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The Masala Chai Mystery Club
Suspects abound when a much-despised neighbor is killed, perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building and Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club.
Retired librarian Neeti Shah was hoping for a restful life with her chai-loving friends, but when the body of a neighbor, a childhood friend of Neeti's, turns up dead and the killer's MO is similar to that of Neeti's most recent book club read, things start to get out of control.
When Neeti hears a commotion at a neighbor's house, she finds Rohit's body sprawled across the bottom of the staircase with Agatha Christie's Dumb Witness nearby. Blackmailing his neighbors, threatening them with lawsuits, and calling them by nasty nicknames were only some of the hateful things that made him so disliked. But were they angry enough to kill?
Neeti is indebted to her old friend, and she's determined to find his killer. But she can't do it alone, so she enlists her mystery-loving friends, the Masala Chai Mystery Club, to get to the bottom of the murder.
But Neeti and her club members need to be careful. As more bodies turn up and more suspects start to appear, they'll need to find the killer before they end up in hot water!
Retired librarian Neeti Shah was hoping for a restful life with her chai-loving friends, but when the body of a neighbor, a childhood friend of Neeti's, turns up dead and the killer's MO is similar to that of Neeti's most recent book club read, things start to get out of control.
When Neeti hears a commotion at a neighbor's house, she finds Rohit's body sprawled across the bottom of the staircase with Agatha Christie's Dumb Witness nearby. Blackmailing his neighbors, threatening them with lawsuits, and calling them by nasty nicknames were only some of the hateful things that made him so disliked. But were they angry enough to kill?
Neeti is indebted to her old friend, and she's determined to find his killer. But she can't do it alone, so she enlists her mystery-loving friends, the Masala Chai Mystery Club, to get to the bottom of the murder.
But Neeti and her club members need to be careful. As more bodies turn up and more suspects start to appear, they'll need to find the killer before they end up in hot water!
336 pages, Hardcover
First published July 21, 2026
About the author
M.J. Soni
2 books48 followersMJ Soni’s heartwarming debut, the Masala Chai Mystery Club, is to be released in July 2026.
It’s a murder mystery about badass diverse women, featuring a saree-wearing amateur sleuth, warm communities, and a dash of humor, and draws upon her love of the culture and cuisine of her diverse Indian, African, and American background.
She is also the author of DEFYING APARTHEID, her part-memoir about being a doctor activist in apartheid South Africa.
Book club visits are one of my favorite things to do so feel free to get in touch.
It’s a murder mystery about badass diverse women, featuring a saree-wearing amateur sleuth, warm communities, and a dash of humor, and draws upon her love of the culture and cuisine of her diverse Indian, African, and American background.
She is also the author of DEFYING APARTHEID, her part-memoir about being a doctor activist in apartheid South Africa.
Book club visits are one of my favorite things to do so feel free to get in touch.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In this debut novel from M.J. Soni we meet Neeti Shah, a retired librarian who is finding retirement difficult. When another resident from her condominium is found dead Neeti and her fellow book club members set out to solve the case. They are aided by one detective who believes as they do that it may be murder.
I enjoyed this cosy mystery. Although it was very familiar to a number of others I have read recently, especially the nods to Agatha Christie, the characters were refreshingly different particularly Neeti herself. So, nice characters, lots of humour, an interesting mystery - all that I require for a few happy reading hours. If this continues as a series I will follow it for sure.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I enjoyed this cosy mystery. Although it was very familiar to a number of others I have read recently, especially the nods to Agatha Christie, the characters were refreshingly different particularly Neeti herself. So, nice characters, lots of humour, an interesting mystery - all that I require for a few happy reading hours. If this continues as a series I will follow it for sure.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 22, 2026
2.7 Stars
One Liner: This needed a better editor
Retired librarian Neeti Shah just wanted a peaceful life with her chai-loving friends, but when her childhood friend and neighbor ends up dead, and the killer’s MO is similar to their latest book club read, Neeti is worried.
Sure, Rohit was not popular and had a list of things people disliked about him. But who was angry enough to kill him? And why is a copy of Christie’s Dumb Witness beside his body? Neeti and her friends from the Masala Chai Mystery Club decide to investigate the case and find the killer. If only it were that easy!
The story comes in Neeti and Myra’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts
A cozy mystery with a cover and blurb like that is hard to resist. The premise and bare bones are good. No denying that.
The book starts with a hook (the murder) before introducing the main character, so we know the wait isn’t long. Chai and Christie’s Dumb Witness are the recurring elements in the book. Sadly, there are spoilers too, so if you are particular, you may want to read the other one first.
The MC is easy to like, so this went well in that way. The other POV came from the MC’s niece, who seemed a bit immature and all over the place. While it suits her current situation, it doesn’t help in empathizing with her.
Given the ethnicity, the cultural aspects are done well and integrated into the plot (just a quick note that even widows are advised not to leave their forehead empty. Instead of kumkum (not forbidden as some claim), women use vibhuti, chandan, or other colored bindis). Also, the translation of the Gayatri Mantra is a bit off. Not incorrect, but not accurate either.
There are a host of characters, but I managed to track them, even if some of them blended into one another. The HOA and community-related politics are dramatic and remind me of how messy things are in real life, too.
The mystery is decent, and though I guessed the killer, I didn’t know how and why.
However, the writing is the weakest link here. While its simplicity makes it a quick read, it doesn’t make the characters stand out (some do, but negatively) as such. Also, we get backstories for other characters and random dialogues that have no connection to the plot. Unless this will be a series set in the same gated community and features those people again, we don’t need too much information that distracts us from the plot.
I wish I could say the last few chapters were better, but sadly, there’s a lot of drama that feels more like it had to be there. It doesn’t compensate for the lack of action until then. It only makes the end look scattered.
The MC’s goodbye message to her dead friend was touching (though I guessed the past easily), but it is just the character telling us everything in a huge dialogue.
The book could have been much better with stricter editing. A debut work usually needs extra attention to make sure it delivers what is intended. Sadly, that doesn’t seem to have happened here. The repetition, random dialogue insertions, etc., weigh down the plot instead of elevating it.
The book has recipes at the end for chai masala, aloo tikki, and shortbread. That’s cool! It also has discussion questions.
To summarize, The Masala Chai Mystery Club has good bones, but the writing and execution need work.
Thank you, NetGalley and The Masala Chai Mystery Club, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheMasalaChaiMysteryClub
One Liner: This needed a better editor
Retired librarian Neeti Shah just wanted a peaceful life with her chai-loving friends, but when her childhood friend and neighbor ends up dead, and the killer’s MO is similar to their latest book club read, Neeti is worried.
Sure, Rohit was not popular and had a list of things people disliked about him. But who was angry enough to kill him? And why is a copy of Christie’s Dumb Witness beside his body? Neeti and her friends from the Masala Chai Mystery Club decide to investigate the case and find the killer. If only it were that easy!
The story comes in Neeti and Myra’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts
A cozy mystery with a cover and blurb like that is hard to resist. The premise and bare bones are good. No denying that.
The book starts with a hook (the murder) before introducing the main character, so we know the wait isn’t long. Chai and Christie’s Dumb Witness are the recurring elements in the book. Sadly, there are spoilers too, so if you are particular, you may want to read the other one first.
The MC is easy to like, so this went well in that way. The other POV came from the MC’s niece, who seemed a bit immature and all over the place. While it suits her current situation, it doesn’t help in empathizing with her.
Given the ethnicity, the cultural aspects are done well and integrated into the plot (just a quick note that even widows are advised not to leave their forehead empty. Instead of kumkum (not forbidden as some claim), women use vibhuti, chandan, or other colored bindis). Also, the translation of the Gayatri Mantra is a bit off. Not incorrect, but not accurate either.
There are a host of characters, but I managed to track them, even if some of them blended into one another. The HOA and community-related politics are dramatic and remind me of how messy things are in real life, too.
The mystery is decent, and though I guessed the killer, I didn’t know how and why.
However, the writing is the weakest link here. While its simplicity makes it a quick read, it doesn’t make the characters stand out (some do, but negatively) as such. Also, we get backstories for other characters and random dialogues that have no connection to the plot. Unless this will be a series set in the same gated community and features those people again, we don’t need too much information that distracts us from the plot.
I wish I could say the last few chapters were better, but sadly, there’s a lot of drama that feels more like it had to be there. It doesn’t compensate for the lack of action until then. It only makes the end look scattered.
The MC’s goodbye message to her dead friend was touching (though I guessed the past easily), but it is just the character telling us everything in a huge dialogue.
The book could have been much better with stricter editing. A debut work usually needs extra attention to make sure it delivers what is intended. Sadly, that doesn’t seem to have happened here. The repetition, random dialogue insertions, etc., weigh down the plot instead of elevating it.
The book has recipes at the end for chai masala, aloo tikki, and shortbread. That’s cool! It also has discussion questions.
To summarize, The Masala Chai Mystery Club has good bones, but the writing and execution need work.
Thank you, NetGalley and The Masala Chai Mystery Club, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheMasalaChaiMysteryClub
August 6, 2026
Check out all my reviews at: https:www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE MASALA CHAI MYSTERY CLUB by MJ Soni is an engaging debut cozy amateur sleuths murder mystery which features a cast of multi-cultural characters who come together to solve a murder in their HOA community with the added bonus of descriptions of mouth-watering food from around the world. This is a standalone cozy mystery, but I am hoping it will return as a series with the MCMC (Masala Chai Mystery Club) solving many more cases together into the future.
