In the holy city of Kashi, where the sacred Ganga washes away all sins, one sin remains: murder. 1825, India. During the sacred Raj Mangal festival, palace chef Dinanath is found murdered in his kitchen-shot at close range with no weapon left behind.Detective Inder Shastri owes the victim his life. Now he must repay that debt by unmasking his killer.The suspects: - An ambitious assistant, passed over for promotion- A desperate gambler, caught stealing- A haunted soldier, seeking revenge- A rejected lover, driven by forbidden loveOne murdered chef. Four suspects. Five days of investigation.As lies rise like spice smoke and secrets flow like the sacred Ganga, Inder races to uncover the truth before the festival ends and the killer escapes justice.A masterfully plotted debut mystery that honors Agatha Christie while celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of 19th century India.Perfect for fans of: Historical whodunits - Cultural mysteries - Classic detective fiction - Indian settingsBook One in the Inder Shastri Mystery Series