Review: Changing Times in Nuala

Changing Times in Nuala by Harriet Steel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Normally, I give these books a 5 star rating but this only gets a 4 star because the title is a bit misleading. Indeed, the story takes place within days of Ceylon's independence from England but the preparations and activity of the people in the village or the British government reps are barely mentioned. Hopefully, the next book will give more details on the results of the break. At this point, India has been independent for two years and while that is mentioned the chaos and upheaval there is again sort of a side note. I suppose that the basic plots of the books are the cases with which Shanti and his officers become involved. In that regard, the tale does not disappoint. A prominent man is taken ill suddenly and there seems to be no clear cause though his sister is determined to convince everyone that his young wife has poisoned him. It certainly does not look good when that young woman disappears without a trace. The case becomes two-pronged then. What made the man ill and where is his wife? Lots of rumors, lots of red herrings, no clear suspects. In the end, however, the ending brings a bit of a surprise as well as several parades. One the usual pomp and tradition that only British soldiers in bright red uniforms can provide. The other a far more interesting parade of locals, excited at the prospect of getting their country back--dancers, musicians, acrobats and elephants. Archie and Florence are moving our the Residence but staying in Nuala. A new flag is flying and soon Ceylon will revert to Sri Lanka but with what adjustments? Longing to see what changes will come to Shanti and his police force as well.

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