I absolutely loved ' Love and Death in Katmandu,' a true-crime story set in Nepal by Amy Willesee and Mark Whittaker. These two young Australian authors had quite an adventure researching the story of Crown Prince Diprenda of Nepal, his family problems, and his eventual murder of his mother and father, siblings, and numerous other family members at a royal family dinner in 2001. There's loads of historical detail, info about the Hindu religion, gossip about Nepalese politics and society - it was just a wonderful read. The crime itself, which also results in Diprenda's suicide, is evidently a result of his frustration with how he was controlled in his choice of wife. I read a review which faulted the book for getting 'bogged down' in royal family names and confusing relationships and political factions, but actually that's part of what I liked! There are child goddesses, local traditions, blood feuds, and lots of flavor in this book and I'm so glad to have discovered it.

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