Remember when I used to review things, like books and movies?  Yeah, me neither.  I did though, and then I got lazy or something.

The Deceivers by John Masters

I’d link to the book on Powell’s, but it took me years to get a copy, and they don’t have any and probably won’t for a long time.  Scott recommended this book to me ages ago, and I had to track and wheedle and bend over backwards to get a copy.  It’s been out of print for a while now, few libraries have copies, and I finally paid far too much for a copy that had clearly been mouldering in some basement for years.

The novel is set in India during the height of the East India Company’s power.  Our protagonist is an officer in the EIC, and he learns about the thuggee cult’s operation in the region he’s responsible for.  So he set out to find and crack the cult, accidentally ends up in Kali’s service, mayhem ensues, and somehow he makes it out alive.  I don’t want to say much more than that.  The history seems pretty good, though I’m no expert on India’s history so it could all be crap.  The writing is engaging, the plot is interesting and frightening.  I’m really glad I finally got a copy.  I guess I’ll stop rubbing it in now.  Now I just need to find a copy of the film to watch–it has Pierce Brosnan in the lead, which officially makes it an Irish movie, and thus puts it on my homework list. 

Also, reading this book reawakened my abiding interest in Kali cults, particularly in Thuggee.  And I found this while I was looking about for more on the subject.  If, when I allow myself to buy books again next January, you see me holding that book, remember that it’s because I’m interested in Thuggee strictly in a historical sense.   I don’t think I’ll add this particular book to any wishlists, though.  Not appropriate for birthday pressies, ever, how-to books on strangulation.  Very off-putting for the recipient and the giver. 

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