Neeti Shah has loved reading and books her entire life. She was the head librarian at her local library until she was forced into early retirement. While she feels rudderless without her job, and becoming a widow a few years ago, she does have her niece, Myra and nephew, Ved living with her and wonderful neighbors in her multi-cultural HOA.
As she sits on her porch with her best friend, they hear a terrible scream from across the street and rush over to see what is happening. Rohit, a friend from her childhood in India, lies dead at the bottom of his staircase with his wife nearby. Rohit was not well liked in their community and could be quite mean to his neighbors, but while everyone else feels it is an accident, Neeti feels the scene is not quite what it appears.
Neeti and her mystery loving neighbors form the Masala Chai Mystery Club and with the help of a local police officer begin to gather evidence to prove Rohit was murdered. Will they catch the killer before they strike again much closer to home?
I loved Neeti and her love of reading and books, “real” chai, and how she shared it and many flavorful dishes with her neighbors. As is common with a new cozy mystery cast of characters, especially in a community setting, it takes a bit to get names and descriptions untangled, but it is worth it for the rich cultural mixing pot in this neighborhood. This is a well written debut mystery plot full of red herrings and surprises that kept me guessing and changing my mind on the identity of the killer multiple times. I also enjoyed the homage to Agatha Christie’s The Dumb Witness.
This is an enjoyable cozy mystery read with a great new cast of characters and wonderful food and recipes to try and share.
THE MASALA CHAI MYSTERY CLUB by MJ Soni is an engaging debut cozy amateur sleuths murder mystery which features a cast of multi-cultural characters who come together to solve a murder in their HOA community with the added bonus of descriptions of mouth-watering food from around the world. This is a standalone cozy mystery, but I am hoping it will return as a series with the MCMC (Masala Chai Mystery Club) solving many more cases together into the future.
Neeti Shah has loved reading and books her entire life. She was the head librarian at her local library until she was forced into early retirement. While she feels rudderless without her job, and becoming a widow a few years ago, she does have her niece, Myra and nephew, Ved living with her and wonderful neighbors in her multi-cultural HOA.
As she sits on her porch with her best friend, they hear a terrible scream from across the street and rush over to see what is happening. Rohit, a friend from her childhood in India, lies dead at the bottom of his staircase with his wife nearby. Rohit was not well liked in their community and could be quite mean to his neighbors, but while everyone else feels it is an accident, Neeti feels the scene is not quite what it appears.
Neeti and her mystery loving neighbors form the Masala Chai Mystery Club and with the help of a local police officer begin to gather evidence to prove Rohit was murdered. Will they catch the killer before they strike again much closer to home?
I loved Neeti and her love of reading and books, “real” chai, and how she shared it and many flavorful dishes with her neighbors. As is common with a new cozy mystery cast of characters, especially in a community setting, it takes a bit to get names and descriptions untangled, but it is worth it for the rich cultural mixing pot in this neighborhood. This is a well written debut mystery plot full of red herrings and surprises that kept me guessing and changing my mind on the identity of the killer multiple times. I also enjoyed the homage to Agatha Christie’s The Dumb Witness.
This is an enjoyable cozy mystery read with a great new cast of characters and wonderful food and recipes to try and share.
Read
February 24, 2026I devoured this delightful cozy mystery! It is twisty and turny, with frothy chai, and sweet and savory snacks! I need more like yesterday, thank you! As an Indian American (whose mother's last name is Shah), the snacks spoke to my childhood, the chai reminded me of my ba, and I laughed out loud at Ved wanting chai (why didn't he get chai-dood [a glass of milk with a tiny drop of chai])? As a librarian, a mother, and a lover of cozy mysteries this spoke to me at every turn, if the next one has Neeti crocheting, I might think the author is channeling my life =)
#TheMasalaChaiMysteryClub #NetGalley
#TheMasalaChaiMysteryClub #NetGalley
April 11, 2026
This feel-good mystery, perfect for fans of Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series, is a great choice for a comfy, sunny weekend. Its main character Neeti, a retired librarian who finds it hard to adjust to this new chapter in her life, is suddenly thrown into a whirlwind of chaos when Rohit, her neighbour and friend from a previous chapter in her life, suddenly dies in mysterious circumstances. Nearly nobody agrees when she suggests he might have been murdered, and she's even more hard-pressed to find someone who actually feels sorry that he's dead, but Neeti feels like she owes it to Rohit to find out the truth.
The characters in this debut novel are introduced a bit haphazardly, as if being piled one on top of another, which results in a tangly mess of people to wade through right at the beginning and makes the story unnecessarily difficult to follow at first. Some of them could also either be fleshed out a bit more, in order to make them less one-dimensional, or left out altogether because they don't seem to contribute that much to the story. After a couple pages of growing pains, however, the book continues to evolve at a rather steady pace, with just enough juicy hints peppered throughout to keep you intrigued and motivated. Some of the clues, especially in the beginning, are hammered home a bit too insistently and would benefit from the "show, don't tell" rule, but the balance evens out in the second half of the book.
