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The Midnight Taxi
When the last fare of the night turns up dead in her backseat, a Sri Lankan American taxi driver works off the clock to clear her name in this mystery novel by debut author Yosha Gunasekera.
Siriwathi Perera doesn’t quite know where she’s going in life. She never expected to be a taxicab driver in New York City, struggling to make ends meet and still living with her parents at twenty-eight. The true-crime podcasts that keep Siri company as she drives don’t do much to make up for the legal career she imagined for herself, or the brother she’s grieving.
When public defender Amaya Fernando gets into her cab, they make a quick connection through their shared Sri Lankan roots. Siri, whose social circle is limited to her grade-school best friend, Alex, thinks things might finally be looking up with this new potential friendship. But she’s suddenly dropped into her own true crime when she discovers her next passenger murdered in the backseat, and she has to call Amaya sooner than she’d expected.
Pinned as the obvious and only suspect, and desperate to clear her name, Siri chases down leads across the boroughs of New York City with Amaya’s help. But with her court date looming, they have just five days to find out who really killed the midnight passenger—or Siri’s life will be over before she can even truly live it.
Siriwathi Perera doesn’t quite know where she’s going in life. She never expected to be a taxicab driver in New York City, struggling to make ends meet and still living with her parents at twenty-eight. The true-crime podcasts that keep Siri company as she drives don’t do much to make up for the legal career she imagined for herself, or the brother she’s grieving.
When public defender Amaya Fernando gets into her cab, they make a quick connection through their shared Sri Lankan roots. Siri, whose social circle is limited to her grade-school best friend, Alex, thinks things might finally be looking up with this new potential friendship. But she’s suddenly dropped into her own true crime when she discovers her next passenger murdered in the backseat, and she has to call Amaya sooner than she’d expected.
Pinned as the obvious and only suspect, and desperate to clear her name, Siri chases down leads across the boroughs of New York City with Amaya’s help. But with her court date looming, they have just five days to find out who really killed the midnight passenger—or Siri’s life will be over before she can even truly live it.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
February 10, 2026
Siriwathi Perera spends most of her time thinking about murder.
The Sri Lankan American taxi driver uses true crime podcasts as a lifeline to ease the stress of New York City traffic and undesirable passengers, focusing on the facts, means, motives and opportunities she listens to-but that doesn’t mean she would kill somebody!
It seems like a good night when public defender Amaya Fernando gets into her cab. They make a quick connection when they discover that they share Sri Lankan roots. As she drops her off and watches her safely enter her home, she hopes that they might become friends.
Her midnight fare is a young man that she had noticed earlier when she waited on a passenger who called but didn’t show. He was carrying a strange oblong box with holes in it, but when he enters her cab, he is only carrying a black and orange backpack. He wants to be taken to the airport quickly and isn’t interested in talking.
Upon arriving at the airport, she discovers he has been murdered in the backseat. Sure, his window was down, and there had been a “distraction” on the drive but surely she would have noticed someone stabbing her passenger, wouldn’t she?
She is the obvious and only suspect, and doesn’t know what to do, so she calls Amaya desperate for help. The police think they have the guilty party when they take her into custody, so the two women will have to team up to find the ACTUAL murderer on their own.
DEBUT author Yosha Gunasekera has penned a COZY mystery with intriguing amateur sleuths in this love letter to New York and the cab drivers who keep the city moving! 🚕
Somehow, Siriwathi manages to keep her sense of humor, and discovers she is pretty good at investigating so she may be able to continue to do this part time-if she can get herself cleared of wrongdoing.
And, if there is to be a sequel-she will have to succeed!
If you are interested in solving this puzzle, the book is now available!!
A buddy read with MarilynW! Be sure to watch for her amazing review for additional thoughts!
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
The Sri Lankan American taxi driver uses true crime podcasts as a lifeline to ease the stress of New York City traffic and undesirable passengers, focusing on the facts, means, motives and opportunities she listens to-but that doesn’t mean she would kill somebody!
It seems like a good night when public defender Amaya Fernando gets into her cab. They make a quick connection when they discover that they share Sri Lankan roots. As she drops her off and watches her safely enter her home, she hopes that they might become friends.
Her midnight fare is a young man that she had noticed earlier when she waited on a passenger who called but didn’t show. He was carrying a strange oblong box with holes in it, but when he enters her cab, he is only carrying a black and orange backpack. He wants to be taken to the airport quickly and isn’t interested in talking.
Upon arriving at the airport, she discovers he has been murdered in the backseat. Sure, his window was down, and there had been a “distraction” on the drive but surely she would have noticed someone stabbing her passenger, wouldn’t she?
She is the obvious and only suspect, and doesn’t know what to do, so she calls Amaya desperate for help. The police think they have the guilty party when they take her into custody, so the two women will have to team up to find the ACTUAL murderer on their own.
