A MURDER ON MALABAR HILL BY SUJATA MASSEY

-

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

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CHAPTER 1 - ALIZA AND AHMED

-
Image
Their eyes met for the second time in the day. Every time this happens, Aliza feels a ticklish sensation in her stomach. It's not that they have not been closer than just eye contact, but the jitters won't leave her alone. Her mother-in-law was busy scooping out the last few morsels of chicken from the bowl with a creaking noise that numbed Aliza's ears. Her father-in-law was lost in thoughts enjoying his chicken malai korma and tempered ghee rice.   ‘Aliza, can you get me some warm water?’ Aliza comes running with a jar of water to fulfil her new wife's duties, and Ahmed finds his moment just when Aliza is filling his tumbler and his parents are busy eating. He pokes her in the hip, which is faintly visible between her saree fold and her blouse. Aliza winces and moves behind quickly. She turns around to ensure no one has witnessed it and promptly returns to work, flashing a smile. Ahmed had to steal moments like these between daily activities because the house was alwa
Read more

CHAPTER 4 - DISTANCE MATTERS

-
Image
'Congratulations on your promotion and transfer. We are looking forward to your full commitment to us. Do get back to this letter at the earliest with your answer.' Read the crafted piece of paper. Ahmed's parents were delighted and jumping with joy. They were chanting 'Alhamdulillah' fervently while Aliza stood confused. She could not make anything of this news because Ahmed's promotion meant everything to her. But his transfer would only mean that Aliza must stay back with her in-laws while he would visit only during weekends. She would happily do so, too, if not for her unsupportive mother-in-law. Aliza wanted to cry, and her eyes brimmed with tears that the world looked like a smudged canvas laying still in front of her. She looked at Ahmed pleadingly and waited until 10 to ask him if he really wanted to go. Asking in front of her in-laws would only mean the end of her good days. Ahmed did not look up because he knew what his transfer meant for both of them.
Read more

MY FAVOURITE BLOGCHATTER MOMENTS FROM 2023

-
Image
Contrary to every other year, in 2023, the writer in me had a great time compared to the reader me—all thanks to the team of Blogchatter. If you are new to the world of blogging or have been living under a rock, Blogchatter is an open community for bloggers and readers, and they organise writing and reading challenges for its members. Blogchatter keeps motivating its writers and readers with badges and credit points that can be encashed. My journey with Blogchatter started in mid-2022, and it's been so great so far. I have had meaningful conversations with fellow readers, bloggers and writers. I was also introduced to unique content through this community. Though I try to write most days of the year, there are also times when I feel I can't write anymore because I can't think of anything. I would either just blank out or be overwhelmed with my personal life and a full-time job. During moments like these, Blogchatter comes up with a timely rescue by introducing challenges a
Read more