The Novel
Against the turbulent backdrop of war torn Europe and India in the final days of the Raj, Adam Cullworthy, a British army officer, is introduced to the romantic and often treacherous life of his school friend Rindi Debrahm.
The story, which spans 30 years from 1928 to 1959, opens at Kushnapur Palace in the foothills of the Himalayas. Home to Rindi’s father the Maharajah of Kushnapur, it holds secrets of family conspiracy, religious conflict and a multi-layered web of intrigue surrounding a precious, bejewelled Indian sculpture. Adam is drawn into this exotic and secretive world, but could never have imagined the role they had planned for him and the profound effect this would have on his life.
The Authors
This is the first novel for father and son writing team Peter and Mark Flawn-Thomas. Peter was born a year after the end of the Great War and the Second World War started the day after his twentieth birthday. After the war he lived in Southern Africa where he witnessed the unravelling of the British Empire at first hand. He subsequently spent time in India and Pakistan travelling extensively where both personal relationships and painstaking research provide the material for this atmospheric saga. Peter died in 2015.
Mark has also travelled widely and after a career in finance has devoted much of the last twenty years to writing and painting. He lives in London with his wife and two children. Peter contributed his military and colonial experience and Mark has brought to life a cast of authentic characters and a captivating romance. Together they have crafted a thoroughly gripping story.
Young Mark getting acquainted with a type-writer
Peter during his time in the army
Mark in more recent years
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Reviews
“An excellent story well told and very evocative of those last days of the Raj.”
Lady Pamela Hicks, daughter of Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy ★★★★★
" A great story. The authors' knowledge of India at the time of that country's departure from the British Empire is quite extraordinary."
Julian Fellowes ★★★★★
“Loved it.” Nigel Hadden Paton ★★★★★
“A captivating romance.” Sophie Swire ★★★★★
“A very interesting read.” Pervez Musharraf, Former President of Pakistan ★★★★★
"Beyond Kushnapur is an epic page-turner in the grand tradition of British fiction set in India. The exotic detail of princely life captures the imagination, the setting against real events of the second world war and Partition adds authenticity, and the development of the leading characters across several decades is compelling. Every red-blooded reader will long for love to triumph and for the dastardly villain to get what he deserves - though this one certainly didn't guess who he would get it from, just moments from the end.
If ever there's a story made for long-form, big-budget television drama, Beyond Kushnapur is it."
Martin Vander Weyer, Spectator columnist ★★★★★
“Moving seamlessly between London and India and spanning the years between the end of the Great War and the early years of Independence, Beyond Kushanpur effortlessly evokes the India of the last days of the British Raj and the Maharajahs who had benefited from the stability that Imperial rule brought to the sub-continent. Weaved throughout is a compelling intrigue of dynastic change, the seeking of power and riches against a backdrop of enormous global change and a rich cast of characters that come to life through the expert narration of the authors.
If you are looking for an engrossing page turner and enjoyed The Jewel in the Crown, you will like this book. ”
Andrew Tucker ★★★★★
“An evocative and sweeping saga of love and revenge full of intrigue, mystery and romance.”
Rosanna Ley - Bestselling author of The Lemon Tree Hotel ★★★★★
“If you liked Far Pavilions you will love Beyond Kushnapur. Wonderfully atmospheric with engaging characters. Like FP it is an epic Indian Raj saga but half the length and more of a page turner.”
Annabel Novis ★★★★★
“Whatever other feats you achieve as a writer you have managed one rare one, which is getting me to the end of a 480 page book. Not many have done that. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Andrew Butler QC ★★★★★
“I love India and have been twice so was keen to read this book. An unusual story that brings to life the passion of beliefs and loyalty. I sailed through this book. Key characters are gorgeous, especially Rindi who I fell in love with and could be easily portrayed in a movie by a Bollywood heart throb. The horrors of partition in particular are brought to life and I was with the characters every step of the way as they experienced this. The story has lots of twists and turns and kept me hooked. A really great read!. Highly recommended! An epic roller-coster story full of passion!”
Patricia Fowler ★★★★★
“This is a first - to be the first to review a book ! But none could be more worthy of this than this book. The authors have written a masterful piece of historic fiction set firmly in the tumultuous period of WWII and the lead up to the independence of India from British colonial rule. The detail and descriptions of the characters, settings and action make this a fast paced read all the more enjoyable for being the length that it is.
With chapters set as diary dates one has the feeling almost that, written as it has been by a father and son duo, perhaps there is an autobiographical element to parts of the story from the father (given the dates, not possible the son). There is no wasted prose here, the action, the descriptions - particularly those of Adam's experiences in WWII and, towards the end, of the exodus of Muslims from India to their new land of Pakistan - giving the reader an intimate sense of the horror, suffering and cruelty. Lust, romance, greed - it's all here. One has to wonder whether there is not a dramatic film to follow…”
Andrew Satow ★★★★★
“A must read… too many late nights,could not put this down.
Fascinating reading learning about India… and a great feel good ending.
If you like a little spy, mystery and some this is the one for you.”
Clarissa Edwardsen ★★★★★
“This book is perfect for these dark October evenings. It's a gripping story from the off ...and (thankfully) has a very satisfying ending. The events that take place are quite extraordinary and on a large scale both in time and geographically speaking. With romance, danger, intrigue, guns, jewels, a really nasty baddy and a beautiful Indian Princess, you will need quite a few gin and tonics to steady your nerves as you accompany the heroes Adam and Rindi on their quest to save the precious Debrahm treasure! And you will wish that you could visit the beautiful palace of Kushnapur, with its pillared halls and secret staircases.”
Emma Lawther ★★★★★
“A really gripping read full of scent and sound and beauty of India. It transports one to delicious realms and I eagerly looked forward to a read at bedtime. It flows beautifully. Dickensian heroes/heroines and villains, I LOVED it. I hope it gets made into a film.”
Dione Verulam ★★★★★
“Anyone not read this, I advise you do, it has everything in it; love, romance, sex, ELEPHANTS, friendships, the perfect balance.”
Linda Harrison ★★★★★
Get Your Copy
Order your copy of Beyond Kushnapur in paperback, hardback or ebook below.
Press
Beyond Kushnapur’s launch night was held at 42 Berkley Square, Mayfair on 3rd December 2019.
Contact
For further information and to arrange an interview with Mark please contact Brockwell Press.