Excerpt from A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

In the six months since Akal's arrival into this backwater colony, the Night Prowler had made six more appearances. Akal's achievements to date had been to coax descriptions out of the children, something the previous investigators had not managed. Six different descriptions of six entirely different men, as far as he could tell. Frightened children did not make good witnesses. Thurstrom knew perfectly well how difficult the case was. After all, he had assigned the case to Akal to demonstrate how unwelcome he was in Thurstrom's police force.

Thurstrom leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers in front of him. "This is an important case, Singh, and you are my only option. If I could send one of the Indian constables, I would, but then I'd be in hot water for sending a constable when a sergeant was available. Perhaps this is an opportunity for you to show me what you can do. Make this go away without upsetting the Indian government and perhaps some other, more solvable cases will start coming your way."

"Yes, sir," Akal replied, working hard to keep his excitement down. He had been getting nowhere with the Night Prowler; at least this case might give him another chance to redeem himself.

"Now, get moving. Oh, and go see Mrs. Parkins as well, see if she knows anything about this coolie woman. We have been trying to call Henry Parkins on the telephone out at the plantation, but nobody has answered. Go carefully with her, though. Her father is an important man in Australia."

Akal had never met Susan Parkins, but had seen her around Suva. Despite his short tenure in Fiji, Akal already knew all the Europeans on sight. Another reason to miss Hong Kong. "Yes, sir!" Akal saluted and smartly marched out of the office. Back downstairs, he collected a copy of the newspaper from Taviti and they spread the paper over the counter, turban and wiry curls almost colliding as they leant over to read the small print.

Planter calls it Run Away,Missionary calls it Kidnap!
A coolie has disappeared, this time a female on the Nabanigei
plantation in Nakavu. The woman, named Kunti, was last
seen two days ago when she reported sick from work and
stayed in the coolie line for the day. It was reported by Mr
Parkins, the plantation proprietor, that she had run away.
However Father David Hughes, a Catholic missionary, has come
directly to the Fiji Times, alleging she must have been kidnapped!
"Run away, rubbish," the good missionary has told us. "I have
met this young lady a few times and she would never run away
and leave her daughter behind. If she has gone, it is against her
will."
A mystery is afoot! As reported in this newspaper two weeks
ago, the high rate of coolie suicides has sparked outrage in
India. How will the Indian government respond to this latest
situation? Could we see an end to the indentured system anon?
In the face of all this interest from India and from our planters
here, what will our worthy colonial administration do?

Taviti frowned. "That seems weak. Some missionary met the woman a few times and thinks she wouldn't run away. And this is the case the inspector-general is worried about?"

Akal nodded. Whether the woman had run away or had indeed been kidnapped, however unlikely, if the colonial administration were seen not to investigate, a whole new cause would be created to add to the pressure for the end of the indenture system. The end of the indenture system would likely lead to the end of the sugar plantations, which were the backbone of the economy of the colony.

"I suppose I'd better go find out what the good Father has to say."

"Looks like you are going to church," Taviti said with a grin.

Excerpted from A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao. Copyright © 2023 by Nilima Rao. Excerpted by permission of Soho Crime. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.