Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra (A Baby Ganesh Agency Investigation, 1)

While the premise of a retired inspector inheriting both a case and a baby elephant is intriguing, I found the book disappointing in several respects. First, the narrative seems to push an undercurrent of anti-Hindu sentiment. The author frames Hindutva—which, at its core, means living as a Hindu—as a threat to India’s progress. This feels reductive and misrepresentative, especially when many of the practices and traditions he mocks are integral to Hindu identity. Regardless of one’s personal stance, caricaturing faith-based practices for cheap laughs comes across as crass and disrespectful. On the literary side, the storyline itself is mediocre at best. While it has moments of charm, especially in describing Mumbai’s vibrancy and chaos, the mystery element felt predictable and lacked depth. The highlight for me was indeed the cityscape—the bustling streets, contrasting neighborhoods, and the sensory details that brought Mumbai to life. Unfortunately, the plot and character development didn’t match the richness of that backdrop. Overall, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra may appeal to readers looking for light fiction with an exotic setting, but its shallow storyline, combined with a dismissive portrayal of Hindu culture, made it clear to me that I will not be recommending this author to my book club again

Fun, a little predictable in places, but endearing characters and a fabulous insight into life in Mumbai. I will be reading others in the series.