What do you think?
Rate this book
The Great Game
An outsider in London investigates a series of brutal murders targeting English aristocrats in a timely and provocative historical novel brimming with intrigue, wit, and rage.
London, 1905: Law student and military veteran Balvinder dev Singh has found an extralegal way to fund his studies. As friend and accomplice to the infamous gentleman thief AJ Raffles, he rubs shoulders with the upper crust—and steals their valuables. That is, until their next mark, an imperialist general, is grotesquely murdered in the library of his Mayfair mansion. Bal and Raffles find themselves implicated in a series of killings that soon attracts the attention of Scotland Yard—and the aging Sherlock Holmes himself.
As Bal works to clear his name, he must hide his checkered past from a new acquaintance, the beautiful Irish violinist Maud Adler. Her fiery views lead Bal to question his own place in the world. But when he comes face-to-face with a plot to strike at the very heart of the British government, he must decide how much he’s willing to risk for his adopted city.
London, 1905: Law student and military veteran Balvinder dev Singh has found an extralegal way to fund his studies. As friend and accomplice to the infamous gentleman thief AJ Raffles, he rubs shoulders with the upper crust—and steals their valuables. That is, until their next mark, an imperialist general, is grotesquely murdered in the library of his Mayfair mansion. Bal and Raffles find themselves implicated in a series of killings that soon attracts the attention of Scotland Yard—and the aging Sherlock Holmes himself.
As Bal works to clear his name, he must hide his checkered past from a new acquaintance, the beautiful Irish violinist Maud Adler. Her fiery views lead Bal to question his own place in the world. But when he comes face-to-face with a plot to strike at the very heart of the British government, he must decide how much he’s willing to risk for his adopted city.
236 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2026
About the author
Arvind Ethan David
40 books43 followersArvind Ethan David is a Malaysian-born, British film producer, founder of Slingshot Productions, and Principal of Prodigal Entertainment.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 10, 2026
A pacey historical thriller with a touch of Conan Doyle. I liked Balvinder dev Singh’s narration and the book’s broad themes of colonialism and empire.
The writing was a touch wordy but the action scenes were solid and at the end it leaves you with much to think about.
The writing was a touch wordy but the action scenes were solid and at the end it leaves you with much to think about.
July 2, 2026
I have really grown to love historical mystery-thrillers, and The Great Game made me fall in love with the subgenre even more!
Arvind Ethan David expertly balances historical figures (fictional AND non-fictional), witty banter, social commentary and relentless pacing in this Sherlock Holmes-adjacent adventure. When Balvinder, friend of gentlemen thief AJ Raffles, is pulled into investigating a string of murders, Bal and AJ finds themselves part suspects and part partners to Holmes and Watson, and the mystery quickly progresses into a large scheme. David expertly uses the socio-political climate of 1905 London (hello not-quite-yet THE Winston Churchill) as a driver for the murders and a vehicle to discuss race, class, empire and colonialism.
Fans of fast paced historical mysteries and lovers of Holmes and Watson will adore this fantastic debut!
Arvind Ethan David expertly balances historical figures (fictional AND non-fictional), witty banter, social commentary and relentless pacing in this Sherlock Holmes-adjacent adventure. When Balvinder, friend of gentlemen thief AJ Raffles, is pulled into investigating a string of murders, Bal and AJ finds themselves part suspects and part partners to Holmes and Watson, and the mystery quickly progresses into a large scheme. David expertly uses the socio-political climate of 1905 London (hello not-quite-yet THE Winston Churchill) as a driver for the murders and a vehicle to discuss race, class, empire and colonialism.
Fans of fast paced historical mysteries and lovers of Holmes and Watson will adore this fantastic debut!
July 31, 2026
In 1905 London, Balvinder dev Singh is the accomplice to the gentleman thief AJ Raffles. They rub shoulders with the elite... only to steal their valuables. Their next target is found murdered in his mansion, and Bal and Raffles find themselves implicated in killings that attracts Scotland Yard... and Sherlock Holmes. Bal tries to clear his name and hide his past from the Irish violinist Maud Alder. Bal questions his own place in the world and comes head-to-head with a plot against the British government.
3/5 stars. This wasn't bad at all, but it wasn't as thriller-y as I suspected. I also have a tough time paying full attention to the audiobook. The narrator was great, but I just was not interested in the story itself.
