India, 1922. Perveen Mistry, the only female lawyer in Bombay, has just secured her biggest client yet: Champa Films. The movie studio is run by Subhas Ghoshal and his movie star wife, Rochana. Rochana, the biggest name in Indian cinema, needs Perveen's legal help because she's being sued for breach of contract by her previous studio.
To better understand Rochana's world, Perveen brings her best friend, Alice Hobson-Jones, to a special screening, which turns into a disaster. One of the guests is found dead, and Rochana has disappeared. To protect her clients, Perveen must investigate the murder case-- especially since her best friend seems to be keeping secrets about that night.
~
I've been enjoying Sujata Massey's Perveen Mistry historical series for its sense of place, as well as for the characters, and the mysteries; however, this latest book, The Star from Calcutta, was a struggle.
I kept expecting the mystery involving the dead man to take center stage, but the story really concentrated on forbidden relationships and society's stranglehold on what was seen to be proper behavior. Coming from a completely different world, I kept chafing at all the things Perveen could and could not do in order to avoid scandal and wagging tongues as she pursued her investigation. (Thank heavens I was born when and where I was!) At that time, society's expectations were such that the Indian film industry was about the only place where women could advance. In the midst of all this, I didn't find the film studio characters very engaging either.
The Star from Calcutta is an interesting tale of how society can warp people's expectations and relationships. I just wish I'd been able to enjoy it more.
The Star from Calcutta by Sujata Massey
eISBN: 9781641295109
Soho Press © 2026
eBook, 413 pages
Historical Mystery, #5 Perveen Mistry
Rating: C+
Source: Net Galley
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for taking the time to make a comment. I really appreciate it!