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Lady Evelyn Mystery #7
A Grave Betrayal
Lady Evelyn is off on a new adventure…her honeymoon! Her newly minted husband, Daniel, and the ever-curious detective are off to India, seeking weeks of rest, relaxation, and romance. They are thrust into a world so different from the one they know, an exhilarating setting for Evelyn, who delights in the different cultures and traditions. Disrupting their exploration, a family acquaintance invites the pair to the famed Bombay Gymkhana Club for an evening of entertainment. Yet what begins as a cheerful event, ends in something far more sinister. Evelyn begins to wonder whether murder follows her, when she is the one to find one of her latest acquaintances having met a rather unnatural and premature end. Despite Daniel's protests, a detective cannot simply ignore a case unfolding before her very eyes, and so it is that the newly married couple is thrust into a murder investigation. Questions arise, doubts are born, and long-held secrets exposed, as Evelyn pokes her nose in – as her husband might say.
Cultural conflicts add to an atmosphere of mounting tension, as she navigates a world in which she can only be a visitor. She meets Indians and British alike, who are harboring all manner of secrets they might kill to keep. Evelyn must solve the case before another life is taken, including her own.
Cultural conflicts add to an atmosphere of mounting tension, as she navigates a world in which she can only be a visitor. She meets Indians and British alike, who are harboring all manner of secrets they might kill to keep. Evelyn must solve the case before another life is taken, including her own.
458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2024
About the author
Malia Zaidi
7 books631 followersHello and thanks for stopping by!
I am the author of the Lady Evelyn Mystery series and an avid reader, always happy to discover new books to add to my toppling pile:-)
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 22, 2024
Malia Zaidi combines historical fiction and a cozy amateur investigation into her Lady Evelyn Mystery series, and the 7th installment to date, A Grave Betrayal, brings us to a dazzling and brilliant India just before the stock market crash. The British and Indians are struggling for power as both sides feel they should control the country; uprisings are common and Bombay seems to be the center of it all, as well as the gateway to India itself.
Wealth and a new marriage are the backdrop for this delightful series, which I've read since its inception. Zaidi creates a beautiful setting and methodically researches the past to showcase the intensity of life nearly a century ago. Toss in the mysterious death of a youngish husband and father, and we've got quite the conundrum to solve. Readers feel part of the investigation which is less about outright trying to solve the crime and more about asking questions and getting to know everyone involved, through normal dinners and meetings.
I've enjoyed the writer's ability to transport me elsewhere, to imagine what it's like to be an intelligent female sleuth whose husband, Daniel, supports Evelyn and pushes her to solve the crime but also be super careful to avoid injury or death. As she befriends local Indians and British alike, Evie as Daniel affectionally calls her, finds herself in several tight situations, all which propel her closer to solving the crime and into dangerous territory. I miss the supporting cast back in England, but the recent additions here make for a fun diversion that offers something new and exciting too.
If you're looking for a relaxing, immersive experience when you read a historical cozy, this is a perfect series. Not a thriller or suspense novel, nor filled with massively dramatic moments, it's a realistic portrayal of 1920s life that pushed the boundaries just enough to explain why Evelyn could find herself smack in the middle of so many murders. Even while traveling abroad often! Already curious to see what will happen next.
Wealth and a new marriage are the backdrop for this delightful series, which I've read since its inception. Zaidi creates a beautiful setting and methodically researches the past to showcase the intensity of life nearly a century ago. Toss in the mysterious death of a youngish husband and father, and we've got quite the conundrum to solve. Readers feel part of the investigation which is less about outright trying to solve the crime and more about asking questions and getting to know everyone involved, through normal dinners and meetings.
I've enjoyed the writer's ability to transport me elsewhere, to imagine what it's like to be an intelligent female sleuth whose husband, Daniel, supports Evelyn and pushes her to solve the crime but also be super careful to avoid injury or death. As she befriends local Indians and British alike, Evie as Daniel affectionally calls her, finds herself in several tight situations, all which propel her closer to solving the crime and into dangerous territory. I miss the supporting cast back in England, but the recent additions here make for a fun diversion that offers something new and exciting too.
If you're looking for a relaxing, immersive experience when you read a historical cozy, this is a perfect series. Not a thriller or suspense novel, nor filled with massively dramatic moments, it's a realistic portrayal of 1920s life that pushed the boundaries just enough to explain why Evelyn could find herself smack in the middle of so many murders. Even while traveling abroad often! Already curious to see what will happen next.
June 15, 2024
This was such a good cozy mystery. I love a good who done it! Evie and her new husband Daniel are on their honeymoon in Bombay when she discovers the dead body of an English officer. I love how the author made me think that I was sight-seeing in Bombay with all its culture and history. Evie, being Evie, throws herself into the investigation enlisting Daniel as the Watson to her Sherlock. Everything is not as it seems, and Evie must figure out who she can trust. Will she be able to find the killer before an innocent man is condemned for life. Highly recommend!!
June 16, 2024
I’m always excited for another Lady Evelyn adventure! In this installment, Evelyn is on her honeymoon in Bombay when she discovers a dead body and inevitably gets sucked into solving the crime. Evelyn’s personality is so distinct, the mystery is fast-paced, and (more than anything) I loved the descriptions and scenery explored in this new location. The perfect summer read for any cozy mystery lover ☺️
June 21, 2024
Every time I picked up “A Grave Betrayal”, I was whisked back in time, put on my sleuthing hat, and simply could not put this historical mystery down!
