This book oozes the timeless charm of a classic ‘whodunit’. With an added air of mystique and an endearing tale of feminism sprinkled over it. A well-written and thought through book, which throws some light on how the law is made to fit in with different religions. And how subjective it was when it came to women’s rights. I personally liked seeing how it was portrayed and even grow my knowledge on it.
Being Bombay’s first and only female lawyer in 1921, at the time, came with its struggles and limitations. When no other law firm would hire her, Parveen joined her father’s law firm to help out with the paperwork and other tasks that would keep her in the confined space of an office and out of the court.
Jamshedji Mistry is a well-known lawyer and one of his clients is a wealthy Muslim mill owner, who has recently passed. Upon Farid’s passing, Jamshedji is working with the family to sort out the financial legalities. As Parveen comes across a slight discrepancy in the endowment signed off by Farid’s 3 widows, she is not entirely convinced that this decision is made by them alone. Using her advantage of being a woman, she persuades her father to let her get in touch with the widows on her own, as they practice Purdah and will not be allowed to meet any man, let alone her father.
As Parveen arrives at the Farid Bungalow, she realises how the house is divided, and the women’s quarters are secluded away from the main house. Where the women have no contact with the guests or anyone else visiting, except their children. There is only a Jali connecting the quarters to the main house, through which the women can communicate. Parveen connects with the widows individually to explain the contracts they have signed and to help them understand the implications of doing so. During one of her visits in the women’s quarter, Parveen returns to find a body hidden away with blood smeared all over. Realising who it is, leaves Perveen in a state of shock.
Parveen’s character is portrayed with a subtle yet audacious perception of a heroine, and rightly so. Well before her time, she becomes a lawyer, a vocation run by men alone. She is not afraid to stand up for herself and pursue what she wants, be it for love or her profession. Her persona also reflects on her parents’ progressive nature. Who believed their daughter’s intellect expanded way beyond cooking in the kitchen all day, what women were usually expected to do then. The awareness and maturity Massey brings to Parveen’s character in her early 20s’ is so incredibly written.
Massy’s writing has an ease it flows with, with the ability to completely absorb you in the old town charm of Bombay from the get-go. The riveting storylines set up in Bombay and briefly, Calcutta is well captured in such distinct detail, you feel like you’re witnessing it unfold in front of you. I have always been a sucker for mysteries and thriller, and this book had it all. From the drama and intrigue to an ending I didn't see coming. Tying up the storyline with a perfect bow, giving you a gratifying end to an amazingly well-written novel.