---
product_id: 112819104
title: "The Widows of Malabar Hill (A Perveen Mistry Novel)"
price: "R376"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 11
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/112819104-the-widows-of-malabar-hill-a-perveen-mistry-novel
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# The Widows of Malabar Hill (A Perveen Mistry Novel)

**Price:** R376
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Widows of Malabar Hill (A Perveen Mistry Novel)
- **How much does it cost?** R376 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/112819104-the-widows-of-malabar-hill-a-perveen-mistry-novel)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

desertcart.com: The Widows of Malabar Hill (A Perveen Mistry Novel): 9781616959760: Massey, Sujata: Books

Review: This book is a treasure on so many levels - It has received rave reviews from many guests on the "What Should I Read Next?" podcast and from the podcast host Ann Bogel. The setting in 1920s Bombay is rich and well-researched. The author consulted many experts to understand the culture, the daily lives, the customs, and even the foods of that time and place, so the reader has the past brought alive. She uses many terms and references from the era and includes an alphabetical glossary to aid the reader. This was helpful but not at all necessary to enjoy the book. The heroine, Perveen Mistry, is Bombay's first female lawyer, practicing with her father in the well-respected firm of Mistry Law, founded by her grandfather. Her character is based, in part, on a real woman who made history as India's first female attorney. Mistry Law must execute the will of a wealthy Muslim mill owner, Omar Farid. Perveen finds the paperwork suspicious: all three of Farid's wives have signed over their inheritance to a charity, but what would they live on? Do they understand what they're doing...or are they being coerced by an unscrupulous male guardian? The widows live in full purdah—strict seclusion—never leaving the women's quarters or speaking to men face-to-face. As Perveen gains access to the women, her suspicions are confirmed, but when tensions lead to a murder, she and her father find a baffling collection of clues that keep them from knowing whom to trust. Threaded throughout is Perveen's backstory of a disastrous marriage and her own commitment to making sure the widows are protected from antiquated inheritance laws. Excitement builds as some members of the Farid household disappear and Perveen herself becomes a target. This delicious who-done-it is set against the backdrop of the fascinating multicultural city of Bombay, where not only were there rigidly observed separations between British authorities and native Indians, but there were also huge cultural differences between Muslims, Hindus, and Zoroastrians. These all added color and interest to the story, and even though Perveen's family was progressive for the time, they too were shackled by cultural norms, standards, and expectation. This book would make a great movie, and I certainly hope we'll see more of this engaging and impetuous heroine.
Review: India in 1919 with murder and purda - THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL by Sujata Massey If you like historical fiction, especially India in early 20th century, and learning about different cultures and ways of life, you will like this book. While it is a murder mystery, it is also an exploration of the various cultures active in India from 1915 to 1922. The heroine is a young woman Parisi (Zoroastrian) who has trained to be a solicitor (lawyer) at Oxford and is working in her father’s firm when three widows, Muslims who live in Purda or complete seclusion from men, need a lawyer. A murder occurs, and Perveen, the untried female lawyer, is the only one who can enter the widows’ seclusion. The situation of women of all faiths becomes integral to the plot, as do marriage customs, inheritance, family practices, the law, the role of the English in India, Indian independence, class strictures and even education and employment for women. While the plot moves slowly, the descriptions of a way of life unknown to most Americans, keeps the reader interested and reading. Besides a murder, there are also two kidnappings, financial shenanigans, jewelry theft, families in crisis, and other plot devices to keep interest high. The noises, smells and flavors of Bombay and Calcutta set the scene. Clearly drawn characters and lively writing add to a tale well worth spending time with tea, curry and Perveen as she navigates the path forward with three widows who are clearly not sisters of the heart. 4 of 5 stars

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #50,060 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #104 in Traditional Detective Mysteries (Books) #150 in International Mystery & Crime (Books) #421 in Science Fiction Crime & Mystery |
| Book 1 of 5  | Perveen Mistry |
| Customer Reviews | 4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars (6,593) |
| Dimensions  | 5.5 x 1.17 x 8.25 inches |
| Edition  | Deluxe |
| ISBN-10  | 1616959762 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-1616959760 |
| Item Weight  | 13.4 ounces |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 432 pages |
| Publication date  | November 20, 2018 |
| Publisher  | Soho Crime |