Malia Zaidi’s writing and storytelling is spectacular. Her world-building is incredible, and I was completely immersed in the story from the first page to the last. The various pieces of the puzzle of the mystery fall into place in exactly the moment they need to in order to push the plot forward. I could truly and vividly envision the various settings, and I learned a lot about many aspects of different cultures as well.
Lady Evelyn and her husband Daniel travel to India on their honeymoon. Soon, a murder occurs, and Lady Evelyn soon tries to solve what is going on. Who can and can’t be trusted? With secrets, questions, history, twists and turns, clues, and so much more, this gripping novel will have you on the edge of your seat and keep you guessing.
If you enjoy Historical Mystery and / or Historical Fiction, I highly recommend this book! I so look forward to reading what Ms. Zaidi writes next!
Thank you so much to Kate Rock Book Tours and author Malia Zaidi for the gifted copy of this book, and for having me on the book tour! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Malia Zaidi’s writing and storytelling is spectacular. Her world-building is incredible, and I was completely immersed in the story from the first page to the last. The various pieces of the puzzle of the mystery fall into place in exactly the moment they need to in order to push the plot forward. I could truly and vividly envision the various settings, and I learned a lot about many aspects of different cultures as well.
Lady Evelyn and her husband Daniel travel to India on their honeymoon. Soon, a murder occurs, and Lady Evelyn soon tries to solve what is going on. Who can and can’t be trusted? With secrets, questions, history, twists and turns, clues, and so much more, this gripping novel will have you on the edge of your seat and keep you guessing.
If you enjoy Historical Mystery and / or Historical Fiction, I highly recommend this book! I so look forward to reading what Ms. Zaidi writes next!
Thank you so much to Kate Rock Book Tours and author Malia Zaidi for the gifted copy of this book, and for having me on the book tour! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 18, 2024
A good cozy mystery is one where you lose yourself in the pages. Malia Zaidi's latest Lady Evelyn Mystery transports the reader to 1920s India with lush descriptions and vivid imagery. A GRAVE BETRAYAL makes it easy to fall into the story.
The author invites us to join Lady Evelyn and her new husband, Daniel, on their honeymoon to Bombay, India. When they discover the dead body of an English officer, their idyllic romantic trip turns into a race against time to find the murderer. Evie and Daniel make a terrific pair as they undertake a suspenseful investigation amid the sights and sounds of their exotic destination. The author's use of culture, political climate, and history bring depth to the story.
This was the first book I read in this series and I will certainly go back and read earlier installments. The pacing and well developed characters made this an enjoyable read.
Thanks to the author and Kate Rock Book Tours for a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
The author invites us to join Lady Evelyn and her new husband, Daniel, on their honeymoon to Bombay, India. When they discover the dead body of an English officer, their idyllic romantic trip turns into a race against time to find the murderer. Evie and Daniel make a terrific pair as they undertake a suspenseful investigation amid the sights and sounds of their exotic destination. The author's use of culture, political climate, and history bring depth to the story.
This was the first book I read in this series and I will certainly go back and read earlier installments. The pacing and well developed characters made this an enjoyable read.
Thanks to the author and Kate Rock Book Tours for a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
June 21, 2024
This was a perfect, cozy mystery. I love a good whodunnit. The culture and history of Bombay were a plus. Sight seeing is fun. Evelyn is a very fun person. I love how she has her husband jumping in the mystery. Evie has to figure out who is trustworthy. Just read this.
June 18, 2024
I was whisked away to India, while reading this one. I loved the scenes and was immersed in the 1920s India culture. The murder mystery was fun to watch unfold. It was a who-did-it type story and truly enjoyed trying to figure out this fast paced murder mystery.
Evie and her new husband Daniel while they are on their honeymoon in India discover a dead body. Evelyn and her amateur sleuthing was fun to follow.
Evie and her new husband Daniel while they are on their honeymoon in India discover a dead body. Evelyn and her amateur sleuthing was fun to follow.
June 12, 2024
This was my first time reading a Lady Evelyn mystery and it will not be my last! It was everything I like in a mystery, an appealing detective, a mystery that I want solved, and a setting that transports me. Lady Evelyn is on her honeymoon in India but when someone ends up dead at a party she is at she can’t help but ask questions. Will she figure it out before someone else ends up dead? Lady Evelyn is everything I like in a main character, interesting, appealing, curious, and determined. She is someone that I would like to meet and become friends with. The rest of the characters, especially her new husband Daniel, added to the appeal of the story. This story is set in India in the late 1920’s and the descriptions transported me there. I liked that the turbulent politics of India at the time were included, it added depth to the story and took the book to another level. I highly recommend this book for readers of mystery or historical fiction.
Thanks to the author and Kate Rock Book Tours for providing a copy for my honest review.
Thanks to the author and Kate Rock Book Tours for providing a copy for my honest review.
June 13, 2024
I waited for a while for the next installment of the Lady Evelyn series.
It is out at last and has been a great pleasure to read. Her journey takes me to a colorful historical India, the mystery is gripping and most of all I love to follow Evelyn‘s own life and experiences and her personal development and insights in relationship to the people around her.
The characters feel real and alive and the scenery is beautifully depicted.
I don’t want to spoil anything about the case, of course, so I better stop here…
It is out at last and has been a great pleasure to read. Her journey takes me to a colorful historical India, the mystery is gripping and most of all I love to follow Evelyn‘s own life and experiences and her personal development and insights in relationship to the people around her.
The characters feel real and alive and the scenery is beautifully depicted.
I don’t want to spoil anything about the case, of course, so I better stop here…
July 16, 2024
Biased, of course, but I've read this more often than I care to remember at this point...;-)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews