The Star from Calcutta

Perveen Mistry #5

by Sujata Massey

A movie censor murdered, a leading lady vanished—the glamour, romance, and intrigue of the beginnings of Bollywood come to vivid life in the thrilling new installment of the Perveen Mistry historical mystery series.

India, 1922: Perveen Mistry, the only female lawyer in Bombay, has secured her biggest client yet: Champa Films, a movie studio run by director Subhas Ghoshal and his wife, Rochana, the biggest name in Indian cinema. In the public eye, Rochana is notorious for her beauty and her daring stunts—behind the scenes, she has recently left the studio in Calcutta that made her famous, and the studio owner is enraged by what he claims is a breach of contract. Rochana needs Perveen’s legal help to extricate Champa Films from the impending controversy.

To study Rochana’s glamorous world, Perveen attends a special screening and brings her film fanatic best friend, Alice Hobson-Jones. But in the aftermath of the event, one of the guests is found dead, and to make matters worse, Rochana has disappeared.

To protect her clients, Perveen begins to investigate the developing murder case, peeling back the glitz to reveal a salacious web of blackmail, deceit, and romantic affairs. For the first time in their friendship, Alice seems to be keeping a secret from Perveen. Is she hiding key information about the night of the murder? Will Perveen be able to detangle the truth from lies while protecting herself—and her closest friend?

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, India, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Mystery Thriller

384 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 3, 2026

About the author

Sujata Massey is the author of historical and mystery fiction set in Asia. She is best known for the Perveen Mistry series published in the United States by Soho Press and in India by Penguin Random House India. In June, 2021, THE BOMBAY PRINCE, third book in the series, releases in the US/Canada and Australia/New Zealand; it will be published by Penguin India later the same month.

THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL, the first Perveen novel, was named a Best Mystery/Thriller of 2018 and also an Amazon Best Mystery/Thriller of 2018. Additionally, the book won the Bruce Alexander Best Historical Mystery Award, the Agatha Award for Best Historical Mystery and the Mary Higgins Clark Award, all in 2019.

The second Perveen novel, THE SATAPUR MOONSTONE, won the Bruce Alexander Best Historical Mystery Award in 2020.

Sujata's other works include THE SLEEPING DICTIONARY (2013) and eleven Rei Shimura mysteries published from 1997-2014. For more about Sujata's books and a full events schedule, subscribe to her newsletter, http://sujatamassey.com/newsletter

Sujata lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with her family and two dogs. In addition to writing, she loves to travel, read, cook, garden and walk.

Reviews

[Book Riot Community]

Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:

I’m so happy to see Perveen Mistry return! She’s the only Parsi woman lawyer in 1920’s Bombay—inspired by the real life Cornelia Sorabji—and the star of this wonderful historical mystery series. This time around we get the exciting early days of Bollywood with a murder mystery + missing person case that involves a movie censor and leading lady! —Jamie Canaves

[Celia Morse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in 1920s India, this series offers an interesting look into the ethnic and cultural groups making up India's native population under British colonial rule. Perveen Mistry is Oxford educated and India's first female lawyer. In this installment she and her father are hired by one of India's first film production studios to defend a possible breach of contract but what should be an interesting look at the early days of Bollywood turns into an interminably slow read.

Perveen attends a party at the studio with her starstruck friend Alice and the next morning a film vendor is found dead and the star of the latest production and ride of the studio owner has vanished. Perveen's investigation turns into a murder investigation but it moves along haphazardly and slowly.

The story takes place during monsoon season and perhaps the endless rain and mud drag the story down. This is a disappointing series entry.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sneha Pathak (reader_girl_reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I became a fan of this series after reading the first novel. The second was somewhat disappointing but the third seemed to have given the series backmits mojo. I dnf-ed the fourth entry and while I found The Star from Calcutta - the fifth book in the series - much easier to finish, I feel that it's time the series come to a graceful end. The recent books seem to have a much more stronger historical side than the central mystery which seemed slow, ponderous and lost in the multiple threads of the narrative.

The angle of Colin and Perveen, their will they won't they, has become somewhat tiresome and while I appreciated the focus on Alice's personal life in this title, I felt that it was dragged too much and much too obvious to everyone except Perveen. I find it interesting how two writers writing broadly in the same genre can hit upon similar themes and plot points at the same time. The Star From Calcutta is set in the background of the world of early Indian cinema, as was The Burning Grounds by Abir Mukherjee published in November 2025. And - spoiler alert - the relationship between the star and her closest caretaker as well as their backgrounds were quite similar.

[Michelle Ardillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my full review at http://michelleardillo.com/2025/12/26...

[Margie Bunting]

In this fifth book in the Perveen Mistry series by Sujata Massey, set in the early 1920s, Perveen is still the only female lawyer in Bombay, even with her law degree from Oxford. Her father has recently made her his partner, but there are still limits to what she is permitted to do in their family law firm. Indian women are allowed few rights, and their treatment by men is often shameful. Perveen has to watch her step to make sure she doesn't violate the customs of the day. Briefly married and now divorced, she knows she will always be tied to her ex by law and will never be able to give herself to another man, including the English man she meets in secret. A depressing situation to be sure, and not easily resolved.

This case in this story involves the burgeoning (silent), cutthroat movie business in India, where the biggest female action star has recently left the film company that made her a star to join the one run by her husband. At an early screening of an upcoming film featuring Roshana, an attendee associated with the film business is found dead, and there is concern that his suspicious death could negatively affect the success of the new movie and the company that has produced it. Perveen's best friend Alice also plays a role in the story, which highlights her immaturity and threatens their friendship.

