffi * Stylist *
He writes beautifully, bringing the colourful kingdom of Sambalpore to vivid life and taking the reader on a highly entertaining journey to unearth the dark secrets as its core, with unexpected twists on the way to a satisfying finale -- Jon Coates * Daily Express *


Awards
Short-listed for Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger Award 2018 (UK) and CWA Endeavour Historical Dagger 2018 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781784704773
Author Abir Mukherjee
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint Vintage
Publisher Vintage Publishing
Weight(grams) 266g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 24mm