Imprint: No Exit Press

Category: Crime & mystery

Murder in Moonlit Square

A warm and witty mystery set in Delhi, where a streetwise nun and a hotelier take on murder and mayhem

Paul Waters

‘I loved it!’ Robert Thorogood author of The Marlow Murder Club

‘A charming start to a vibrant new mystery series’ Vaseem Khan

When semi-retired Irish nun Sister Agatha Murphy meets Avtar Mehta round the back of his historic Delhi hotel, they form an instant bond over a sneaky smoke and good gossip. Then a street robbery outside the hotel, a dead body inside it, and the disappearance of a pilgrim guest bring the local police to the hotel, determined to close their cases quickly, and with them the Delhi Haveli Hotel.

Sister Agatha and Avtar must race to stay one step ahead of the police, the Indian secret service and a hidden killer – as well as keeping their sense of humour through a terrorism scare in the run up to Christmas on the colourful streets of old Delhi.

  • For fans of The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
  • Set in the heart of Old Delhi and featuring a semi-retired Irish nun and a wily hotelier, armed with little but wit and gossip.

Category: Crime & mystery

Hardback

RRP: £20.00

ISBN: 9781835012963

Published: October 9, 2025

Extent: 320 pages

Paperback

RRP: £9.99

ISBN: 9781835012987

Published: January 15, 2026

Extent: 320 pages

Ebook

RRP: £4.99

ISBN: 9781835012970

Published: October 9, 2025

Reviews

‘Takes us to the colour and crowds of modern Delhi, in pursuit of a killer. A charming start to a vibrant new mystery series’ Vaseem Khan, author of the Q and Malabar House series

‘Never cross a nun! Offbeat detecting duo Sister Agatha from Ireland and Avtar from India bring a fresh twist to cosy crime amidst the glamour and grime of deadly Delhi. I loved it!’ Robert Thorogood, creator of the Death in Paradise and Marlow Murder Club series

‘A pacy, charming thriller that mixes the romance of old Delhi with the energy of the modern megacity it has become. Can’t wait for the next one.’ Amish Tripathi, broadcaster and author of the The Shiva Trilogy and Ram Chandra Series

‘Rich, layered and multi-faceted, this is Paul Waters at his best. Murder in Moonlit Square has everything you could hope for in cosy crime: unforgettable characters, a compelling mystery and a wicked sense of humour. Waters has established himself a masterful voice in crime fiction.’ Awais Khan, author of No Honour and Someone Like Her

‘This colourful novel takes us through the streets and back alleys of Delhi where we can almost smell the spices and baking tandooris off the page. This is vivid and empathetic storytelling by a writer who can intrigue us with a mystery and knows India well enough to take us there and show us around’ Malachi O’Doherty

‘Their methods are eccentric but clever and their relationship is a delight, but it is Waters’s exploration of ideas about home and exile that makes the novel more than just an entertaining diversion’ Natasha Cooper in the Literary Review

‘It’s an unusual mystery with an undertow of sadness as the characters struggle to work out what they mean by home’ *The Times *

Frequently Asked Questions

What is "Murder in Moonlit Square" about?

'I loved it!' Robert Thorogood author of The Marlow Murder Club

‘A charming start to a vibrant new mystery series’ Vaseem Khan

When semi-retired Irish nun Sister Agatha Murphy meets Avtar Mehta round the back of his historic Delhi hotel, they form an instant bond over a sneaky smoke and good gossip. Then a street robbery outside the hotel, a dead body inside it, and the disappearance of a pilgrim guest bring the local police to the hotel, determined to close their cases quickly, and with them the Delhi Haveli Hotel.

Sister Agatha and Avtar must race to stay one step ahead of the police, the Indian secret service and a hidden killer – as well as keeping their sense of humour through a terrorism scare in the run up to Christmas on the colourful streets of old Delhi.

  • For fans of The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
  • Set in the heart of Old Delhi and featuring a semi-retired Irish nun and a wily hotelier, armed with little but wit and gossip.
Who wrote "Murder in Moonlit Square"?

"Murder in Moonlit Square" was written by Paul Waters.

Who would enjoy "Murder in Moonlit Square"?
"Murder in Moonlit Square" is perfect for readers who enjoy books about crime & mystery.