Although I expected this plot to be interesting, it fell flat for me. Perhaps it was because the stakes in the previous novels were higher, mostly about women whose welfare was ignored by the men in their lives or by law enforcement. Also, I felt that the conclusion was way too abrupt. I don't know if this series has run its course, but I'm willing to give it another try.

My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of the book.

[Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader 2.0 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sujata Massey's Perveen Mistry series started out brilliantly with The Widows of Malabar Hill, a fascinating look at women in purdah in 1920's Bombay. Perveen, who has just qualified as a solicitor in England, joins her father's law office and looks into why all three of the widows have donated their inheritance to charity, which would leave them penniless. Fresh, fascinating and historically spot on the series was off to an impressive start.

Unfortunately, the momentum did not last, and here we are at the stiff, disjointed Star from Calcutta. Set in the world of the burgeoning Indian film industry, it should be as exciting as the action Star herself, but it's not.

Bollywood is such a phenom that it's hard to imagine that until the 1920s already movie-mad Indians saw mostly foreign films. When the Indian industry spring onto the scene with action films and telling of religious hero stories, people were thrilled. Massey brings this aspect of the story to life, as she does the pussyfooting that must be done around British censors and cultural taboos. Perveen spends a lot of time worrying about her reputation both personally and professionally, even as her circle expands to include people who certainly should make her worry. Rather than being energized by this, Perveen seems frozen. I hope Sujata Massey can find a way to reanimate her so that this series can move on with the spark of its launch.

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for a digital review copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Cari Zuckerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this 5th installment of the Perveen Mistry series, Perveen and her father are hired as lawyers by the Champa Film Company. Its star, Rochana, who is married to its producer Subhas Ghoshal may be in trouble with a previous employer over a contract. What seems like a straightforward case turns deadly when a film censor is found dead on the film studio’s property following a viewing party. That same night, Rochana goes missing.

I found this book to be a bit disjointed. I wasn’t always sure of why things were happening and how they tied into the story. The mystery sort of solved itself instead of Perveen doing the solving. I do really enjoy the characters of Perveen, Alice, and Colin in the series and I love the setting of 1920s India so I will likely continue to read future installments. As always with the series, the historical context was interesting. This one was just a bit slow and meandering for me and I would have thought the focus on making films in 1920s India would have been a little more interesting.

[Sarah Baenen · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a fan of this series, I struggled to finish this book. The first few chapters were full of promise as it seemed to focus on the ins and outs of the Indian film industry. However, most of the book was a rehash of the same plot points. The solution to the mystery was anticlimactic; the reveal just happens and Perveen’s investigation doesn’t even seem to matter much.

More importantly, for me, the characters also fell flat. Alice’s personality was grating and Perveen seemed like a device to move the plot forward, though at a glacial pace. The “twist” at the end was not enough to redeem the book because by then I had lost interest in these characters I once loved.

ARC from NetGalley

[Daria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A look at the early days of India's film industry as lawyer Perveen Mistry tries to find a murderer and ensure her friend Alice isn't wrongly accused. The pacing of this book was a bit slow for me, as Perveen spent a lot of time searching for people and repeatedly trying to convince Alice to give up her secrets. Perveen is a fascinating character as she tries to develop a successful legal career at a time and place when that wasn't easy for women. While this installment isn't my favorite in the series, I am still rooting for Perveen to have a happy career and life. Thanks to Soho Crime and NetGalley for the eARC.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another in the Perveen Mistry series set in 1920s Bombay. Lawyers Perveen and her father have a new client, the owner of Champa Films and his movie star wife, Rochana. When Rochana invites Perveen to a screening party a star struck Alice comes along. Things get a bit out of hand at the party. The next morning a British film censor is found dead. Then the star disappears. And Perveen's friendship with Alice seems to be in jeopardy. Thus Perveen's next case begins.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eGalley of this title.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perveen is back and this time she and her father have been hired by a film production company, working with famous stars and directors. She and her friend Alice become embroiled in an after party death and secrets are everywhere. It was refreshing seeing Perveen struggle with friendship and issues of the heart, as as her more then competent professional self. And, how Alice called her out on some of Perveen's habits. I love those series and am always looking forward to the next installment.

I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my least favorite in the series so far, in part because I just didn't find the world of early cinema in India that interesting. There is a lot of emphasis on relationships in the book, but they all felt a bit stilted and distant, in some ways, feeling more like a film themselves, with less of the depth I've felt in her other books. I still enjoyed the mystery and already am waiting for the next in the series.

Review based on a DRC received through NetGalley.

[Matt Milo · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Marked for spoilers because I mention the conclusion, but no specific details)

I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The characters each have rich backstories and relationships. The way the story unfolds was very intriguing, and the attention to detail is second to none!
There are multiple twists at the conclusion which I was not expecting - definitely a good read for anyone who likes asking questions!!

[Brenda Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perveen and her father take on the representation of Champa movie company. What was first just contracts becomes murder suspect representation. What is the relationship of Perveen’s best friend and the star of films? There are a few mysteries going on in this book. Also the book shows the expectations of women during this time plus the judgements. Great series.

[C Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of this series and Massey’s writing style. Thanks to Netgalley for offering it to me early for an honest review .
It takes me to a time period I know little about. Where as some reviewers did not like the history woven throughout, I am a fan of Bollywood information. I like that the mystery is revealed but there is more to read. I appreciate strong female characters. I agree with several reviewers: The ending did seem abrupt.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always liked Perveen since the beginning but lately she’s kinda lost her spark. The Indian movie making scene and history bumped this installment up but I’m not sure I will continue the series beyond this one.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up

review to come

[Chantel DaCosta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting historical mystery with Perveen Mistry.