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Temple Hill Mystery #3
The Mumbai School for Murder
Discover a wonderfully witty new whodunnit from CWA Dagger-shortlisted author Meeti Shroff-Shah — a dazzling new voice and India’s answer to Agatha Christie!
Mystery novelist Radhi Zaveri has a new job, teaching spoiled kids at Mumbai’s prestigious North Star High School.
But a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing . . .
When fiery teacher Ms Venus is found slumped across her desk, the school insist she died of natural causes.
But Radhi’s not convinced. The Ms Venus she knew was in rude health, stirring up drama and discord at every turn.
What if someone — a disgruntled parent, a disgraced ‘D’ student — decided to silence her acid tongue for good?
The last person to clash with Ms Venus is mysteriously missing . . .
Can Radhi piece it all together — before the killer’s ruthless red pen strikes again?
If you love Faith Martin, Richard Osman, Vaseem Khan, Ian Moore, Shamini Flint or Agatha Christie, you’ll adore this classic mystery with a modern twist — brimming with red herrings, quirky characters and Golden Age flair, and set against the opulent backdrop of Mumbai’s Temple Hill.
Mystery novelist Radhi Zaveri has a new job, teaching spoiled kids at Mumbai’s prestigious North Star High School.
But a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing . . .
When fiery teacher Ms Venus is found slumped across her desk, the school insist she died of natural causes.
But Radhi’s not convinced. The Ms Venus she knew was in rude health, stirring up drama and discord at every turn.
What if someone — a disgruntled parent, a disgraced ‘D’ student — decided to silence her acid tongue for good?
The last person to clash with Ms Venus is mysteriously missing . . .
Can Radhi piece it all together — before the killer’s ruthless red pen strikes again?
If you love Faith Martin, Richard Osman, Vaseem Khan, Ian Moore, Shamini Flint or Agatha Christie, you’ll adore this classic mystery with a modern twist — brimming with red herrings, quirky characters and Golden Age flair, and set against the opulent backdrop of Mumbai’s Temple Hill.
280 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2025
About the author
Meeti Shroff-Shah
6 books58 followersMeeti is the author of the Temple Hill Mystery series, the first of which - The Death of Kirti Kadakia, published as A Mumbai Murder Mystery, internationally, - was longlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger in 2022 and shortlisted for the Times of India Auther Awards in 2023.
Prior to this, Meeti has also written the critically acclaimed memoir, ‘Do You Know Any Good Boys?’ – A funny guide to the Indian arranged marriage, which has been optioned for screen. Her writings have also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Mint Lounge, cntraveller.in and The India Today.
In a previous life, Meeti worked in advertising for over sixteen years with global agencies such as DDB Mudra and Rediffusion Y&R.
Meeti writes from a little blue desk in Mumbai where she lives with her husband and daughter and a dozen temperamental houseplants.
To hear Meeti’s news, find her on Instagram or visit her website and sign up for her monthly newsletter.
Prior to this, Meeti has also written the critically acclaimed memoir, ‘Do You Know Any Good Boys?’ – A funny guide to the Indian arranged marriage, which has been optioned for screen. Her writings have also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Mint Lounge, cntraveller.in and The India Today.
In a previous life, Meeti worked in advertising for over sixteen years with global agencies such as DDB Mudra and Rediffusion Y&R.
Meeti writes from a little blue desk in Mumbai where she lives with her husband and daughter and a dozen temperamental houseplants.
To hear Meeti’s news, find her on Instagram or visit her website and sign up for her monthly newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 23, 2025
Murder in Mumbai!
Radhika Zaveri, Radhi, is a successful mystery writer and divorcee who’s returned from New York to Temple Hill in Mumbai. Daughter of a prominent jewel merchant, her parents were killed in an accident. Radhi inherited wealth. She has unresolved trauma and nightmares abut her parents’ deaths. She believes the accident was her fault.
Radhi’s also wracked with guilt about fleeing abroad. Mostly because she believes she's deprived her niece of an auntie, and her sister Madhavi the support she needed.
Radhi is talked into taking up a guest faculty position at an elite school, North Star High School, by the principal Rose Fernandes, her former maths teacher. She runs a creative writing workshop.
Her sister Madhavi is hoping to enroll her daughter and Radhi’s niece, Amara, at the school. Competition for placement is tough. Radhi is trying to help.
When the head of the English Department, Venus Pereira, is found dead, possibly murdered, Radhi brings her investigative knowledge to bear. Venus was a writer of note and winner of the Sahitya Akademi, “the highest honour for an Indian writer.”
Will Radhi discover what happened?
What did various students see or know?
How does Radhi’s previous, now married love, Hrishi Kamdar, fit in? Apart from being editor-in-chief at the National Gazette?
An absorbing murder mystery that ticks all the boxes. Radhi is a woman we can all understand. Grief and investigations go hand in hand.
A Joffe ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Radhika Zaveri, Radhi, is a successful mystery writer and divorcee who’s returned from New York to Temple Hill in Mumbai. Daughter of a prominent jewel merchant, her parents were killed in an accident. Radhi inherited wealth. She has unresolved trauma and nightmares abut her parents’ deaths. She believes the accident was her fault.
Radhi’s also wracked with guilt about fleeing abroad. Mostly because she believes she's deprived her niece of an auntie, and her sister Madhavi the support she needed.
Radhi is talked into taking up a guest faculty position at an elite school, North Star High School, by the principal Rose Fernandes, her former maths teacher. She runs a creative writing workshop.
Her sister Madhavi is hoping to enroll her daughter and Radhi’s niece, Amara, at the school. Competition for placement is tough. Radhi is trying to help.
When the head of the English Department, Venus Pereira, is found dead, possibly murdered, Radhi brings her investigative knowledge to bear. Venus was a writer of note and winner of the Sahitya Akademi, “the highest honour for an Indian writer.”
Will Radhi discover what happened?
What did various students see or know?
How does Radhi’s previous, now married love, Hrishi Kamdar, fit in? Apart from being editor-in-chief at the National Gazette?
An absorbing murder mystery that ticks all the boxes. Radhi is a woman we can all understand. Grief and investigations go hand in hand.
A Joffe ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
September 19, 2025
This is a highly entertaining, cleverly written murder mystery that keeps you thinking long after finishing. A five-star read for me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
📚 Book Name: The Mumbai School for Murder
✍️ Author: Meeti Shroff-Shah
🏢 Publisher: Joffe Books
📅 Pub Date: October 21, 2025
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this brilliant ARC! 💙
#TheMumbaiSchoolforMurder #NetGalley
📖 Blurb:
Mystery novelist Radhi Zaveri joins North Star High School, where spoiled students and power-hungry teachers set the stage for a shocking murder. When fiery Ms. Venus is found dead, Radhi suspects foul play—and dives into an investigation filled with red herrings, secrets, and academic drama. Can she find the truth before the killer strikes again?
If you love Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, or Vaseem Khan—you need this book on your shelf.
💭 My Thoughts:
This is the very first Indian story I’ve accessed on NetGalley, and I’m so glad I requested it!
The book is a perfect balance of suspense, mystery, and Radhi’s personal journey. Her way of solving the murder is so unique it completely drew me in. I was equally invested in her personal life, which made the story feel layered and full of heart. The investigation reminded me of classic Agatha Christie mysteries—clever, surprising, and impossible to put down.
The characters are wonderfully crafted—Radhi, Madhavi, Lila, Shinde, and even Hrishi (a total love-and-hate character for me). The twist was jaw-dropping—I truly never guessed the real culprit. The investigation felt smart and engaging, almost like we readers were part of it. At the same time, the book brilliantly highlights modern-day student behavior and the politics within educational institutions.
As a former lecturer, I could relate so much—it instantly brought me back to my teaching days. The staff politics, hidden affairs, and student antics were portrayed so realistically, they gave me chills! Characters like Fernandes, Lily, Bakshi, and Satish Kamble made the world even richer.
One thing I personally felt sad about was Radhi’s love life—I don’t support him at all. I really hope Radhi finds someone better in future books.
Finally, I’ve found an Indian author who’s a brilliant mystery-thriller writer—I can truly depend on her. Meeti Shroff-Shah’s writing skills are excellent, and I’ll definitely be looking out for her future books. ✨
If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, witty investigations, strong female leads, and mysteries set in academic backdrops, you’ll absolutely love this one.
🔖#TheMumbaiSchoolforMurder #NetGalley #BookReview #MysteryLovers #MurderMystery #SuspenseReads #IndianAuthors #FiveStarReads #Bookstagram #agathachristie #joffbooks
📚 Book Name: The Mumbai School for Murder
✍️ Author: Meeti Shroff-Shah
🏢 Publisher: Joffe Books
📅 Pub Date: October 21, 2025
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this brilliant ARC! 💙
#TheMumbaiSchoolforMurder #NetGalley
📖 Blurb:
Mystery novelist Radhi Zaveri joins North Star High School, where spoiled students and power-hungry teachers set the stage for a shocking murder. When fiery Ms. Venus is found dead, Radhi suspects foul play—and dives into an investigation filled with red herrings, secrets, and academic drama. Can she find the truth before the killer strikes again?
