Vaseem Khan is known for his Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series. These books are mystery novels set in India. They feature Inspector Chopra and a baby elephant.
The stories have a lovely touch of humor, they really show you India, and they explore Indian culture in a fascinating way. If you enjoy books with a similar combination of mystery, a strong sense of place, and characters you grow to love, then you are in the right place.
Readers who enjoy Vaseem Khan’s blend of gentle humor and intriguing mystery will appreciate Alexander McCall Smith’s series, “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.”
Set in Botswana, the first book introduces Precious Ramotswe, a wise and resourceful woman who opens the country’s first detective agency run by ladies.
With warmth and insight, Mma Ramotswe solves everyday mysteries involving family relationships and community troubles, guided by kindness and common sense.
Botswana’s vibrant landscapes and rich culture come alive through her eyes, offering stories that combine charming wit with thoughtful reflection on human nature.
If you enjoy Vaseem Khan’s vivid mysteries set in intriguing historical landscapes, then Abir Mukherjee’s novels might suit your interests too. Mukherjee’s books combine rich historical detail with absorbing detective plots.
In “A Rising Man,” set in 1919 Calcutta, readers meet Captain Sam Wyndham, a World War I veteran turned detective.
Newly arrived in India, Wyndham soon becomes embroiled in a murder investigation that drags him into the dangerous social and political tensions of British colonial rule.
With help from Sergeant Banerjee, his quick-witted Indian colleague, Wyndham navigates the shadowy corners of the city to uncover secrets and power struggles hidden behind the elegant facades of colonial society.
Readers who enjoy Vaseem Khan’s colorful and engaging stories set in contemporary India may also appreciate the novels of Tarquin Hall. Hall offers witty, satisfying mysteries with plenty of humor and charm.
His book “The Case of the Missing Servant” introduces readers to Vish Puri, a determined and savvy private detective from Delhi.
Vish Puri, fondly known as “India’s Most Private Investigator,” finds himself caught up in the curious case of a missing young woman, facing unexpected twists, vibrant characters, and the rich atmosphere of modern Indian life.
With sharp observations and delightful storytelling, Hall’s books deliver warmth and intriguing plots that capture the hustle and energy of India’s bustling capital city.
Books by Colin Cotterill bring readers into the colorful and quirky Laos of the 1970s with engaging mysteries and memorable characters. If you enjoy Vaseem Khan’s lively yet thoughtful storytelling style, you might appreciate Cotterill’s book “The Coroner’s Lunch.”
Set in 1976, it introduces Dr. Siri Paiboun, the elderly national coroner of Laos. Dr. Siri, who has little equipment and nearly no forensic experience, must solve peculiar cases with wit, intuition, and occasionally strange supernatural assistance.
In “The Coroner’s Lunch,” he faces the suspicious death of a politician’s wife and a plot involving unexplained disappearances. The book blends gentle humor, intriguing puzzles, and rich historical context. It gives readers a fresh take on mystery novels set in Asian locales.
Readers who enjoy Vaseem Khan’s novels filled with vibrant Indian locales and intriguing mysteries may also find Arun Krishnan’s work inviting. Krishnan’s novel “Antisocial” is set in contemporary Mumbai and follows Inspector Virkar.
He navigates the city’s dark corners to unravel crimes linked to social media. A series of disturbing murders puts Virkar on the trail of a cunning killer who uses technology to torment his victims.
The investigation leads readers through the pulse of Mumbai life, combined with sharp dialogue and memorable characters. It’s a modern thriller wrapped around compelling mysteries and the contrasts of life in India’s bustling metropolis.
Readers who enjoy Vaseem Khan’s lively mysteries set in India may also appreciate Shamini Flint’s charming and humorous detective stories based in Singapore and around Asia. Flint, a Malaysian writer and former lawyer, brings warmth and wit to tales featuring Inspector Singh.
In “A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder,” Inspector Singh from Singapore is sent reluctantly to Kuala Lumpur to help resolve a thorny murder case involving a wealthy businessman and his estranged wife.
Singh navigates Malaysia’s cultural diversity, family tensions, and legal challenges to uncover the truth behind a complex crime. Flint combines engaging characters, social observations, and humor in ways fans of Vaseem Khan’s work will certainly recognize and enjoy.
Barbara Nadel is a British author known for her vivid crime novels set in Istanbul. Fans of Vaseem Khan’s books about vibrant, complex cities may find similarities in Nadel’s settings and mysteries.
In her novel “Belshazzar’s Daughter,” Inspector Çetin İkmen investigates the brutal murder of an elderly Jewish man in the winding backstreets of the city’s Balat district.
Facing layers of history, community tensions, and family secrets, İkmen must untangle the truth hidden within Istanbul’s diverse cultures and twisting alleys.
The intriguing characters, authentic atmosphere, and fascinating insight into the city’s rich history make this book appealing to readers who love mystery novels set within distinctive cultures.