3/5 stars. This wasn't bad at all, but it wasn't as thriller-y as I suspected. I also have a tough time paying full attention to the audiobook. The narrator was great, but I just was not interested in the story itself.
August 4, 2026
Just Like Being In Old London.
Wonderful written and thought provoking. David has created an amazing story of intrigue with drops of fictional people and objects, all in one narrative as if they existed together in the same world. His old English writing set me right in the turn of the century. Absolutely brilliant. Looking forward to a book two.
Wonderful written and thought provoking. David has created an amazing story of intrigue with drops of fictional people and objects, all in one narrative as if they existed together in the same world. His old English writing set me right in the turn of the century. Absolutely brilliant. Looking forward to a book two.
August 10, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the Audiobook ARC!
The Great Game by Arvind Ethan David is a masterclass in historical fiction—a brilliantly crafted, high-stakes narrative that grabs you from page one and never lets go.
What elevates this book above typical historical thrillers is how effortlessly David weaves real historical figures alongside compelling fictional characters. The blending of fact and fiction feels entirely natural and seamless, bringing a tangible authenticity to the era without ever feeling bogged down by exposition. You get the distinct thrill of stepping directly into a living, breathing past where every interaction feels historically grounded yet wildly unpredictable.
My favorite thing about this book is the richness and natural diversity of the cast. David presents a tapestry of voices and perspectives that feel fully realized, authentic to the global scale of the story, and accurate to the time period. It gives the narrative a fresh, expansive lens that is so often missing from traditional historical fiction of this scope.
Fast-paced, meticulously researched, and deeply engaging, The Great Game is an absolute triumph. Whether you are a dedicated fan of historical fiction or just looking for a brilliantly executed thriller, this is an absolute must-read.
The Great Game by Arvind Ethan David is a masterclass in historical fiction—a brilliantly crafted, high-stakes narrative that grabs you from page one and never lets go.
What elevates this book above typical historical thrillers is how effortlessly David weaves real historical figures alongside compelling fictional characters. The blending of fact and fiction feels entirely natural and seamless, bringing a tangible authenticity to the era without ever feeling bogged down by exposition. You get the distinct thrill of stepping directly into a living, breathing past where every interaction feels historically grounded yet wildly unpredictable.
My favorite thing about this book is the richness and natural diversity of the cast. David presents a tapestry of voices and perspectives that feel fully realized, authentic to the global scale of the story, and accurate to the time period. It gives the narrative a fresh, expansive lens that is so often missing from traditional historical fiction of this scope.
Fast-paced, meticulously researched, and deeply engaging, The Great Game is an absolute triumph. Whether you are a dedicated fan of historical fiction or just looking for a brilliantly executed thriller, this is an absolute must-read.
July 31, 2026
Witty, Well-paced and Wonderful
Loved the use of language. Witty, funny and at times a little sad. Colourful characters that you want to know more about. Hope there is a follow-up book soon!
Loved the use of language. Witty, funny and at times a little sad. Colourful characters that you want to know more about. Hope there is a follow-up book soon!
Review of advance copy
Thank you to the Center for Fiction for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.
September 2, 2026
📖 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿:
Readers who enjoy historical mysteries with a literary twist, especially if the idea of Sherlock Holmes wandering around 1905 London sounds like your sort of fun.
I had a surprisingly good time with this one. The whole thing feels like the author looked at a shelf of classic adventure stories and thought, yes, but what if I put these together? And somehow, it works.
I really liked Balvinder. He starts out feeling very much like the sidekick, but I loved watching him grow into his own character and start trusting his own opinions. His friendship with Raffles was interesting too, although I really wish we'd got more of Raffles. He had so much potential, but often felt a little overshadowed when I wanted him right there beside Bal, getting his hands dirty in the mystery.
The literary mash-up was probably the most fun part for me. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson have proper roles, and there are little pieces of other well-known stories scattered throughout. I loved seeing all these familiar influences knitted into something completely new rather than simply being there for a quick “look who I found!” moment. It made the whole book feel like wandering through a very strange literary bookshelf where all the characters have somehow escaped their own stories.
There is also more going on underneath the mystery. The racism, imperialism and politics gave the story another layer, and some of that history was completely outside my knowledge. I actually stopped to Google things a few times, which I always count as a good sign. I came for the mystery and ended up learning things along the way, which wasn't a bad little bonus.
