THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL

Most Anticipated Books of 2018

"Also taking place in the wake of World War I is Sujata Massey's “The Widows of Malabar Hill” (Soho Crime, 385 pages, $26.95). This intriguing novel features Perveen Mistry, “the only woman solicitor in Bombay.” The 23-year-old, Oxford-educated Perveen works (out of court) on behalf of her father's clients, sometimes assuming the duties of an unofficial detective. The most challenging case occupying the family law firm is the estate of the late Omar Farid, a Muslim “polygynist.” The fate of Farid's three wives and four children are now in the hands of the live-in estate manager, who keeps the women dwelling in purdah isolation. Perveen is assigned to speak with the widows, whose financial arrangements have been unjustly altered by the tyrannical manager. Soon after the solicitor's visit, however, the unscrupulous agent is found stabbed to death—and Perveen wants to help apprehend the murderer. But what if it turns out to be one of the widows? “She was supposed to defend them,” she reminds herself, “not throw them to the wolves.” As she pores over crucial documents and travels to conduct interviews, part of her attention is consumed by her estranged but vengeful husband, who threatened Perveen and her father when they last saw him years before. When he shows up in Bombay, Perveen must ensure her ultimate emancipation—even as she works to free the three widows from their own vexed situations. Ms. Massey, through adroit flashbacks, interweaves into the current mystery the saga of Perveen's grim marital misadventure. “The Widows of Malabar Hill,” with its deft prose and well-wrought characters, is a splendid first installment in what promises to be a memorable series."

Leduc

Neri Pozza

"In addition to getting an unusual perspective on women's rights and relationships, readers are treated to a full view of historical downtown Bombay—the shops and offices, the docks and old fort, and the huge variety of conveyances, characters, and religions—in an unforgettable olio that provides the perfect backdrop to the plot and subplots. Each of the many characters is uniquely described, flaws and all, which is the key to understanding their surprising roles in the well-constructed puzzle." (Starred Review)

Selected as an "Editor´s Pick"

“Set in India in 1921, this outstanding series launch from Agatha-winner Massey (The Kizuna Coast and 10 other Rei Shimura mysteries) introduces Perveen Mistry, Bombay's first female solicitor, who works for her father's law firm, handling contracts and estate work. Faisal Mukri, the trustee of the estate of recently deceased textile-mill owner Omar Farid, writes to the Mistry firm to request changes in the estate settlement, claiming that Farid's three widows want to donate all their assets to a charitable foundation that would benefit the needy while paying them an annuity. The paperwork documenting the widows' intentions appears suspect, and Perveen's visit to their home and her conversation with Mukri only strengthen her conviction that something irregular is at work. Her due diligence in insuring that the widows' interests are protected eventually enmeshes her in a murder investigation. The period detail and thoughtful characterizations, especially of the capable, fiercely independent lead, bode well for future installments."

Gummerus

"[Massey] does a wonderful job of taking life in India at the beginning of the 20th century. She gives enough cultural details without overwhelming readers with facts. The two plotlines wonderfully depict the development of the main character and the mystery as it unfolds . . . Fresh and original."

Delilah Books

Marissa Stapley in The Globe and Mail: "Perveen Mistry has all the pluck you want in a sleuthing lawyer, as well as a not-so-surprising—but decidedly welcome—proclivity for poking her nose into the business of others. The pages do indeed fly." Read more...

English language rights: Penguin Random House