The Star from Calcutta by Sujata Massey

THE STAR FROM CALCUTTA by Sujata Massey is the fifth mystery in the series  (see The Widows of Malabar Hill and others) featuring Perveen Mistry in 1920s India. Once again, the first female lawyer in Bombay is working a unique case, this time involving the moviemaking industry. Her client, Rochana, is a famous star originally from Calcutta and now in some danger as she and her new husband may lose their film company. Even Perveen and her friend Alice Hobson-Jones may fall under suspicion when a film censor is found dead after a screening they all attended. Massey offers suspense in an intriguing setting with likeable characters. THE STAR FROM CALCUTTA received a starred review from Booklist (“wonderful history-mystery read, filled with fascinating details both of the complexity of life in British India and of the workings of the 1920s film world”).   

The Bombay Prince by Sujata Massey

THE BOMBAY PRINCE by skilled author Sujata Massey is the third mystery in the Perveen Mistry series, set in 1920s India and featuring a female solicitor based in Bombay. Other titles are The Widows of Malabar Hill and The Satapur Moonstone. As ever, Perveen Mistry’s heart is touched by others in need and this story starts with a visit from a young college student, Freny Cuttingmaster, hoping to avoid showing respect at an upcoming visit by the British royal family. That young girl is killed the same day as the parade honoring the visit and Perveen Mistry struggles to solve the crime while dealing with numerous constraints because of her gender and religion. The strength of this series is based not only on the complex “whodunit” aspects, but also on the detailed background provided about the political situation, historical societal practices, and religious beliefs. THE BOMBAY PRINCE received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. Other mysteries set in India include those by Abir Mukherjee and Nev March.

Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March

MURDER IN OLD BOMBAY by Nev March is the first of many mysteries I am sure to be reading this year. Set in India in 1892 (with flashbacks to the 1857 Sepoy Rebellion), this story centers on James Agnihotri, recently retired Anglo-Indian cavalry captain. It’s full of questions about acceptance and social strictures – related to caste and as well as religious tolerance.  Two young women died after falling off a university clock tower and the Captain is hired to learn the truth of what happened.  It’s a twisty mystery with travels throughout India, from Bombay to Lahore, Simla, and Ranjpoot, with more than one daring rescue event. The writing is evocative of the time and place with turns of phrase like “memory touched my skin with a cold finger.” There are repeated references to Sherlock Holmes – both to his techniques (e.g., using disguises) and to his characteristics (Agnihotri is also an amateur boxer). Like Holmes, the Captain is attracted to a seemingly unavailable woman and the “romance” is at first a happy sidelight; later, it becomes a bit too much of the story. Nevertheless, the characters are generally admirable for as Agnihotri muses, “our choices drive who we are … and who we want to be.” Winner of the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award, MURDER IN OLD BOMBAY is an entertaining debut filled with suspense and historic detail.