Vaseem Khan

Vaseem Khan is a British crime fiction author whose novels set in India — from modern-day Mumbai to 1950s Bombay — have won critical acclaim, bestseller status, and multiple awards. His work combines compelling mysteries with vivid settings, sharp humour, and an infectious love of India and its culture. Born in London in 1973, Khan studied accounting and finance at the London School of Economics before spending a decade in India, where he helped establish a chain of environmentally friendly hotels. He now works at University College London's Department of Security and Crime Science, where he collaborates with experts to find new ways of fighting crime — a job that informs his fiction with unusual authenticity. The Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series, beginning with The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra (2015), follows retired Mumbai police inspector Ashwin Chopra and his unlikely sidekick — a baby elephant named Ganesha. The series was a Times bestseller and a Waterstones Paperback of the Year, and its blend of detective fiction, Indian culture, and gentle humour won a devoted readership. The Malabar House series, beginning with Midnight at Malabar House (2020), is set in 1950s Bombay and follows Inspector Persis Wadia, India's first female police detective, as she investigates crimes in the newly independent nation. Bad Day at the Vulture Club continues the series. The Malabar House novels won the CWA Historical Dagger and have been praised for their vivid period setting and their exploration of post-colonial India. Khan was elected Chair of the Crime Writers' Association in 2023. The audiobook editions of Khan's novels are richly atmospheric, bringing the sounds and energy of India to vivid life. His books and audiobooks are essential for crime fiction fans who love distinctive settings, clever plotting, and mysteries that are as warm as they are gripping.