The atmosphere of this soft-boiled mystery made me think of the universe Louise Penny has created in her novels set in Three Pines. As far as plot twists and mystery reveals are concerned, the main culprit is not difficult to guess if you are carefully following along and have a couple of similar books under your belt. The whodunnit, however, is hardly the point of the story here, as is often the case with books of this subgenre, and mainly rounds up a lovely story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and M.J. Soni for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The characters in this debut novel are introduced a bit haphazardly, as if being piled one on top of another, which results in a tangly mess of people to wade through right at the beginning and makes the story unnecessarily difficult to follow at first. Some of them could also either be fleshed out a bit more, in order to make them less one-dimensional, or left out altogether because they don't seem to contribute that much to the story. After a couple pages of growing pains, however, the book continues to evolve at a rather steady pace, with just enough juicy hints peppered throughout to keep you intrigued and motivated. Some of the clues, especially in the beginning, are hammered home a bit too insistently and would benefit from the "show, don't tell" rule, but the balance evens out in the second half of the book.
The atmosphere of this soft-boiled mystery made me think of the universe Louise Penny has created in her novels set in Three Pines. As far as plot twists and mystery reveals are concerned, the main culprit is not difficult to guess if you are carefully following along and have a couple of similar books under your belt. The whodunnit, however, is hardly the point of the story here, as is often the case with books of this subgenre, and mainly rounds up a lovely story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and M.J. Soni for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 8, 2026
When unpopular condo community president Rohit is found dead at the foot of his stairs and his wife is far too quick to want him cremated, retired librarian Neeti Shah and her closest friends take it upon themselves to investigate. Neeti, a long-time friend of Rohit’s, knows something is amiss, but not even a message from the victim, delivered via library book, can convince the police chief of foul play—until another neighbor turns up dead. Soni aces the tricky task of juggling a large cast of characters—including the victim’s beloved dog—while planting clues that will keep readers guessing. With wit, finesse, and a nod to classic whodunits, The Masala Chai Mystery Club is irresistible.
August 15, 2026
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Neeti Shah is looking for ways to fill her time now that she is retired from the library. She is happy to spend time with her friends enjoying their masala chai, but she needs something more. She never imagined that it would be investigating a murder. The fact that parts of the crime mirrored her book club’s latest read, and that a copy of the book, Agatha Christie’s Dumb Witness near the body, made the case downright eerie.
Rohit has been her friend since their childhood in India and was now her neighbor; she has to find his killer. She knows she can’t do it alone, so the mystery-loving friends of her book club become the Masala Chai Mystery Club, and together they are determined to solve Rohit’s murder, which gets more complicated as more bodies pile up and the pool of suspects gets deeper.
Neeti Shah loved being a librarian. Books were a touchstone, and reading breathed in life. She was lost when she was forced to retire. She found joy in having her niece, Myra, and her nephew, Ved, live with her. She also had many friends in her multicultural community. Myra came to live with Neeti when she quit college and had Ved out of wedlock. Her parents basically disowned her and moved to Florida. Neeti welcomed them with open arms. Myra is trying to create a new life, and Neeti is giving her time to do so. Both characters are flawed. Myra comes across as insecure and immature, and Neeti mothers her too much, but they each fill a space in each other’s lives. There is a very large cast of characters. I appreciated the highlight feature on my Kindle to help keep them all straight. Yolo stole my heart.
Murder victim Rohit was not well-liked in his community with very good reason. He was very disrespectful, calling his neighbors offensive nicknames and threatening lawsuits. While others thought his death was an accident, Neeti thinks there is more to the story. I enjoyed the way the book club tackled the case and that one of their recent reads is relevant. I also liked that an officer was willing to listen and help. I was able to home in on the guilty party much sooner than Neeti did, but it didn’t diminish my enjoyment.
I loved all the cultural references and Neeti’s community. The friendships and how people came together. Neeti was an interesting protagonist, and we share a love of reading and books. The Agatha Christie tie-in was fun. I have not read Dumb Witness, but plan to check it out.
You can tell The Masala Chai Mystery Club is this author’s debut novel. You can see her refining her craft throughout this story. It has a great premise and a solid foundation, but it could have benefited from another strong edit. Several characters floated through the story with no real purpose unless there is a book two coming soon. If these characters are revisited in a second story, I would be open to reading it or other cozy fiction written by Ms. Soni.
Neeti Shah is looking for ways to fill her time now that she is retired from the library. She is happy to spend time with her friends enjoying their masala chai, but she needs something more. She never imagined that it would be investigating a murder. The fact that parts of the crime mirrored her book club’s latest read, and that a copy of the book, Agatha Christie’s Dumb Witness near the body, made the case downright eerie.