The mystery itself kept me curious, and I really enjoyed where the story took its final turn. I was listening after a very long day by then, so my brain was running on approximately three remaining brain cells and I probably didn't absorb every little detail. But I liked the twist and finished the book very curious about what comes next. There are definitely a few threads I'd happily follow into another book.
✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱:
• Bal's growth from sidekick into someone who starts making his own choices.
• The sheer joy of mixing classic literature, history and a new mystery together.
• The atmosphere of 1905 London, with all those little literary and historical details tucked into the story.
🌧️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱:
• Raffles felt like such an interesting character, but I wanted much more of him.
• Some of the historical context was outside my knowledge.
• Dr Watson didn't quite feel like the Watson I know from the Sherlock Holmes stories.
🎙️ 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀: Sanjeev Bhaskar was an excellent choice for this audiobook. He gave Bal a voice that suited him perfectly and made all the characters easy to recognise. The language, mood and period setting all flowed naturally, and he made the whole story a pleasure to listen to.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
𝘈 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴, 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘐 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯. 📖✨
Readers who enjoy historical mysteries with a literary twist, especially if the idea of Sherlock Holmes wandering around 1905 London sounds like your sort of fun.
I had a surprisingly good time with this one. The whole thing feels like the author looked at a shelf of classic adventure stories and thought, yes, but what if I put these together? And somehow, it works.
I really liked Balvinder. He starts out feeling very much like the sidekick, but I loved watching him grow into his own character and start trusting his own opinions. His friendship with Raffles was interesting too, although I really wish we'd got more of Raffles. He had so much potential, but often felt a little overshadowed when I wanted him right there beside Bal, getting his hands dirty in the mystery.
The literary mash-up was probably the most fun part for me. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson have proper roles, and there are little pieces of other well-known stories scattered throughout. I loved seeing all these familiar influences knitted into something completely new rather than simply being there for a quick “look who I found!” moment. It made the whole book feel like wandering through a very strange literary bookshelf where all the characters have somehow escaped their own stories.
There is also more going on underneath the mystery. The racism, imperialism and politics gave the story another layer, and some of that history was completely outside my knowledge. I actually stopped to Google things a few times, which I always count as a good sign. I came for the mystery and ended up learning things along the way, which wasn't a bad little bonus.
The mystery itself kept me curious, and I really enjoyed where the story took its final turn. I was listening after a very long day by then, so my brain was running on approximately three remaining brain cells and I probably didn't absorb every little detail. But I liked the twist and finished the book very curious about what comes next. There are definitely a few threads I'd happily follow into another book.
✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱:
• Bal's growth from sidekick into someone who starts making his own choices.
• The sheer joy of mixing classic literature, history and a new mystery together.
• The atmosphere of 1905 London, with all those little literary and historical details tucked into the story.
🌧️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱:
• Raffles felt like such an interesting character, but I wanted much more of him.
• Some of the historical context was outside my knowledge.
• Dr Watson didn't quite feel like the Watson I know from the Sherlock Holmes stories.
🎙️ 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀: Sanjeev Bhaskar was an excellent choice for this audiobook. He gave Bal a voice that suited him perfectly and made all the characters easy to recognise. The language, mood and period setting all flowed naturally, and he made the whole story a pleasure to listen to.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
𝘈 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴, 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘐 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯. 📖✨
August 1, 2026
This is slightly alternative history. We are in 1905 London. Many historical characters, including a young Winston Churchill, H. G Wells, J. M Barrie and Queen Victoria make appearances in the story. We also get some notable fictional characters including Sherlock Homes, Doctor Watson, A J. Raffles the jewel thief, Irene Adler from the Holmes stories and Tarzan.
The story is narrated by Balvinder ("Bal") Singh, a Sikh law student. He also assists Raffles in his spectacular jewel heists. Raffles is a cricket star and a member of high society. He uses his connections to carry out big jewelry heists.
Raffles stumbles into a horrific murder scene in a country house that he intended to rob. He sees a terrifying creature running from the scene leaving mutilated bodies behind. Shortly after that Bal and Singh are casing another country house when the lord of the house and his two sons are killed and their bodies mutilated.
Several days later Raffles and Bal are called to meet with the Under Secretary for State, Winston Churchill. When they arrive, they find that Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson have also been invited. Churchill explains that there has been a series of killings of senior British officials. He convinces the four of them to work together to find out who is doing it.
It becomes clear that someone motivated by Anti-Imperialism is behind the murders.
