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Strangler Vine finished

The resolution of the mystery is not strong.  In essence, Blake discovers that the bureaucrat he thought responsible was, instead, simply mistaken in his persecution of the thugges, not evil.  However, another bureaucrat was downright evil.  Really, as a reader, which bureaucrat is to blame isn't compelling.  Blake and Avery also agree to keep their discoveries and the facts around the murder of Mountstuart semi-hushed up . . . again, not dramatic.

However . . . the creation of the feel of India was great.  Both Avery and Blake were well-rounded.  The afterward helps in understanding the historical context and the controversy over the "thugs."  Did they even exist.  An example of the subtlety:  Avery ends the book with the plan to marry his sweetheart.  Blake congratulates him, then says something to the effect of:  "But you know, my young friend, your eyes have been opened to the corruption at the core of the English domination of India.  Can you really be a good English husband going to English parties in India?  Will you be able to listen to the nonsense?"  It's a good questions . . . the happy marriage ending is undercut.  I'll read another by M.J. Carter.

Oh, exciting gunplay, fighting, escapes.  As much an adventure story as a mystery.

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