Rohit has been her friend since their childhood in India and was now her neighbor; she has to find his killer. She knows she can’t do it alone, so the mystery-loving friends of her book club become the Masala Chai Mystery Club, and together they are determined to solve Rohit’s murder, which gets more complicated as more bodies pile up and the pool of suspects gets deeper.
Neeti Shah loved being a librarian. Books were a touchstone, and reading breathed in life. She was lost when she was forced to retire. She found joy in having her niece, Myra, and her nephew, Ved, live with her. She also had many friends in her multicultural community. Myra came to live with Neeti when she quit college and had Ved out of wedlock. Her parents basically disowned her and moved to Florida. Neeti welcomed them with open arms. Myra is trying to create a new life, and Neeti is giving her time to do so. Both characters are flawed. Myra comes across as insecure and immature, and Neeti mothers her too much, but they each fill a space in each other’s lives. There is a very large cast of characters. I appreciated the highlight feature on my Kindle to help keep them all straight. Yolo stole my heart.
Murder victim Rohit was not well-liked in his community with very good reason. He was very disrespectful, calling his neighbors offensive nicknames and threatening lawsuits. While others thought his death was an accident, Neeti thinks there is more to the story. I enjoyed the way the book club tackled the case and that one of their recent reads is relevant. I also liked that an officer was willing to listen and help. I was able to home in on the guilty party much sooner than Neeti did, but it didn’t diminish my enjoyment.
I loved all the cultural references and Neeti’s community. The friendships and how people came together. Neeti was an interesting protagonist, and we share a love of reading and books. The Agatha Christie tie-in was fun. I have not read Dumb Witness, but plan to check it out.
You can tell The Masala Chai Mystery Club is this author’s debut novel. You can see her refining her craft throughout this story. It has a great premise and a solid foundation, but it could have benefited from another strong edit. Several characters floated through the story with no real purpose unless there is a book two coming soon. If these characters are revisited in a second story, I would be open to reading it or other cozy fiction written by Ms. Soni.
February 9, 2026
2,5 ⭐️
I love stories about retired women who become detectives :D
I often read books with a very similar cast when it comes to cozy mysteries, that's why I loved the diverse cast in this one.
I particularly liked Neeti, but I didn't like her niece so much.
Sadly, the writing didn`t quite work for me. It was very easy to read, and the plot had potential, but the writing style was very choppy and the pacing a bit slow, and I couldn't really get into the flow of the narrative.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this arc.
I love stories about retired women who become detectives :D
I often read books with a very similar cast when it comes to cozy mysteries, that's why I loved the diverse cast in this one.
I particularly liked Neeti, but I didn't like her niece so much.
Sadly, the writing didn`t quite work for me. It was very easy to read, and the plot had potential, but the writing style was very choppy and the pacing a bit slow, and I couldn't really get into the flow of the narrative.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Think The Thursday Murder Club, but with masala chai, Indian family dynamics, and characters who carry their past as well as their wrinkles.
The Masala Chai Mystery Club by M.J. Soni is a warm, charming cozy mystery with real character depth—and it’s genuinely funny at times, veering into almost slapstick humor.
It was one of those... just one more chapter. Worth the read
Thanks to netgalley who let me read it in exchange for an honest review
The Masala Chai Mystery Club by M.J. Soni is a warm, charming cozy mystery with real character depth—and it’s genuinely funny at times, veering into almost slapstick humor.
It was one of those... just one more chapter. Worth the read
Thanks to netgalley who let me read it in exchange for an honest review
August 9, 2026
Charming. Lighthearted.
A chai-filled cosy mystery, featuring a retired librarian, a mystery-loving bookclub, some amateur sleuthing and of course murder.
This was a fast and fun audiobook listen. The narration by Deepa Samuel works so well for this story, the setting and characters.
This could be a great book club read.
A chai-filled cosy mystery, featuring a retired librarian, a mystery-loving bookclub, some amateur sleuthing and of course murder.
This was a fast and fun audiobook listen. The narration by Deepa Samuel works so well for this story, the setting and characters.
This could be a great book club read.
August 15, 2026
Though a debut novel with the occasional rough spot, this was gripping. We meet retired librarian Neeti Shah, who is bored. She was let go as director of the local library, and doesn't feel sufficiently mentally stimulated anymore. She still deeply misses her husband, who died suddenly some years ago. Neeti does have a busy social life: she regularly gets together with her friend and neighbour Peggy and her Shakespeare-quoting former chief state's attorney Lawrence for masala chai and snacks. They all live in a neighbourhood with a busy housing association.
