The Waiter

Author Ajay Chowdhury
Narrator Mikhail Sen
Publisher Random House
Publish Date 27 May 2021
Run Time 9 hours and 22 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives, Narrative theme: Sense of place.

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

** THE TIMES AUDIOBOOK OF THE WEEK **

Kamil Rahman, disgraced detective, turned waiter, is about to find himself embroiled in a case that might just change his life ... for better or for worse.

Disgraced detective Kamil Rahman moves from Kolkata to London to start afresh as a waiter in an Indian restaurant. But the day he caters a birthday party for his boss's friend on Millionaire's Row, his simple new life becomes rather complicated. The event is a success, the food is delicious, but later that evening the host, Rakesh, is found dead in his swimming pool.

Suspicion falls on Rakesh's new wife, Neha, and Kamil is called to investigate for the family, with the help of his boss's daughter Anjoli. Kamil and Anjoli prove a capable team - but as the investigation progresses, Kamil struggles to keep memories of the case that destroyed his career in Kolkata at bay. . . and his past will soon catch up with him in some rather unexpected ways.

'A hugely entertaining first novel, taking us from Kolkata to Brick Lane' Ann Cleeves

'A rip-roaring mystery that's engrossing from start to finish... a refreshing and welcome addition to the world of detective fiction. One of my favourite reads of the year' Abir Mukherjee

© Ajay Chowdhury 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Critics Review

A hugely entertaining first novel for lovers of traditional crime fiction, taking us from Kolkata to Brick Lane. I can’t wait to read more about disgraced detective Kamil and his wonderfully drawn companion Anjoli.

Ann Cleeves

Superb… Chowdhury paces the novel like an old hand, juxtaposing chapters set in the East End with flashbacks to Calcutta… [an] outstanding debut

Sunday Times

From the mean streets of Kolkata to the kitchens of Brick Lane…this is a rip-roaring mystery that’s engrossing from start to finish. In Kamil Rahman, Ajay has created a quixotic and all too human protagonist who is a refreshing and welcome addition to the world of detective fiction. One of my favourite reads of the year.

Abir Mukherjee, author of the Wyndham & Banerjee mysteries

The Waiter is a heady mix of murder, intrigue and all things Indian. Weaving together a dual narrative with aplomb, Ajay Chowdhury’s neatly-drawn detective Kamil Rahman relives his failure to solve the murder of a Bollywood A-lister in Kolkata whilst trying to solve the killing of an Indian industrialist in London. Could the two murders be connected? An accomplished crime debut that offers something a little different.

Vaseem Khan, author of the Malabar House Baby Ganesh Agency crime series

An authentic and enthralling debut with an original new lead detective.

G.R. Halliday

The Waiter is beautifully written and gloriously transporting. I really loved the glimpse into life as a Kolkata homicide detective and the vibrant and mouth-watering depiction of the Bengali restaurant trade on London’s Brick Lane. Ajay Chowdhury is a refreshingly different voice in the crime genre and I can’t wait to read more.

Emily Koch

In a swiftly-moving energetic narrative that takes you from the decaying grandeur of Kolkata and the bustle of London’s Brick Lane to the outward calm of the stately homes near Hampstead Heath, Ajay Chowdhury weaves a remarkable tale about the unlikely turns the life of police officer Kamil Rahman has taken, as he confronts his past, surrounded by the smells of spices and constant lurking danger.

Salil Tripathi

Kamil Rahman is down on his luck. He’s lost his job, smashed his dreams and fled Kolkata for London. Ajay Chowdhury deftly weaves a tale of two murders, two countries, two times – past and present – and binds them together into a single web of intrigue, money, corruption and death. He paints a bleak picture but brings it to life with a keen eye for texture, detail and an enticing love of music and good food. No book as ever made me as hungry as this enjoyable, fast-paced thriller.

Georgia Kaufmann

Excellent

Literary Review

[An] accomplished debut…intricately plotted, gripping… This is a sizzler of a crime novel, full of spice and authentic flavour

Country & Town House

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