Jamie Kinross can't bear to stay on the farm in Sweden where his beloved wife has died in childbirth. He leaves his new daughter with family and departs. The story picks up in India in May 1759. Jamie has come to Madras in order to learn about the gem trade, and heat prickles on his skin as he awaits the MONSOON MISTS.

A priceless talisman made of a red diamond and a sapphire has been delivered to Jamie's gem merchant friend with orders to take them to a place called Surat. But the frightened merchant believes that the gems have been stolen from a maharajah who will be seeking them. Dacoits and thieves are common. Jamie - rashly - decides to carry the gems while a decoy is more visibly delivered. The Rajah of Nadhur is indeed missing his family talisman, more so since he cannot marry his intended bride without the talisman as part of the ritual. His Grand Vizier uses the opportunity to sow dissent between the Rajah and his brother. Trouble ahead!

Among the English community Jamie meets a lady who is of two races, Zarmina Miller, given respectability by the fact that her late husband was English. The lady has no intention of becoming friendly with men, but Jamie can't help his interest. Zarmina has a stepson who is in the gem trade, though he's not an expert yet... can he be the contact Jamie is supposed to meet with the talisman?

I enjoyed the exotic settings as we learn more about gems. The four Cs, still used today to judge quality, are colour, clarity, carat and cut. Jamie has adopted cooler local dress and learnt passable Hindi, which he uses while dealing with money changers in the crowded markets. The bustling, layered society is well displayed, even to the extent of a child thief and her scruffy dog taking up residence with Jamie, who has shown her kindness.

Piracy, murder and spies add to the heady mix. This is an entertaining read by any standards and lovers of travel tales or historical romance will relish the adventure. The previous book about Jamie's relatives is called Highland Storms, and MONSOON MISTS gives Jamie his own story. I must say he deserves to have it told.