The story takes off at that point. It becomes a thriller. Bal has a harrowing confrontation with the killer. We get what seems like an anti-climactic end, followed by a twist.
It is an exciting story. Bal gets involved with Irene Adler's sister. There are some interesting discussions about British imperialism, although at times the story slows down while anti-imperialism is being discussed. There is an excellent scene where Doctor Watson warns Bal of the risks of being a sidekick to a bigger than life character.
This is a first-rate mix of thriller excitement and political advocacy.
The story is narrated by Balvinder ("Bal") Singh, a Sikh law student. He also assists Raffles in his spectacular jewel heists. Raffles is a cricket star and a member of high society. He uses his connections to carry out big jewelry heists.
Raffles stumbles into a horrific murder scene in a country house that he intended to rob. He sees a terrifying creature running from the scene leaving mutilated bodies behind. Shortly after that Bal and Singh are casing another country house when the lord of the house and his two sons are killed and their bodies mutilated.
Several days later Raffles and Bal are called to meet with the Under Secretary for State, Winston Churchill. When they arrive, they find that Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson have also been invited. Churchill explains that there has been a series of killings of senior British officials. He convinces the four of them to work together to find out who is doing it.
It becomes clear that someone motivated by Anti-Imperialism is behind the murders.
The story takes off at that point. It becomes a thriller. Bal has a harrowing confrontation with the killer. We get what seems like an anti-climactic end, followed by a twist.
It is an exciting story. Bal gets involved with Irene Adler's sister. There are some interesting discussions about British imperialism, although at times the story slows down while anti-imperialism is being discussed. There is an excellent scene where Doctor Watson warns Bal of the risks of being a sidekick to a bigger than life character.
This is a first-rate mix of thriller excitement and political advocacy.
August 26, 2026
I really enjoyed this novel.
Historical fiction is my favourite genre, and this one didn’t disappoint.
The author has a way of writing with immediacy so that one feels that one is there, on the scene, rather than reading a dusty tome about the far distant past.
Take this line for example describing a nighttime London scene – ‘I looked out of my door to a largely empty street as a carriage rolled past, drawn by a handsome black horse, but otherwise the night was as desolate, as it typically was at this late hour.’
A thriller set primarily in London in 1905. It brings in a huge cast of characters, some historical, some from fiction. Thus, we have Holmes and Watson rubbing shoulders with Raffles and his (long suffering) trusty assistant, while the main character bumps into JM Barrie at the Garrick Club, and attends meetings with Winston Churchill.
Conversationally, throughout the novel, references are made to writers such as Bram Stoker, HG Wells, Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde, to name a few.
I won’t get into too much of the specifics, so as not to spoil the denouement, but this has something for lovers of thrillers, history, and literature. It also raises some strong questions about the nature of empire and how it impacts citizens of the colonies.
A great read and genuinely earning 5 stars.
Historical fiction is my favourite genre, and this one didn’t disappoint.
The author has a way of writing with immediacy so that one feels that one is there, on the scene, rather than reading a dusty tome about the far distant past.
Take this line for example describing a nighttime London scene – ‘I looked out of my door to a largely empty street as a carriage rolled past, drawn by a handsome black horse, but otherwise the night was as desolate, as it typically was at this late hour.’
A thriller set primarily in London in 1905. It brings in a huge cast of characters, some historical, some from fiction. Thus, we have Holmes and Watson rubbing shoulders with Raffles and his (long suffering) trusty assistant, while the main character bumps into JM Barrie at the Garrick Club, and attends meetings with Winston Churchill.
Conversationally, throughout the novel, references are made to writers such as Bram Stoker, HG Wells, Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde, to name a few.
I won’t get into too much of the specifics, so as not to spoil the denouement, but this has something for lovers of thrillers, history, and literature. It also raises some strong questions about the nature of empire and how it impacts citizens of the colonies.
A great read and genuinely earning 5 stars.
August 18, 2026
Really enjoyed this one. The mystery kept me interested and I loved the historical setting. It got a little slow in places, but overall it was a fun and atmospheric read.
July 17, 2026
Great thriller!
Jeffery Deaver got it right in his review: "A brilliant, relentlessly paced classic crime thriller”. It was smart, witty, and I loved the characters.
Jeffery Deaver got it right in his review: "A brilliant, relentlessly paced classic crime thriller”. It was smart, witty, and I loved the characters.
