'Compulsive reading. This is a master storyteller at the top of his game.' Ann Cleeves

'Historical crime fiction at its best' The Times
'An utterly spellbinding triumph from a master storyteller' Joseph O'Connor

In the Burning Ghats of Calcutta, where the dead are laid to rest, a man is found murdered, his throat cut from ear to ear.

The victim is a popular patron of the arts, a man who was adored by all. So, what was the motive for his murder? Despite being out of favour with the Imperial Police Force, Detective Sam Wyndham is dragged in to investigate and finds himself thrust into the glamorous but dangerous world of Indian cinema.

Meanwhile Surendranath Banerjee, recently returned from Europe after three years spent running from the fallout of his last case, is searching for a missing photographer. When the vanished woman is linked with Sam's murder investigation, the two men find themselves working together once again.

But can Wyndham and Banerjee put their differences aside to solve the case?

'Abir Mukherjee is doing something uniquely different in the crime genre...breathtaking' Peter May, Sunday Times bestseller, on The Shadows of Men

Readers love THE BURNING GROUNDS:

'A wonderful addition to an exceptional series'
'Incredibly exciting and action-packed'
'A must-read for anyone who loves fiction at its best'
'Beautifully written and a smashing story'
'An engaging, atmospheric thriller with strong character development and a plot full of intrigue'

About the Author

Abir Mukherjee is the bestselling author of the award-winning Wyndham & Banerjee series of crime novels set in 1920s India and the British Book Awards Crime Thriller of the Year 2025 Hunted. His books have been translated into sixteen 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
Compulsive reading. This is a master storyteller at the top of his game. * Ann Cleeves *
Another gloriously brilliant deep dive into the dying days of the British Empire from one of our foremost historical crime writers * Daily Mirror *
An utterly spellbinding triumph from a master storyteller. -- Joseph O'Connor
I really enjoyed it. It was great to be back in the world of Wyndham and Banerjee as they solved a wonderfully imagined story told with all of Abir's trademark wry humour. I especially liked the way he brought all of Kolkata's satanic majesty to life. -- Ajay Chowdhury
I devoured it... Thrilling, evocative and amusing. It's a book that has everything * Imran Mahmood *
Mukherjee's tale from the Rag, full of local colour and excitement, is about blood, money and "the callousness of the universe"... Historical crime fiction at its best * The Times *
Another masterful Wyndham and Banerjee series, delivered with the usual panache * Financial Times *
Sharp observation and stylish writing make it one not to miss * Daily Mail *
Throw in a beautiful English actress starring in an Indian film and you have the ingredients of a superb story set against the backdrop of colonial India . Sharp observation and stylish writing make it one not to miss * Daily Mail *
Mukherjee's eye for period detail and ear for dialogue bring this world vividly, dangerously alive * i Paper *



Book Information
ISBN 9781787302785
Author Abir Mukherjee
Format Hardback
Page Count 384
Imprint Harvill
Publisher Vintage Publishing
Weight(grams) 597g
Dimensions(mm) 242mm * 162mm * 35mm