Cromartie Vs the God Shiva

Rumer Godden's farewell novel is a gem — a graceful, sun-drenched mystery set on India's Coromandel Coast, inspired by a real court case where the god Shiva became a legal plaintiff. Kirkus called it a delight, and Godden's mature prose earns that verdict: she weaves Hindu religious culture, art theft, and a gentle romance into something genuinely charming. It's a slim, light plot, not a thriller, but for readers who love beautifully written literary fiction steeped in place and culture, this is a lovely send-off from one of British fiction's most graceful voices.