Vagrants in the Valley

This book is Bond's second Rusty novel, and it continues his story where the first book left off. To reduce the ‘what to read next' stress of the time, I started this immediately after finishing the previous novel, which is a bit out of character for me.

Rusty and Kishen are departing Hardwar (Haridwar), on their return journey to Dehra (Dehradun), although due to their financial situation they are walking. Kishen had been living rough, stealing what he needed after leaving the home of his alcoholic father and new wife. Rusty had arrived in Haridwar to visit Kishen on his way to Delhi, but finding his friend unhappy and living the life of a bandit, his planned were changed.
They decided returning to their former home and their friends was the best idea.

So this second books tells of the journey, their adventures on the way and what happens when they get to Dehra. There are old friends and new friends, new places and for Rusty more journeying around Uttakhand, including Lansdowne and Rishikesh.

As with his first novel, Bond writes simply and is able to impart humour, tenderness and elegance on his characters at unexpected moments. Another easily amusing novel.

Four stars from me.

Review of Room on the Roof; Rusty #1