I don’t think I’ll continue with this series. ( )

Harini Nagendra writes an interesting mystery, except for all the Indian phrases, food, and customs. Her book spends too much time in India for someone with limited Indian terms. Yes, she does provide a dictionary, but flipping back and forth ruins the flow of the story. In this 1920’s India, a losing battle with drug smuggling such a cocaine dominates the crime. A religious leader runs a house for downtrodden women, but all these women do is sleep and eat, while he collects multitudes of money and jewelry from rich Indian women. Why is the plight of these poor, defenseless women not studied? The main character, Kaveri Murthy, has too much freedom for this time period. An undercurrent of Indian unrest with British control festers, as well as woman suffrage. Many interesting issues, but hidden in the quest to showcase Indian cuisine. ( )

This is the second in the series but works fine as a stand-alone. Nineteen-year-old Kaveri Murthy is a newly married woman who lives with her doctor husband and widowed mother-in-law in 1920s Bangalore. She has solved one mystery (in book #1 “The Bangalore Detective Club”) and thrives on the pursuit of truth and justice. She loves mathematics, drives a car, and while she loves her supportive husband, she enjoys her independence.

She has developed a reputation in the area as a lady detective and has formed the Bangalore Detective Club made up of her friends, neighbors, and street urchins. This novel begins when Kaveri is asked to investigate a workplace embezzlement. This quickly leads to a request to solve the murder of a wealthy manufacturer, which has occurred during the blood moon eclipse. The more clues Kaveri uncovers, the more she puts herself in danger.

In addition to the mystery, the novel focuses on abuse and women’s rights, Indian culture including caste, food, clothing, and growing anti-British sentiment.

One extra benefit is that before the novel begins, the author directs the reader to “Kaveri’s Dictionary” at the back of the book. Many of the Indian words used in the novel are explained and a pronunciation guide is included. It also explains a bit about the geography and history behind the book. And even more enjoyable, you can find several Indian recipes that are mentioned in the story. This would be especially fun for a book club.

While I found this readable, it seemed to be written for a younger audience. The writing style was simplistic and unsophisticated, and Kaveri appeared naïve and immature, which I found irritating. The dialogue was often stilted and some of the clues were too easily solved. I figured out whodunit way before Kaveri did, so I didn’t think the mystery was clever or creative. The writing style seemed more like a Young Adult, even though many YA books are not necessarily this uncomplicated. For these reasons I am rating it 3 stars. ( )

Murder Under A Red Moon is the second Bangalore Detective Mystery. The first book, The Bangalore Detectives Club, was published last year and I loved it. As you would expect, the stories take place in Bangalore, India during the 1920s. Kaveri Murthy is our main character and she is the amateur sleuth of the series. While she has a group of women who help her with investigations, Kaveri is the star. Her group includes a street urchin, a nosy neighbor, an ex-prostitute and a policeman's wife. In this installment of the series she is a fairly new bride with a domineering mother-in-law. After a murder occurs during the blood moon eclipse, Kaveri agrees to investigate. Against a backdrop of rising anti-British sentiment and a charismatic swami's influence, Kaveri's hometown of Bangalore is becoming more and more a dangerous place to live. Kaveri continues to investigate anyway, wearing her usual sari and driving her 1920s Ford.

I loved that Kaveri always wore a sari. Even when it restricted her legs as she maneuvered through fields and muddy paths Kaveri always wore a beautiful sari. The Hindu faith tradition is a huge part of the story. Most of the characters are practicing Hindus whose insights into the why and how of the murder are influenced by their faith. As for Kaveri and her husband Ramu, a doctor, they are atheists. Food is another big part of the story. The author writes meals into her story which were both captivating to me and giving me angina at the same time from imagining the spiciness of these foods which I myself have eaten in the past. The investigation of the murder had twists and turns that I did not expect and I was surprised by the ending. The identity of the killer was not a surprise but why the killer felt the need to kill was a surprise.

Murder Under a Red Moon was a satisfying read. I highly recommend this historical mystery series to all mystery fans and am rating it 5 out of 5 stars. ( )

Delightful cozy mystery set in 1920s Bangalore India where Kaveri and her husband and women friends investigate and solve the death of an industrialist. I loved the fact that after the story proper, recipes for Indian foods mentioned in the text were given. I'm intrigued, so I may try the very easiest ones. ( )