DEBUT author Yosha Gunasekera has penned a COZY mystery with intriguing amateur sleuths in this love letter to New York and the cab drivers who keep the city moving! 🚕
Somehow, Siriwathi manages to keep her sense of humor, and discovers she is pretty good at investigating so she may be able to continue to do this part time-if she can get herself cleared of wrongdoing.
And, if there is to be a sequel-she will have to succeed!
If you are interested in solving this puzzle, the book is now available!!
A buddy read with MarilynW! Be sure to watch for her amazing review for additional thoughts!
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
February 10, 2026
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY***
Siriwathi had dreams of attending university but family struggles required that she take over her father’s taxi license. The family needs her paycheck. She spends her long idle hours listening to true crime podcasts.
One evening a midnight passenger flags her down - he needs to get to the airport. It’s a long drive and the passenger is quiet during the ride.
When she arrives at the airport she finds that the passenger has been stabbed and is dead in the back seat.
As a Sri Lankan-American and a woman - she is sure that she will be the #1 suspect.
Siri is frantic but she stumbles upon a public defender who is leaving the courthouse - she is Sri Lankan also and decides to help Siri find the murderer.
The novel continues with Siri and attorney Amaya working together to puzzle out the mystery of how the man could have been murdered in a closed taxi! There seems to be no obvious reason or culprit!
I enjoyed the characters who were realistic and likeable, I was certainly rooting for them to find the killer. Siri’s love of true crime podcasts may help her find the killer!!
This is the first in what is to be a series. It will be fun to read the future adventures of Siri and Amaya.
This is an enjoyable, quick read and I definitely recommend this one!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
Siriwathi had dreams of attending university but family struggles required that she take over her father’s taxi license. The family needs her paycheck. She spends her long idle hours listening to true crime podcasts.
One evening a midnight passenger flags her down - he needs to get to the airport. It’s a long drive and the passenger is quiet during the ride.
When she arrives at the airport she finds that the passenger has been stabbed and is dead in the back seat.
As a Sri Lankan-American and a woman - she is sure that she will be the #1 suspect.
Siri is frantic but she stumbles upon a public defender who is leaving the courthouse - she is Sri Lankan also and decides to help Siri find the murderer.
The novel continues with Siri and attorney Amaya working together to puzzle out the mystery of how the man could have been murdered in a closed taxi! There seems to be no obvious reason or culprit!
I enjoyed the characters who were realistic and likeable, I was certainly rooting for them to find the killer. Siri’s love of true crime podcasts may help her find the killer!!
This is the first in what is to be a series. It will be fun to read the future adventures of Siri and Amaya.
This is an enjoyable, quick read and I definitely recommend this one!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
February 10, 2026
3.5 STARS
A Good Debut!
A taxi driver, Siri, in New York City has a bit of a problem when murder charges come her way. What happened in her cab? The evidence points her way, but she calls an attorney she just met and we have a murder mystery to solve!
Siri loves true crime podcasts and has her own skill set, but can she clear her name? She wants to help in the investigation because her freedom is on the line.
I was addicted at the beginning, but the pacing slowed quite a bit. The author did have a few chapter cliff hangers that kept things interesting. The ending was predictable, but satisfying.
Thanks to NG for my ARC! Out Feb 10, 2026
A Good Debut!
A taxi driver, Siri, in New York City has a bit of a problem when murder charges come her way. What happened in her cab? The evidence points her way, but she calls an attorney she just met and we have a murder mystery to solve!
Siri loves true crime podcasts and has her own skill set, but can she clear her name? She wants to help in the investigation because her freedom is on the line.
I was addicted at the beginning, but the pacing slowed quite a bit. The author did have a few chapter cliff hangers that kept things interesting. The ending was predictable, but satisfying.
Thanks to NG for my ARC! Out Feb 10, 2026
October 22, 2025
Written very simply like middle grade/YA level language and conceptions of how the world works. Nonetheless fun and gaggy
Also read this on the subway which made it better
3.5
Also read this on the subway which made it better
3.5
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── 4.25 stars
this was an enjoyable mystery novel! i loved how much culture and identity was a huge part of this story, not belonging and feeling like an outsider was just written so authentically.
there was so much love for new york city in these pages and i yearn to visit there even more now (like not rn ofc...)
i think this was an amazing debut novel and i cannot wait to see what else yosha has in store!!
near the last 20% it definitely felt like a thriller with the way i was kind of getting worried for the characters myself LOL especially since i was thinking someone might betray our lovely fmc.
