Smoke And Ashes by Abir Mukherjee

In "Smoke And Ashes," readers are transported to 1920s Calcutta, where Captain Sam Wyndham, a British police detective, finds himself embroiled in a complex investigation amidst the political turmoil of India's struggle for independence. Battling his personal demons and opium addiction, Wyndham discovers a body with a gruesome wound, leading him into the dark underbelly of the city and a conspiracy that threatens not just his life but the very fabric of British rule in India. As he navigates through a maze of lies, betrayals, and dangerous ideologies, Wyndham must rely on his sharp instincts and the help of his loyal friends to solve the case and prevent chaos from engulfing the city. This gripping narrative masterfully combines historical detail with a compelling mystery, exploring themes of colonialism, justice, and redemption.

The 10212th greatest book of all time

Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Total Points: 60

Since this book was first published in 2018, there is a penalty of 70.4%. The age adjusted score is 17.76.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.