If you love Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, or Vaseem Khan—you need this book on your shelf.
💭 My Thoughts:
This is the very first Indian story I’ve accessed on NetGalley, and I’m so glad I requested it!
The book is a perfect balance of suspense, mystery, and Radhi’s personal journey. Her way of solving the murder is so unique it completely drew me in. I was equally invested in her personal life, which made the story feel layered and full of heart. The investigation reminded me of classic Agatha Christie mysteries—clever, surprising, and impossible to put down.
The characters are wonderfully crafted—Radhi, Madhavi, Lila, Shinde, and even Hrishi (a total love-and-hate character for me). The twist was jaw-dropping—I truly never guessed the real culprit. The investigation felt smart and engaging, almost like we readers were part of it. At the same time, the book brilliantly highlights modern-day student behavior and the politics within educational institutions.
As a former lecturer, I could relate so much—it instantly brought me back to my teaching days. The staff politics, hidden affairs, and student antics were portrayed so realistically, they gave me chills! Characters like Fernandes, Lily, Bakshi, and Satish Kamble made the world even richer.
One thing I personally felt sad about was Radhi’s love life—I don’t support him at all. I really hope Radhi finds someone better in future books.
Finally, I’ve found an Indian author who’s a brilliant mystery-thriller writer—I can truly depend on her. Meeti Shroff-Shah’s writing skills are excellent, and I’ll definitely be looking out for her future books. ✨
If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, witty investigations, strong female leads, and mysteries set in academic backdrops, you’ll absolutely love this one.
🔖#TheMumbaiSchoolforMurder #NetGalley #BookReview #MysteryLovers #MurderMystery #SuspenseReads #IndianAuthors #FiveStarReads #Bookstagram #agathachristie #joffbooks
October 23, 2025
This is the third book in the Temple Hill Mystery series, all featuring author Radhi Zaveri, and while it did stand alone perfectly well for the most part, it did take me a little while to pick up the characters, so I would probably suggest reading the previous books first. That said, once I had established who was who, I was hooked!
The plot twists of eccentric teachers, troubled students and professional (and personal) moral dilemmas absolutely fascinated me and had me unable to stop thinking about the story and characters. Radhi is a particularly engaging main character as she has clear flaws but understandable ones and she is trying to work her way through her trauma and do the right thing where she can. I enjoyed her amateur sleuthing and also her messy, difficult private life, and found her turbulent semi-working relationship with Inspector Shinde (her very own Japp or Lestrade) really funny.
There is loads of local flavour in the book too – food, language, clothing, customs and beliefs. It was all so interesting and immersive, and the author has helpfully appended a guide to potentially unfamiliar words at the end of the book. I chose to just go with the flow and let the context inform me, which worked absolutely fine for following the story, but then I enjoyed reading through the list afterwards, looking things up and learning more about the setting of the book in retrospect.
A really enjoyable traditional-style mystery read, updated to a modern place and time, this book had me thinking about it long after reading and made me want to go back and read books 1 and 2, and any future instalments too!
The plot twists of eccentric teachers, troubled students and professional (and personal) moral dilemmas absolutely fascinated me and had me unable to stop thinking about the story and characters. Radhi is a particularly engaging main character as she has clear flaws but understandable ones and she is trying to work her way through her trauma and do the right thing where she can. I enjoyed her amateur sleuthing and also her messy, difficult private life, and found her turbulent semi-working relationship with Inspector Shinde (her very own Japp or Lestrade) really funny.
There is loads of local flavour in the book too – food, language, clothing, customs and beliefs. It was all so interesting and immersive, and the author has helpfully appended a guide to potentially unfamiliar words at the end of the book. I chose to just go with the flow and let the context inform me, which worked absolutely fine for following the story, but then I enjoyed reading through the list afterwards, looking things up and learning more about the setting of the book in retrospect.
A really enjoyable traditional-style mystery read, updated to a modern place and time, this book had me thinking about it long after reading and made me want to go back and read books 1 and 2, and any future instalments too!
October 7, 2025
The Mumbai School For Murder had given me Agatha Christie vibes throughout...
The story was interesting and was set in a school, which was the most prestigious school in India. Soon, murder of Ms Venus, an English teacher happens and everyone in the school becomes a suspect. The question wasn't who had a grudge on her but who would act on that !
I loved the characters in the story. Radhi Zaveri is the main character, who is doing special sessions in the school. If you had read earlier books in this series, you would be familiar with Radhi and her skills.
The story revolves around mainly the teachers - Ms Lily, Ms Savant, Mr Bakshi among many others who had a motive to kill Ms Venus. Radhi's discovery of this motive was what drove the story.
But the story maintained a slow pace as there was also the personal events that happened in Radhi's life.
The ending was definitely unpredictable and sudden. This made me appreciate the story more as it made me clueless until the end.
I do hope to read the previous books of the Temple Hill Mystery series, as I haven't yet read those. And I'm excited to read more of Radhi and what mystery awaits her!
The story was interesting and was set in a school, which was the most prestigious school in India. Soon, murder of Ms Venus, an English teacher happens and everyone in the school becomes a suspect. The question wasn't who had a grudge on her but who would act on that !
I loved the characters in the story. Radhi Zaveri is the main character, who is doing special sessions in the school. If you had read earlier books in this series, you would be familiar with Radhi and her skills.
The story revolves around mainly the teachers - Ms Lily, Ms Savant, Mr Bakshi among many others who had a motive to kill Ms Venus. Radhi's discovery of this motive was what drove the story.
But the story maintained a slow pace as there was also the personal events that happened in Radhi's life.
The ending was definitely unpredictable and sudden. This made me appreciate the story more as it made me clueless until the end.
I do hope to read the previous books of the Temple Hill Mystery series, as I haven't yet read those. And I'm excited to read more of Radhi and what mystery awaits her!
October 24, 2025
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is the third book in the Temple Hill Mystery series but can be read as a stand alone. The book features mystery novelist Radhi Zaveri, who has helped the police with previous cases. She has a new short-term job teaching spoiled kids at Mumbai’s prestigious North Star High School. A cantankerous English teacher is found dead at the school and initially the police rule it as natural causes, but Radhi isn’t so sure.
I enjoyed learning more about daily life in Mumbai, particularly reading about the different foods and traditions of the area. Radhi is going through a rough time after the end of her marriage and move back to India from the U.S. It also doesn’t help that her first love, who is married with children in the school, keeps showing up. I enjoyed Radhi’s relationship with the children and how she doesn’t let the police’s reluctance to accept her help stop her from investigating the teacher’s death and finding out the truth.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zooloos Book Tours. All opinions are my own.
This is the third book in the Temple Hill Mystery series but can be read as a stand alone. The book features mystery novelist Radhi Zaveri, who has helped the police with previous cases. She has a new short-term job teaching spoiled kids at Mumbai’s prestigious North Star High School. A cantankerous English teacher is found dead at the school and initially the police rule it as natural causes, but Radhi isn’t so sure.
I enjoyed learning more about daily life in Mumbai, particularly reading about the different foods and traditions of the area. Radhi is going through a rough time after the end of her marriage and move back to India from the U.S. It also doesn’t help that her first love, who is married with children in the school, keeps showing up. I enjoyed Radhi’s relationship with the children and how she doesn’t let the police’s reluctance to accept her help stop her from investigating the teacher’s death and finding out the truth.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zooloos Book Tours. All opinions are my own.
October 5, 2025
This book perfectly blends an interesting mystery with a rich, vibrant cultural backdrop.
We meet novelist Radhi, temporarily working at the elite North Star school, whose suspicions are raised when fiery teacher Venus dies unexpectedly. Fueled by only one elusive clue and an abundance of suspicion, Radhi is determined to uncover the truth, making for a thrilling investigation filled with red herrings and blind alleys.
The true joy of this novel is the setting. The author's vivid descriptions of India’s landscape, culture, and food are so enticing you can almost taste the delicious dishes!
Radhi is a flawed but fiercely determined protagonist you can't help but root for.
The ending is tied up as neatly as a newspaper article ready to be posted and I can't wait for the next instalment!
We meet novelist Radhi, temporarily working at the elite North Star school, whose suspicions are raised when fiery teacher Venus dies unexpectedly. Fueled by only one elusive clue and an abundance of suspicion, Radhi is determined to uncover the truth, making for a thrilling investigation filled with red herrings and blind alleys.