Neeti also lives with her niece Myra and her young son Ved. Neeti adores them, and would be happy for Myra and Ved to stay with her indefinitely, though Myra puts tremendous pressure on herself to find work and move out. Myra's former boyfriend, and Ved's father, though happy to spend some time with Ved, is not interested in the hard work of raising his kid, preferring to show up for ice cream and short outings.
Neeti's neighbour Rohit is discovered dead by his wife Sally one morning, and Neeti immediately begins wondering whether Rohit merely tripped and fell down stairs, dying in the process. Everything seems off, from Sally's and family friend Sanj's immediate need for a funeral, no autopsy, and the euthanasia of Rohit's friendly and perfectly healthy and beloved dog Yolo.
Neeti urges a junior police officer, Megan, who also seems unwilling to fully believe Rohit's death was the accidental result of a fall, to push her Captain to investigate. When he resists, Neeti, Peggy, Lawrence and Myra band together, forming the Masala Chai Mystery Club (MCMC) and begin digging into Rohit's and their other neighbours' relationships, and whether Rohit's actions as part of the Housing Association may have contributed to his death.
They dig up all sorts shenanigans, and Neeti and Myra have some big arguments, but all is sorted out eventually, with the culprit revealed. And Yolo gets to live with Neeti, Myra and Ved! Yay!
I found the story engaging, the MCMC characters lovable, and the relationships developed and deepened amongst them great. There were lots of clues and twists, and I loved the references to Agatha Christie's books, and specifically "The Dumb Witness".
I also became very hungry reading this book, so keep that in mind and have snacks on hand.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Neeti also lives with her niece Myra and her young son Ved. Neeti adores them, and would be happy for Myra and Ved to stay with her indefinitely, though Myra puts tremendous pressure on herself to find work and move out. Myra's former boyfriend, and Ved's father, though happy to spend some time with Ved, is not interested in the hard work of raising his kid, preferring to show up for ice cream and short outings.
Neeti's neighbour Rohit is discovered dead by his wife Sally one morning, and Neeti immediately begins wondering whether Rohit merely tripped and fell down stairs, dying in the process. Everything seems off, from Sally's and family friend Sanj's immediate need for a funeral, no autopsy, and the euthanasia of Rohit's friendly and perfectly healthy and beloved dog Yolo.
Neeti urges a junior police officer, Megan, who also seems unwilling to fully believe Rohit's death was the accidental result of a fall, to push her Captain to investigate. When he resists, Neeti, Peggy, Lawrence and Myra band together, forming the Masala Chai Mystery Club (MCMC) and begin digging into Rohit's and their other neighbours' relationships, and whether Rohit's actions as part of the Housing Association may have contributed to his death.
They dig up all sorts shenanigans, and Neeti and Myra have some big arguments, but all is sorted out eventually, with the culprit revealed. And Yolo gets to live with Neeti, Myra and Ved! Yay!
I found the story engaging, the MCMC characters lovable, and the relationships developed and deepened amongst them great. There were lots of clues and twists, and I loved the references to Agatha Christie's books, and specifically "The Dumb Witness".
I also became very hungry reading this book, so keep that in mind and have snacks on hand.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
October 16, 2026
A nice cozy read for fans of Agatha Christie murders or Friday Night Murder Club. The best part was that I tried chai and I’m a huge fan. So if nothing else, try the chai.
August 7, 2026
Interesting look at how much pull an HOA really has in everyday life. I enjoyed the interactions between the members of the mystery club but felt that the writing didn’t work for me; it was too simplistic for what it was trying to convey and lost me, particularly when it came to the various characters, who weren’t developed enough for me to distinguish between them at times. The mystery was easy to figure out, and I found my mind wandering throughout the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the review copy.
July 15, 2026
3.5 🌟
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
When her childhood friend and neighbor is found dead at the bottom of the stairs, Neeti cannot accept the police's conclusion that it was an accident. Together with her best friend Peggy, Peggy’s husband Laurence and her cousin Myra, she forms the Masala Chai Mystery Club. They decide to launch their own investigation to unmask Rohit’s killer.
This cozy mystery is inspired by Agatha Christie. The pacing is on the slower side. At first, I felt a bit overwhelmed by the large cast of characters and the shifts in time, though everything fell beautifully into place as the story progressed. The resolution took me by surprise and the final chapter provided a lovely, necessary conclusion that helped me understand Neeti’s persistence in uncovering the truth.
Beyond the mystery, the book explores important themes such as the loss of a partner, aging, finding one’s place again after (early) retirement and the enduring impact of parental expectations in a warm and relatable way.
The book features numerous Shakespeare quotes and descriptions of dishes: for me, these felt a bit too intrusive, frequently pulling me out of the story rather than adding to it.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
When her childhood friend and neighbor is found dead at the bottom of the stairs, Neeti cannot accept the police's conclusion that it was an accident. Together with her best friend Peggy, Peggy’s husband Laurence and her cousin Myra, she forms the Masala Chai Mystery Club. They decide to launch their own investigation to unmask Rohit’s killer.
