The Mistress of Bhatia House

Enticing story of the first female solicitor of Bombay trying to bring justice to another woman in need. Its a good blend of mystery and the dilemmas women have faced since time immemorial.

I am a huge Perveen Mistry fan. There is just something about old Bombay and Parsi culture that draws me into @sujatamasseyauthor 's beautifully created fictional world. This particular one was about a wrongful conviction and how the rich leveraged their privilege to suppress the working class for their own benefit. Perveen Mistry, Bombay's first female solicitor takes on the case and finds her way to the truth bringing justice to the deserved. Everytime I read books by Massey, I get engrossed in the wonderful depiction of life in the pre-independence era. Massey has an eccentric way of bringing out the Parsi community's finest nuances. What I enjoyed reading most about is the different varieties of food and the architecture described. I am honestly holding my breath for the next book in the series to be out. I really want to see Colin and Perveen romancing through the book. 😁

Sujata Massey's "The Mistress of Bhatia House" is a stunning addition to the Perveen Mistry series. This isn't just a murder mystery; it's a richly woven tapestry of social commentary, historical detail, and a compelling central character. We find ourselves transported to 1920s Bombay, a vibrant city with stark social divisions. Perveen Mistry, a brilliant but underestimated lawyer, is drawn into the case of Sunanda, a young ayah wrongly accused. As Perveen fights for justice, she grapples with the limitations placed on women and the prejudices of the colonial system. Massey's writing is captivating. She brings the bustling streets and the opulent homes of Bombay to life. The characters are complex and believable, from the determined Perveen to the desperate Sunanda. The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. Here's what I loved most: Strong Female Lead: Perveen Mistry is an inspiring protagonist. She's intelligent, compassionate, and determined to overcome the obstacles placed in her path. Vivid Setting: The novel's portrayal of 1920s Bombay is immersive and evocative. You can practically smell the spices and feel the heat. Intricate Plot: The central mystery is well-crafted, with red herrings and surprises that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Social Commentary: The story tackles issues of gender inequality, class prejudice, and colonialism in a thoughtful and nuanced way. Overall, "The Mistress of Bhatia House" is a must-read for historical fiction and mystery lovers alike. It's a captivating story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Good

This book is not as gripping as the other titles from the lady. I don't mean to say it is boring. I felt the thing dragged a little.

The Mistress of Bhatia House by Sujata Massey is a brilliant mystery read that is set in the 1920s, having Perveen Mistry as India’s first female solicitor in British-India. What starts from a fund raiser for a women’s hospital attended by Perveen flows through various curious events that detail the social and legal environment of the times. A falsely accused female house-help is Perveen’s new client and her case takes the accused and her solicitor through startling discoveries until matters settle. Having myriad issues on the professional front with this complicated case, the Mistry family grapples with their daughter-in-law Gulnaaz’s difficulties to accept the role of the new mother that she is while Perveen goes through the emotional turmoil of having a relationship with a man she may not be able to marry. Massey’s book is refreshing, it captures the colonial lifestyle and social niceties, the class division, misogyny, corruption and powerplay which feel familiar even now. With a bunch of well crafted characters and a steady pace this book keeps the reader hooked to the very end, one may not feel a rush of emotions but have a satisfied reading experience nonetheless. Verdict: Read it!!

Continued with the same flavour of the series and the ending was simply brilliant! Looking forward to the next book of the series soon.

With every new book, I find myself getting more engrossed into the world artistically woven by Sujata Massey. Can't wait for the next installment of this series.

I love these books and would love to read many more. Linda Passaro, not Tom, who is my husband and gets my books on kindle. I hate it when I finish a good book, which I just have so I’m going to read no.3 in the series again. Thank you

It is a very entertaining read that helps get to know and understand India a little bit better. Enjoyable series with a touch of excitement.

Ho letto tutti i romanzi sui casi dell'avvocatessa Perveen mistry, questo è forse il migliore della serie. Il plot è intrigante e l'ambientazione nella Bombay degli anni venti è curatissima e convincente. Nicoletta

Very likeable characters. Strong story line and well told.

Having just finished The Mistress of Bhatia House, I want to share my enthusiasm immediately. I have read the first three Perveen Mistry books (which I recommend all readers do) and awaited this one anxiously. It's wonderful! Massey has conveyed in an interesting and persuasive manner the injustices women in India in that period faced -- women from the solicitor Mistry to the servant Sunanda. Massy cleverly imparts those views via a cleverly plotted story that keeps the reader glued to the page. I'm not sure why the book is called The Mistress of Bhatia House, a strange title since Uma, a fairly minor character, is that mistress. This was a very enjoyable book to read and to listen to on Audible. It's fun, clever, interesting, delightful.