The true joy of this novel is the setting. The author's vivid descriptions of India’s landscape, culture, and food are so enticing you can almost taste the delicious dishes!
Radhi is a flawed but fiercely determined protagonist you can't help but root for.
The ending is tied up as neatly as a newspaper article ready to be posted and I can't wait for the next instalment!
April 1, 2026
The best one yet
March 6, 2026
-This One Kept Me Awake-
Review of 'The Mumbai School For Murder'
Quote Alert
"𝐌𝐚'𝐚𝐦, 𝐦𝐚'𝐚𝐦, 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬? 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐤 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡. 𝐈𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐢𝐭. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐬 ... 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞. 𝐇𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐢 𝐮𝐩. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩, 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲. 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝, 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞? 𝐘𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐝?"
A good storyteller, particularly who writes a thriller or a mystery, is known to carry a fistfull of magical dust. Something that they use, not to create an air of glitz, but to blow it slowly into your unsuspecting reading eyes, rendering you partially blind, while letting the writer do the job. The clues are all there. And yet you pass over them, your gaze gliding over the clues cemented between or under the lines. That's what Meeti Shroff does in her murder mystery. When the culprit is finally revealed, you just can't help thinking: why didn't I think about this? Why couldn't i crack this?
'The Mumbai School For Murder' is a third in the global bestselling series 'Temple Hill Mystery' (the books have been translated into many languages including Japanese. So now you know that the craze about this series is real. Japnese love their mysteries and they just won't ready anything you give them.) A man died in the first. In the latter two, it's a woman who's murdered. Radhika Zaveri, a divorced writer leads an investigation. How does she have the chops? Well, like the author who created her, she too is a bestselling murder mystery writer. And like all detectives, reluctant or enthusiastic, she too has a buddy. Inspector Shinde, who doesn't fully appreciate the presence of the writer in his police station as she is someone, he thinks, who has an unnatural interest in all things deathly.
So what's it about? Radhika joins a prestigious school as a partime teacher for creative writing. A teacher drops dead and a student goes missing. What's the connection? Is there any?
The stories with mystery and thrill at their core must be wrapped up in a cozy blanket of emotions and humanity. And the author has successfully nursed a pulsing core of emotions here. Radhi grapples with loneliness. Some passages about needing a person in life deserve underlining:
"Radhi knew she'd always have her sister and nieces to share holidays and festivals with, but she was also aware that it wasn't the same as sharing a life with someone. Waking up next to them, waiting up for them, nursing them through a cranky flu, arguing over the temperature of the air conditioner, a Netflix show, a wet towel on the bed, or any of the thousands of little emotional transactions that were part of the business of living a fully entangled life with someone. Radhi felt a strange melancholy take hold of her and it was with an effort that she brought her mind back to the job at hand."
And read this too:
"So, this, thought Radhi was what it was to grow old alone with only books and ideas and your own thoughtg for company. It could be a neat, little existence without the hot mess of relationships and responsibilities and expecta.
tions that plagued most ordinary lives. As smooth as you desired, as pretty and predictable as you cared for, as without attachment as you wished. And yet, Radhi found herself wondering, as she lifted the mattress off the bed with one hand, and slid the other under it to check for files or folders, could this chosen solitude also sometimes become that bris-.tling, biting, bitter kind of lonely?"
The author uses food to set her characters apart. It's a class demarcator and this time, almost a McGuffin. It's a catalyst in the plot, too. The writer uses it to set her characters apart and to display various emotions and human tendencies: affection, love, nostalgia, gluttony and so on.
Have a look:
"Chuckling, Radhi dipped the fluffy, white, steamed dhoklas into the bowl of mango ras and closed her eyes for a moment, savouring the delicate tartness of the soft rice cake as it mixed with the sweet alphonso pulp. Next, she tore a
piece of roti and scooped up some of the spicy, ivy gourd subzi, which had the exact degree of crunch she liked. Besides this, Lila had also prepared a yogurt-based mango curry, a
yellow, lentil dry-dal preparation and a crumbly and lemony, raw-banana subzi which Radhi loved."
But the most striking use, as I already shared, is to set the class apart. So the heroine (with millions in her trust fund) eats three-bean quesadilla with extra jalapenos, sour cream and the mango salsa, inspector Shinde from the humble middle class eats the ladyfinger subzi, rotis and green pickled chillies.
Food has always remained a constant fixture in the author's books. If you are a budding author and want to use it to your advantage, join her workshops.
I have a little complaint too. About the climax not having enough punches or kicks. It's true that the author has written this as a slow burn mystery which rewards you with a satisfying sigh if you're a whodunit aficionado, but at least one glass vase could have been toppled by the kerfuffle towards the end.
:)
Pick it up today.
Review of 'The Mumbai School For Murder'
Quote Alert
"𝐌𝐚'𝐚𝐦, 𝐦𝐚'𝐚𝐦, 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬? 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐤 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡. 𝐈𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐢𝐭. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐬 ... 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞. 𝐇𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐢 𝐮𝐩. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩, 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲. 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝, 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞? 𝐘𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐝?"
A good storyteller, particularly who writes a thriller or a mystery, is known to carry a fistfull of magical dust. Something that they use, not to create an air of glitz, but to blow it slowly into your unsuspecting reading eyes, rendering you partially blind, while letting the writer do the job. The clues are all there. And yet you pass over them, your gaze gliding over the clues cemented between or under the lines. That's what Meeti Shroff does in her murder mystery. When the culprit is finally revealed, you just can't help thinking: why didn't I think about this? Why couldn't i crack this?
'The Mumbai School For Murder' is a third in the global bestselling series 'Temple Hill Mystery' (the books have been translated into many languages including Japanese. So now you know that the craze about this series is real. Japnese love their mysteries and they just won't ready anything you give them.) A man died in the first. In the latter two, it's a woman who's murdered. Radhika Zaveri, a divorced writer leads an investigation. How does she have the chops? Well, like the author who created her, she too is a bestselling murder mystery writer. And like all detectives, reluctant or enthusiastic, she too has a buddy. Inspector Shinde, who doesn't fully appreciate the presence of the writer in his police station as she is someone, he thinks, who has an unnatural interest in all things deathly.
So what's it about? Radhika joins a prestigious school as a partime teacher for creative writing. A teacher drops dead and a student goes missing. What's the connection? Is there any?
The stories with mystery and thrill at their core must be wrapped up in a cozy blanket of emotions and humanity. And the author has successfully nursed a pulsing core of emotions here. Radhi grapples with loneliness. Some passages about needing a person in life deserve underlining:
"Radhi knew she'd always have her sister and nieces to share holidays and festivals with, but she was also aware that it wasn't the same as sharing a life with someone. Waking up next to them, waiting up for them, nursing them through a cranky flu, arguing over the temperature of the air conditioner, a Netflix show, a wet towel on the bed, or any of the thousands of little emotional transactions that were part of the business of living a fully entangled life with someone. Radhi felt a strange melancholy take hold of her and it was with an effort that she brought her mind back to the job at hand."
And read this too:
"So, this, thought Radhi was what it was to grow old alone with only books and ideas and your own thoughtg for company. It could be a neat, little existence without the hot mess of relationships and responsibilities and expecta.
tions that plagued most ordinary lives. As smooth as you desired, as pretty and predictable as you cared for, as without attachment as you wished. And yet, Radhi found herself wondering, as she lifted the mattress off the bed with one hand, and slid the other under it to check for files or folders, could this chosen solitude also sometimes become that bris-.tling, biting, bitter kind of lonely?"
The author uses food to set her characters apart. It's a class demarcator and this time, almost a McGuffin. It's a catalyst in the plot, too. The writer uses it to set her characters apart and to display various emotions and human tendencies: affection, love, nostalgia, gluttony and so on.
Have a look:
"Chuckling, Radhi dipped the fluffy, white, steamed dhoklas into the bowl of mango ras and closed her eyes for a moment, savouring the delicate tartness of the soft rice cake as it mixed with the sweet alphonso pulp. Next, she tore a
piece of roti and scooped up some of the spicy, ivy gourd subzi, which had the exact degree of crunch she liked. Besides this, Lila had also prepared a yogurt-based mango curry, a
yellow, lentil dry-dal preparation and a crumbly and lemony, raw-banana subzi which Radhi loved."
But the most striking use, as I already shared, is to set the class apart. So the heroine (with millions in her trust fund) eats three-bean quesadilla with extra jalapenos, sour cream and the mango salsa, inspector Shinde from the humble middle class eats the ladyfinger subzi, rotis and green pickled chillies.
Food has always remained a constant fixture in the author's books. If you are a budding author and want to use it to your advantage, join her workshops.
I have a little complaint too. About the climax not having enough punches or kicks. It's true that the author has written this as a slow burn mystery which rewards you with a satisfying sigh if you're a whodunit aficionado, but at least one glass vase could have been toppled by the kerfuffle towards the end.
