Bood Review of the Widows of Malabar Hill
Media Reviews
"Starred Review. [An] outstanding serial launch ... The period item and thoughtful characterizations, specially of the capable, fiercely independent lead, bode well for future installments." - Publishers Weekly
"Starred Review. In add-on to getting an unusual perspective on women'due south rights and relationships, readers are treated to a total view of historical downtown Bombay...in an unforgettable olio that provides the perfect properties to the plot and subplots. Each of the many characters is uniquely described, flaws and all, which is the key to understanding their surprising roles in the well-constructed puzzle." - Booklist
"Starred Review. [Massey] does a wonderful job of taking life in India at the beginning of the 20th century. She gives enough cultural details without overwhelming readers with facts. The 2 plotlines wonderfully describe the development of the main grapheme and the mystery as it unfolds ... Fresh and original." - Library Journal
"Perveen Mistry is an boggling heroine - 1 of the starting time female lawyers in India, she's whip smart, stiff-willed, and, most importantly, empathetic. Defying convention while draped in a sari, Perveen is sure to join the leads of smashing mystery fiction." - Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling author of the Maggie Hope mysteries
"With an dogged heroine and a solid cast of sidekicks, this is the start of a series mystery readers should non miss." - Amulya Malladi, bestselling author of A House for Happy Mothers and The Copenhagen Matter
"Perveen is strong, tenacious and smart, just the kind of advocate you'd want to have on your side. And as someone who was born and raised in the metropolis, I love the way in which Massey recreates colonial Bombay, downward to the architecture, social interactions,politics and gender dynamics. You tin can experience the breeze coming off the Arabian Sea and taste the pastries at Yazdani'due south baker." - Radha Vatsal, author of A Front Folio Thing
"A fascinating setting, an extraordinary new sleuth, and a story that enthralls you - The Widows of Malabar Loma has all three and more. Sujata Massey's new historical series is absolutely terrific, and you are just going to love Perveen Mistry, Republic of india'south first female person lawyer." - Charles Todd, bestselling writer of the Ian Rutledge series and the Bess Crawford series
"Introducing an incisive, sympathetic heroine with a painful past while shedding light on a fascinating cloistered historical world, The Widows of Malabar Loma is non only immediately engaging - it has staying power." - Lyndsay Faye, Edgar-nominated author of Gods of Gotham and Jane Steele
"Perveen Mistry is an unforgettable heroine, fighting for justice in an enigmatic, beautiful and flawed world. With gorgeous prose, Massey weaves a captivating mystery." - Allison Leotta, writer of The Last Skillful Girl
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Reader Reviews
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Cloggie Downunder
a very enjoyable read
A Murder on Malabar Loma, also titled The Widows of Malabar Hill, is the kickoff book in the Perveen Mistry series past award-winning British-born American author, Sujata Massey. Mumbai in 1921 may not exist set for a female lawyer, but Jamshedji Mistry has given his daughter an pedagogy and Preveen Mistry is adamant to contribute to Mistry Law. If catering to women needing legal services gives their house an edge, then she will embrace that.
When Omar Farid dies, he leaves three widows. Perveen is dealing with the volition when a request comes in from the household agent/guardian regards the family unit's wakf that rouses her suspicion: all three widows have signed over their endowments to the wakf (family charity trust). Withal, the documents give cause for business.
When she visits these women in purdah, she finds discrepancies in what they know about their gift to the wakf and the intended use of the funds; quite a few secrets between the women; and a distinct lack of harmony. Perveen is, still, resolute about her duty to the women and their interests. But, shortly subsequently her visit, in that location is a brutal murder at the house…
A welcome distraction is the inflow of her college friend Alice Hobson-Jones, whose parents live on Malabar Hill, side by side to the Farid house. While Alice has her own problems, and issues of confidentiality foreclose Perveen from sharing likewise much, she's grateful to take Alice's perspective.
She wishes, too, that she could share her business organisation about a disturbing glimpse of a human being she had thought far away in Calcutta, Cyrus Sodawalla, with whom she has an unhappy history. Equally the story unfolds, each tidbit of data reveals another plausible motive for the murder and, more than than once, Perveen has to bank check for possible conflicts of interest before she acts.
Perveen is a plucky and very likeable protagonist. Her backstory is told in flashbacks to 1916, describing how she came to exist a lawyer and illustrating as well her parents' unfailing support. Her interactions with others signal she needs to piece of work on her poker-face and, at one bespeak, she has fingers in and so many pies that when she is kidnapped, she runs through a listing of possible assailants.
Massey manages to include plenty of humour in this serial debut, besides as a wealth of fascinating snippets of Indian social history. The restrictions that women faced at the time, both in law and through religion are demonstrated, and the practical concerns for women choosing to alive in Purdah are shown. This is a very enjoyable read and another meet with Perveen Mistry in The Satapur Moonstone will exist eagerly awaited.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof re-create.
Mary
The Widows of Malabar Hill
Satisfying mystery, but the primary enjoyment came from interesting facts well-nigh the lives of Indian women in the 1920s. Much was new to me. I highly recommend this book.
BeckyH
Murder and Bharat
If you like historical fiction, specially Republic of india in early 20th century, and learning near different cultures and ways of life, you will like this book. While it is a murder mystery, it is also an exploration of the diverse cultures agile in Republic of india from 1915 to 1922. The heroine is a immature adult female Parisi (Zoroastrian) who has trained to be a solicitor (lawyer) at Oxford and is working in her father's firm when three widows, Muslims who alive in Purda or consummate seclusion from men, need a lawyer. A murder occurs, and Perveen, the untried female person lawyer, is the merely i who can enter the widows' seclusion.
The situation of women of all faiths becomes integral to the plot, every bit do spousal relationship customs, inheritance, family practices, the police, the role of the English in India, Indian independence, class strictures and even didactics and employment for women. While the plot moves slowly, the descriptions of a style of life unknown to most Americans, keeps the reader interested and reading. Besides a murder, there are also two kidnappings, financial shenanigans, jewelry theft, families in crunch, and other plot devices to proceed involvement high.
The noises, smells and flavors of Bombay and Calcutta set the scene. Clearly drawn characters and lively writing add to a tale well worth spending time with tea, curry and Perveen equally she navigates the path forward with 3 widows who are clearly not sisters of the heart.
4 of 5 stars
CarolT
Average read
This came so highly rated, only I was disappointed. If yous're interested in Bombay in the 20s, you might like it.
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