The Bombay prince

Book Cover
Average Rating
Publisher
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Publication Date
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Language
English

Description

Bombay’s first female lawyer, Perveen Mistry, is compelled to bring justice to the family of a murdered female Parsi student just as Bombay’s streets erupt in riots to protest British colonial rule. Sujata Massey is back with this third installment to the Agatha and Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning series set in 1920s Bombay. November 1921. Edward VIII, Prince of Wales and future ruler of India, is arriving in Bombay to begin a fourmonth tour. The Indian subcontinent is chafing under British rule, and Bombay solicitor Perveen Mistry isn’t surprised when local unrest over the royal arrival spirals into riots. But she’s horrified by the death of Freny Cuttingmaster, an eighteen-year-old female Parsi student, who falls from a second-floor gallery just as the prince’s grand procession is passing by her college. Freny had come for a legal consultation just days before her death, and what she confided makes Perveen suspicious that her death was not an accident. Feeling guilty for failing to have helped Freny in life, Perveen steps forward to assist Freny’s family in the fraught dealings of the coroner’s inquest. When Freny’s death appears suspicious, Perveen knows she can’t rest until she sees justice done. But Bombay is erupting: as armed British secret service march the streets, rioters attack anyone with perceived British connections, and desperate shopkeepers destroy their own wares so they will not be targets of racial violence. Can Perveen help a suffering family when her own is in danger?

More Details

Contributors
Massey, Sujata Author
Mathan, Sneha Narrator
ISBN
9781641291057
9781641291064
9781705034217

Discover More

Also in this Series

  • The widows of Malabar Hill (Perveen Mistry novels Volume 1) Cover
  • The Satapur moonstone (Perveen Mistry novels Volume 2) Cover
  • The Bombay prince (Perveen Mistry novels Volume 3) Cover
  • The mistress of Bhatia House (Perveen Mistry novels Volume 4) Cover

Excerpt

Loading Excerpt...

Author Notes

Loading Author Notes...

Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
British India in the 1920s is the richly detailed venue for these engaging historical mysteries. The Sam Wyndham novels star a former Scotland Yard detective while the Perveen Mistry mysteries star the first woman to practice law in India. -- Mike Nilsson
These engaging historical mysteries take place in 1920s India (Perveen Mistry) and 1930s Singapore (Crown Colony), at the time both possessions of the British Empire. Each stars a local woman who is an unlikely but talented sleuth. -- Ashley Lyons
Both historical series feature strong, career-focused Indian women who get entangled in intriguing scenarios. Readers will enjoy the descriptive settings and intricate plots in each, but only Perveen Mistry solves mysteries. -- Andrienne Cruz
Though the Perveen Mistry novels are historical and the Armand Gamache mysteries are set in the present day, these leisurely paced series focus on the characters almost as much as the mysteries and include rich and detailed descriptions of the places they're set. -- Halle Carlson
Strong female trailblazers pursue justice for their clients in Botswana (No. 1 Lady's) and Bombay (Perveen Mistry) in these mystery series where setting plays a key role. Lady's is more leisurely and gentle, but both have a well-developed cast of characters. -- Jennie Stevens
These 1920s-set intricately plotted mysteries star unassuming heroes whose deductive skills allow them to solve even the most complex and curious of cases. Perveen Mistry is an attorney working in India, while detective Poirot takes place in England. -- Stephen Ashley
Set in 1920s India (Perveen Mistry) and 2000s Cuba (Havana Mystery), these two own voices mystery series highlight the culture and politics of their settings as an engrossing backdrop for the carefully plotted whodunits. -- Andrienne Cruz
Set in India during the 1920s (Perveen Mistry) and 1950s (Malabar House), these detailed and well-plotted historical mystery series feature women trailblazers in male-dominated professions who navigate political intrigue and more while investigating challenging criminal cases. -- Andrienne Cruz
These richly detailed historical mysteries set in the British Raj period feature Parsee female protagonists who put their lives on the line in solving murder cases as a lead investigator (Perveen Mistry) or as a detective's assistant (Captain Jim Agnihotri). -- Andrienne Cruz