:)
Pick it up today.
October 22, 2025
Here is my review for The Mumbai School For Murder by Meeti Shroff Shah
I totally enjoyed reading this intriguing crime mystery which hooked me right from the start of the book. I found it impossible to put the book down as I was so riveted by this terrific story that kept me guessing that I had to know who did it. It was superbly written, extremely well plotted and well thought out by the author. It was set in a children's school that had high standards and a very selective admissions system. Radhi Zaveri, was a published author and was on a three month creative writing job with the school when Ms Venus was found slumped across her desk. The school insists she died of natural causes but Radhi is not convinced, especially after speaking to an Inspector who she has dealt with before. I enjoyed the dialogue in the story as I thought it helped with the storyline. Also, I liked Radhi’s character as she intrigued me. She was a published author in literary fiction with a new book coming out in murder mystery and she had spoken with the victim the day before so had some insight on what was going on with the victim’s life that day. She was bright, helped her family, blamed herself for her parents deaths and usually got involved in solving murders when near them. She was trying to be more sociable towards other people. It was an easy book to get into and seemed like a quick read. I really liked the storyline and I have added this series to my tbr for future books when they come out as it’s a series I will really enjoy. I like the author’s writing style which makes for easy reading. The synopsis drew me to read this story and I most certainly wasn’t disappointed. This is the first book I have read in this series but it can be read as a standalone easily enough. Also, it’s the first time I have this author but I look forward to the next book in this series.
Blurb :
Discover a dazzlingly witty new whodunnit from India’s answer to Agatha Christie — CWA Dagger-shortlisted author Meeti Shroff-Shah!
Mystery novelist Radhi Zaveri has a new job, teaching spoiled kids at Mumbai’s prestigious North Star High School.
But, little does she suspect, things are about to veer wildly off-syllabus . . .
When fiery teacher Ms Venus is found slumped across her desk, the school insist she died of natural causes.
But Radhi’s not convinced. The Ms Venus she knew was in rude health, quite literally, stirring up drama and discord at every turn.
What if someone — a disgruntled parent, a disgraced ‘D’ student — decided to silence her acid tongue for good?
And the last person to clash with Ms Venus is mysteriously missing . . .
Can Radhi piece it all together — before the killer’s ruthless red pen strikes again?
If you love Faith Martin, Richard Osman, Vaseem Khan, Ian Moore, Shamini Flint or Agatha Christie, you’ll adore this classic mystery with a modern twist — brimming with red herrings, quirky characters and Golden Age flair, and set against the opulent backdrop of Mumbai’s Temple Hill.
**Shroff-Shah’s acclaimed Temple Hill Mysteries have been shortlisted for the CWA Whodunnit Dagger 2025, People’s Book Prize 2025, Times of India Author Awards 2023, and longlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger 2022.**
THE SLEUTH
Writer and traveller Radhi returns home to Mumbai’s posh Temple Hill after spending years living in New York City, in search of inspiration and a salve for her broken heart. To the world it seems she has it all. But little do they know that she hasn’t written a word in more than a year, that she is devastated at the sudden disappearance of her American lover and that she is still haunted by her parents’ death, which happened almost two decades ago and for which, she holds herself responsible.
THE SETTING
Fictitious Temple Hill is a quiet and privileged neighbourhood in Mumbai, located by the Arabian Sea. It comprises four sun-dappled slopes that lead up to the main road. Wide streets are lined with gulmohar trees in flaming reds and sunny yellows. The area still retains an old-world charm, dotted with small parks and little galleries, interspersed with tiny florists, cafes and confectionary shops. And situated amid all these gentle trappings of everyday life are the five ancient Jain temples that give Temple Hill its name.
I totally enjoyed reading this intriguing crime mystery which hooked me right from the start of the book. I found it impossible to put the book down as I was so riveted by this terrific story that kept me guessing that I had to know who did it. It was superbly written, extremely well plotted and well thought out by the author. It was set in a children's school that had high standards and a very selective admissions system. Radhi Zaveri, was a published author and was on a three month creative writing job with the school when Ms Venus was found slumped across her desk. The school insists she died of natural causes but Radhi is not convinced, especially after speaking to an Inspector who she has dealt with before. I enjoyed the dialogue in the story as I thought it helped with the storyline. Also, I liked Radhi’s character as she intrigued me. She was a published author in literary fiction with a new book coming out in murder mystery and she had spoken with the victim the day before so had some insight on what was going on with the victim’s life that day. She was bright, helped her family, blamed herself for her parents deaths and usually got involved in solving murders when near them. She was trying to be more sociable towards other people. It was an easy book to get into and seemed like a quick read. I really liked the storyline and I have added this series to my tbr for future books when they come out as it’s a series I will really enjoy. I like the author’s writing style which makes for easy reading. The synopsis drew me to read this story and I most certainly wasn’t disappointed. This is the first book I have read in this series but it can be read as a standalone easily enough. Also, it’s the first time I have this author but I look forward to the next book in this series.
Blurb :
Discover a dazzlingly witty new whodunnit from India’s answer to Agatha Christie — CWA Dagger-shortlisted author Meeti Shroff-Shah!
Mystery novelist Radhi Zaveri has a new job, teaching spoiled kids at Mumbai’s prestigious North Star High School.
But, little does she suspect, things are about to veer wildly off-syllabus . . .
When fiery teacher Ms Venus is found slumped across her desk, the school insist she died of natural causes.
But Radhi’s not convinced. The Ms Venus she knew was in rude health, quite literally, stirring up drama and discord at every turn.
What if someone — a disgruntled parent, a disgraced ‘D’ student — decided to silence her acid tongue for good?
And the last person to clash with Ms Venus is mysteriously missing . . .
Can Radhi piece it all together — before the killer’s ruthless red pen strikes again?
If you love Faith Martin, Richard Osman, Vaseem Khan, Ian Moore, Shamini Flint or Agatha Christie, you’ll adore this classic mystery with a modern twist — brimming with red herrings, quirky characters and Golden Age flair, and set against the opulent backdrop of Mumbai’s Temple Hill.
**Shroff-Shah’s acclaimed Temple Hill Mysteries have been shortlisted for the CWA Whodunnit Dagger 2025, People’s Book Prize 2025, Times of India Author Awards 2023, and longlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger 2022.**
THE SLEUTH
Writer and traveller Radhi returns home to Mumbai’s posh Temple Hill after spending years living in New York City, in search of inspiration and a salve for her broken heart. To the world it seems she has it all. But little do they know that she hasn’t written a word in more than a year, that she is devastated at the sudden disappearance of her American lover and that she is still haunted by her parents’ death, which happened almost two decades ago and for which, she holds herself responsible.
THE SETTING
Fictitious Temple Hill is a quiet and privileged neighbourhood in Mumbai, located by the Arabian Sea. It comprises four sun-dappled slopes that lead up to the main road. Wide streets are lined with gulmohar trees in flaming reds and sunny yellows. The area still retains an old-world charm, dotted with small parks and little galleries, interspersed with tiny florists, cafes and confectionary shops. And situated amid all these gentle trappings of everyday life are the five ancient Jain temples that give Temple Hill its name.
![Profile Image for Padmajha [PJ] Me and My Bookshelf.](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1716366774i/12703387._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
October 21, 2025
The Mumbai School for Murder by Meeti Shroff-Shah is an engaging and clever murder mystery set in a prestigious Mumbai school. The story perfectly balances suspense, wit, and emotion, making it both entertaining and deeply relatable.
Radhi, the protagonist, is back in Mumbai after years in the U.S., working as a part time teacher at The North Star School. She takes up the job only to help her niece’s admission but soon finds herself caught in the middle of a murder investigation when Ms. Venus, the head of the English Department, is found dead.
The storyline is smart, unpredictable, and full of layered characters. Every suspect, from the stern Ms. Fernandes to the secretive Ms. Savant and the reputation-obsessed Kambles, Lily, Bakshi, add intrigue to the story. Everyone seems to have a motive, and the author keeps readers guessing till the very end. The final twist was truly jaw-dropping and completely unexpected.
What makes this mystery even more enjoyable is Radhi herself. Her mix of intelligence, humor, and vulnerability makes her a refreshing lead. Her way of solving the case is unique and realistic, and her inner thoughts bring warmth and personality to the investigation. I also loved the glimpses into her personal life, which gave the story emotional depth beyond the crime plot.
As someone working in academics, I found the depiction of staff politics, hidden affairs, and student drama authentic. It felt like stepping back into a real school environment. The author captures the gossip, the tension, and the unspoken hierarchies perfectly.
The writing is sharp and vivid, painting a lively picture of Mumbai’s elite school culture and its hidden cracks. The pacing dips slightly in a few places, but the humor, atmosphere, and strong character writing make up for it.