Did Not Finish
July 14, 2026Couldn’t finish it. I was bored. 64.2%
July 10, 2026
this was my first time reading this genre. it was interesting. the writing style was great though. murder mysteries are cool. I would recommend this book to other. if you love historical fictions youll love this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a chance to review The Great Game
by Arvind Ethan David
The Great Game is a total delight: a razor-sharp historical thriller that pulls off something genuinely rare: it's wildly entertaining and it has something real to say.
Arvind Ethan David drops us into 1905 London alongside Balvinder Singh, a Sikh law student and military veteran moonlighting as accomplice to gentleman thief AJ Raffles. When their next mark turns up dead, Bal is suddenly entangled in a murder mystery that reaches all the way to a very aged Sherlock Holmes. The premise sounds busy, but David makes it feel effortless — the plot clicks like clockwork.
What elevates this above clever pastiche is Bal himself. Watching a Brown man navigate the drawing rooms and dark alleys of imperial London — sharp, dignified, furious beneath the surface; and gives the whole adventure a pulse that most genre fiction simply doesn't have. The wit is genuine, the intrigue is real, and the rage underneath it all gives the story its teeth.
David announces himself as a major new voice in historical fiction. The Great Game is the kind of debut you finish and immediately want to press into someone's hands.
by Arvind Ethan David
The Great Game is a total delight: a razor-sharp historical thriller that pulls off something genuinely rare: it's wildly entertaining and it has something real to say.
Arvind Ethan David drops us into 1905 London alongside Balvinder Singh, a Sikh law student and military veteran moonlighting as accomplice to gentleman thief AJ Raffles. When their next mark turns up dead, Bal is suddenly entangled in a murder mystery that reaches all the way to a very aged Sherlock Holmes. The premise sounds busy, but David makes it feel effortless — the plot clicks like clockwork.
What elevates this above clever pastiche is Bal himself. Watching a Brown man navigate the drawing rooms and dark alleys of imperial London — sharp, dignified, furious beneath the surface; and gives the whole adventure a pulse that most genre fiction simply doesn't have. The wit is genuine, the intrigue is real, and the rage underneath it all gives the story its teeth.
David announces himself as a major new voice in historical fiction. The Great Game is the kind of debut you finish and immediately want to press into someone's hands.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Highly entertaining, this novel reimagines AJ Raffles, gentleman thief and former cricket star, teaming up with Bal, a poor, hardworking native Indian soldier from the Boer War (who may have saved Raffles' life) to rob the British gentry. Their last outing brought them face-to-face with a murdered imperialist general. When other dead bodies show up around Raffles and Bal, Scotland Yard's Lestrade invites them in for a chat along with the aging Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. Can they work together to save the Empire?
Despite the pro-Monarchy thrust of the story, the author raises many questions about the British Empire (and, really, empires of all kinds). The story moves quickly, the characters are well-drawn, and there is both action and a bit of humor. Is the story realistic? Definitely not. Yet it fits well within the genre for the time period depicted. In addition to being a student of Sherlock Holmes, the author also drew inspiration from the playwright Oscar Wilde. The audiobook is well narrated with distinct voices and accents as needed. I quite enjoyed it.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BrillianceAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheGreatGame for review purposes. Publication date: 14 july 2026.
Despite the pro-Monarchy thrust of the story, the author raises many questions about the British Empire (and, really, empires of all kinds). The story moves quickly, the characters are well-drawn, and there is both action and a bit of humor. Is the story realistic? Definitely not. Yet it fits well within the genre for the time period depicted. In addition to being a student of Sherlock Holmes, the author also drew inspiration from the playwright Oscar Wilde. The audiobook is well narrated with distinct voices and accents as needed. I quite enjoyed it.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BrillianceAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheGreatGame for review purposes. Publication date: 14 july 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Arvind Ethan David and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
4.75 Stars
I was not expecting to love that as much as I did but I really enjoyed it.
I was expecting an intense thrilling mystery but it had so much more depth than that as is the narrative also explores British colonialism in India and the conflicting emotions Balvinder dev Singh experiences as he discovers a threat to the British.
I absolutely loved that we get to see several characters from history both fictional and factual. Such as, Holmes and Watson, Churchill and the MCs friend AJ Raffles.
The description of the crimes are brutal and very easy to on visualize. The narrator, Sanjeev Bhaskar does a phenomenal job. Though he has an accent, he is clear and easily understandable and overall tells the story with great inflection.
