The Mistress of Bhatia House

Perveen Mistry Mysteries, Book 4

By: Sujata Massey

Narrated by: Sneha Mathan

Length: 14 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Bombay’s only female solicitor Perveen Mistry grapples with class divisions, sexism, and complex family dynamics as she seeks justice for a mistreated young woman in this thrilling fourth installment in Sujata Massey’s award-winning series.

India, 1922: Perveen Mistry is the only female lawyer in Bombay, a city where child mortality is high, birth control is unavailable and very few women have ever seen a doctor.

Perveen is attending a lavish fundraiser for a new women’s hospital specializing in maternal health issues when she witnesses an accident. The grandson of an influential Gujarati businessman catches fire—but a servant, his young ayah, Sunanda, rushes to save him, selflessly putting herself in harm’s way. Later, Perveen learns that Sunanda, who’s still ailing from her burns, has been arrested on trumped-up charges made by a man who doesn’t seem to exist.

Perveen cannot stand by while Sunanda languishes in jail with no hope of justice. She takes Sunanda as a client, even inviting her to live at the Mistry home in Bombay’s Dadar Parsi colony. But the joint family household is already full of tension. Perveen’s father worries about their law firm taking so much personal responsibility for a client, and her brother and sister-in-law are struggling to cope with their new baby. Perveen herself is going through personal turmoil as she navigates a taboo relationship with a handsome former civil service officer.

When the hospital’s chief donor dies suddenly, Miriam Penkar, a Jewish-Indian obstetrician, and Sunanda become suspects. Perveen’s original case spirals into a complex investigation taking her into the Gujarati strongholds of Kalbadevi and Ghatkopar, and up the coast to Juhu Beach, where a decadent nawab lives with his Australian trophy wife. Then a second fire erupts, and Perveen realizes how much is at stake. Has someone powerful framed Sunanda to cover up another crime? Will Perveen be able to prove Sunanda’s innocence without endangering her own family?

©2023 Sujata Massey (P)2023 Recorded Books

Enjoyed this very much

This is the 4th book I've read in the Perveen Mistry series. I always enjoy learning about India and life there at this time through the eyes of this unique, independent-minded woman lawyer. The mystery is intriguing and so are the characters from India and colonial England. Intertwined with the mystery are many interesting examples of sexism, racism and class issues of the time, and I appreciate that they are organically part of the story, not gratuitously added into it.

I look forward to the next one in the series.

Perveen Mistry is my favorite literary character

I'm so glad I listened slowly. There was a lot going on in this story. Most of the plot lines are connected to reproductive rights. Some of the chapters were difficult to hear, but important. I'm glad that I would listen to 1 chapter at a time, so I could digest and understand what was happening.

In addition to telling a great story with interesting characters and engaging conversations; this book reminded me how long we have been fighting to have rights to our own bodies. I'm looking for ways I can help the fight I thought we were done fighting.

I do feel a bit like the last chapter was too fast. I feel this way in many mysteries. "this is the bad guy, here's how he did it, see you next crime" I think I'll listen to the last couple chapters again. I was so surprised by the bad guy that I didn't understand the "here's how he did it" part. There are a lot of people in this book, a lot of names. Many are suspects, witnesses, victims, or a combination.

Sujata Massey does a fabulous job describing the colors, textures, smells and even humidity of 1920's India. I could feel brave Perveen's disgust, fear and relief in various parts of the book. Trying not to spoil; I found myself holding my breath not only in fear or anticipation, but because I was sure I could smell Perveen's horrible surroundings.

I recommend this book and series to everyone. Now, do I want to re-listen to the last chapter, the full book or start the series again? hmmmm

Excellent

If an intricate plot and beautifully drawn characters weren't enough, the author transports us to another place, another time, and another state of mind.
She succeeds on so many levels; then, she manages to get better with each book.
AND incomparable narration!

Great Read

A little history, a little mystery and a little romance make for a good read.

Very Ms Marple like. I enjoyed learning about India.

Great narration. Good story and kept me guessing throughout. I enjoyed the book and look forward to others by the author

A great story

This was a very nice story with some twist and turns. I love the characters and the narrator was great.

Thrilling

loved this just like the previous in the Parveen Mistry Trilogies. Story is well written and keeps you engaged. Sneha Mathan is my favorite narrator! she makes listening to books a joy.

Great story!

I love the the characters and the plot. The narrator is excellent. It is one of my favorite series’s. I’ve learned so much about India and the struggles with the British in the early 1900’s. Women’s rights are non existent and that is why we love Praveen. Progressive and smart as hell.

Another wonderful performance by Sneha Mathan

I love the Perveen Mistry books and Mathan’s voice will always be Perveen to me. This book was as transporting as the others in there series but the ending felt a little rushed - there were many loose ends with the secondary characters that I hope will be wrapped up in Book 5!

Amazing series

I have always been a lover of law thrillers .. this one is special with a strong female lead and struggles of pre-independent Indian society. A perfect combo that can slowly grow and flourish. Sujata has yet again given a suspenseful story with a fitting climax. I understand it’s not under romance genre but would have loved few lines about Colin in the end. Sisterhood and compassion over class system was the main theme. I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version.The narrator had done an excellent job.

I only wish for the series to continuously grow and never end !! Thank you for an amazing read …. When is the next book ??