The Widows of Malabar Hill: A Mystery of 1920s India: 1 (Perveen Mistry Novel)

A astounding book that transports us into a complex, completely alien but recognisable society that gives insight into the history, traditions, mores, religious beliefs, of a multi-faith, British India of the 1920s. The best novel I've read in 2024.

Enjoyed reading this book. This is a smooth flowing book with not many twist and turns. The language used is easy and very descriptive. This book takes you to the era (1920s Bombay) and into the lives of the Parsi communities. Though its a murder mystery, the actual thriller bit came towards the very end of the book which I thought could have been brought forward. Overall, it was a good read and I would recommend this book.

I have already recommended this novel to a few of my friends and will continue to place in my favourite reading category.

Very interesting to read of different cultures and a most unusual storyline.

This wears its scholarship lightly and creates engaging characters and an original central figure in Perveen. The historical setting viewed from a Parsi perspective in 1920s Mumbai is detailed and refreshing. An absorbing read, my only criticism is that the sections spent in 1917 were a little too long and unecessarily delayed the action in the present. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys subtle mystery and an original context. I have preordered the second book already!

I loved this book the writer clearly worked hard a characters and it just kept me guessing Now I must buy the rest I think there are two more

Have not finished reading this bookyet but so far I’m really enjoying it and it’s so good to learn about another culture

Good story, well written but spoiled for me by anachronistic use of mid to late 20th /21st century Americanisms in a 1920s British dominated imperial setting. Won't stop me reading her other work though and will look forward to her future releases.

I love the main characters spirit and intelligence. The author honours the cultural beliefs and practices of the time but pushes her characters to grow beyond the barriers and taboos. It's very entertaining, moves at a quick pace and it's never obvious what might happen next or why. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

Great author. She takes us back to early 20th century India.

Having lived for a time in Bombay, now known as Mumbai, I was immediately drawn to The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey. Not just because I resided on Malabar Hill of all places. What caught my attention was the setting and the storyline about an aspiring female lawyer in 1920's India. Despite such a unique premise, I've found it hard to read at times due to the overlap between past and present. That's why I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. Perveen Mistry is a privileged woman. Of Parsi descent, her family is so open-minded to encourage her to study law and pursue a legal career in her father's law firm even though no women have been admitted to the Indian bar. It isn't a problem for Perveen, who dreams of becoming India's first female solicitor and has studied in Oxford after overcoming a wrong personal decision. She's happy to prepare briefs and examine the finer points of rules and regulations until the settlement of an inheritance among three Muslim widows requires her to go on the front line. Since the widows are full purdah—in strict seclusion, they can't talk to any males who aren't related to them. Perveen will have to be her father's eyes and ears, especially when the inheritance renouncement will turn into murder. The criminal twist is just an excuse the author adopts to describe the reality of women's lives back in the 1920s. I like how Mrs. Massey exposes the seclusion and often the abuses perpetrated on the different women portrayed in this book. Whether Muslim, Hindu, Parsi, or even British, they're all under the thumb of a chauvinistic system that allows only men the freedom to choose how to live their lives. The unfairness of it is what has kept me hooked to the last page, along with the realization that in many ways, one hundred years haven't improved women's conditions all that much. Even sadder the awareness that often it's the women themselves who uphold this unjust system and go from victims to executioners in the blink of an eye. On the downside, the narration isn't fluid. The telling of the widows:' troubles is fragmented with Perveen's past experiences. I've also found the dialogue tags a bit repetitive. Too many crisply, soberly, and said for my taste though, fortunately, don't diminish the reader's enjoyment of a tale that has to be told. I definitely recommend this book to all the women readers looking for more than a mystery novel.

48 pgs are missing in the book

This book was a joy to read. This author appears to have it all: great characters that leap off the page, an intriguing story and the ability to convey a sense of time and place. A beautifully written book that made me eager to read more. I can’t wait for the next installment. A note of caution to Australian readers: This book wasn’t published here for more than a year after its American and English publication during which time it was available via Amazon. In Australia it has been given a slightly different title to make it look like another title in the series. Such blatant attempts to deceive should be outlawed!