Awesome read.
4.75 Stars
I was not expecting to love that as much as I did but I really enjoyed it.
I was expecting an intense thrilling mystery but it had so much more depth than that as is the narrative also explores British colonialism in India and the conflicting emotions Balvinder dev Singh experiences as he discovers a threat to the British.
I absolutely loved that we get to see several characters from history both fictional and factual. Such as, Holmes and Watson, Churchill and the MCs friend AJ Raffles.
The description of the crimes are brutal and very easy to on visualize. The narrator, Sanjeev Bhaskar does a phenomenal job. Though he has an accent, he is clear and easily understandable and overall tells the story with great inflection.
Awesome read.
August 4, 2026
I enjoyed the premise of this book when I read the description. The historical setting was well done, especially through the lense of a Punjabi immigrant. The subject of the British Empire was well fleshed out and added an interesting aspect to the players in the story.
I enjoy a good who-done-it, but this was not that. First, there was just too much exposition. The initial murders kind of get left by the wayside as the story takes an odd turn. Without giving too much away, I found the introduction of the mastermind and his sidekick a little disappointing. I was OK with Holmes and Watson making an appearance, but the sidekick character seemed like a forced literary distraction mechanism. After the scene at the mansion, I felt like the story just dragged on too long in its new direction.
I enjoy a good who-done-it, but this was not that. First, there was just too much exposition. The initial murders kind of get left by the wayside as the story takes an odd turn. Without giving too much away, I found the introduction of the mastermind and his sidekick a little disappointing. I was OK with Holmes and Watson making an appearance, but the sidekick character seemed like a forced literary distraction mechanism. After the scene at the mansion, I felt like the story just dragged on too long in its new direction.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you are looking for a witty historical fiction mystery set against the backdrop of the early 1900's then this is a story you should definitely consider checking out! It follows the adventures of a law student named Balvinder who takes up a side hustle as a detective in a way to help fund his legal education. A lot of his cases involve trackibg down suspects who are suspected of unalivibg people of the Aristocratic class. Overall the work is very risky but Bal isn't the type to backdown without a fight. I for one found this story to be hilarious and it kept my attention from the moment I started reading until I finished.
July 15, 2026
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Do you like Sherlock Holmes? How about the Jungle Book or Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? Then you will most likely enjoy this story. Sherlock Holmes is a real detective and character, as well!
This is a really well done historical mystery that pulls in fictional and non-fictional characters we know and love and introduces new characters that fit right in. I also love this cover!
Do you like Sherlock Holmes? How about the Jungle Book or Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? Then you will most likely enjoy this story. Sherlock Holmes is a real detective and character, as well!
This is a really well done historical mystery that pulls in fictional and non-fictional characters we know and love and introduces new characters that fit right in. I also love this cover!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a great historical suspense thriller set in London in the early 1900’s. Filled with brutal crimes, a mix of historical characters, global politics, action and some snarky humor, this was a true gem. A law student who is a former soldier and an accomplice to burglary becomes a detective to solve crimes that seem to be targeting rich citizens. This was a very fun, fast paced and entertaining read. Highly recommended.
July 25, 2026
Well! This was an amazing, frustrating, intense, sometimes confusing story, and I loved ever bit of it.
It's rather grim at times, the two crime scene descriptions are blunt and horrific to say the lest.
It was at time deeply interesting and then at times it would ramble off on a lesson or on an historical note. It's such a deeply involved tale that is, at times, a little drawn out, but it's still an interesting, frustrating, wonderful story.
It's rather grim at times, the two crime scene descriptions are blunt and horrific to say the lest.
It was at time deeply interesting and then at times it would ramble off on a lesson or on an historical note. It's such a deeply involved tale that is, at times, a little drawn out, but it's still an interesting, frustrating, wonderful story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The blurb had me interested and that it's an historical thriller that both has mystery and discusses social issues at the time, colonialism and racisim. Some historical figures fictional as well as real historical figures made appearances. It was an engaging read and the narration of the audiobook was very good.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A big learning point from this book – the old trope to not judge a book by its cover is true. I almost didn't pick up “The Great Game” because the cover scared me off. And then when my partner saw the title I was asked why I was reading a book about football…
But thank goodness I read the blurb and gave it a go, because it turned out to be one of the most entertaining books I've read in ages (and there are no footballs in sight).
