Death in the Andamans, by MM Kaye

I've started to read 2 books. The first is Death in the Andamans, by MM Kaye. Her book are great, especially the exotic settings. One actually feels as though one is right there.

Plot summary:

The enchanting islands in the Indian Ocean beckoned irresistibly . . .

Through Copper Randal soon discovers that paradise has a darker side. A sense of foreboding hangs in the hot stillness among the mango trees and coconut palms. But neither she, nor her friend Valerie, stepdaughter of the Islands' Chief Commissioner, could have anticipated the sinister climax to the picnic after the hurricane struck.

One of their party is resumed drowned, then another mysteriously murdered. Stormbound and marooned on tiny Ross Island, with no links to police or doctor, Copper and her friends turn detective . . .

Posted later...

Death in the Andamans was very good, a B+. What was good and what was bad?:

• The setting and atmosphere were probably the best thing here. I just loved this. The island seemed like paradise at the beginning, but during the storm it helped create an oppresive atmosphere, reflecting the characters' mood. And the house was great, I'd love to visit it. Also, for the first time, I found the little diagram of the house useful. I'm usually hopelessly confused, but in this case it was great to understand who was where and where they could go in and out.
• The language was very enjoyable, especially Charles'. It might be considered a little too precious, but I was in the right mood for witty banter. Plus, it added to the flavour of the book.
• The mystery was very neat and well-constructed. Not a loose thread to be seen when the book was over. I also loved how Nick and Copper and Charles and Valerie got together to investigate.
• Very well-drawn characters. I could really see them in my mind, and predict how they would react. Even the murderer never really acted out-of-character. The only exception, strangely enough, was Copper. The protagonist, no less! She seemed a bit wishy-washy. She did show intelligence during the investigation, but she sounded a little too young and immature for my taste, and so was her romance with Nick.
• There was a paternalistic, superior attitude towards the natives apparent throughout the book, and I disliked this. It was all very pro-colonialism. One has to remember, though, that this book was written in the '30s, so this is quite understandable.
• The conclusion was a little too drawn-out. At one point, after we know almost everything, they get together to go over it once more and this was really repetitious.
• I liked that there were more POVs here than in other MM Kaye books. I especially liked seeing Nick's, mainly because I'm not too fond of the mysterious hero