## Images

![The Widows of Malabar Hill (A Perveen Mistry Novel) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31ozwuWRKvL.jpg)
![The Widows of Malabar Hill (A Perveen Mistry Novel) - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Byz3WM8sL.jpg)
![The Widows of Malabar Hill (A Perveen Mistry Novel) - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51UoBeZ8xTL.jpg)
![The Widows of Malabar Hill (A Perveen Mistry Novel) - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81UPN8iUkhL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book is a treasure on so many levels
*by E***L on July 8, 2018*

It has received rave reviews from many guests on the "What Should I Read Next?" podcast and from the podcast host Ann Bogel. The setting in 1920s Bombay is rich and well-researched. The author consulted many experts to understand the culture, the daily lives, the customs, and even the foods of that time and place, so the reader has the past brought alive. She uses many terms and references from the era and includes an alphabetical glossary to aid the reader. This was helpful but not at all necessary to enjoy the book. The heroine, Perveen Mistry, is Bombay's first female lawyer, practicing with her father in the well-respected firm of Mistry Law, founded by her grandfather. Her character is based, in part, on a real woman who made history as India's first female attorney. Mistry Law must execute the will of a wealthy Muslim mill owner, Omar Farid. Perveen finds the paperwork suspicious: all three of Farid's wives have signed over their inheritance to a charity, but what would they live on? Do they understand what they're doing...or are they being coerced by an unscrupulous male guardian? The widows live in full purdah—strict seclusion—never leaving the women's quarters or speaking to men face-to-face. As Perveen gains access to the women, her suspicions are confirmed, but when tensions lead to a murder, she and her father find a baffling collection of clues that keep them from knowing whom to trust. Threaded throughout is Perveen's backstory of a disastrous marriage and her own commitment to making sure the widows are protected from antiquated inheritance laws. Excitement builds as some members of the Farid household disappear and Perveen herself becomes a target. This delicious who-done-it is set against the backdrop of the fascinating multicultural city of Bombay, where not only were there rigidly observed separations between British authorities and native Indians, but there were also huge cultural differences between Muslims, Hindus, and Zoroastrians. These all added color and interest to the story, and even though Perveen's family was progressive for the time, they too were shackled by cultural norms, standards, and expectation. This book would make a great movie, and I certainly hope we'll see more of this engaging and impetuous heroine.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ India in 1919 with murder and purda
*by B***R on March 15, 2018*

THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL by Sujata Massey If you like historical fiction, especially India in early 20th century, and learning about different cultures and ways of life, you will like this book. While it is a murder mystery, it is also an exploration of the various cultures active in India from 1915 to 1922. The heroine is a young woman Parisi (Zoroastrian) who has trained to be a solicitor (lawyer) at Oxford and is working in her father’s firm when three widows, Muslims who live in Purda or complete seclusion from men, need a lawyer. A murder occurs, and Perveen, the untried female lawyer, is the only one who can enter the widows’ seclusion. The situation of women of all faiths becomes integral to the plot, as do marriage customs, inheritance, family practices, the law, the role of the English in India, Indian independence, class strictures and even education and employment for women. While the plot moves slowly, the descriptions of a way of life unknown to most Americans, keeps the reader interested and reading. Besides a murder, there are also two kidnappings, financial shenanigans, jewelry theft, families in crisis, and other plot devices to keep interest high. The noises, smells and flavors of Bombay and Calcutta set the scene. Clearly drawn characters and lively writing add to a tale well worth spending time with tea, curry and Perveen as she navigates the path forward with three widows who are clearly not sisters of the heart. 4 of 5 stars

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An intriguing Novel!
*by K***R on March 25, 2021*

This novel is #1 in A Perveen Mistry Novel. It takes place in 1920's colonial India. There is a lot of references to Indian customs and food so it's educational as much as a very good story. Perveen is the first female lawyer in Bombay at the time. She has an intelligent and inquiring mind that serves her well in solving the mystery. And she is a very likeable character, as are most of the rest of the characters. It is interesting to read about some of the mores of that period, particularly regarding women. I look forward to the next 2 books in the series.

## Frequently Bought Together

- The Widows of Malabar Hill
- The Satapur Moonstone
- The Bombay Prince

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/112819104-the-widows-of-malabar-hill-a-perveen-mistry-novel](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/112819104-the-widows-of-malabar-hill-a-perveen-mistry-novel)

---

*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-03-03*