↪ started jan 27
↪ finished jan 28
some things to expect
⤷ mystery set in NYC
⤷ sri lankan fmc & culture
⤷ found family
⤷ death of a family member (off page but talked about)
⤷ some grief representation
the midnight taxi is out february 10th!!
thank you so much berkley for the gifted copy!
this was an enjoyable mystery novel! i loved how much culture and identity was a huge part of this story, not belonging and feeling like an outsider was just written so authentically.
there was so much love for new york city in these pages and i yearn to visit there even more now (like not rn ofc...)
i think this was an amazing debut novel and i cannot wait to see what else yosha has in store!!
near the last 20% it definitely felt like a thriller with the way i was kind of getting worried for the characters myself LOL especially since i was thinking someone might betray our lovely fmc.
↪ started jan 27
↪ finished jan 28
some things to expect
⤷ mystery set in NYC
⤷ sri lankan fmc & culture
⤷ found family
⤷ death of a family member (off page but talked about)
⤷ some grief representation
the midnight taxi is out february 10th!!
thank you so much berkley for the gifted copy!
February 11, 2026
Captivating, creative, and suspenseful!
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐓𝐀𝐗𝐈 is a well-paced, amusing murder mystery that takes you into the life of Sri Lankan taxi driver, Siriwathi Perera, a young woman who, after one of her passengers is found dead in the backseat of her cab, is forced to help solve the crime when she herself becomes the prime suspect.
The prose is witty and light. The characters are quirky, intelligent, and intriguing. And the plot is a mysterious, engaging whodunit full of secrets, greed, suspects, deduction, red herrings, and amateur sleuthing.
Overall, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐓𝐀𝐗𝐈 is a cosy, satisfying, entertaining read by Gunasekera that was a great deal of fun with all its intricacies, culture, drama, and suspense.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐓𝐀𝐗𝐈 is a well-paced, amusing murder mystery that takes you into the life of Sri Lankan taxi driver, Siriwathi Perera, a young woman who, after one of her passengers is found dead in the backseat of her cab, is forced to help solve the crime when she herself becomes the prime suspect.
The prose is witty and light. The characters are quirky, intelligent, and intriguing. And the plot is a mysterious, engaging whodunit full of secrets, greed, suspects, deduction, red herrings, and amateur sleuthing.
Overall, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐓𝐀𝐗𝐈 is a cosy, satisfying, entertaining read by Gunasekera that was a great deal of fun with all its intricacies, culture, drama, and suspense.
January 30, 2026
3.5
Interesting murder mystery, but leaned too heavy into character driven which made the murder investigation feel like an afterthought. The beginning hooked me immediately, but after 65%, I just wanted to wrap it up.
I do think if you like cozier mysteries, similar to Finlay Donovan, you’ll enjoy it.
Interesting murder mystery, but leaned too heavy into character driven which made the murder investigation feel like an afterthought. The beginning hooked me immediately, but after 65%, I just wanted to wrap it up.
I do think if you like cozier mysteries, similar to Finlay Donovan, you’ll enjoy it.
October 1, 2025
I have not lived in the city for nearly 40 years, but I am still at heart a New Yorker. What I found here was another true New Yorker.
I loved the heroine's eye rolling reaction to out of town tourists who head for Times Square and a meal at the Olive garden. As a Bronxite by birth I grinned over the line about people of the Bronx being kind but not nice.
( I do have to say though that my bronxite parents were both!)
Combined with believable characters and plot, this is the sort of book that makes a really "good read" for me. I'll look forward to more books by this author,
I loved the heroine's eye rolling reaction to out of town tourists who head for Times Square and a meal at the Olive garden. As a Bronxite by birth I grinned over the line about people of the Bronx being kind but not nice.
( I do have to say though that my bronxite parents were both!)
Combined with believable characters and plot, this is the sort of book that makes a really "good read" for me. I'll look forward to more books by this author,
March 3, 2026
This book… will make you hungry. I know what the title says, but look, if you have an even teeny bit of hunger, this book will send you snacking. It is a love letter to delicious food that makes up the blanket that is New York (and its boroughs.) That being said, it’s a delightful read that very much makes me want to move to New York City. Just maybe not so much on the murdery part. Siri finds out exactly what her city means to her when she ends up with a murdered man in the backseat of her taxi. The doors were locked, no one got in or out of the cab so how did he end up murdered? Well, that’s for me to know and you to find out when you read this delightful book!
Now… where can I find some Sri Lankan food at 1am?
Now… where can I find some Sri Lankan food at 1am?
November 20, 2025
This is a cute, cozy mystery featuring Sri Lankan characters - Siriwatha “Siri” Perera and Amaya Fernando - working together to solve a mysterious murder, one in which Siri must prove her innocence.
Siri is a midnight taxi driver in New York City. She loves true crime podcasts and was hoping to go to law school. One night she picks up a fare who upon arrival at the airport is dead and Siri is the logical suspect. Fortunately for Siri an earlier fare had been another Sri Lanka, Amaya, and she’s able to secure an attorney quickly. Free on bond, Siri and Amaya join forces to solve the murder. No spoilers here; you have to read the book to find out what happened. It’s a good ending!
I enjoyed the characters in this book. Siri is particularly enjoyable with her love of the true crime podcasts where there are certain requirements involved for investigating and solving crimes which are reflected in the story - adding a light, comedic touch. Amaya serves as a nice foil to Siri - so no surprise! There will be another book with these two. I also liked the introduction of Sri Lankan characters, giving more diversity to the mystery genre.
I want to thank BookBrowse and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
Siri is a midnight taxi driver in New York City. She loves true crime podcasts and was hoping to go to law school. One night she picks up a fare who upon arrival at the airport is dead and Siri is the logical suspect. Fortunately for Siri an earlier fare had been another Sri Lanka, Amaya, and she’s able to secure an attorney quickly. Free on bond, Siri and Amaya join forces to solve the murder. No spoilers here; you have to read the book to find out what happened. It’s a good ending!
I enjoyed the characters in this book. Siri is particularly enjoyable with her love of the true crime podcasts where there are certain requirements involved for investigating and solving crimes which are reflected in the story - adding a light, comedic touch. Amaya serves as a nice foil to Siri - so no surprise! There will be another book with these two. I also liked the introduction of Sri Lankan characters, giving more diversity to the mystery genre.
I want to thank BookBrowse and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
February 16, 2026
dnf. this was not for me, i didn't enjoy the writing and really disliked the main character and her inner conversations and moanings. decided to leave it half way through, i really didn't care about anyone in the book and didnot find the mystery interesting at all.
November 28, 2025
Overall, I liked the book. It was interesting to read a story from a point of view you don’t often encounter, and I appreciated the uniqueness of the narrator’s voice. However, the mystery felt more like a side element and didn’t pick up steam until about halfway through. It was also fairly easy to guess the culprit, and some of the circumstances surrounding the crime felt implausible. The main character’s inner monologue and frequent flashbacks became distracting at times, and there was a lot of world-building that didn’t always feel necessary.
On a positive note, the story wraps up quickly and doesn’t rely on cliffhangers. If you enjoy a character-driven story (especially one with a rare perspective) and don’t mind the mystery taking a backseat, I would recommend this as a quick, easy read. The writing is approachable, with occasional touches of humor.
On a positive note, the story wraps up quickly and doesn’t rely on cliffhangers. If you enjoy a character-driven story (especially one with a rare perspective) and don’t mind the mystery taking a backseat, I would recommend this as a quick, easy read. The writing is approachable, with occasional touches of humor.
February 23, 2026
The Midnight Taxi is a cozy-leaning mystery with a big heart and a deep love for New York City. I really enjoyed the sharp, funny narrative voice and the way culture, cuisine, and immigrant communities are woven into the story—it genuinely feels like a love letter to the city and the people who keep it running at all hours.
While the mystery kept me guessing and had some fun twists, the pacing lagged in spots and I wished for a bit more character depth. Not flawless, but thoughtful and promising, with strong themes and ambition. I’m definitely curious to see what the author does next
While the mystery kept me guessing and had some fun twists, the pacing lagged in spots and I wished for a bit more character depth. Not flawless, but thoughtful and promising, with strong themes and ambition. I’m definitely curious to see what the author does next
February 16, 2026
Congratulations to Yosha, this was a very fun read!
November 28, 2025
I loved this book. It was great from the first page. I enjoyed learning about New York City, and the Sri Lankan culture. The female protagonist was interesting and delightful. Great beginning to a new series. Highly recommend.
November 27, 2025
Siriwathi Perera is a taxi driver with a penchant for true crime podcasts. Unfortunately for her, a true crime occurs in the back seat of her taxi. She was just taking a man to the Air France terminal at JFK airport. Her fare was murdered at some point during the trip, but Siri didn’t see or hear a thing.
The police believe that she must have killed him. Off she goes to jail. But, wait! Siri has
the business card of a fellow Sri Lankan attorney in her pocket. Will a good attorney be enough to free Siri?
“The Midnight Taxi” is an enthralling murder mystery. First, there’s the tragedy itself: who stabbed the fare? Second, another tragedy: an innocent woman being falsely accused.
I thought “The Midnight Taxi” was well-written– a real page turner. Siri and her lawyer look for clues and try to find the actual culprit. The characters seem like real people. Siri has known tragedy in her life, and I was rooting for her and her lawyer.
I recommend “The Midnight Taxi” if you’re in the mood for a tricky mystery with characters you’d probably like to meet. Personally, I hope it becomes a series.
Thank you to BookBrowse and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this book. This is my honest review.
The police believe that she must have killed him. Off she goes to jail. But, wait! Siri has
the business card of a fellow Sri Lankan attorney in her pocket. Will a good attorney be enough to free Siri?
“The Midnight Taxi” is an enthralling murder mystery. First, there’s the tragedy itself: who stabbed the fare? Second, another tragedy: an innocent woman being falsely accused.
I thought “The Midnight Taxi” was well-written– a real page turner. Siri and her lawyer look for clues and try to find the actual culprit. The characters seem like real people. Siri has known tragedy in her life, and I was rooting for her and her lawyer.
I recommend “The Midnight Taxi” if you’re in the mood for a tricky mystery with characters you’d probably like to meet. Personally, I hope it becomes a series.
Thank you to BookBrowse and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this book. This is my honest review.
February 16, 2026
Thank you @PRHaudio for the free audiobook & to @BerkleyPub for the free book!
After a passenger is found murdered in her backseat, struggling Sri Lankan American cab driver becomes the prime suspect. With help from a new friend and public defender, she races across New York City to find the real killer before her looming court date destroys her life.
The story leans heavily on internal monologue, which felt excessive, with more telling than showing. That said, the New York City setting is vividly rendered, and the author thoughtfully explores themes of prejudice, grief, & the immigrant experience. I especially appreciated the developing friendship between Siriwathi and her attorney, Amaya (there’s something deeply satisfying about a strong women supporting women dynamic).
The audiobook narration by Isuri Wijesundara was beautifully performed, enhancing the story with distinct, expressive character voices and seamless transitions between Sri Lankan & American accents.
Overall, it was an enjoyable listen & an impressive debut that leaves me eager to see what the author writes next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
3.5 Stars
After a passenger is found murdered in her backseat, struggling Sri Lankan American cab driver becomes the prime suspect. With help from a new friend and public defender, she races across New York City to find the real killer before her looming court date destroys her life.
The story leans heavily on internal monologue, which felt excessive, with more telling than showing. That said, the New York City setting is vividly rendered, and the author thoughtfully explores themes of prejudice, grief, & the immigrant experience. I especially appreciated the developing friendship between Siriwathi and her attorney, Amaya (there’s something deeply satisfying about a strong women supporting women dynamic).
The audiobook narration by Isuri Wijesundara was beautifully performed, enhancing the story with distinct, expressive character voices and seamless transitions between Sri Lankan & American accents.
Overall, it was an enjoyable listen & an impressive debut that leaves me eager to see what the author writes next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
3.5 Stars
February 24, 2026
Thank you to Berkeley for the free book!
The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekara is a fun and character-driven mystery with strong cultural roots and an engaging women led cast of characters. The story follows a late-night taxi driver who becomes entangled in a mystery when a man is murdered in the backseat of her taxi. As the mystery unfolds, multiple new characters and theories emerge, some a little more far fetched than others but everything gets wrapped up nicely at the end. I liked how we cover more than just the mystery, there’s family dynamics and the realities of immigrant life in America that really broadens the book into a well rounded story. The Sri Lankan and immigrant representation was really well done and added a lot of interest for me. Both main characters were genuinely interesting and easy to invest in, a long with their family and personal histories it made it easy to root for them both. The pacing did slow down a little in the middle and made me question where we going but it all picked up by the end. Overall this was a fun and satisfying mystery, and an easy read to recommend.
The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekara is a fun and character-driven mystery with strong cultural roots and an engaging women led cast of characters. The story follows a late-night taxi driver who becomes entangled in a mystery when a man is murdered in the backseat of her taxi. As the mystery unfolds, multiple new characters and theories emerge, some a little more far fetched than others but everything gets wrapped up nicely at the end. I liked how we cover more than just the mystery, there’s family dynamics and the realities of immigrant life in America that really broadens the book into a well rounded story. The Sri Lankan and immigrant representation was really well done and added a lot of interest for me. Both main characters were genuinely interesting and easy to invest in, a long with their family and personal histories it made it easy to root for them both. The pacing did slow down a little in the middle and made me question where we going but it all picked up by the end. Overall this was a fun and satisfying mystery, and an easy read to recommend.
January 30, 2026
4.25/5
I loved this book from the very beginning!
First off, the narrator was great! Her voice was really soothing to listen to and I appreciated the way her accent really brought Siri to life. Siri was a delightful MC already, and the narration just added to that. I really appreciated the taste of Sri Lankan culture that we got throughout this book, as well.
I really enjoyed all of our characters, but particularly the bond between Siri and Amaya. Their first interaction warmed my heart so much, and I was rooting for them as friends from the beginning. Plus, their antics and clever investigation were really fun to follow.
