Ajay Chowdhury: The Waiter, Harvill Secker (Penguin Random House UK), 9781787301832, paperback, pub date May 24, 2021

It was hugely entertaining to read an early proof of “The Waiter” by Ajay Chowdhury, publishing in May 2021. This refreshing first novel reminded me in style and story line of Abir Mukherjee’s historical crime novels set in before Independence India which I love, so little surprise here that I give “The Waiter” a thumbs up.
Kamil Rahman is a former detective of the Kolkata police who ends up working as a waiter in a Brick Lane restaurant owned by his father’s friends Maya and Saibal. Rahman had refused to be corrupted in the murder investigation of a famous Bollywood actor in his home town losing rank and privileges which gave him little choice but to make a fresh start in London. When Kahman has to cater a birthday party for his boss’s rich friend Rakesh married to the much younger Neha, the evening takes an unexpected turn. At the end of the party Rakesh is found murdered by his swimming pool and all fingers point to Neha. Saibal, Maya and Anjoli, their daughter, plead Kamil to investigate on their behalf as Neha was like a second daughter to them und an improbable murderess. The book switches back and forth between the current murder investigation and the old memories of the case that brought Kamil to his knees. “The Waiter” is a very non-bloody, atmospheric, clever and often funny crime novel, a perfect summer read.

This is an outstanding debut thriller that blows you away with its murder mystery plot that is not just incredible but fantastic what a debut.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A fabulous read.
I would highly recommend to family and friends.

Many thanks to the publisher and NeyGalley for my ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Two worlds collide as a disgraced detective seeks refuge as a waiter in London, but his troubles follow him and more amount. Two crimes entwine and need to be solved to allow for new beginnings. A quick moving story that switches between London and India with characters seeking to be true to themselves and uphold their moral code. It took a little while to get into both stories but by the end I would have happily kept reading. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

An interesting read, about a disgraced detective, the story is full of twists and turns and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for letting me have an advance reading copy of the novel.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an unbiased review.
Strong first publication by this author
The story takes us back and forth between events in Kolkata and London.
Initially I found it a little difficult keeping up with who was who given the number of characters introduced but soon it was no problem.
Decent story casting suspicions upon a number of members of the same family.
Thoroughly enjoyed it, decent story and happy to recommend.

Don’t you just love a disgraced detective and a grimy story. Loved this book. Real gum shoe stuff. Was loved by my husband too and we don’t normally have the same tastes.

Two countries. Two cultures. Two murder mysteries. One sleuth. Ajay Chowdhury has created a unique lead character in his disgraced Kolkata detective, turned London waiter, Kamil. Potential here for a series. Ideal for crime fans looking for something a little different.

This is an intriguing and compelling new crime thriller from debut author Ajay Chowdury.

The Waiter is Kamil, Rahman, a recently disgraced ex policeman from Kolkata, India, uprooted to London in an attempt to rebuild his shattered career and life.

Living with family friends, Kamil begins to work in the family restaurant illegally as a waiter. At a party catered for by the family, Kamil finds himself at the centre of a murder investigation when a rich, prominent Indian businessman is found dead at his own party.

Kamil, and family friend Anjoli, for which there is great chemistry between the 2 begin to investigate the murder.

A tale of 2 cities then plays out as Ajay Chowdury takes us to the streets of Kolkata to flesh out Kamil life whilst the other side of the book tells the story in London.

An almost enchanting story, that delves into Indian Culture, it’s food, it’s police and the families and how important they are to each other.

Never dark or gloomy this is a bright, vibrant and energetic tale, a quite refreshing change.

With likeable protagonists and great locations, this fast paced and well thought out thriller was a great start to my 2021 reading and I hope the start of a new series

Thanks to Harvill Secker and NetGalley for the ARC

A most enjoyable and interesting read of an Indian community enclave in multicultural London. A disgraced Senior Detective of Kolkata flees to the bosom of a family in London’s East End where he works for them in the family restaurant illegally as a waiter. The wife, who mothers him, is the cook producing all the home dishes that are on the menu, so he is in a home from home. He has lost all left behind including his fiancé, so he finds some consolation in befriending the feisty daughter. When serving at a function of an Indian tycoon the host was found dead and his wife a friend of the daughter was subsequently arrested for murder. So, he has no option but to investigate. exposing the complexities of Indian business dealings and family relationships and obligations. In solving the crime, he is forced to learn that justice can be serve in more ways than one, a truth that he was not able to accept before.

I definitely liked this book. It was fast paced and full of twists and turns that kept me reading. I loved the way the story was connected across two continents and that the characters were well drawn. They didn't feel cardboard or mechanical and at the same time the plot didn't slacken. 4 stars.

I am not able to leave a review of the either on GoodReads (not found) or Amazon (item not eligible), which is a shame as I wanted to be able to make my review visible to recommend to others.

I thought I would give this book a try, I love crime books. This book was different to any I've read before, which was so refreshing. The descriptions of the Indian culture was fascinating and I was pulled into the story immediately.

It did keep me guessing 'whodunnit' up until the last few pages - I must admit to being a bit disappointed at the eventual outcome, however this book is a great read, interesting, keeps you hooked and I would definitely recommend.

I find if I cannot get into a book in the first few pages, then I give it a miss. Perhaps this is wrong, but I need to be drawn in early.
When I started reading The Waiter, I did think it was going to be one of those that was going to get the heave-ho early on, but for some reason I decided to keep with it. This was the correct option, as it became an enjoyable read.
Judging by the ending, I imagine that there will be a follow up, which I will look forward to.
A different author, a completely different dialogue at times, with theodd touch of humour for good measure.
Give it a try.

I feel like lately so many books are all the same especially when it comes to detectives and mysteries but that is NOT something you can accuse The Waiter of being.

Being immersed in the Indian culture in the UK and also the flashbacks to India itself was brilliant. The little bits of humour about the white customers all looking the same and how gentrification of the area has been detrimental to the Indian community there was timely considering the debate about immigration and Brexit etc.

I did find myself fair more interested in the story based in India than in the UK although that did shift eventually and the twist of who the murdered was in the 2nd murder really surprised me. I didn't see it coming. I did however find the ending a little unsatisfactory. I also found the business with the immigration services totally unbelievable. Having dealt with them myself I know them to be hugely hostile and unpleasant and I don't think one polite interview would ever have cut it. They would have been relentless and awful especially on the 2nd trip to the UK. I didn't buy it and I think that effected how I felt about the rest of the story and the easy of the ending, that it was all kind of wrapped up perfectly and put to bed with no real official conclusion.

I have a feeling that this might turn into a series of detective books. I actually think there is room for that to happen BUT only if the main character joins the British Police force and the story becomes about that and the culture conflicts that would potentially arise is what is undoubtedly a racist Britain.

But overall, definitely well worth a read and made me want to go to India even more than I already did and also go out for really good authentic Indian food.