Let's face it: it's a great title, isn't it? "The Perfect Murder" sounds like another locked room or impossible crime or, yes, perfect murder mystery, leaving readers eager to find out what peculiar twist of plot turns this particular crime into a perfect murder case.
Well, as you'll learn on the very first page of the book, this is a perfect murder only in one particular sense - and may not be a murder at all, for that matter. And that's just the first revelation in "The Perfect Murder," the 1964 novel by H. R. F. Keating in which he introduced his marvelous series character, Inspector Ghote of the Bombay (now Mumbai) police. It is the subject of this week's review on the Classic Mysteries podcast, and you can listen to the whole thing by clicking here.
India achieved its independence in 1947, but the nation continued to struggle with some of the unfortunate legacies of British rule for years afterwards. As he attempts to solve crimes, Inspector Ghote must grapple with a nation where class distinctions are vitally important, where an investigation into the theft of a single rupee from a government minister's desk takes precedence over investigating a murderous attack, where the powerful and corrupt are everywhere and a police inspector must be careful not to tread upon too many sensitive toes or he could find himself walking a constable's beat again.
Although Keating had never visited India before writing the book (and would not visit for another decade), "The Perfect Murder" earned him an Edgar Special Award from the Mystery Writers of America as well as a Golden Dagger from the English Crime Writers Association. The book was also made into a successful film in 1988. Keating served as the president of Britain's prestigious Detection Club from 1985 through 2000. He died earlier this year.
After his first appearance in 1964, Inspector Ghote appeared in more than two dozen other books, the last published in 2000. "The Perfect Murder" is a fine introduction to a sympathetic, well rounded character. You'll enjoy Inspector Ghote.
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