This is the third book in the series, and while it can be read as a standalone, I did feel that reading the earlier books would have helped me understand some character dynamics better. That said, it stands strong on its own with a satisfying mystery and plenty of charm.
Meeti Shroff-Shah’s writing, engaging plot and, the way she brings characters full to life has made me want to read the previous books in this series.
If you enjoy classic whodunits, strong female leads, and mysteries set against Indian backdrops, this is a delightful read that will keep you hooked till the last page.
Radhi, the protagonist, is back in Mumbai after years in the U.S., working as a part time teacher at The North Star School. She takes up the job only to help her niece’s admission but soon finds herself caught in the middle of a murder investigation when Ms. Venus, the head of the English Department, is found dead.
The storyline is smart, unpredictable, and full of layered characters. Every suspect, from the stern Ms. Fernandes to the secretive Ms. Savant and the reputation-obsessed Kambles, Lily, Bakshi, add intrigue to the story. Everyone seems to have a motive, and the author keeps readers guessing till the very end. The final twist was truly jaw-dropping and completely unexpected.
What makes this mystery even more enjoyable is Radhi herself. Her mix of intelligence, humor, and vulnerability makes her a refreshing lead. Her way of solving the case is unique and realistic, and her inner thoughts bring warmth and personality to the investigation. I also loved the glimpses into her personal life, which gave the story emotional depth beyond the crime plot.
As someone working in academics, I found the depiction of staff politics, hidden affairs, and student drama authentic. It felt like stepping back into a real school environment. The author captures the gossip, the tension, and the unspoken hierarchies perfectly.
The writing is sharp and vivid, painting a lively picture of Mumbai’s elite school culture and its hidden cracks. The pacing dips slightly in a few places, but the humor, atmosphere, and strong character writing make up for it.
This is the third book in the series, and while it can be read as a standalone, I did feel that reading the earlier books would have helped me understand some character dynamics better. That said, it stands strong on its own with a satisfying mystery and plenty of charm.
Meeti Shroff-Shah’s writing, engaging plot and, the way she brings characters full to life has made me want to read the previous books in this series.
If you enjoy classic whodunits, strong female leads, and mysteries set against Indian backdrops, this is a delightful read that will keep you hooked till the last page.
October 17, 2025
The blurb
Ms Venus is found dead at her desk, the school tries to claim it was natural causes, but Radhi isn't convinced. Ms Venus was a famous writer of poetry who had made enemies: a junior English teacher, the school's owners, the school's head, students that she had reported for misdemeanours, and parents of children who had misbehaved. Ms Venus had high moral standards and would not hesitate to report wrong-doing. In addition, the person who found Ms Venus' body reported that her face was bright - a sign of cyanide poisoning. Ms Venus also appears to have left Radhi a clue scrawled across a book of her poetry which Radhi had asked to sign.
Meanwhile, Soam Mehta, one of the students Ms Venus had reported for vaping in school, who subsequently lost his role as school sports captain as a result, has gone missing. Is this a sign of a guilty conscience? Or could Soam be so distraught he has taken his own life? Or, alternatively, could Soam have seen something on the night Ms Venus died?
Radhi almost has too many suspects as she investigates Ms Venus' death and Soam's disappearance. But she doggedly follows the truth, uncovering other secrets along the way.
This is the third book to feature Radhi, I hadn't read the others but this was very easy to read as a standalone. It was easy to read, engrossing, and shone a different light (yet again) on contemporary life in India for a modern woman. I would definitely read more in this series.
Available on Kindle Unlimited.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Writer and traveller Radhi Zaveri returns home to Mumbai’s posh Temple Hill after spending years living in New York City, in search of inspiration and a salve for her broken heart. To the world it seems she has it all. But little do they know that she hasn’t written a word in more than a year, that she is devastated at the sudden disappearance of her American lover and that she is still haunted by her parents’ death, which happened almost two decades ago and for which, she holds herself responsible.
Ms Venus is found dead at her desk, the school tries to claim it was natural causes, but Radhi isn't convinced. Ms Venus was a famous writer of poetry who had made enemies: a junior English teacher, the school's owners, the school's head, students that she had reported for misdemeanours, and parents of children who had misbehaved. Ms Venus had high moral standards and would not hesitate to report wrong-doing. In addition, the person who found Ms Venus' body reported that her face was bright - a sign of cyanide poisoning. Ms Venus also appears to have left Radhi a clue scrawled across a book of her poetry which Radhi had asked to sign.
Meanwhile, Soam Mehta, one of the students Ms Venus had reported for vaping in school, who subsequently lost his role as school sports captain as a result, has gone missing. Is this a sign of a guilty conscience? Or could Soam be so distraught he has taken his own life? Or, alternatively, could Soam have seen something on the night Ms Venus died?
Radhi almost has too many suspects as she investigates Ms Venus' death and Soam's disappearance. But she doggedly follows the truth, uncovering other secrets along the way.
This is the third book to feature Radhi, I hadn't read the others but this was very easy to read as a standalone. It was easy to read, engrossing, and shone a different light (yet again) on contemporary life in India for a modern woman. I would definitely read more in this series.
Available on Kindle Unlimited.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
October 25, 2025
The 3rd in The Temple Hill mystery series and although always worth reading previous books for context this can easily be read as a stand alone, as I did. Welcome to North Star High School in the fictional wealthy suburb of Temple Hill in Mumbai. It is a private school with the strictest educational standards and even siblings of existing students are not guaranteed entry. A well written and enjoyable cosy crime and if you like your Indian food be prepared to salivate!
Briefly, Radhika Zaveri ‘Radhi’ is waiting for the publication of her first crime fiction book and meantime is working part time in the English Department at North Star. With an eclectic collection of other teachers she finds herself drummed in to help with the school production of a play. It has a controversial theme about planning decisions on so called green fields. Some teachers are unhappy about it and there is pressure from above to mellow the tone. In the midst of this one of the teachers is found dead. Accepted as a heart attack but Radhi isn’t satisfied and starts pestering the police detective in charge. Then a student goes missing!
Radhi is a fascinating character. She comes from a wealthy family but both parents were killed in an accident. She feels responsible for their deaths and guilty that she has been living in America and not supporting her remaining family. I’ve spent a bit of time in Mumbai and this book really did take me back there, one of my favourite places I’ve visited. A good storyline full of secrets and corruption, and a little romance. An enjoyable and entertaining read.
Briefly, Radhika Zaveri ‘Radhi’ is waiting for the publication of her first crime fiction book and meantime is working part time in the English Department at North Star. With an eclectic collection of other teachers she finds herself drummed in to help with the school production of a play. It has a controversial theme about planning decisions on so called green fields. Some teachers are unhappy about it and there is pressure from above to mellow the tone. In the midst of this one of the teachers is found dead. Accepted as a heart attack but Radhi isn’t satisfied and starts pestering the police detective in charge. Then a student goes missing!
Radhi is a fascinating character. She comes from a wealthy family but both parents were killed in an accident. She feels responsible for their deaths and guilty that she has been living in America and not supporting her remaining family. I’ve spent a bit of time in Mumbai and this book really did take me back there, one of my favourite places I’ve visited. A good storyline full of secrets and corruption, and a little romance. An enjoyable and entertaining read.
January 25, 2026
This is the third in the series and I haven’t read the previous two but that didn’t really prevent me from understanding the situations that exist, especially since there’s one reveal about a past incident that happens in this book itself.
Our protagonist Radhi has taken a temporary position in the English department at her old school. It’s supposed to be a means to an end, a way to grease the way for her niece to get admission into a hard-to-get-in school. This puts her in the middle of chaos that starts almost as the book does. Soon one teacher is found dead and curiosity forces or leading lady to become a part of the investigation.
The central protagonist is not a perfect person. She is extremely flawed and the concept of infidelity is very casually accepted into the narrative -this last part is a little hard to be okay with, but it works as part of the story.
I could have guessed the culprit, but the way the story unfolds, the reader is constantly faced with new data points and guessing takes a back seat.
The food descriptions are definitely a bonus. Especially since everything was vegetarian ( a rarity in the kind of books I read) , so I could actually imagine what it might taste like!
The language – both the narrative style and the conversational one seemed natural and reading was straightforward. I wish I had tried the previous books as well. But I’m glad I gave this a shot.
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of the genre and would love to try the next if I get the chance.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
Our protagonist Radhi has taken a temporary position in the English department at her old school. It’s supposed to be a means to an end, a way to grease the way for her niece to get admission into a hard-to-get-in school. This puts her in the middle of chaos that starts almost as the book does. Soon one teacher is found dead and curiosity forces or leading lady to become a part of the investigation.
