The Mistress of Bhatia House by Sujata MasseyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hooter: A 1920s Mumbai period drama with a dash of murder mystery.
Sujata Massey once again draws us into the world of Perveen Mistry, India’s first woman solicitor navigating a man’s world. This time, the spotlight is firmly on the rich historical and cultural backdrop of pre-Independence Bombay. We get to see the city’s many layers- its services, its social divides, and the unspoken equations between different economic groups. The murder mystery itself lingers quietly in the background for most of the book, only stepping forward in the final stretch when closure becomes necessary.
As a period drama, Sujata strikes that perfect balance of educating and entertaining. The pace is lively, and Perveen continues to face misogyny in all its everyday forms while also trying to unravel a mystery the book almost playfully disguises. Compared to the earlier books, this one really leans into character-building; showing us the world of wealthy business families, civil servants, royal entourages, domestic staff, and the upper echelons of law and bureaucracy.
Interestingly, Perveen also spends more time at home here, strengthening her bonds with her brother, sister-in-law (and friend), niece, parents, and even the household staff. The Gulnaz angle felt a little over the top and didn’t quite lead anywhere, but it was still heartwarming to watch the family rally around little Khushy and her care.
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