The Sticky Note Manifesto of Aisha Agarwal by Vohra

THE STICKY NOTE MANIFESTO OF AISHA AGARWAL by Ambika Vohra sets the perfect tone of what it feels like to be unsure of yourself in high school as you strive to complete AP classes, meet parental expectations, and somehow get the attention of a boy you like. Those goals are important to Aisha Agarwal, main character of this excellent, layered debut novel. Vohra says this was inspired by her own story and she evokes plenty of emotion while exploring fate (commenting on the butterfly effect and noting “God wills everything to happen for a reason”); class distinctions and privilege; race, immigration, assimilation, and compartmentalizing. There are insights on loneliness, romance, and family (“It's not easy untying the mental knots created by parents”), too. Aisha has a crush on her former neighbor and co-valedictorian, Brian. Helping her arrange a date with him and accomplish other items that appear as part of the sticky note manifesto are her best friend Marcy, and new friend, Quentin, a senior at another high school who is struggling with Math and the unexpected loss of his father. Aisha is – like many teens – pretty self-centered, but she grows throughout the story as she expands her experiences and shifts her attitude, finally asking, “What if all the stuff I wanted for so long isn't all that great?” At one point, Quentin remarks, “ultimately, people remember you for how you made them feel” and THE STICKY NOTE MANIFESTO OF AISHA AGARWAL is a feel good, coming of age story. Compared to Never Have I Ever, it would be fun to see on screen, too. Highly recommended.

The Lantern's Dance by Laurie R. King

THE LANTERN’S DANCE by Laurie R. King is the latest in the suspense series featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes and this is one of King’s best. She separates the protagonists (Russell has hurt her foot and stays behind) which cleverly allows each to narrate portions of this tale. Always curious, Russell discovers an old, coded journal and sets about deciphering its contents which, in turn, relay the life story of an adventuresome woman. Holmes, meanwhile, is off to try to protect the lives of his son (Damian Adler) and his family. There had been a break-in at Damian’s home and Holmes focuses on figuring out motive and assessing the potential danger. Readers will likely suspect an overlap in these two situations as they loop between past and present in an entertaining and surprising manner. Employing a clever puzzle and artful description, King skillfully provides additional backstory for her main characters. Can’t wait for the next one!

It's amazing to realize that 2024 marks the thirtieth anniversary of publication of The Beekeeper's Apprentice, first in this remarkable series.

Loot by Tania James

LOOT by Tania James is an intriguing work of historical fiction originally published this past Spring and well-reviewed by The New York Times and The Christian Science Monitor. It begins in India in the late 1700’s when a young man, Abbas, is apprenticed to a European clockmaker. Together they build a near life size mechanical tiger for Tipu Sultan, Muslim ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. Although the tiger (complete with sound effects produced by an organ hidden in its body) is shown mauling an English soldier, the unique artifact is plundered and shipped to England where another series of adventures begin. James readily transports her readers to a totally different place and time; the story, with implied commentary about colonialism, is quite absorbing. LOOT received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly (“At once swashbuckling and searing, this is a marvelous achievement.”). 

The Spanish Diplomat's Secret by Nev March

THE SPANISH DIPLOMAT'S SECRET by Nev March; (Murder in Old Bombay) is the latest in the Captain Jim and Lady Diana mysteries which are set in the 1890’s, involve characters with East Indian heritage, and deal with the social mores and prejudices of the times. In this case, a mysterious death occurs on an ocean liner and, as a neutral but experienced investigator, Jim is drafted into solving the why and how of a potentially explosive diplomatic death. He is truly puzzled by a lack of motive and suspects which also lent a bit of frustration to my reading. I do wish the story had moved somewhat more quickly and that Diana had a larger role throughout. Still, March produced a puzzling case and kept me guessing, too. Earlier series entries (see also Peril at the Exposition, set in Chicago) are stronger, but THE SPANISH DIPLOMAT'S SECRET still offers an entertaining diversion. And readers who enjoy the shipboard setting, may also like watching High Seas (on Netflix) which involves a mystery on an ocean liner and is set in the 1940s.

The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar

I have been wanting to read a book by Thrity Umrigar (First Darling of the Morning, The World We Found, Reese Book Club pick Honor and more) for quite some time and her latest, THE MUSEUM OF FAILURES, is excellent. It revolves around a young man, Remy Wadia, who has returned to India in the hopes of adopting a Parsi baby with his American wife, Kathy. He also has not seen his mother, Shirin, for three years and is shocked to learn she is in hospital and near death. This story is full of emotion and Remy, especially, has to deal with grief, anger, loneliness, fear, and confusion. Umrigar writes that Remy “had often thought of Bombay as the museum of failures, an exhibit hall filled with thwarted dreams and broken promises.” The novel explores his growth as he is devastated by past secrets and re-evaluates important relationships.  

THE MUSEUM OF FAILURES is a LibraryReads selection for September 2023 and highly recommended. 

The Mistress of Bhatia House by Sujata Massey

THE MISTRESS OF BHATIA HOUSE by Sujata Massey (The Bombay Prince) is the latest in the historical mystery series featuring Perveen Mistry, a female solicitor in India. Massey masterfully evokes 1920s Bombay and the rampant prejudice and discrimination faced by women, whether poor servants, like Sunanda, or highly educated and professional, like Perveen. Accused of Garbhapaat, knowingly causing an abortion, Sunanda is jailed until, by chance, Perveen intervenes and offers respite at Mistry House. It is difficult to find a male barrister willing to represent Sunanda and tensions escalate between Perveen and her father, who is also a lawyer and her business partner. The mystery becomes more complicated when a rich donor to a women’s hospital dies and multiple suspects turn to Perveen for guidance. The story is slow in places, but the echoes of today’s debates over women’s rights to make decisions about their own bodies cannot be ignored. Kirkus sums up THE MISTRESS OF BHATIA HOUSE  well: “A complex whodunit that also provides a fascinating immersion in a bygone era.”