The central protagonist is not a perfect person. She is extremely flawed and the concept of infidelity is very casually accepted into the narrative -this last part is a little hard to be okay with, but it works as part of the story.
I could have guessed the culprit, but the way the story unfolds, the reader is constantly faced with new data points and guessing takes a back seat.
The food descriptions are definitely a bonus. Especially since everything was vegetarian ( a rarity in the kind of books I read) , so I could actually imagine what it might taste like!
The language – both the narrative style and the conversational one seemed natural and reading was straightforward. I wish I had tried the previous books as well. But I’m glad I gave this a shot.
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of the genre and would love to try the next if I get the chance.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
March 27, 2026
THE MUMBAI SCHOOL FOR MURDER - MEETI SHROFF SHAH
Radhi Zaveri is a mystery novelist but has taken a part time job teaching creative writing to rich spoiled kids at Mumbai's prestigious North Star High School.
When fiery teacher Ms Venus is found slumped across her desk , the school insists it's due to natural causes but Radhi is not convinced as Ms Venus had a flair to stir drama and discord.
Who could be behind her death a disgruntled parent, a disgraced D student or the last person who saw her but he too is now missing?
Can Radhi figure it out before the killer strikes again?
.
.
This is an entertaining murder mystery which is very well and cleverly written amidst a unique setting of an affluent Mumbai School.
The setting, the plot and the mystery itself along with Radhi's personal journey has been wonderfully balanced keeping me engaged and guessing throughout.
I didn't anticipate the killer and when all clues are finally revealed it all made sense in the end.
For me reading this book was even more relatable and enjoyable as I too live in South Mumbai and being a parent to an 11 yr old with so called school politics ever so rampant it was quite relatable.
Apart from this Meeti has mentioned quite a bit of Jainism in her story and being a Jain myself it did struck a chord.
and who could forget the shoes stores ( HABIT , etc) along Warden Road ( iykyk).
This was my first time reading her book but I and definitely looking forward to reading more by her in future.
Radhi Zaveri is a mystery novelist but has taken a part time job teaching creative writing to rich spoiled kids at Mumbai's prestigious North Star High School.
When fiery teacher Ms Venus is found slumped across her desk , the school insists it's due to natural causes but Radhi is not convinced as Ms Venus had a flair to stir drama and discord.
Who could be behind her death a disgruntled parent, a disgraced D student or the last person who saw her but he too is now missing?
Can Radhi figure it out before the killer strikes again?
.
.
This is an entertaining murder mystery which is very well and cleverly written amidst a unique setting of an affluent Mumbai School.
The setting, the plot and the mystery itself along with Radhi's personal journey has been wonderfully balanced keeping me engaged and guessing throughout.
I didn't anticipate the killer and when all clues are finally revealed it all made sense in the end.
For me reading this book was even more relatable and enjoyable as I too live in South Mumbai and being a parent to an 11 yr old with so called school politics ever so rampant it was quite relatable.
Apart from this Meeti has mentioned quite a bit of Jainism in her story and being a Jain myself it did struck a chord.
and who could forget the shoes stores ( HABIT , etc) along Warden Road ( iykyk).
This was my first time reading her book but I and definitely looking forward to reading more by her in future.
October 15, 2025
Radhi Zaveri has been convinced to teach creative writing at a local prestigious North Star school in Temple Hill and is actually enjoying the lessons more than she thought. The politics between staff however, a little less so although she's intrigued by the dynamics between members even before a firebrand of a teacher, Ms Venus, is found dead at her desk. At first it's not deemed suspicious as she wasn't young, but things others say to Radhi don't add up and she convinces the detective to look at the possibility of poison.
The red herrings and clues are carefully interwoven such that you are hard pressed to guess both the perpetrator and the reason and even how they managed it until towards the very end. There are also family dynamics to navigate as everyone wants their child to be selected to go to North Star and the pressure on the children to do well is immense.
This was actually the first book I read in the Temple Hill Mystery series and I've gone back and read all the others immediately - not because you need to for this book, just because I enjoyed it so much. A word of warning though, there is some wonderful food discussed throughout and if you're a big foodie, chances are you will leave the book hungry for more than just the next in the series!
Thanks to Joffe for this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The red herrings and clues are carefully interwoven such that you are hard pressed to guess both the perpetrator and the reason and even how they managed it until towards the very end. There are also family dynamics to navigate as everyone wants their child to be selected to go to North Star and the pressure on the children to do well is immense.
This was actually the first book I read in the Temple Hill Mystery series and I've gone back and read all the others immediately - not because you need to for this book, just because I enjoyed it so much. A word of warning though, there is some wonderful food discussed throughout and if you're a big foodie, chances are you will leave the book hungry for more than just the next in the series!
Thanks to Joffe for this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 6, 2025
4.5 stars
This is apparently the third book in the Temple Hill murder series, which I didn't realise when I first started reading. However, apart from a few references to a previous case and an already harried relationship with her local constabulary, this book easily stand alone as its own story. Set in the prestigious North Star Academy, a private school for some of Mumbai's most elite families, the tragic and sudden loss of one of their most outspoken teachers leads the protagonist Radhi through a maze of questions and dark concerns. Did Ms. Venus truly die of natural causes or was she murdered and now someone is getting away with it? Radhi will use her skills as a creative writer and amateur sleuth to get to the bottom of this mess, no matter whose toes - politicians or otherwise - she has to step on along the way.
I like Radhi as a character - deeply flawed and therefore human, with an abiding love for her family, the written word, her students, and justice. Reading this made me really want to go back and read the previous books in the series before any more of these Temple Hill stories come out!
Thanks to NetGalley, author Meeti Shroff-Shah, and Joffe Books for granting me access to a free digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.
This is apparently the third book in the Temple Hill murder series, which I didn't realise when I first started reading. However, apart from a few references to a previous case and an already harried relationship with her local constabulary, this book easily stand alone as its own story. Set in the prestigious North Star Academy, a private school for some of Mumbai's most elite families, the tragic and sudden loss of one of their most outspoken teachers leads the protagonist Radhi through a maze of questions and dark concerns. Did Ms. Venus truly die of natural causes or was she murdered and now someone is getting away with it? Radhi will use her skills as a creative writer and amateur sleuth to get to the bottom of this mess, no matter whose toes - politicians or otherwise - she has to step on along the way.
I like Radhi as a character - deeply flawed and therefore human, with an abiding love for her family, the written word, her students, and justice. Reading this made me really want to go back and read the previous books in the series before any more of these Temple Hill stories come out!
Thanks to NetGalley, author Meeti Shroff-Shah, and Joffe Books for granting me access to a free digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.
November 13, 2025
I’m really glad I got to read this book set in Mumbai it made the experience more special and personal for me since I’m from the city myself.
The story follows Radhi Zaveri, a mystery writer who finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation at one of Mumbai’s elite schools. What starts as a temporary teaching gig quickly turns into something much darker when a respected teacher is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Radhi’s instincts kick in, and she begins to dig deeper, uncovering secrets, lies, and plenty of hidden motives.
I liked how the book balanced the murder mystery with Radhi’s personal journey. Her emotional struggles, family dynamics, and past relationships made her feel real and relatable. The writing is sharp and engaging, and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. I honestly didn’t see the twist coming.
The school setting was also very well done it captured the pressure, politics, and image-obsession that often exist in such institutions. The characters around Radhi, from staff to students, were interesting.
This book reminded me of classic whodunits but with a fresh, modern Indian twist. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from Meeti Shroff-Shah especially in the Temple Hill Mystery series.
The story follows Radhi Zaveri, a mystery writer who finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation at one of Mumbai’s elite schools. What starts as a temporary teaching gig quickly turns into something much darker when a respected teacher is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Radhi’s instincts kick in, and she begins to dig deeper, uncovering secrets, lies, and plenty of hidden motives.
I liked how the book balanced the murder mystery with Radhi’s personal journey. Her emotional struggles, family dynamics, and past relationships made her feel real and relatable. The writing is sharp and engaging, and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. I honestly didn’t see the twist coming.
The school setting was also very well done it captured the pressure, politics, and image-obsession that often exist in such institutions. The characters around Radhi, from staff to students, were interesting.
This book reminded me of classic whodunits but with a fresh, modern Indian twist. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from Meeti Shroff-Shah especially in the Temple Hill Mystery series.
June 17, 2026
In The Mumbai School for Murder by Meeti Shroff-Shah, Radhika Zaveri, a published author, takes up the position of guest faculty at the prestigious school where her niece is currently studying. She joins the elite school to conduct a creative writing workshop, but ends up investigating a murder case, one which the school seems to insist is a natural cause.
The Mumbai School for Murder is a very entertaining read which hooks you right from the beginning. The author makes you really invested in all the characters, and there is not a dull moment in the book.
