A MURDER ON MALABAR HILL BY SUJATA MASSEY

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BOOK NAME: A MURDER ON MALABAR HILL - PERVEEN MISTRY INVESTIGATES

AUTHOR NAME: SUJATA MASSEY

GENRE: LEGAL THRILLER

PUBLISHER: PENGUIN INDIA

BOOK BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.in/Murder-Malabar-Hill-Sujata-Massey/dp/0143428233


This book is the first in the 'Perveen Mistry investigates' series and is heavily inspired by the lives of Cornelia Sorabjee, the first woman to study law in Oxford to become India's first female attorney and Mithan Tata Lam, the first Indian woman lawyer to appear before a judge. 





The book is set in old Bombay in the 1920s during British rule. Omar Farid's three widows decide to give up their mahr for the wakf board after his untimely death. Their decision worries Perveen as she feels they were heavily manipulated by Farid Mukhri, the family's guardian appointed by the late Farid. But before she could uncover the scandal, a murder happens in the palace under mysterious circumstances. Perveen must now find out the murderer on the loose while also protecting the grieving begums.


This book introduced me to Persian Zoroastrian culture and many legal customs and beliefs followed in colonial India. Perveen is a go-getter and a strong protagonist and uses her limitations to everyone's benefit. Though she was not allowed to practice law, she did a lot of background work as a solicitor under her father.


Now talking about a fictional father character, I have great admiration for Atticus Finch, and he has to be my number one ever. I am glad to add Mr. Mistry to the list only next to Atticus Finch for how he fought for his daughter's rights throughout. He is a father every daughter deserves. He never once tried to curb her space or force sexist ideas on her. In fact, Perveen’s greatest admirer and supporter was her father and, I would say, the backbone of the story.


The story kept switching timelines between the murder mystery case and Perveen's past, and the suspense of both kept me turning page after page until I found myself at the end of the book. If you love a solid female protagonist with a gripping whodunnit, pick up this book. It surely will not disappoint you.


MY REVIEW: 5/5

#penbooksandscalpel

I am participating in Blogchatter’s #TBRchallenge

Comments

  1. The search continuesApril 3, 2023 at 9:29 AM

    Same! It's a full entertainer. Couldn't keep it down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RehanaApril 4, 2023 at 4:34 AM

      Great to know you are enjoying this read. Happy reading!

      Delete

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