The reviewer found the setting and character development of Charu intriguing, but struggled with the large number of characters and the pacing of the murder plot. They felt the book had potential but was overstuffed with information.
The reviewer was drawn to the unique setting of Miss Timmins’ School for Girls in Panchgani, India, and the complex character of Charu, who struggles with self-esteem and past regrets. The introduction of Moira brings a sense of freedom and life to Charu, and the murder mystery serves as a catalyst for her personal growth. However, the reviewer found the murder plot to be more of a plot builder than a gripping element, and the large cast of characters made it difficult to keep track of everyone. They appreciated the book's potential but felt it was overstuffed with information and would have benefited from being split into a series to allow for a more immersive experience.
Quick quotes
There is a setting here that appealed to me…. a remote area of India (one honestly, I had never heard of before), a young teacher trying to start over and make meaning of her life, and a murder that sets the stage for something more.
What I appreciated about the book was how author Nayana Currimbhoy brought to me a main character in Charu who did not like herself much.
In the end, while an interesting read, it was over stuffed with information that made me wonder if it would not have been better served as a two or three book series to give the reader a chance to really ease into a book that has great potential of hitting a home run.