Murder at the Grand Raj Palace: Baby Ganesh

Vaseem Khan is the author of two crime series set in India: the Baby Ganesh Agency series, and the Malabar House historical crime novels.


His first book, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was a Times bestseller and has been translated into 16 languages. Midnight at Malabar House won the CWA Historical Fiction Dagger in 2021 and was shortlisted for the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year.


Vaseem was born in London, but spent a decade working in India as a management consultant.

"Outstanding...the best entry in the series to date."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Wildly inventive ... a great warmth and wisdom infuse this and the other Baby Ganesh books."—Booklist (starred review) on The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star
"Smoothly combines an affable lead, a seemingly impossible crime, and an endearing and highly unusual sidekick-a baby elephant named Ganesha.... Fans of Alexander McCall Smith will find a lot to like."—Publishers Weekly on The Perplexing Theft of the Jewel in the Crown
"An entertaining feel-good read in the tradition of Alexander McCall Smith.... utterly charming."—The Guardian on The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra
"The deep love for Mumbai and its people - warts and all - that Inspector Chopra shares with his creator infuses the novel from the beginning.The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Choprais certainly a delightful and uplifting crime caper, but it also comes with an edifying dose of serious social comment, with many of Chopra's preoccupations mirroring those of his creator."—The Bookseller on The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra
"An enchanting start to a new series."—Woman & Home on The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra
"A winning debut...Khan's affection for Mumbai and its residents adds to the novel's charm."—Publishers Weekly on The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra
"Debut Mumbai-based 'cosy' - complete with baby elephant - keeps things heart-warming while tackling corruption at the highest levels and violent crime at the lowest. Endearing and gripping, it sets up Inspector Chopra - and the elephant - for a long series."—Sunday Times on The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra
"Thought-provoking mystery... promising debut."—Booklist on The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra
"Charming."—Marie Claire on The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra
"A fantastic and heartwarming read... I can't wait to see what happens next!"—First for Women on The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra