A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao
1914, Fiji: Sergeant Akal Singh would rather be anywhere than this tropical paradise - or, as he calls it, 'this godforsaken island'. After a promising start to his police career in Hong Kong, Akal has been sent to the far-flung colony of Fiji as punishment for a humiliating professional mistake. Lonely and embarrassed, he dreams of solving a big case, thereby redeeming himself and gaining permission to leave. Otherwise, he fears he will be stuck in Fiji for ever.
When an indentured Indian woman goes missing from a sugarcane plantation and Fiji's newspapers scream 'kidnapping', the inspector-general reluctantly assigns Akal the case, giving him strict instructions to view this investigation as nothing more than cursory. But as soon as Akal arrives on the plantation, he identifies several troubling inconsistencies in the plantation owners' stories, and it seems there is more to this disappearance than meets the eye . . .
About the author
Nilima Rao is a Fijian Indian Australian who has always referred to herself as 'culturally confused'. She has since learned that we are all confused in some way and now feels better about the whole thing. When she isn't writing, Nilima can be found wrangling data (the dreaded day job) or wandering around Melbourne laneways in search of the next new wine bar. A Disappearance in Fiji is her first novel and she is currently working on a second.
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Review
‘A Disappearance in Fiji’ is a debut novel and the start of a historical mystery series set in 1914 Fiji. It features 25-year-old Sikh Indian police officer Akal Singh, who has been sent to Fiji in disgrace after a scandal when he was serving in the Hong Kong force. I love historical mysteries, especially those set in exotic places and worlds which I know nothing about. You learn about cultures and places as well as being entertained as a reader. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series!
When Akal Singh arrives in Fiji after being sent there in disgrace after a scandal in Hong Kong, he is determined to redeem himself and return home. But due to the rumours which have followed him, his boss General Thurston refuses to take him seriously and gives him the most menial of tasks. He has been tasked with finding the Night Prowler but with varied witnesses testimonies it's proving hard to get a lead. Akal asked to look into a missing Indian indentured woman Kunti, but it's mainly for political reasons as he is the only Indian officer available. Also, there is a delegation from India on the Island looking into the whole indentured scheme and its future so a quick response is required!
I must admit I knew nothing about the indentured scheme at all. Rao uses the platform of the mystery to educate readers on it. It is clearly well researched and it showed an an authentic look at the horrors of the system. Destitute, illiterate and low-caste Indians were brought to Fiji on mainly five year contracts to work in the sugar plantations. It's basically government sanctioned slavery. Long hours, back breaking work and horrible living conditions for extremely low pay. The authorities don't want to mess with the status quo and wants the disappearance of Kunti wrapped up quickly. But when Father Hughes goes to the press to highlight her situation he states she would never of run away as she wouldn't want to leave her daughter.
Rao manages to create Fiji brilliantly on the page as I felt I was instantly among the sugarcane fields with the hot and moist jungle pressing in! I found her writing to be crisp and sharp at times but languid and graceful at others. Her characterisation was spot-on. I have read extensively about this period, especially the Raj and it was an authentic portrayal of attitudes from white society against Indians and the indigenous population. I became very indignant on Akal’s behalf! Akal is at first dismissive of the plight Kunti and the indentured as his prejudices and pre-judgements have also transferred from India and its caste system. It's not until he is confronted with the horrible living conditions and how they are treated that his compassion starts to kick in. He is also forced to look at himself as he is branded as ‘just another coolie’ even though he sees himself as superior to the workers.
This was a great debut and it managed to create a marvellous sense of location and time in history. It was clearly well-researched and the author touches on this in the authors note and her family background to the story. I can't wait for the next in the series!
Let me know if you pick this one up!
