Will I love The Widows of Malabar Hill?

I love reading historical fiction mysteries, and this one is particularly intriguing because of the fascinating setting and characters. I have read a fair number of books set in India, but this one was different from all the others. The story takes place in 1920s Bombay, with a female lawyer who is Zoroastrian, and three clients who are Muslim women who live in seclusion. Into this mix there is a murder mystery that is perfectly presented. If you like a book that shows you a reality that is very different from your own, this is a great novel for you.

This book takes place from 1916-1921 in Bombay and Calcutta, following the protagonist in an alternating timeline. The story that is set in the past is my favorite part of the book, when you get to see how the protagonist, a young Parsi woman, became who she is. I loved watching her first fall in love, then grapple with gender roles and expectations until the past timeline eventually catches up with the present-day mystery. The setting itself is fascinating and unusual, and the protagonist’s journey is particularly compelling.