I absolutely loved Radhika Zaveri, she is interesting, messy, witty and flawed but real. I loved visualising the story through her eyes. The unlikely duo of Radhi & Inspector Shinde was something that I enjoyed. Their dynamic was interesting and so refreshing.
This is the third book in the Temple Hill Mystery series, but it can be totally read as a standalone. I absolutely adored reading this book and can’t wait to catch up on the earlier books in the series. I have read an excerpt of the previous book in the series, and it looks as promising as this one.
This book is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and those looking to dip their toes into murder mysteries with Indian settings.
The Mumbai School for Murder is a very entertaining read which hooks you right from the beginning. The author makes you really invested in all the characters, and there is not a dull moment in the book.
I absolutely loved Radhika Zaveri, she is interesting, messy, witty and flawed but real. I loved visualising the story through her eyes. The unlikely duo of Radhi & Inspector Shinde was something that I enjoyed. Their dynamic was interesting and so refreshing.
This is the third book in the Temple Hill Mystery series, but it can be totally read as a standalone. I absolutely adored reading this book and can’t wait to catch up on the earlier books in the series. I have read an excerpt of the previous book in the series, and it looks as promising as this one.
This book is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and those looking to dip their toes into murder mysteries with Indian settings.
September 18, 2025
***Advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
When mystery novelist Radhi Zaveri takes up a teaching post at the prestigious North Star High School in Mumbai, she expects spoiled pupils and drama. What she doesn’t expect is a murder. When fiery teacher Ms Venus is found dead, supposedly from natural causes, Radhi suspects foul play. The last person to cross Ms Venus is missing, and Radhi must navigate school politics, rich parents, and red herrings to find out what really happened. 
I thought this was a solid read. The setting is vivid, the school environment full of character, and Radhi is a flawed but compelling protagonist whose doubts and instincts keep the tension alive. Some clues are obvious too early, which slightly reduced the mystery’s punch, but the author keeps enough surprise in reserve to make the journey enjoyable.
If you enjoy cosy whodunnits where the detective is amateur but determined, this will appeal to fans of Murder Mystery at Middle School or A Many-Splintered Thing by Tessa Hadley. Also a good pick for readers who love Agatha Christie-style puzzles in modern, exotic settings.
When mystery novelist Radhi Zaveri takes up a teaching post at the prestigious North Star High School in Mumbai, she expects spoiled pupils and drama. What she doesn’t expect is a murder. When fiery teacher Ms Venus is found dead, supposedly from natural causes, Radhi suspects foul play. The last person to cross Ms Venus is missing, and Radhi must navigate school politics, rich parents, and red herrings to find out what really happened. 
I thought this was a solid read. The setting is vivid, the school environment full of character, and Radhi is a flawed but compelling protagonist whose doubts and instincts keep the tension alive. Some clues are obvious too early, which slightly reduced the mystery’s punch, but the author keeps enough surprise in reserve to make the journey enjoyable.
If you enjoy cosy whodunnits where the detective is amateur but determined, this will appeal to fans of Murder Mystery at Middle School or A Many-Splintered Thing by Tessa Hadley. Also a good pick for readers who love Agatha Christie-style puzzles in modern, exotic settings.
October 30, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe books for the ARC, my review is voluntary.
Author and divorcee Radhi Zaveri has returned to her home in India and is now teaching writing workshops at Mumbai’s prestigious North Star High School. Rhadi's colleague, Miss Venus, was found dead at her desk. The school claims it was a heart attack, but Rhadi isn't convinced. The outspoken Miss Venus had plenty of potential enemies among the staff, parents, students and wider community.
This is the third book in the series, and the mystery holds up on its own. The author also provides a recap of key details about the characters from the previous instalments.
The book features a cast of vibrant characters, including the perfectly imperfect main protagonist. Radhi's flaws -like her weakness for alcohol and nicotine - alongside her unresolved grief make her feel genuine and even more likable.
The author vividly captures the vibrancy of Mumbai through colourful and detailed descriptions of its cuisine, customs, attire, and locations.
This book will appeal to those who like Robert Thorogood, but are looking for a novel and enjoyable setting
Author and divorcee Radhi Zaveri has returned to her home in India and is now teaching writing workshops at Mumbai’s prestigious North Star High School. Rhadi's colleague, Miss Venus, was found dead at her desk. The school claims it was a heart attack, but Rhadi isn't convinced. The outspoken Miss Venus had plenty of potential enemies among the staff, parents, students and wider community.
This is the third book in the series, and the mystery holds up on its own. The author also provides a recap of key details about the characters from the previous instalments.
The book features a cast of vibrant characters, including the perfectly imperfect main protagonist. Radhi's flaws -like her weakness for alcohol and nicotine - alongside her unresolved grief make her feel genuine and even more likable.
The author vividly captures the vibrancy of Mumbai through colourful and detailed descriptions of its cuisine, customs, attire, and locations.
This book will appeal to those who like Robert Thorogood, but are looking for a novel and enjoyable setting
December 15, 2025
This compelling story is so rich in cultural detail, vivid characters with their personal struggles, and the immersive setting of an elite school in the fictional Temple Hill district of Mumbai, India, that it almost conceals the solid mystery structure with its clues and suspects. The clues are there, however, well-hidden in the whirl of activities and conversations as the main character, Radhi Zaveri, gets her bearings in her new job teaching a writing class at the school.
I enjoyed the chance to visit the vibrant Indian setting in my imagination. Radhi is an appealing protagonist. Wisely, Meeti Shroff-Shah has given Radhi friends at the police station and the newspaper, so her role as an amateur sleuth progresses in a plausible way. Radhi herself also grows as a character during this story. Readers should note that there is a helpful glossary of Indian terms (food, clothing, culture-specific items) at the end of the book. I am going to have to go back and read the first two in the series now! Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book.
I enjoyed the chance to visit the vibrant Indian setting in my imagination. Radhi is an appealing protagonist. Wisely, Meeti Shroff-Shah has given Radhi friends at the police station and the newspaper, so her role as an amateur sleuth progresses in a plausible way. Radhi herself also grows as a character during this story. Readers should note that there is a helpful glossary of Indian terms (food, clothing, culture-specific items) at the end of the book. I am going to have to go back and read the first two in the series now! Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book.
October 20, 2025
The classic murder mystery with a vibrant, intoxicating Mumbai twist!
Radhi is back at school...this time as a substitute teacher. She's only recently returned to Mumbai after living in the USA for years and she's reconnecting with her family and the city. She only accepted the job at the prestigious school to help her niece's application to the same school along. She did not expect to end up involved in another murder!
The victim was an intriguing mix of mentor, teacher and protector. As the story unfurls we see the intriguing cast of suspects grow. There were a host of characters who had had a run in with the victim, but who had the motive and opportunity?
There were plenty twists and turns in the plot and I loved getting to know Radhi. I really felt like I was there in Mumbai with her, the description of area and the sights and smells were so evocative. The pacing is a bit slower than most mysteries I've read recently, which is no bad thing. You get the time to take everything in, mull over the clues and learn more about Radhi's life in general.
I hadn't read any of the previous books in this series but I didn't feel lost and I had more than enough information to help me fit into the world and didn't feel that I had missed anything too necessary to understand the characters.
Radhi is back at school...this time as a substitute teacher. She's only recently returned to Mumbai after living in the USA for years and she's reconnecting with her family and the city. She only accepted the job at the prestigious school to help her niece's application to the same school along. She did not expect to end up involved in another murder!
The victim was an intriguing mix of mentor, teacher and protector. As the story unfurls we see the intriguing cast of suspects grow. There were a host of characters who had had a run in with the victim, but who had the motive and opportunity?
There were plenty twists and turns in the plot and I loved getting to know Radhi. I really felt like I was there in Mumbai with her, the description of area and the sights and smells were so evocative. The pacing is a bit slower than most mysteries I've read recently, which is no bad thing. You get the time to take everything in, mull over the clues and learn more about Radhi's life in general.
I hadn't read any of the previous books in this series but I didn't feel lost and I had more than enough information to help me fit into the world and didn't feel that I had missed anything too necessary to understand the characters.
October 14, 2025
Brilliant ! A superbly written whodunit with all the twists and turns of an Agatha Christie
The murder mystery is set around an elite school in modern Mumbai. The school is more concerned with its image and ratings as the best in India so that when the head of literature is found dead, they want a quick cover-up and no scandal. The renowned novelist Radhi Zaveri is helping at the school and is suspicious of the death and begins to investigate. She quickly runs into a wall of conspiracy as the MD of the school and local politicians try to hush her up. The local police inspector, whom Radhi has helped before, is also stymied by his own superiors. Radhi needs all her cunning and guile to crack the case. This is amidst a cleverly woven backstory of Radhi's own problems.
