Harini is a well-known, published ecologist with books on ecology to her credit. In her foray into crime thrillers Harini brings to life Bangalore of the 1920s, with a female protagonist Kaveri, a liberal, supportive husband in a traditional and conservative society and some murders.
It is set in Bangalore with horse carts, long walks, gardens, Britishers and such. Kaveri's husband is a doctor and they are present when a murder takes place at the club. Kaveri sees certain things and certain people who are involved and pursues her leads. More murders, more intrigue, a relentless and intrepid investigator in Kaveri and the murders are solved.
Harini touches upon several issues of the day - religion, traditional beliefs, gender bias, caste bias, the British approach to Indians while also keeping a running commentary of the independence movement going on. Not to forget the ecological references to plants, shrubs, flowers. She fully succeeds in bringing to life a Bangalore of the 1920s. I was quite thrilled to learn that the Bull Temple was constructed to appease a bull that was running amok.
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