The mystery aspect was well done, as well. I had a few inklings that proved to be true, but ultimately was surprised by the way things turned out. Information was revealed at a fun and intentional pace, and this propelled the plot in a really entertaining way.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book! I would happily read another by this author, and loved the tease that this will be a series. This book was heartwarming, without being overly cozy, and fast-paced without feeling rushed. I loved it!
I loved this book from the very beginning!
First off, the narrator was great! Her voice was really soothing to listen to and I appreciated the way her accent really brought Siri to life. Siri was a delightful MC already, and the narration just added to that. I really appreciated the taste of Sri Lankan culture that we got throughout this book, as well.
I really enjoyed all of our characters, but particularly the bond between Siri and Amaya. Their first interaction warmed my heart so much, and I was rooting for them as friends from the beginning. Plus, their antics and clever investigation were really fun to follow.
The mystery aspect was well done, as well. I had a few inklings that proved to be true, but ultimately was surprised by the way things turned out. Information was revealed at a fun and intentional pace, and this propelled the plot in a really entertaining way.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book! I would happily read another by this author, and loved the tease that this will be a series. This book was heartwarming, without being overly cozy, and fast-paced without feeling rushed. I loved it!
February 14, 2026
A unique, quick cozy mystery that may require a few leaps of disbelief (the way she meets Amaya is incredibly fortuitous and coincidental...) but a fun time without a lot of filler.
November 30, 2025
A great debut mystery featuring Siri, a Sri Lankan female cab driver in New York City. Her life isn't the easiest: aging parents, death of beloved brother, constant money problems, plus the added difficulties inherent in being a brown-skinned woman. Siri doesn't complain but she notices the world treats people like her differently.
She is maintaining pretty well when something horrible happens -- a man is murdered in her cab on the way to the airport. It's like a locked room mystery. How does that even happen? In a serendipitous way, her previous fare was a female Sri Lankan public defender who happened to give her a business card.
It's obvious immediately that the police will not be much help. The evidence is against Siri and they aren't investigating further. So Siri and Amaya start nosing around. They make a good team and soon turn up several leads.
I enjoyed this with its great characterizations and clever plotting. I will be watching for the next Siri mystery. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
She is maintaining pretty well when something horrible happens -- a man is murdered in her cab on the way to the airport. It's like a locked room mystery. How does that even happen? In a serendipitous way, her previous fare was a female Sri Lankan public defender who happened to give her a business card.
It's obvious immediately that the police will not be much help. The evidence is against Siri and they aren't investigating further. So Siri and Amaya start nosing around. They make a good team and soon turn up several leads.
I enjoyed this with its great characterizations and clever plotting. I will be watching for the next Siri mystery. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 31, 2026
Rating: 4.5/5
Format: Physical
This was such a special read. It was definitely the combination of NYC highlights, depth of discussion re: both the immigrant and child of immigrant experiences as well as all of the South Asian food chat that made me feel very seen while reading. I also had the privilege of reading this with five fellow South Asian bookstagrammers, which elevated the experience of The Midnight Taxi for me.
Our FMC, Siriwathi Perera (Siri), is on the hook for the murder of a passenger in her NYC taxi and has limited time to prove her innocence. Siri is assisted by a former passenger and public defender, Amaya Fernando. One of my favorite parts of The Midnight Taxi was piecing all of the clues together and navigating the procedural element of Siri's alleged crime. Yosha does an incredible job at utilizing her knowledge as an attorney to provide information and context about the justice system to the reader in a way that is informative but also digestible. As we know, the criminal justice system does not always provide justice to those who seek it, which Yosha also interweaved throughout Siri's interactions with the system.
I really loved this book. I still think about Siri and her crime podcasts, as someone who also gets lost in them often. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a thriller that has more depth than your average "whodunit."
Thank you to Terrace Public Relations, Berkley Pub and Yosha Gunasekera for the ARC and finished copy in exchange for my honest opinion!
Format: Physical
This was such a special read. It was definitely the combination of NYC highlights, depth of discussion re: both the immigrant and child of immigrant experiences as well as all of the South Asian food chat that made me feel very seen while reading. I also had the privilege of reading this with five fellow South Asian bookstagrammers, which elevated the experience of The Midnight Taxi for me.
Our FMC, Siriwathi Perera (Siri), is on the hook for the murder of a passenger in her NYC taxi and has limited time to prove her innocence. Siri is assisted by a former passenger and public defender, Amaya Fernando. One of my favorite parts of The Midnight Taxi was piecing all of the clues together and navigating the procedural element of Siri's alleged crime. Yosha does an incredible job at utilizing her knowledge as an attorney to provide information and context about the justice system to the reader in a way that is informative but also digestible. As we know, the criminal justice system does not always provide justice to those who seek it, which Yosha also interweaved throughout Siri's interactions with the system.