What impressed me was the sheer skill involved. Arvind Ethan David takes fictional characters, historical figures, real events, history, politics and social commentary and somehow blends them into a story that is clever without ever becoming clever-clever. It's thoughtful without being preachy, sharp without being smug and genuinely funny throughout.
The writing has a confidence to it that makes even the most unlikely combinations feel completely natural. There's a sense that the author is having enormous fun with the material and that enjoyment is infectious. I finished the book hoping David has a long list of future novels planned, because I'd happily read every one of them.
And the audiobook – this deserves a special praise. Sanjeev Bhaskar is extraordinary. The cast is huge and varied, yet each character feels distinct and recognisable without ever tipping into caricature. It's is impressive to see just how much a talented narrator can add to an already fantastic story.
I loved that this book managed to be both entertaining and thought-provoking in equal measure. It made me laugh, gave me things to think about and kept me completely engaged from beginning to end.
A lucky pick, a fantastic listen and easily one of the best books I've read this year.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, NetGalley and Arvind Ethan David for an advance listening copy of this book.
But thank goodness I read the blurb and gave it a go, because it turned out to be one of the most entertaining books I've read in ages (and there are no footballs in sight).
What impressed me was the sheer skill involved. Arvind Ethan David takes fictional characters, historical figures, real events, history, politics and social commentary and somehow blends them into a story that is clever without ever becoming clever-clever. It's thoughtful without being preachy, sharp without being smug and genuinely funny throughout.
The writing has a confidence to it that makes even the most unlikely combinations feel completely natural. There's a sense that the author is having enormous fun with the material and that enjoyment is infectious. I finished the book hoping David has a long list of future novels planned, because I'd happily read every one of them.
And the audiobook – this deserves a special praise. Sanjeev Bhaskar is extraordinary. The cast is huge and varied, yet each character feels distinct and recognisable without ever tipping into caricature. It's is impressive to see just how much a talented narrator can add to an already fantastic story.
I loved that this book managed to be both entertaining and thought-provoking in equal measure. It made me laugh, gave me things to think about and kept me completely engaged from beginning to end.
A lucky pick, a fantastic listen and easily one of the best books I've read this year.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, NetGalley and Arvind Ethan David for an advance listening copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆. 𝗜 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲.
I wasn't prepared for how much I was going to love this book.
Somewhere along the way, I realised I was no longer reading for the mystery. I was reading for the delightful characters, the wonderfully self-aware narration, the perfectly judged fourth-wall breaks, and the effortless way history, culture, and identity are woven into the story. Even the appearances of Sherlock Holmes and Winston Churchill felt completely natural.
This book wears its intelligence lightly. Without ever feeling preachy, it gently encourages curiosity, inviting both its protagonist and its readers to see the world through different eyes.
Sanjeev Bhaskar's audiobook performance is exceptional. Every voice feels distinct, every accent authentic, and his comic timing elevates an already remarkable novel.
It doesn't ask you to think differently—it simply invites you to be curious.
Thank you to Arvind Ethan David, Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.
🎉 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱!
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆—𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲!
I wasn't prepared for how much I was going to love this book.
Somewhere along the way, I realised I was no longer reading for the mystery. I was reading for the delightful characters, the wonderfully self-aware narration, the perfectly judged fourth-wall breaks, and the effortless way history, culture, and identity are woven into the story. Even the appearances of Sherlock Holmes and Winston Churchill felt completely natural.
This book wears its intelligence lightly. Without ever feeling preachy, it gently encourages curiosity, inviting both its protagonist and its readers to see the world through different eyes.
Sanjeev Bhaskar's audiobook performance is exceptional. Every voice feels distinct, every accent authentic, and his comic timing elevates an already remarkable novel.
It doesn't ask you to think differently—it simply invites you to be curious.
Thank you to Arvind Ethan David, Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.
🎉 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱!
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆—𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Great Game by Arvind Ethan David
Date Read: 5 Jul 26 - 5 Jul 26
Source: ARC (NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer)
Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: 14 Jul 2026
Song: Believer by Imagine Dragons ♫
Rating breakdown:-
Psychological Tension: ● ● ● ● ○
Character Complexity: ● ● ● ● ●
Suspense & Uncertainty: ● ● ● ● ●
Plot Twists & Manipulation: ● ● ● ● ○
Ending Impact: ● ● ● ● ●
To be honest, reading The Great Game by Arvind Ethan David feels like stepping into the gaslit fog of 1905 London where high society elegance masks deadly conspiracies and every shadowy alley hides a dangerous secret. It is a tightly wound and gripping historical thriller that excels at building constant psychological unease, transforming a daring gentleman heist into a labyrinth of paranoia and murder.
