Ro Krishna is the American son of Indian parents, educated at the finest institutions, equally at home in London’s poshest clubs and on the squash court, but unmoored after he is dramatically forced to leave a high-profile job under mysterious circumstances. He decides it’s time to check in for some much-needed R&R at Samsara, a world-class spa for the global cosmopolitan elite nestled in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. A person could be spiritually reborn in a place like this. Even a very rich person.
But a person—or several—could also die there. Samsara is the Sanskrit word for the karmic cycle of death and rebirth, after all. And as it turns out, the colorful cast of characters Ro meets—including a misanthropic politician; an American movie star preparing for his Bollywood crossover debut; a beautiful heiress to a family jewel fortune that barely survived Partition; and a bumbling white yogi inexplicably there to teach meditation—harbors a murderer among them. Maybe more than one.
As the death toll rises, Ro, a lawyer by training and a sleuth by circumstance, becomes embroiled in a vicious world under a gilded surface, where nothing is quite what it seems . . . including Ro himself. Death in the Air is a brilliant, teasing mystery from a remarkable new talent. Â
Release Date: Jun 18, 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Harper
Price: $14.99
Ro Krishna is an American of Indian descent who was forced to leave a high-profile job overseeing the construction of a cultural center. Ro is furious about this and feels his boss mistreated him, but is dealing with it as best as he can. A friend suggests Ro take some time for himself at Samsara, an expensive spa in the Indian Himalayas. Ro finds that he enjoys catching up with friends there, learning to do yoga and meditation, and improving his physical and spiritual health. When a beautiful woman is killed, Ro is asked to help with the investigation, which uncovers a lot of secrets, some of which could be dangerous to know.
This is a very unique and unusual book. It is slow to get going as it sets up the story. Things pick up when Ro arrives at the spa, but the pace remains uneven. The investigation itself is engaging and Ro is an intelligent and observant sleuth. Some ways Ro obtains information are quite mystical, which is another way the book is unique. The spa setting is interesting as is some of the information about meditation and the other treatments Ro undergoes. However, there are too many details about these things, which slows down the story as it gets started.
With the exception of some of the hotel staff, all of the characters are wealthy, privileged, and self-centered, flaunting expensive jewelry and name-dropping expensive brand names. There is a dark humor throughout the book that was sometimes amusing but often fell flat for me. There are a few references to events in Indian history that are informative and help explain the actions of some of the characters. Just when it looks like the case has been solved, unexpected developments occur, leading to a shocking and somewhat confusing ending. The twist ending and the fascinating setting help make this book a good choice for readers looking for a different kind of mystery in spite of some of the flaws.
~ Christine
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