The Waiter: the award-winning first book in a thrilling new detective series

(Paperback)

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Kamil Rahman- Kolkata detective turned Brick Lane waiter has a new case on his hands . . . * A SUNDAY TIMES CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH * 'Hugely entertaining' - ANN CLEEVES 'An outstanding debut' - SUNDAY TIMES ____________________________________ Ex-detective Kamil Rahman is embroiled in a case that might just change his life - for better or for worse . . . Disgraced detective Kamil Rahman moves from Kolkata to London to start afresh as a waiter in an Indian restaurant. But the peace of his new life is soon shattered. The day Kamil caters an extravagant party, the powerful host, Rakesh, is found dead in his swimming pool. Suspicion falls on Rakesh's young and glamorous new wife, and Kamil is called to investigate for the family. Kamil and Anjoli, his boss's daughter, prove a winning team - yet as the case progresses, and their relationship grows, the events of Kamil's past threaten to catch up with him . . . ____________________________________ 'A rip-roaring mystery that's engrossing from start to finish' - ABIR MUKHERJEE 'This detective waiter has all the ingredients for a great crime series' - SUN ' Kamil is a likeable inspector . . . We shall hear much more of him' - DAILY MAIL 'An elegantly constructed thriller' - THE TIMES

Reviews

A hugely entertaining first novel for lovers of traditional crime fiction, taking us from Kolkata to Brick Lane. I can't wait to read more about disgraced detective Kamil and his wonderfully drawn companion Anjoli. * Ann Cleeves *
Superb... Chowdhury paces the novel like an old hand, juxtaposing chapters set in the East End with flashbacks to Calcutta... [an] outstanding debut -- Joan Smith * Sunday Times *
From the mean streets of Kolkata to the kitchens of Brick Lane...this is a rip-roaring mystery that's engrossing from start to finish. In Kamil Rahman, Ajay has created a quixotic and all too human protagonist who is a refreshing and welcome addition to the world of detective fiction. One of my favourite reads of the year. * Abir Mukherjee, author of the Wyndham & Banerjee mysteries *
The Waiter is a heady mix of murder, intrigue and all things Indian. Weaving together a dual narrative with aplomb, Ajay Chowdhury's neatly-drawn detective Kamil Rahman relives his failure to solve the murder of a Bollywood A-lister in Kolkata whilst trying to solve the killing of an Indian industrialist in London. Could the two murders be connected An accomplished crime debut that offers something a little different. * Vaseem Khan, author of the Malabar House Baby Ganesh Agency crime series *
An authentic and enthralling debut with an original new lead detective. * G.R. Halliday *

Author Bio

Ajay Chowdhury is the inaugural winner of the Harvill Secker-Bloody Scotland crime fiction award. He is a tech entrepreneur and theatre director who was born in India and now lives in London where he builds digital businesses, cooks experimental dishes for his wife and daughters and writes through the night. His children's book, Ayesha and the Firefish, was published in 2016 and adapted into a musical. The Waiter is the first in his adult crime series about Kamil Rahman, an ex-policeman from Calcutta who has moved to Brick Lane in London. It has been optioned by BBC Studios. Follow up, The Cook, was published in May 2022 to critical acclaim and deals with the issue of homelessness. Ajay is currently writing and cooking up a storm for the next instalment.