About the Book
Bombay, 1921. Intrepid and intelligent, young Perveen Mistry joins her father’s prestigious law firm to become one of India’s first female lawyers. Her tumultuous past also makes her primarily devoted to championing and protecting women’s rights.
When Mistry Law is appointed to execute the will of Omar Farid, a wealthy mill owner, Perveen’s suspicions are aroused by a curious provision that could disinherit Farid’s three widows and leave them vulnerable. Are the Farid widows–who live in strict seclusion, never leaving the women’s quarters or speaking to men–being duped by an unscrupulous guardian?
My Review
This book is the first in the Perveen Mistry series – about a woman lawyer who is also a detective (sort of a female, Indian Perry Mason). The main character is derived more from Cornelia Sorabji, the first woman to study law at Oxford and was admitted to the Bombay Bar in 1923.
The book has two parallel stories – one is set in the present and is about the mystery of the Farid widows and the possibility of fraud in their husband’s will (yes, polygamy). It also deals very nicely with the lifestyle of Muslim women in purdah.
The second story is set in the past, with Perveen frequently reflecting on her failed marriage.
Honestly, I thought Perveen’s personal story was better than the actual mystery. But what I loved about this book is the author’s feminist lens. The character of Perveen Mistry is strong yet vulnerable, daring, and mindful of other people. She empathizes strongly with the Farid widows and is willing to take a lot of risks (above and beyond what is required) to make sure they have justice. I loved her!
The author also presents the traditions and culture of Indian Parsi and Muslim families of the past eras with fascinating details – especially her descriptions of the food (mouthwatering) and clothing.
Calcutta was like Bombay- and not. From the wooden seat in the first-class car, Perveen gazed hungrily at her new home town. The men were intriguing, many of them wearing traditional Indian clothes along with proper English shoes, spats and gartered stockings. She imagined they worked at the many British businesses she saw along the route. Ladies also travelled freely, just like in Bombay, but they wore their saris draped over the left shoulder instead of the right.
Overall, this book was a pleasant surprise! I did not expect this level of historical detail, research, and deep knowledge of the time. While the mystery is a bit boring and relatively easy to solve, I loved this book for the historical details and atmosphere. Well done!
