The Satapur Moonstone (A Perveen Mistry Novel)

Massey's novels of 1920's British Colonial India are captivating, as are her characters. Perveen Mistry is the first female lawyer in India during a time when females had few options. Her ability to tackle on problems with meticulous consideration is an inspiration, especially during these chaotic times we now live in. Her novels are rich in detail and transport the reader to a time long ago forgotten, but still a history which should be remembered.

I'd give this a 4.5 1st the few points lowering..... sometimes providing all the cultural information seems a bit forced, too much intruding into plot, and, as is often the case, things all wrap up a bit too quickly at the end 2nd that said, what I especially enjoyed about the book was the huge amount of information about Princely states under the Raj, about Parsi & Hindu culture (especially royal) and even a bit about British administration. I spent a year in Poona (Pune) post British Raj but Raj influence was still felt. I knew & visited one of the royal families in the area covered by the Kolhapur Agency and have stayed at Dak bungalow/circuit houses. So the book was a wonderful trip down memory lane. I learned a lot about all cultures described here, but as a foreign memsahib it was superficial. What I loved about the book was how much more I learned about those cultures as practiced in early 20c. Overall, this was an easy and fun read. I honestly couldn't imagine who the killer was until almost the last chapter. She spins it so that I suspected almost everyone at one time or another.

This is the second volume of the mystery series starring Perveen Mistry, a fictional version of India’s first woman lawyer. Set in India in the 1920s, it paints a picture of the uneasy social and political relationships among and within the different groups in the country, including the British (technically in control of most of the subcontinent), the Hindus, the Parsis (descendants of long-ago immigrants from Persia/Iran, the group to which Perveen belongs), and the Muslims. It also sets up a good mystery, in which Perveen, called on to settle a dispute between the mother and grandmother of the underage heir to a princely state about the boy’s education, finds that the problem extends much deeper—to the possible murder of the young prince’s older brother and a threat to the boy and his little sister as well. This book is at least as good as the first one in the series (which is to say, very) or maybe even better. It focuses less on Perveen’s personal story than the first one, though it offers an intriguing direction in which that story may develop. It is particularly strong in providing views of the forest landscape of Satapur, the fictional princely state in western India in which it is set; the picture of life inside the grand but rather run-down royal palaces is also interesting. The personalities and relationships of the characters not only contributed to the mystery but shed light on the complex and conflicted state of Indian society at the time. I will look forward eagerly to Perveen’s next outing.

Historical fiction about pre-Independent India Good character development Plucky heroine

Atmospheric mystery set in British India in the early 1920's, with lots of local color and period detail. It also has a sympathetic heroine, a Parsee lady lawyer who is trying to sort out the tangled affairs of a pair of maharanis. The plot got overburdened, but it was still an OK read. I shall look for others in the series.

I recommend both of her books, Widows of Malabar Hill and the Satapur Moonstone. They are well plotted mysteries but so much more. They convey the India of the 1920s - the racism of the British, the negative impact of India’s caste system, the status of females as second class citizens, the extreme contrast of wealth and poverty, etc. While much has changed in the past 100 years, much has remained the same and yesterday’s history helps explain today’s situation. Despite the socio-economic environment, there are numerous positive elements in the book such as Purveen’s drive to become India’s first female lawyer, her basic decency and kindness, her creative approach toward overcoming any and all obstacles while operating within the mores and law. Plus, her family who are always there to provide sound advice personally and professionally. And the introduction in Satapur Moonstone to a new romantic interest who is both attractive and seemingly her intellectual soul mate. The books were delightful. They made me smile. And they passed my personal good book test: I was sorry when I reached the last page. I look forward to visiting these special “friends” in their next adventure.

A nice chair of scene to a princely country and a promising role for Parveen Mistry, Esq makes this an interesting second installment in Massey’s series. Especially good is the introduction of a progressive Britisher as a love interest - a real enticement to read #3. Definitely worth the read

Enjoyed far more than the first in this series. In fact if I had not ordered both at the same time I would not have purchased this one. Good mystery and opportunity to learn more about India under British rule. Interesting to see issues with women’s rights, class differences and royalty.

This is an amazing insight to India in the 1920 suppressed woman started to find their own way

I had read a murder on Malabar hills before and couldn't wait to get into another crime solving mystery with Praveen Mistry. I love the world that Sujata Massey brilliantly recreates with her words. A thorougly enjoyable read with the only complain being one doesn't want to let go once the book is opened. Eagerly waiting for the next Praveen Mistry tale

Great Read! If you love India and want to understand where it has come from and how it is evolving...this story is a gentle way to do this.

Sujata Masseys young woman Indian lawyer sleuth gets better with the second in the series. Well researched and very enjoyable,

Intrigue sympathique et decouverte d'un nouveau decor