Murder under a red moon by Harini Nagendra

 "Murder under a red moon by Harini Nagendra - 1920s whodunit !

This book is published by Constable in 2023 and has 304 pages. 

It’s 1920. Kaveri Murthy, 19, is married to Ramu, a doctor. She lives with her husband and mother-in-law, Bhargavi in Bangalore. Kaveri is also first female Detective of India and 2nd Indian woman to get driving license in Bangalore. There is a murder and murderer tries to implicate Kaveri in it. Anandi is beaten badly by her husband. A train has derailed. Scourge of Drugs has made an entry into Bangalore.

Who is murdered? Why? Why try to implicate Kaveri?  Whodunit?

Kaveri is 19 years old and intelligent. She is determined and impressionable at the same time. She has solved one major murder and several small crimes.  She has her fan following and friend circle. Her relationship with her mother-in-law is not ideal, but not hostile either. She has full support of her husband in her endeavors. Bhargavi is apprehensive of her daughter-in-law doing man's work. However she is also secretly proud of her work as detective. Shanti Sharma is Bhargavi's beautiful cousin. She married Mr. Sharma 2 years ago. Mr. Sharma is an industrialist and has daughter Chitra of Kaveri's age. She is engaged to Kumar, an employee of Mr. Sharma. Shanti, Chitra and Bhargavi are devotees of Swami Vaninanda. 

On the night of Lunar eclipse, night of the blood moon, a murder happens. Kaveri's locket with magnifying glass, a present from her husband, is found at the murder scene. Thankfully, vigilant inspector, who Kaveri has collaborated with previously, sees through the ploy. Now it becomes personal for Kaveri. She has to reach to the bottom of this conspiracy.

Although the story happens in 1920, the set up is much more modern. In those days nobody ventured out after 9pm, let alone women. There are several things that do not match with the time period like hugging your wife in the open, being friends with reformed prostitute, women going out with another man at night etc. A little more research of the times would have been useful.

Since the story is set in 1920s, its pace is slow. However, readers remain interested. Author has done poor job of concealing the identity of the perpetrator. As soon as the character is introduced, you know this is the villain. So the excitement of revelation is lost.

Why did I read this book? Curiosity about female detective in 1920s.

What did I like? Freedom that Kaveri gets.

What I didn't like? Poorly concealed identity of perpetrator.

Recommend reading.