I really loved this book. I still think about Siri and her crime podcasts, as someone who also gets lost in them often. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a thriller that has more depth than your average "whodunit."
Thank you to Terrace Public Relations, Berkley Pub and Yosha Gunasekera for the ARC and finished copy in exchange for my honest opinion!
February 16, 2026
Such a treat, public defenders are the best people in the world!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
January 22, 2026
Amazing story, mystery, with murder! It was fun learning more about the people of Sri Lanka as well as seeing how the two women were going to help our FMC stay out of jail. There were some major twists that I thought were really fun. A stellar debut !
February 27, 2026
This was such a fantastic debut! It’s a murder mystery but make it the coziest! It’s set in NYC and involves a charming, Sri Lankan taxi driver, named Siriwathi. She brings so much culture and loveliness to the novel which made for a unique and special balance to a typical murder mystery.
I switched between my physical copy and audiobook and what a treat the audio was. Isuri Wijesundara did a beautiful job narrating, which enhanced the cultural aspect of the novel. This really was a love letter to New York City, to the taxi drivers especially as it becomes a bit of a dying form of transportation with the rise of Ubers and other ride shares, to the people of NYC-especially the beautiful mix of cultures all over the city, and to the influence and cuisines of Sri Lanka in New York.
I absolutely adored the friendship in this. Our MC, Siri, enlists the help of Amaya, a passenger that she just met but had instant friendship chemistry with to help her solve the murder mystery that takes place in her very own cab. Siri becomes the obvious prime suspect given the murder happens in her own taxi while she was driving the victim. At times it felt a tad unrealistic for a public defender to allow her true-crime podcast-loving client to aid in investigating her own case. But, I absolutely loved seeing two amazing women supporting each other and working together to solve the case. Siri and Amaya were a pure pleasure to get to know in this. The murder mystery component while not super shocking was still exciting to follow and piece together. Overall I can’t recommend this debut enough and can’t wait to see what this author does next!
•𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 •
+ set in NYC
+ a love letter to the diversity of NY
+ Sri Lankan culture
+ women working together
+ cozy murder mystery
+ standout debut
+ super likable characters
+ NYC foodie and cultural cuisine
around the city
+ amateur sleuthing
+ excellent on audiobook
+ family and death of a family member (happens off page but is discussed throughout)
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: February 10, 2026
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Cozy Mystery • Debut
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: Physical 📖 + Audiobook 🎧
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: Isuri Wijesundara
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★★☆ 𝟒
𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭: A cozy mystery filled with heart and charm
✨Thank you @berkleypub for my #gifted copy and @prhaudio for my ALC! #berkleypartner #prhaudiopartner
•𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞s•
“My days are usually these simple interactions…They connect me with the city that I love so much.”
“NYC is home to over 8 million people…Walking the streets anonymous and unnoticed gave me a sense of calm. The city streets with their sights sounds and smells became my haven.”
“People are complex, full of contradictions and eccentricities. It’s another reason why I love this city. NYC is for everyone- conformists and weirdos alike.”
“I’m important to New York City maybe even an iconic part of it.”
I switched between my physical copy and audiobook and what a treat the audio was. Isuri Wijesundara did a beautiful job narrating, which enhanced the cultural aspect of the novel. This really was a love letter to New York City, to the taxi drivers especially as it becomes a bit of a dying form of transportation with the rise of Ubers and other ride shares, to the people of NYC-especially the beautiful mix of cultures all over the city, and to the influence and cuisines of Sri Lanka in New York.
I absolutely adored the friendship in this. Our MC, Siri, enlists the help of Amaya, a passenger that she just met but had instant friendship chemistry with to help her solve the murder mystery that takes place in her very own cab. Siri becomes the obvious prime suspect given the murder happens in her own taxi while she was driving the victim. At times it felt a tad unrealistic for a public defender to allow her true-crime podcast-loving client to aid in investigating her own case. But, I absolutely loved seeing two amazing women supporting each other and working together to solve the case. Siri and Amaya were a pure pleasure to get to know in this. The murder mystery component while not super shocking was still exciting to follow and piece together. Overall I can’t recommend this debut enough and can’t wait to see what this author does next!
•𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 •
+ set in NYC
+ a love letter to the diversity of NY
+ Sri Lankan culture
+ women working together
+ cozy murder mystery
+ standout debut
+ super likable characters
+ NYC foodie and cultural cuisine
around the city
+ amateur sleuthing
+ excellent on audiobook
+ family and death of a family member (happens off page but is discussed throughout)
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: February 10, 2026
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Cozy Mystery • Debut
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: Physical 📖 + Audiobook 🎧
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: Isuri Wijesundara
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★★☆ 𝟒
𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭: A cozy mystery filled with heart and charm
✨Thank you @berkleypub for my #gifted copy and @prhaudio for my ALC! #berkleypartner #prhaudiopartner
•𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞s•
“My days are usually these simple interactions…They connect me with the city that I love so much.”