This cozy mystery is inspired by Agatha Christie. The pacing is on the slower side. At first, I felt a bit overwhelmed by the large cast of characters and the shifts in time, though everything fell beautifully into place as the story progressed. The resolution took me by surprise and the final chapter provided a lovely, necessary conclusion that helped me understand Neeti’s persistence in uncovering the truth.
Beyond the mystery, the book explores important themes such as the loss of a partner, aging, finding one’s place again after (early) retirement and the enduring impact of parental expectations in a warm and relatable way.
The book features numerous Shakespeare quotes and descriptions of dishes: for me, these felt a bit too intrusive, frequently pulling me out of the story rather than adding to it.
August 5, 2026
🫖 The Masala Chai Mystery Club 🫖
(( Spoiler- Free ARC Review ))
Title- The Masala Chai Mystery Club
Author- MJ Soni
Genre- Mystery
Trope City-
🫖 Recently Retired Librarian FMC
🫖 Found Family
🫖 Neighborhood Watch Vibes
🫖 HOA on steroids
🫖 Childhood Secrets
The Masala Chai Mystery Club is the cutest, coziest little murder mystery! I enjoyed this one so much. Retired Librarian Neeti Shah is famous for her perfected Masala Chai. She and her friends run on her chai and friend time. Suddenly, tragedy strikes their neighborhood. Neeti and her neighbors smell more than just her perfectly brewed chai. They create their own detective agency to prove that the death of their neighbor Rohit was not natural, nor was it an accident. Each neighbor and character brings so much personality to this story. They’re charming, genuine, aging gracefully, filled with wisdom and more than anything, they look out for each other. Solving a murder mystery that grows exponentially helps Neeti feel a sense of purpose after the loss of her husband and her lifelong job as a librarian.
I want to extend a huge thank you to my Book Sparks Family and MJ Soni for my gifted copy. This was so fun. 🫶🏻
(( Spoiler- Free ARC Review ))
Title- The Masala Chai Mystery Club
Author- MJ Soni
Genre- Mystery
Trope City-
🫖 Recently Retired Librarian FMC
🫖 Found Family
🫖 Neighborhood Watch Vibes
🫖 HOA on steroids
🫖 Childhood Secrets
The Masala Chai Mystery Club is the cutest, coziest little murder mystery! I enjoyed this one so much. Retired Librarian Neeti Shah is famous for her perfected Masala Chai. She and her friends run on her chai and friend time. Suddenly, tragedy strikes their neighborhood. Neeti and her neighbors smell more than just her perfectly brewed chai. They create their own detective agency to prove that the death of their neighbor Rohit was not natural, nor was it an accident. Each neighbor and character brings so much personality to this story. They’re charming, genuine, aging gracefully, filled with wisdom and more than anything, they look out for each other. Solving a murder mystery that grows exponentially helps Neeti feel a sense of purpose after the loss of her husband and her lifelong job as a librarian.
I want to extend a huge thank you to my Book Sparks Family and MJ Soni for my gifted copy. This was so fun. 🫶🏻
October 4, 2026
Based on the synopsis of a retiree amateur sleuth, this book fits what I gravitate toward: a murder, delicious food, and a found team to solve the mystery. This book is setting up many characters, and the readers are thrown at many new names. The story revolves around Rohit and his less-than-stellar rapport with the residents at Deerfield Estates, but is there more to him and his wife Sally? It also has neighbourhood drama and HOA tales.
The chapters are short and snappy; I kept going when I should have put it down. Even with this, the detective work seems a lot more direct and heavy-handed compared to other cozy mysteries I read. I do see the potential if the book is extended into a series. Overall, a decent fiction debut from the author.
The chapters are short and snappy; I kept going when I should have put it down. Even with this, the detective work seems a lot more direct and heavy-handed compared to other cozy mysteries I read. I do see the potential if the book is extended into a series. Overall, a decent fiction debut from the author.
October 13, 2026
I went into The Masala Chai Mystery Club by MJ Soni with high expectations because of the glowing Goodreads reviews, but I was disappointed. The book was too cheesy for me and felt like it was trying way too hard to be charming. I got really bored and struggled to stay interested in the story.
I’m also disappointed by how much the reviews influenced my expectations. It seemed like about 75% of the reviews I came across were from people who received the book for free, and they were full of praise. Receiving a free copy doesn’t mean someone’s review isn’t genuine, but I wish I’d paid closer attention to those disclosures before putting so much weight on the ratings. I just didn’t share the enthusiasm.
I’m also disappointed by how much the reviews influenced my expectations. It seemed like about 75% of the reviews I came across were from people who received the book for free, and they were full of praise. Receiving a free copy doesn’t mean someone’s review isn’t genuine, but I wish I’d paid closer attention to those disclosures before putting so much weight on the ratings. I just didn’t share the enthusiasm.
