The Bangalore Detectives Club by Harini Nagendra has received about every recognition a debut mystery can get, and after reading it, I see why. The story, set in 1921, follows mathematics scholar Kaveri as she settles in the Indian city of Bangalore with her new husband Ramu. In an early chapter called Swimming in a Sari, we see how Kaveri’s adventurous nature pushes up against the conventional expectations of upper-class women in 1920s India. Later on, when Kaveri attends a dinner for her husband’s hospital and witnesses the lead-up to a murder, she can’t help but lend her empathy and intelligence to the investigation–particularly after someone she knows is blamed for the crime. 

Reader Takeaway

From the vibrant descriptions of India’s lush landscape and rich history, to the mouth-watering descriptions of food, reading this book was like visiting a time and place I would never get to be a part of otherwise. Another pleasure of this book is the supporting cast, such as Kaveri’s older neighbor, Uma Aunty, who accompanies her in her amateur sleuthing. I’m already looking forward to spending more time with these likable characters in the sequel, Murder Under a Red Moon. As an aside, I listened to this book and especially enjoyed Soneela Nankani’s narration, so I would recommend that format for anyone who likes audiobooks.

Writer Takeaway

Although this book offers all the traditional charms of a cozy mystery, it does not glass over social issues of the time, such as the caste system, restrictions on women, and British colonization. Nagendra gives a great example of how to use social issues as key elements to drive a story without letting the issues overtake the narrative. The story works so well because she doesn’t just tell us about the issues; she shows their impact on characters in ways that drive the plot forward.

Bonus Takeaway

This book is a testament to the power of sensory details, even in a fast-paced mystery. The rich world that Nagendra creates drew me in just as much as wanting to know whodunnit.