Passage from Nuala by Harriet SteelSynopsis: “Inspector de Silva and Jane embark on a cruise to Egypt to visit the pyramids, excited at the prospect of two weeks of sun, sea and relaxation. With Nuala, and de Silva’s duties as a police officer, far behind them, what can possibly spoil their plans? Then a writer is found dead in his cabin, suffocated by newspaper thrust down his throat. Once again, de Silva must swing into action.
The Inspector de Silva Mysteries is a colourful and absorbing series, spiced with humour. Set in Ceylon in the 1930s, it will appeal to fans of traditional and cosy mysteries.”

My Review

I’m really enjoying this cosy mystery series  set in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in the 1930s, featuring Inspector Shanti de Silva and his wife Jane, and I think this is one of my favourites so far!

This is the sixth book in the series, and as the above synopsis says it was mostly set on a cruise ship, where the Inspector and his wife were supposed to be enjoying a well deserved holiday to Egypt.

Unfortunately one of the guests was murdered in his room and the Captain insisted that it was sorted out as quietly and quickly as possible, so as not to upset the passengers and the owners!

I really felt for Shanti and Jane as their holiday didn’t go at all to plan. Fortunately Jane was very understanding, and didn’t make a fuss as her husband delicately started to investigate. He was helped, and sometimes hindered by Sir William Petrie, the government agent for the Central Province of Ceylon who also  happened to be on board with his wife Lady Caroline. They knew each other from Ceylon, and Sir William and his wife had a lot of admiration for Shanti as he’d solved another case that they had personal connections to. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery, trying to work out what was going on, and who could possibly be guilty. There were plenty of suspicious characters all with motives,which made it hard to work out whodunnit!

Highly recommended if you enjoy cosy mysteries set in the 1930s.