Reviewed by Ephantus Gold
“Shipwreck in Fiji” is a smart, engaging historical mystery that transports you straight into colonial Fiji, 1915 — a time and place not often seen in the genre. With a gripping detective storyline and a layered look at identity, cultural clashes, and political tensions, Nilima Rao delivers a story that’s far more than just your average whodunit. Purchase Here.
At its center is Sergeant Akal Singh, a Sikh police officer exiled to Fiji after a scandal in Hong Kong wrecks his career. Right away, one can feel how isolated he is — caught between British colonial rulers who don’t trust him, Indian laborers who hold him at a distance, and Fijians whose world he can’t easily enter. Akal’s sharp, driven, and quietly haunted by his past, and part of the book’s pull is wondering whether solving this case will help him carve out a place for himself — or leave him even more adrift.
Subsequent pages delve into the murder of a local shopkeeper, Sanjay Lal, but soon spirals into something bigger: secret letters, independence activists, German POWs, and political tension that make Akal’s job- who is called to investigate a nightmare. It’s not a twist-heavy puzzle — instead, it’s a case that builds steadily, revealing deeper layers as Akal digs further.
One of the book’s real strengths is the relationships. Katherine Murray, a young Australian woman determined to make her mark as a journalist, brings energy and humor into Akal’s world, while her aunt Mary adds a quiet, grounding warmth. And Akal’s friendship with Taviti, a local Fijian constable, is one of the emotional highlights — a teasing, genuine bond that feels well-earned in a place where trust doesn’t come easily. What really got to me, though, was the emotional undercurrent running through it all. Rao doesn’t shy away from tough stuff — racism, colonial power games, grief — but she handles it so gently, you never feel like you’re being lectured or weighed down. And Akal? You really feel for him. His loneliness, the mistakes he’s trying to live with, his quiet determination to stand up for what’s right, even when the world around him keeps throwing roadblocks in his way — it’s the kind of character work that lingers with you.
“Shipwreck in Fiji” isn’t just a good mystery but also a genuinely engaging, thoughtful read that stays with you. If you enjoy historical mysteries with heart, a touch of romance, and characters you will remember long after you have finished the book, this is a must-read.