The suspense and uncertainty elements here are expertly handled. Arvind Ethan David creates a layered narrative that keeps you guessing, making the sudden shift from petty thievery to a grotesque murder feel charged with immediate and terrifying peril. It is an engaging and fast-paced experience that tests the absolute limits of trust, perfectly capturing how easily a double life can unravel under the weight of an imperial conspiracy. The momentum remains fiercely high throughout, making every step of the investigation feel urgent and vital.
The characters are driven by deep internal conflict and layered complexities. Balvinder dev Singh is a protagonist whose struggles as a law student, veteran, and reluctant thief anchor the story with raw vulnerability and sharp intellect. His partnership with the infamous AJ Raffles, alongside his captivating connection with the fiery Irish violinist Maud Adler and the looming presence of an aging Sherlock Holmes, provides a compelling emotional core. Watching Bal navigate the perilous boundaries between street-level crime, Scotland Yard, and a massive government plot is a masterclass in building character-driven suspense.
The plot is a masterclass in suspense and narrative deception. The narrative moves with a brisk, calculated pace that allows shocking yet believable twists to be cleverly woven into the fabric of historical London. By linking a high-stakes murder mystery with a broader political plot targeting the British government, the story creates a compelling puzzle where paranoia reigns supreme. The ending carries a deeply disturbing and unforgettable impact, serving as a reminder that the greatest games are often played with lives on the line.
The Great Game is a thrilling and deeply satisfying work of historical suspense that uses its intricate plot to explore themes of loyalty, identity, and survival. It is a chilling reminder that when you dance with thieves and detectives alike, the truth is the most dangerous prize of all.
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for this eARC.
Date Read: 5 Jul 26 - 5 Jul 26
Source: ARC (NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer)
Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: 14 Jul 2026
Song: Believer by Imagine Dragons ♫
Rating breakdown:-
Psychological Tension: ● ● ● ● ○
Character Complexity: ● ● ● ● ●
Suspense & Uncertainty: ● ● ● ● ●
Plot Twists & Manipulation: ● ● ● ● ○
Ending Impact: ● ● ● ● ●
To be honest, reading The Great Game by Arvind Ethan David feels like stepping into the gaslit fog of 1905 London where high society elegance masks deadly conspiracies and every shadowy alley hides a dangerous secret. It is a tightly wound and gripping historical thriller that excels at building constant psychological unease, transforming a daring gentleman heist into a labyrinth of paranoia and murder.
The suspense and uncertainty elements here are expertly handled. Arvind Ethan David creates a layered narrative that keeps you guessing, making the sudden shift from petty thievery to a grotesque murder feel charged with immediate and terrifying peril. It is an engaging and fast-paced experience that tests the absolute limits of trust, perfectly capturing how easily a double life can unravel under the weight of an imperial conspiracy. The momentum remains fiercely high throughout, making every step of the investigation feel urgent and vital.
The characters are driven by deep internal conflict and layered complexities. Balvinder dev Singh is a protagonist whose struggles as a law student, veteran, and reluctant thief anchor the story with raw vulnerability and sharp intellect. His partnership with the infamous AJ Raffles, alongside his captivating connection with the fiery Irish violinist Maud Adler and the looming presence of an aging Sherlock Holmes, provides a compelling emotional core. Watching Bal navigate the perilous boundaries between street-level crime, Scotland Yard, and a massive government plot is a masterclass in building character-driven suspense.
The plot is a masterclass in suspense and narrative deception. The narrative moves with a brisk, calculated pace that allows shocking yet believable twists to be cleverly woven into the fabric of historical London. By linking a high-stakes murder mystery with a broader political plot targeting the British government, the story creates a compelling puzzle where paranoia reigns supreme. The ending carries a deeply disturbing and unforgettable impact, serving as a reminder that the greatest games are often played with lives on the line.
The Great Game is a thrilling and deeply satisfying work of historical suspense that uses its intricate plot to explore themes of loyalty, identity, and survival. It is a chilling reminder that when you dance with thieves and detectives alike, the truth is the most dangerous prize of all.
Thank you NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for this eARC.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews