In 1896, Mark Twain arrives at the docks of Bombay, wife and daughter in

tow, and, after attending a party in his honour, vanishes from his room at the

iconic Watson's Hotel in the dead of night.

Desperate to find the legendary writer and avoid an international incident

between his country and Britain, the American Trade Consul, Henry Baker,

teams up with Abdul, his trusted aide, and Maya Barton, a free-spirited Anglo-

Indian with surprisingly intuitive detective skills. But they have their task

cut out for them: Mark Twain's disappearance appears to be entangled with

a thriving opium trade; an intimidating, self-righteous preacher; an anxious

magician who walks on stilts; a professional thief on the run; and a powerful

labour leader, Tuka, whose young wife is found strangled in her bed.

Full of fascinating period detail and delightful cameos-and awash with

suspense-The Kidnapping of Mark Twain is a thrilling page-turner.