Detective Aunty is a cozy, lighthearted murder mystery with an amateur sleuth, small-town charm, and just enough twists to keep you guessing.
An unlikely detective is Kausar Khan, a woman in her fifties who suddenly finds herself thrust into an investigation when her daughter, Sana, is accused of murder. One phone call drags Kausar back into her old neighborhood, where she must face not only the suspicion circling Sana but also her own grief for her late husband and son.
Sana’s landlord, Imran Thakur, is found stabbed to death in her shop. He wasn’t well-liked, but the police are quick to assume the worst when they find Sana’s clothes covered in blood and the murder weapon belonging to her. Instead of treating her as a witness, they charge her with first-degree murder.
However, Kausar refuses to believe her daughter capable of such a crime. With curiosity, and a knack for asking questions no one else dares to, she starts piecing together clues alongside her quirky sidekicks.
I loved how Uzma layers the story with more than just the mystery. Themes of culture, grief, and even marital betrayal weave into the plot naturally, giving the book real emotional depth. I personally felt the ending was a little rushed and less satisfying than I’d hoped but that’s just my view, not a flaw in the writing.
Overall, Detective Aunty is a warm and witty mystery that balances heartache. I’ll definitely be waiting for the sequel to see if the missing X factor comes into play.