A Necessary Evil

Because Sgt."Surrender-Not" Banerjee went to Harrow with the Crown Prince of Sambalpur, he and Capt. Sam Wyndham are asked to meet with him after a brief ceremony in 1920s Calcutta. But the prince is assassinated, with the two police officers as witnesses. Although they track down the killer, who was dressed as a Hindu priest, the man commits suicide. The case may be officially closed, but Sam is not satisfied. He wants justice for the fallen prince. Under the pretense of attending the royal funeral, the duo travel to the diamond-rich state of Sambalpore to confront powerful political forces. This atmospheric sequel to A Rising Man establishes a strong sense of place by showcasing in rich detail the life of a wealthy maharaja with his wives, concubines, and hundreds of children. Mukherjee further develops his brooding, introspective, and flawed lead protagonist, who relies on his partner's in-depth knowledge of Indian culture and traditions.