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
NoveList recommends "Japantown mysteries" for fans of "Perveen Mistry novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Judge Dee and Lao She mysteries" for fans of "Perveen Mistry novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Sam Wyndham novels" for fans of "Perveen Mistry novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Crown Colony novels" for fans of "Perveen Mistry novels". Check out the first book in the series.
In these intricately plotted historical mysteries, South Asian amateur sleuths investigate murders that occur at a circus arena (A Nest) and college campus (Bombay Prince) in bustling cities preparing for the arrival of the Prince of Wales in 1921 India. -- Andrienne Cruz
NoveList recommends "Captain Jim and Lady Diana" for fans of "Perveen Mistry novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Kaveri and Ramu novels" for fans of "Perveen Mistry novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" for fans of "Perveen Mistry novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Malabar house" for fans of "Perveen Mistry novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Saffron Everleigh mysteries" for fans of "Perveen Mistry novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Inspector Armand Gamache mysteries" for fans of "Perveen Mistry novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Hercule Poirot mysteries" for fans of "Perveen Mistry novels". Check out the first book in the series.

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Massey and Hirahara write amateur detective mysteries that feature Japanese American sleuths. Their sleuths are likeble characters who are sensitively dealing with their multicultural heritage. The stories feature sharp dialogue, ingenious plots, and sharp characterization. The books bring in interesting information about Japanese heritage while giving a keen sense of place. -- Merle Jacob
Armchair travelers who enjoy charming, intelligent female protagonists will appreciate the heroines created by writers Sujata Massey and Elizabeth Peters. With richly detailed language and interesting settings, both authors are known for mysteries characterized by a strong sense of place. -- Catherine Coles
Both Sujata Massey and Agatha Christie write compelling mysteries, often investigated by detectives or protagonists with a unique insight into crime. Both authors write clever mystery plots with richly detailed settings, and Massey's historical settings feel contemporaneous with some of Christie's most beloved work. -- Tirzah Price
Both Sujata Massey and Ian Hamilton are known for their compelling, character-driven mysteries starring whip-smart sleuths of Asian heritage. Their books feature a variety of international settings, strong female leads, and often focus on intricate, high-stakes investigations with big money on the line. -- Catherine Coles
These authors' works have the subjects "women amateur detectives," "american people," and "asian people"; and include the identity "asian."
These authors' works have the subjects "asian people," "east asian people," and "antique dealers"; and include the identity "asian."
These authors' works have the appeal factors own voices and intricately plotted, and they have the subjects "asian people," "east asian americans," and "east asian people"; and include the identity "asian."
These authors' works have the appeal factors own voices and intricately plotted, and they have the subjects "asian people," "east asian americans," and "east asian people"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These authors' works have the subjects "japanese americans," "east asian americans," and "chinese americans."
These authors' works have the appeal factors suspenseful, strong sense of place, and own voices, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "asian people," "east asian americans," and "east asian people"; and include the identity "asian."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place and multiple perspectives, and they have the subjects "japanese americans," "american people," and "asian people"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These authors' works have the subjects "shimura, rei (fictitious character)," "women amateur detectives," and "asian people"; include the identity "asian"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."

Published Reviews

Publisher's Weekly Review

Agatha winner Massey's exceptional third mystery featuring Perveen Mistry, Bombay's first female solicitor (after 2019's The Satapur Moonstone), finds the city's residents preparing for the visit of Britain's Prince of Wales, the future Edward VIII, in 1921. Before the royal's arrival, Freny Cuttingmaster, a student at Woodburn College, seeks Mistry's guidance. Freny represents a group of students who wish to skip a parade scheduled for the prince, which their head of school says is mandatory. Mistry can only advise Freny that she and the others should feign illness to avoid punishment for not attending. After the parade, which was disrupted by protesters inspired by lawyer Mohandas Gandhi's advocacy for Indian independence, a woman's corpse is found at the college. The victim died, apparently of a head wound, on the 30-year anniversary of the unexplained deaths of two female students at the University of Bombay, who fell from a clock tower, suffering similar injuries. Massey has never been better at pairing her redoubtable and impressive lead with a challenging murder to unravel. Abir Mukherjee fans will be pleased. Agent: Vicky Bijur, Vicky Bijur Literary. (June)

