London, Oct 17, 2026 14:34 IST

UK-based author Paul Waters has officially launched the second installment of his Indian-Irish cosy crime mystery series in London, ahead of its scheduled release in India the following week. Titled 'Death At the Elephant House', the novel brings back a distinct detective duo first introduced in his debut work, 'Murder in Moonlight Square'.

The central characters consist of Sister Agatha Murphy, a semi-retired Irish teaching nun belonging to the Sisters of the Amazing Grace, and Avtar Mehta, the proprietor of the historic Delhi Haveli Hotel situated in Chandni Chowk. Their partnership began by chance in the first book behind Mehta's hotel, leading them into an eccentric web of police investigations, espionage, and secrets.

In the sequel, the pair investigates a complex locked-room homicide involving one of Delhi's wealthiest families, alongside a charismatic gangster, a police siege, and a cigarette-stealing elephant. The narrative is set during the January Lohri bonfires, following Waters' plan to chronicle a year in the life of his characters.

The characters and plots draw heavily from real-life connections. Waters, a native of Belfast, Northern Ireland, developed a deep affinity for India through his Delhi-born wife, Aneysha. His own family history also intersects with the region through his aunt Agatha, a feisty teaching nun sent to India by her religious order who eventually served as principal of Jesus and Mary College in Delhi.

Further historical sleuthing revealed that Waters' aunt had previously taught his wife's late mother at a school in Pune. Viewing these coincidences as a sign from the universe, the award-winning BBC journalist embarked on writing a series deeply grounded in Indian life and culture.

Following a slate of promotional events across India later in October, Waters plans to expand the series significantly, aiming to produce one book for each month of the year. Future installments are set to explore various cultural milestones and traditions, including Holi, Diwali, cricket matches, and weddings.

Waters emphasizes authenticity in his writing, basing his fictional tales on real stories and everyday experiences gathered by walking through the narrow lanes of Delhi, drinking chai, and conversing with local residents. By setting his stories in Chandni Chowk, he seeks to amplify the vibrant sensory details of daily life in the capital, offering global readers an immersive perspective on India.