1920s India: Perveen Mistry, Bombay’s only female lawyer, is investigating a suspicious will on behalf of three Muslim widows living in full purdah when the case takes a turn toward the murderous. The author of the Agatha and Macavity Award–winning Rei Shimura novels brings us an atmospheric new historical mystery with a captivating heroine. This Deluxe Edition features: an interview with the … features: an interview with the author, discussion questions, essays on the real-life inspirations behind the novel, delicious recipes taken from the story, and previews of The Satapur Moonstone (May 2019).
Perveen Mistry, the daughter of a respected Zoroastrian family, has just joined her father’s law firm, becoming one of the first female lawyers in India. Armed with a legal education from Oxford, Perveen also has a tragic personal history that makes women’s legal rights especially important to her.
Mistry Law has been appointed to execute the will of Mr. Omar Farid, a wealthy Muslim mill owner who has left three widows behind. But as Perveen examines the paperwork, she notices something strange: all three of the wives have signed over their full inheritance to a charity. What will they live on? Perveen is suspicious, especially since one of the widows has signed her form with an X—meaning she probably couldn’t even read the document. The Farid widows live in full purdah—in strict seclusion, never leaving the women’s quarters or speaking to any men. Are they being taken advantage of by an unscrupulous guardian? Perveen tries to investigate, and realizes her instincts were correct when tensions escalate to murder. Now it is her responsibility to figure out what really happened on Malabar Hill, and to ensure that no innocent women or children are in further danger.
Inspired in part by the woman who made history as India’s first female attorney, The Widows of Malabar Hill is a richly wrought story of multicultural 1920s Bombay as well as the debut of a sharp new sleuth.
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Wonderful story about a part of the world that not everyone knows much about.
I have read five of Sujata Massey’s books prior to reading The Widows of Malabar Hill. Four of those books involved Rei Shimura, a half American, half Japanese antiques dealer and set either in Japan or America. My favorite was The Kizuna Coast set in Japan after the real-life tsunami. Sujata was born in England to parents from India and Germany, and was raised mostly in St. Paul, MN.
I have also read India Gray, a collection of short stories involving characters from India. My favorite short story, Outnumbered at Oxford, introduces Perveen Mistry in England. I could not wait to meet Perveen again in The Widows of Malabar Hill. And I was not disappointed. This novel is rich in historical detail. The novelist fills in what happened to Perveen prior to traveling to England to study law and what happened after she returned.
Perveen’s family had migrated from Iran to India where they are a small religious minority (Zoarastrian). Perveen becomes the first woman in India to practice law. Her character is inspired by real life women who became the first female lawyers in India.
I highly recommend this mystery novel for its rich historical detail and its powerful female character.
Another time & place. Well done.
It is an interesting story. It bounced between two periods: 1916-17 and 1921, but fortunately there was always an announcement of the year so I had no trouble following it. The last part of the book was especially well done so it did end on a good note for me. I listened to the audiobook and I might have done better to read it. I’m not sure why I wasn’t that happy with the reader. She did well with the different voices, but her tone of voice for the narration seemed more like she was reading a romance book.
A mystery, a woman’s novel, a book full of history that takes place in early 20th century India.
Widows of Malabar Hill was entertaining, it took a while to figure out the mystery. It was informative, I knew little about India and this story set in 1920s India was full of interesting history . The characters came with life experiences far different from my own. A refreshingly different storyline with very engaging characters.
This is a great intrigue with very real characters set in 1920s India. I enjoyed it very much and incidentally learned a lot about India! The historical setting was fascinating and very well researched. And the story kept you turning the pages until the end!
This was an enjoyable mystery as well as informative about the cultures of India and the treatment of women, particularly in the early 1900’s.
This was such an interesting story. Set in India, I think in the early 19th century. It was so interesting to read about the different ethnic groups, living in the same city, and the different customs. I loved the characters. It was a great murder mystery.
1916 Calcutta, 1921 Bombay. The story of a young Indian woman – first female working attorney in Bombay, Oxford-trained. Very enjoyable. A little slow to start, which makes sense later in the book. Not her first case, but definitely her first mystery. This is the first book in the series and I can’t wait for the next one. Loved learning of some of the cultural differences even within India during that time period.
Very original. Interesting Information about India.
Very good. There are many twists in the plot. I did not know much about Parsi culture and religion, which forms part of the plot, or about life in purdah, which forms a major part of the plot.
Good novel for the most part; informative about mores of Bombay and legalities thereof.
Really liked the peek into an unfamiliar culture! Good characters, well written, moves along briskly.
A mystery, an ill-fated love story and most informative about cultures and traditions.
Great insight into Indian cultures
I would read another.
This was eye opener . I learned so much about two other cultures and history of India. Stay strong women in all countries #Metoo!
Interesting setting for a mystery – India 1916-1921.
Excellent writing with great research to understand the time in history the story took place. The mesh of the cultures and the building of the characters was great. Smooth read and was difficult to put down. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Highly recommend!!