October 28, 2026
This is a new to me series, and I very much enjoyed it. The murder victim is much detested, no one sorry to see him go, and it is his neighbor, Neeti, a retired librarian, who investigates. There are no bad ass geriatric characters with a shady past in intelligence like in the Thursday Murder Club--this is a straight ahead cozy with no rough edges. The plot is a bit twisty but ok. There is enough culturally bound things to make it interesting to me (I hope we see more Indian detectives in the future).
September 19, 2026
Took a bit for me to get into, like 35 to 40 percent. I liked the characters but it just wasn't really hitting and I thought it was maybe just okay with the writing and a meh plot but then something happened and I was hooked. I'm glad I stuck with it. I will def be checking out the next installment. I literally forgot it was a new release and went checking for the second one and was disappointed it wasn't already out yet lol.
Did Not Finish
August 30, 2026DNF, alas. So promising, with the premise and a great introduction to the main character. The choppiness, HOA drama, and abundance of characters all thrown into the story so quickly in the following early chapters were too much for me though.
Might take a look at the print book when it comes in at the library and see if that's easier for me to focus on now than the ebook I started with.
Might take a look at the print book when it comes in at the library and see if that's easier for me to focus on now than the ebook I started with.
Did Not Finish
September 4, 2026DNF at pg 60.
From the book’s description I was so excited for this book. Unfortunately the writing was very choppy, the narrative structure was a mess, and there are way too many characters stuffed into this story. I can see the bones of a good story but this book really needed an attentive editor.
From the book’s description I was so excited for this book. Unfortunately the writing was very choppy, the narrative structure was a mess, and there are way too many characters stuffed into this story. I can see the bones of a good story but this book really needed an attentive editor.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have mixed feelings about this book. The storyline is fairly simple but at places it feels rushed and at others it feels repetitive and longer. Certain descriptions were not needed and I wasn’t able to connect with the characters. However it was an entertaining read that did keep me going.
July 23, 2026
3.5 stars.
I had a little trouble staying focused with this one.
I had a little trouble staying focused with this one.
October 27, 2026
This was such a slog to get through. I am all for representation and love brown aunty detectives but this book was both boring and ridiculous and that’s so sad.
October 31, 2026
Cute book. I love Masala Chai so this one naturally caught my eye. A solid 3.5 stars but the recipes at the end bumped it up to a 3.75 for sure! Perfect for anyone looking for a light mystery.
Read
November 3, 2026ik vond alles hieraan geweldig. denk wel dat ik t zo leuk vond als audioboek, idk of ik t had uitgelezen met mn ogen
August 9, 2026
Good mystery!
It’s pretty cute with the heartwarming group of characters, but everyone under the age of 60 comes across a little silly and stereotypical to me and a lot of scenes felt forced to have some stereotypical murder mystery action scene.
It’s pretty cute with the heartwarming group of characters, but everyone under the age of 60 comes across a little silly and stereotypical to me and a lot of scenes felt forced to have some stereotypical murder mystery action scene.
November 2, 2026
It took me 2 weeks to finish this book since work has been busy but pretty cute light read
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*copy received from Net Galley*
The author seems to be a huge fan of Agatha Christie books and so am I. The story is an homage to a popular Christie novel and has a great concept overall. However, the execution lacked the deftness of a Christie novel. It would be more suited as a shorter, punchier mystery. The characters were mildly interesting, there were parts of the story that could've been cut out with a sharper focus on the detective.
All in all, my 3 stars means an average rating, not good, not bad.
The author seems to be a huge fan of Agatha Christie books and so am I. The story is an homage to a popular Christie novel and has a great concept overall. However, the execution lacked the deftness of a Christie novel. It would be more suited as a shorter, punchier mystery. The characters were mildly interesting, there were parts of the story that could've been cut out with a sharper focus on the detective.
All in all, my 3 stars means an average rating, not good, not bad.
October 11, 2026
Good start
Older protagonist
Quirky characters
Short chapters. Easy prose. Good pacing.
The action begins quickly.
Sadly, I started getting disinterested towards the middle.
The Thursday Murder Club vibes were hard to miss - A murder. Older “detectives”. A young cop eager to prove herself.
I also felt that it got somewhat ridiculous towards the end.
But still, this was definitely not a bad book. A quick, easy read that was serviceable.
Older protagonist
Quirky characters
Short chapters. Easy prose. Good pacing.
The action begins quickly.
Sadly, I started getting disinterested towards the middle.
The Thursday Murder Club vibes were hard to miss - A murder. Older “detectives”. A young cop eager to prove herself.
I also felt that it got somewhat ridiculous towards the end.
But still, this was definitely not a bad book. A quick, easy read that was serviceable.
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