Books by Richard Osman offer mysteries filled with sharp wit and delightful humor, great for fans of Vaseem Khan’s warm storytelling style.
Osman’s debut novel “The Thursday Murder Club” follows a group of spirited elderly friends in a retirement village who meet weekly to investigate unsolved crimes. When a real-life murder lands right at their doorstep, this unlikely quartet puts their skills into action.
The characters are memorable and engaging, blending comedy with meaningful moments. Osman’s easy tone and clever twists create stories that feel comforting yet engaging—perfect for readers who enjoyed Khan’s Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series.
If you enjoy Vaseem Khan’s mysteries set in vibrant Indian cities with intriguing characters, you might appreciate Sujata Massey’s books. Massey writes engaging historical crime fiction featuring strong female leads set in 1920s India.
Her novel “The Widows of Malabar Hill” introduces readers to Perveen Mistry, one of Bombay’s first female solicitors. The story follows Perveen as she investigates a suspicious will involving three widows who live secluded from society.
Richly detailed scenes of old Bombay, compelling courtroom drama, and thoughtfully crafted puzzles fill the pages. Massey skillfully weaves historical context into the personal journey of a young woman courageously pursuing truth in an era full of complicated social traditions.
Ann Cleeves is a British crime writer known for creating intriguing detective characters and vividly detailed settings. Readers who enjoy Vaseem Khan’s engaging mysteries set in vibrant locales could appreciate Cleeves’ absorbing style and memorable detectives.
Her novel “The Crow Trap” introduces Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope. Set in the isolated hills of rural Northumberland, the story unfolds when a young conservationist is found dead. Vera arrives on scene.
Her unconventional methods and insightful observations reveal deeper secrets hidden within the local community. The story is rich in atmosphere and offers a sharp portrayal of human relationships, motives, and character-driven suspense.
Readers who enjoy Vaseem Khan’s vibrant storytelling might appreciate the work of Madhuri Vijay. Her novel, “The Far Field,” follows Shalini, a young woman from Bangalore, as she sets out on a journey to Kashmir to find answers about her mother’s past.
The story weaves personal loss and political tension together into a narrative that explores family secrets, the complexity of human relationships, and the troubled history of Kashmir itself.
Vijay crafts characters vivid enough to linger in the reader’s mind, and the landscapes she describes enrich the emotional depth of Shalini’s quest.
Michael Stanley is the writing duo of Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip, authors of crime fiction set primarily in Botswana. Their Detective Kubu series offers literary journeys through vivid African landscapes and carefully plotted mysteries.
In “A Carrion Death,” the first book in the series, Detective David “Kubu” Bengu investigates a gruesome discovery in the Kalahari desert. Human remains are found, their identity unclear. As Kubu digs deeper, connections to powerful diamond mining interests start to emerge.
The mystery is layered, thoughtful, and rich in cultural detail. Readers who enjoy Vaseem Khan’s Inspector Chopra mysteries—with their colorful India setting and insightful detective work—may find Stanley’s Botswana-based stories similarly enjoyable.
Elly Griffiths is a British author known for her engaging mysteries set against unique backdrops. If you love Vaseem Khan’s mysteries full of vivid settings and captivating characters, you might also enjoy Griffiths’ “The Crossing Places.”
In this book, archaeologist Ruth Galloway teams up with detective Harry Nelson to solve a puzzling case involving bones found near a salt marsh in Norfolk.
Intrigue and carefully placed historical details bring depth to the story, and Galloway’s warm, relatable personality draws you into her life immediately. Griffiths weaves ancient rituals and modern puzzles together seamlessly, making this a fascinating read.
If you enjoy Vaseem Khan’s mysteries set in vibrant locations and filled with memorable characters, you might also like Kwei Quartey.
His novel “Wife of the Gods” introduces Inspector Darko Dawson, a detective from Accra sent to solve a suspicious murder in a small Ghanaian village. Dawson faces old superstitions, traditional healers, and tense family secrets.
The more tightly he unravels the threads of the victim’s life, the deeper he is pulled into community tensions and personal connections. Quartey skillfully depicts both the beauty and complexities of modern Ghana, offering readers a vivid backdrop as Dawson seeks justice.
Readers who enjoy Vaseem Khan’s mysteries filled with vibrant cultural details and layered plots may also appreciate the work of Peter May. May is known for immersive storytelling and vivid settings that transport readers directly into his mysteries.
In “The Blackhouse,” the first book in his Lewis Trilogy, Detective Fin Macleod returns to his childhood home on Scotland’s windswept Isle of Lewis.
Sent to investigate a murder that strangely resembles one he previously looked into in Edinburgh, Fin revisits past relationships and conflicts.
As secrets from his youth emerge, they intertwine closely with the current case, revealing that small communities harbor complex mysteries beneath the surface. Readers who value complex characters and richly drawn settings will find much to appreciate in May’s work.