THE DEATH OF MR LOVE | INDRA SINHA | 2002

Six hundred pages of a story woven around a true event that happened in India a lifetime earlier. Murdered in the 1950s Mr Love a playboy was part of a notorious murder case in Bombay.

In present day London, middle-aged Bhalu is mourning his mother Maya’s death when her friend’s daughter Phoebe makes contact. It seems that her mother Sibyl was involved with Mr Love. Phoebe suggests that they both go to Bombay to find out the truth.

So, this is the premise and the book interweaves the past and present to reveal the magical lives of the two protagonists as children in Bombay and in the hill country with their mothers who are best friends. They all share secrets and adventures that are woven around the villain of the story who is only revealed towards the end.

Bhalu is completely believable as a child and an adult. Phoebe is not likable which makes their interactions difficult except in their shared history and their shared exploration of the mystery of the death of Mr Love and their mothers’ roles.

Long, complex and full of the nuances and joys of Indian culture.