“NYC is home to over 8 million people…Walking the streets anonymous and unnoticed gave me a sense of calm. The city streets with their sights sounds and smells became my haven.”
“People are complex, full of contradictions and eccentricities. It’s another reason why I love this city. NYC is for everyone- conformists and weirdos alike.”
“I’m important to New York City maybe even an iconic part of it.”
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks for the free book Berkley!
Siri, a Sri Lankan taxi driver in NYC is working one night when her fare was murdered in the back of her cab. The cops think she definitely did it, so Siri and her lawyer, Amaya, have to prove her innocence. They form a bond because they are both Sri Lankan women in the city and Siri always wanted to be a lawyer. But will Amaya believe that she's innocent, and more importantly, can they find proof that Siri didn't kill her passenger?
I loved this cozy mystery! To me, the crime solving wasn't the best part of the book. I really liked learning about Siri's culture. The novel also went into the challenges of being a woman of color in the states, especially in how they are treated by law officials. The friendship that blossoms between Amaya and Siri is so sweet and they really felt like friend soulmates to me. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
Siri, a Sri Lankan taxi driver in NYC is working one night when her fare was murdered in the back of her cab. The cops think she definitely did it, so Siri and her lawyer, Amaya, have to prove her innocence. They form a bond because they are both Sri Lankan women in the city and Siri always wanted to be a lawyer. But will Amaya believe that she's innocent, and more importantly, can they find proof that Siri didn't kill her passenger?
I loved this cozy mystery! To me, the crime solving wasn't the best part of the book. I really liked learning about Siri's culture. The novel also went into the challenges of being a woman of color in the states, especially in how they are treated by law officials. The friendship that blossoms between Amaya and Siri is so sweet and they really felt like friend soulmates to me. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
February 25, 2026
The writing was vivid. The descriptions of New York made it easy to picture. I love the 2 main characters and their beautiful friendship. I love reading about friendships like these. Accurate grief and immigrant experience representation. I loved learning about the Sri Lanken culture.
There were a lot of clues that should have made it easy for Siri to solve this murder mystery especially since she listened to so much true crime but for whatever reason she was absolutely clueless to them for a good chunk of the story. It was an unrealistic story in some aspects but still entertaining. Predictable culprit and predictable ending.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There were a lot of clues that should have made it easy for Siri to solve this murder mystery especially since she listened to so much true crime but for whatever reason she was absolutely clueless to them for a good chunk of the story. It was an unrealistic story in some aspects but still entertaining. Predictable culprit and predictable ending.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2026
This was a solid mystery with a great leading character. The turn this story took at the outset was far from a cozy mystery and was made realistic by the incarceration of the main character, Siri. I was very invested in her name being cleared.
Her family story and friendships were dynamic and brought a deeper element to Siri as a person.
Hopefully this author writes more in this series because I would be interested in reading more and seeing how she can further develop Siri.
3.75✨
Her family story and friendships were dynamic and brought a deeper element to Siri as a person.
Hopefully this author writes more in this series because I would be interested in reading more and seeing how she can further develop Siri.
3.75✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2025
The Midnight Taxi is a cute little mystery that i hope the publisher will tag as a cozy, otherwise the ratings may not be as good. Told in a simplistic, straight forward manner, the plot is full of some unbelievable moments with an ending that is even better than a fary tale. That said, once I decided to take it as a cozy, I was able to enjoy it for what it is. I did enjoy the characters, the Sri Lanks connection is very entertaining (although the food descriptions were a little over done.) I liked very much that Siri is a cab driver and close to her family and her life is not perfect. She deals with things in a realistic manner and you really can connect with her. While some things the character does is annoying..too many allusions to pop culture and going off on small tangents about things like how heavy the steel in in a Rolax watch is, she's loveable. I found the book entertaining and well thought out, and would read another, if it becomes a cozy series. Thank you Penguin Publishing, Net Galley and Bookbrowse.com for a ARC in exchange for an honest review. (This book comes out 2/26)
March 4, 2026
3.5 stars. This is a decent debut novel. It’s about the complexities of the criminal legal system and the lived experiences of Sri Lankan immigrants in New York City.
The novel follows Siriwathi "Siri" Perera, a Sri Lankan-American taxi driver who becomes a murder suspect after a passenger is found dead in her cab.
The novel follows Siriwathi "Siri" Perera, a Sri Lankan-American taxi driver who becomes a murder suspect after a passenger is found dead in her cab.
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