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Powered by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

In the third mystery starring Perveen Mistry, the only female lawyer in 1920s Bombay, Edward VIII, Prince of Wales, leaves violence in his wake as he tours a subcontinent angered by British rule. Among the incidents is the death of a Parsi student who suffers a suspicious fall from a balcony as the prince sweeps by--just days after she consulted Perveen. With a 150,000-copy first printing.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Powered by Syndetics

Kirkus Book Review

In 1921, the arrival of the Prince of Wales triggers riots in the streets of Bombay, providing cover for a discreet killing. Freny Cuttingmaster consults fledgling solicitor Perveen Mistry, the only female lawyer in Bombay, on behalf of the Woodburn College Student Union about the legality of skipping classes on the day Edward, the Prince of Wales, will be visiting Bombay. Indians are in the midst of a fight for independence, and Woodburn students are expected to attend a parade and support the prince, which many of them don't want to do. Perveen advises the girl to feign illness, a weak solution she regrets almost immediately. Indeed, violence ensues at the prince's procession. Once the situation is calmed, Freny's corpse is discovered in the school's garden. Perveen's friendship with Woodburn math teacher Alice Hobson-Jones keeps her apprised of new developments, which first emphasize the political situation and Perveen's relationship with her lawyer father, Jamshedji, brother Rustom, and Indian society generally, and only later coalesce into a whodunit. Freny's father, Firdosh, hires the Mistry law firm to ensure that Freny's autopsy and burial are handled in a respectful manner. When Perveen mentions that Freny believed strongly in Indian independence and may have known prominent activist Dinesh Apte, Firdosh responds with outrage. With many questions surrounding Freny's death unanswered, inveterate sleuth Perveen undertakes an informal investigation, beginning with the coroner and continuing through Freny's friends, teachers, and fellow insurgents. Massey's graceful prose and mastery of period detail successfully suggest the fiction of the period. Perveen's third mystery propels a rich story of female empowerment during a pivotal era. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Powered by Syndetics

Library Journal Reviews

In the third mystery starring Perveen Mistry, the only female lawyer in 1920s Bombay, Edward VIII, Prince of Wales, leaves violence in his wake as he tours a subcontinent angered by British rule. Among the incidents is the death of a Parsi student who suffers a suspicious fall from a balcony as the prince sweeps by—just days after she consulted Perveen. With a 150,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2020 Library Journal.

Copyright 2020 Library Journal.
Powered by Content Cafe

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Agatha winner Massey's exceptional third mystery featuring Perveen Mistry, Bombay's first female solicitor (after 2019's The Satapur Moonstone), finds the city's residents preparing for the visit of Britain's Prince of Wales, the future Edward VIII, in 1921. Before the royal's arrival, Freny Cuttingmaster, a student at Woodburn College, seeks Mistry's guidance. Freny represents a group of students who wish to skip a parade scheduled for the prince, which their head of school says is mandatory. Mistry can only advise Freny that she and the others should feign illness to avoid punishment for not attending. After the parade, which was disrupted by protesters inspired by lawyer Mohandas Gandhi's advocacy for Indian independence, a woman's corpse is found at the college. The victim died, apparently of a head wound, on the 30-year anniversary of the unexplained deaths of two female students at the University of Bombay, who fell from a clock tower, suffering similar injuries. Massey has never been better at pairing her redoubtable and impressive lead with a challenging murder to unravel. Abir Mukherjee fans will be pleased. Agent: Vicky Bijur, Vicky Bijur Literary. (June)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly.

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly.
Powered by Content Cafe

Reviews from GoodReads

Loading GoodReads Reviews.

Staff View

Loading Staff View.