Taken in Nuala

Taken in Nuala by Harriet Steel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Eighth book in this mystery series set in 1930's Ceylon--under British rule it is isolated enough that the rise of Hitler in Europe is hardly making an impact on life there. Although any of the eight books can be read as a stand alone novel, this is one series that is best enjoyed by starting with the first book. The author starts each book with the same introduction, explaining her experiences visiting modern Sri Lanka and how much the place and its people appealed to her. Having planned on a detective series she decided to chose to 30's Ceylon as her setting.

This case involves the kidnapping of two young heiresses, one British, the other, American. During the botched abduction of the American she is killed and the persons responsible become the focus of Shanti de Silva and his officers. Hoping to solve the case rapidly and thus averting any further kidnappings they find themselves without any clues and are at a standstill when the second girl is kidnapped.

In each instance, the determination of the distraught families to pay the ransoms and regain their daughters further hampers the investigations. Still, hamstrung as they are Nuala's finest and the British officials are able to work with locals to make headway without alerting the kidnappers to their efforts.

Finally, the perps are caught in one way or another and Billy and Bella are ensconced in a home with roof and food.

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