From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Widows of Malabar Hill (Perveen Mistry, #1)

Sujata Massey

Start date: March 14, 2019

Finish date: April 7, 2019

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: We are trying out some different series as buddy reads in 2019.
[close] We are trying out some different series as buddy reads in 2019.

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Buddy reads

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What Members Thought

Oct 19, 2018 Sonia rated it really liked it

This almost went onto the DNF shelf but I persevered and I'm glad I did. Once the narrative concentrated on the mystery it was fine. The backstory of the main character, while interesting, was too distracting. Actually looking forward to the next installment. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 08, 2019 Susan in NC rated it liked it

3.5 stars - very enjoyable debut - I love Perveen and her family and her dear friend, Alice; 1920s Bombay is a wonderful setting for this series.

As Bombay’s first female lawyer, Perveen enters her father’s practice after studying law at Oxford. When a Muslim client dies, he leaves behind three widows who live in full purdah (isolation); Perveen notices something suspicious in the paperwork disposing of his estate - all three women have signed over their inheritance to a charity. Is someone takin ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 28, 2022 Wendy rated it liked it

Shelves: series, mystery, 2022-reads

I have no idea why this took me so long to read. It was a little slow in the beginning, but I enjoyed the unique setting in India and the first female attorney, Perveen Mistry. Her character was smart and courageous. I learned a lot about parts of Indian culture and some of the religions in that country. I had no idea how diverse and interesting some of the religious traditions were. I certainly plan to follow up and read more about it in the future. A solid book that I probably should give 4 st ...more

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Jan 03, 2020 Jenn Estepp rated it really liked it

Shelves: sleuths-and-gumshoes, kindling, historically-speaking

I was a big fan of Massey's Rei Shimura series, back in the day, so I'm not sure why it took me so long to get to The Widows of Malabar Hill, although I'm glad I did. As the first book in a series, there's a fair amount of set-up and backstory and some details of the actual mystery are easy to figure out, but the details regarding the characters and settings are so rich. I'm very much looking forward to seeing where this series goes. ...more

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Sep 12, 2020 Peggy rated it liked it

I enjoyed this series opener that takes place in 1920s Bombay. It’s vividly written with an interesting main character, the fictional first woman lawyer of that time. I’ve been a longtime fan of Massey’s shogun detective series of ancient Japan and was sad she’d turned away from it. But this series has great promise and I’m looking forward to reading the second in the series. Recommended

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Apr 28, 2020 Barbara rated it really liked it

It is intriguing to read about the custom of purdah in Indian, practiced by Muslims and Hindus. It is not a life to be desired!
I do wish Massey's books included a glossary of terms. Some of the words could not even be found in Wikipedia. ...more

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Nov 08, 2018 Marcella rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018-50-book-challenge, murder-mysteries, fiction

One of my favorite things about murder mysteries is that they’re a great way to Trojan Horse history and culture. In this case, I learned a ton about the Parsi (Persian) population of India and general culture(s) before the country’s independence. The heroine is one of my favorites in detective fiction yet: Oxford educated and on track to being India’s first female lawyer (based on a historical figure). She has a real personality with charms and flaws. And the FOOD. OMG. The combination of Persi ...more

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May 15, 2020 Laura Anne rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, indian-subcontinent, historical-fiction

2.5 stars I enjoyed Perveen as lawyer/detective in 1921 more than the flashbacks to her life in 1916. And the language felt too modern for a woman of that time period.

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