This is a great story and is full of the colours and flavours of the Indian culture, and the masterly descriptive takes you to the subcontinent to smell the masala chai and taste the methi puri.
I am looking forward to reading more from Meeti Shroff-Shah.
The murder mystery is set around an elite school in modern Mumbai. The school is more concerned with its image and ratings as the best in India so that when the head of literature is found dead, they want a quick cover-up and no scandal. The renowned novelist Radhi Zaveri is helping at the school and is suspicious of the death and begins to investigate. She quickly runs into a wall of conspiracy as the MD of the school and local politicians try to hush her up. The local police inspector, whom Radhi has helped before, is also stymied by his own superiors. Radhi needs all her cunning and guile to crack the case. This is amidst a cleverly woven backstory of Radhi's own problems.
This is a great story and is full of the colours and flavours of the Indian culture, and the masterly descriptive takes you to the subcontinent to smell the masala chai and taste the methi puri.
I am looking forward to reading more from Meeti Shroff-Shah.
October 26, 2025
I can see why this author has been shortlisted for a CWA Dagger, the Oscars of crime fiction. This is the first book I've read, and despite it being the third of the series, didn't struggle to catch up to the storylines of the past. Because I enjoyed this so much I will go back and read the others though.
Set in India among the super rich for whom normal life and rules dont tend to apply, how will they react when one of the teachers is found murdered.
Thats exactly the dilemma faced here. It is Radha who thinks the death is suspicious and looks into it more. I loved the setting of the posh school and the different rules and expectations of both the culture and the super wealthy.
The setting is wonderfully written and easily transported me which shows the authors love of their country.
This falls more on the cozy end of the spectrum but it made it no less gripping and page turning and I couldn't wait to find out what happened.
Set in India among the super rich for whom normal life and rules dont tend to apply, how will they react when one of the teachers is found murdered.
Thats exactly the dilemma faced here. It is Radha who thinks the death is suspicious and looks into it more. I loved the setting of the posh school and the different rules and expectations of both the culture and the super wealthy.
The setting is wonderfully written and easily transported me which shows the authors love of their country.
This falls more on the cozy end of the spectrum but it made it no less gripping and page turning and I couldn't wait to find out what happened.
November 27, 2025
Radhi Zaveri is a mystery writer who is teaching at North Star High School.
NorthStar is a prestigious school in Mumbai and a majority of the pupils are of the spoiled variety .
This doesn’t dampen Radhi’s enthusiasm, although she is a complex character she is enjoying teaching the students .
When one of the teachers Ms Venus is found dead at her desk , the school insist that her death was from natural causes .
Radhi doesn’t believe this she knows Ms Venus was a healthy woman and does not think she would suffer an episode to cause her sudden death.
She decides to take matters in to her own hands , and begins to investigate the life and death of the fiery Ms Venus .
In doing so secrets and lies come into the open .
Can the culprit be found before there’s another death?
I really enjoyed this book .
Loved the location and the characters.
A different cosy mystery read .
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books .
NorthStar is a prestigious school in Mumbai and a majority of the pupils are of the spoiled variety .
This doesn’t dampen Radhi’s enthusiasm, although she is a complex character she is enjoying teaching the students .
When one of the teachers Ms Venus is found dead at her desk , the school insist that her death was from natural causes .
Radhi doesn’t believe this she knows Ms Venus was a healthy woman and does not think she would suffer an episode to cause her sudden death.
She decides to take matters in to her own hands , and begins to investigate the life and death of the fiery Ms Venus .
In doing so secrets and lies come into the open .
Can the culprit be found before there’s another death?
I really enjoyed this book .
Loved the location and the characters.
A different cosy mystery read .
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books .
March 17, 2026
When I started this book, I had so many expectations, mainly because the blurb already had me invested and this book...It did NOT disappoint at all. I mean, it was literally everything I expected: mystery, suspense, world-building, character development, aesthetics, everything was on point. It has that dark academia aesthetic, the way the school is described and the whole aura just pulls you right in.
All the characters had their roles, their part in the bigger picture, and I loved how everything tied together. The FMC was so real, not perfect (far from it), she had that flawsome energy.
I really liked how the book portrays society as it is with all the judgement, drama, gossip, and orthodox mindset.
All in all, this book is a complete package. The kind of read that keeps you locked in and makes you want to finish it in one sitting because it just keeps getting more and more interesting.
All the characters had their roles, their part in the bigger picture, and I loved how everything tied together. The FMC was so real, not perfect (far from it), she had that flawsome energy.
I really liked how the book portrays society as it is with all the judgement, drama, gossip, and orthodox mindset.
All in all, this book is a complete package. The kind of read that keeps you locked in and makes you want to finish it in one sitting because it just keeps getting more and more interesting.
October 14, 2025
Brilliant! I have read all 3 books in this series, was bowled over by the first, the second was ok (4 rather than 5 *)and now this is right back up to the standard of the first! The murder mystery element of the story is as you’d expect from a thriller writer, a huge nod to Agatha Christie with a decent plot and some red herrings. Where this writer stands out is the cultural background and education which seeps out of every page. I knew nothing really of the lives of the rich in India, their lifestyle , outlook attitudes etc, nor did I know anything of Jainism. Now I really feel better informed and have been spurred on to find out more. However, that’s just me , this is actually a cracking mystery with a sympathetic detective ( in this case mystery writer) in Radhi, a pompous policeman and some unsavoury side characters.A great read and I’d happily read it again!
April 24, 2026
The vibe of this book is incredible. It’s set in a posh, elite Mumbai school, and you can practically feel the gossip simmering in the staffroom and the tension behind those polished, "perfect" smiles of the entitled parents.
I absolutely loved the main character, Radhi Zaveri. She’s a mystery novelist turned teacher, but she isn't some perfect, untouchable hero—she’s messy, flawed, and dealing with her own trauma, which makes her feel so real. Her "love-hate" dynamic with Inspector Shinde is hilarious and adds such a fun spark to the investigation.
It’s a classic whodunnit but with more bite and humor. I’m usually pretty good at spotting the killer, but the twist at the end was a total jaw-dropper. It’s fast-paced, addictive, and proves that Indian crime fiction is currently in its prime. I’m already planning to go back and read the first two books in the series!
I absolutely loved the main character, Radhi Zaveri. She’s a mystery novelist turned teacher, but she isn't some perfect, untouchable hero—she’s messy, flawed, and dealing with her own trauma, which makes her feel so real. Her "love-hate" dynamic with Inspector Shinde is hilarious and adds such a fun spark to the investigation.
It’s a classic whodunnit but with more bite and humor. I’m usually pretty good at spotting the killer, but the twist at the end was a total jaw-dropper. It’s fast-paced, addictive, and proves that Indian crime fiction is currently in its prime. I’m already planning to go back and read the first two books in the series!
October 10, 2025
This was a very entertaining read. It's set in a posh school in Mumbai where a teacher is found dead. The police write it off as a natural death but Radhi is convinced otherwise. The teacher had ruffled many feathers so she decides to do her own investigation.
I loved the setting and the insight into how much pressure is on students to excel all for the family name and reputation. Radhi is an interesting character, determined, independent but carrying a lot of guilt regarding past events. I particularly enjoyed how she wrapped the police detective around her finger to ensure the investigation continued, albeit unofficially. I found this really easy to read and flew through it in a day. The reveal of the killer was a surprise to me as I was so wrong!
I loved the setting and the insight into how much pressure is on students to excel all for the family name and reputation. Radhi is an interesting character, determined, independent but carrying a lot of guilt regarding past events. I particularly enjoyed how she wrapped the police detective around her finger to ensure the investigation continued, albeit unofficially. I found this really easy to read and flew through it in a day. The reveal of the killer was a surprise to me as I was so wrong!
October 14, 2025
This is the third in the Temple Hill series but stands well alone.
The central character is Rhadi, newly arrived at the North Star school to teach creative writing, whose day job is crafting mystery novels and who has previously been involved in looking into two other murders.
When another teacher, the outspoken Ms Venus, is found dead, Rhadi is not convinced by the popular belief that she died from natural causes, and tries to discover the truth of what really happened.
The book is especially likeable for the detailed and interesting background to Rhadi and also the interaction with the other main characters, and the twists and turns as the plot develops.
I very much look forward to enjoying reading more of the series.
The central character is Rhadi, newly arrived at the North Star school to teach creative writing, whose day job is crafting mystery novels and who has previously been involved in looking into two other murders.
When another teacher, the outspoken Ms Venus, is found dead, Rhadi is not convinced by the popular belief that she died from natural causes, and tries to discover the truth of what really happened.
The book is especially likeable for the detailed and interesting background to Rhadi and also the interaction with the other main characters, and the twists and turns as the plot develops.
I very much look forward to enjoying reading more of the series.
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