Geeta is an Indian woman living in a small town in an arranged marriage. She doesn’t love her husband and the feeling is mutual. Five years ago he disappeared. The rumor in town is that she killed him. Not one to air her laundry in public, she kept the details quiet. She needed to make a living so she joined a women’s loan group to get a small loan to start a business. Geeta began paying the loan back and her business became successful. When the women in the loan group that she is in begin having marital issues, they turn to Geeta. After blackmailing her by threatening to call the police and report her husband’s murder, Geeta helps. These women don’t worry about being caught by authorities, they believe that because of the rumors about Geeta, she will be the prime suspect.

Will these women get away with the murders? It is interesting that they suddenly seem to decide to murder their husbands. Did they imagine that the police might question two murders so close together? Do they believe that Geeta’s life without a husband is perfect? Getta is reticent to help, but because she is being blackmailed, has no other choice. Will she escape the interest of the police? Geeta’s life has become more complicated without a husband.

Parini Shroff has an interesting concept in her story. Rumors cause an innocent woman to be viewed as guilty and lead her into crimes. However, the development of the story is slow and at times, seems to stall. I do not know the terms she used in the book and tried looking them up to understand better. I also have no experience with Indian culture which also was somewhat confusing to me. This is the author’s debut novel. I know that her abilities will strengthen over time and it will be interesting to see her development.

My Rating: 🌻🌻🌻