Six Days in Bombay - a tale of identity and self-discovery set in the late 1930s.

It is 1937, and renowned painter Mira Novak has been hospitalized in Bombay following a miscarriage. Her young nurse, Sona Falstaff, who shares an Anglo-Indian identity with Mira, becomes attached to the worldly and charismatic artist. With her British father out of the picture, Sona leads a sheltered life with her Indian mother, struggling to make ends meet. Sona becomes captivated by Mira's stories of her travels and numerous lovers. As India moves towards independence, Sona's mixed heritage proves increasingly challenging. After a tragic turn, Sona leaves the hospital and is sent by Mira on a mission that takes her to Istanbul, Prague, Florence, Paris, and London. Throughout this journey, Sona not only discovers more about Mira's life but also learns more about herself.

After Alka Joshi's impressive series, The Jaipur Trilogy, I was excited to read Six Days in Bombay. This book is a satisfying mix of historical fiction and self-discovery wrapped in a mystery. Sona begins as an innocent woman yearning for a larger life and is inspired by Mira, a woman she believes has it all. The depiction of India under British rule and the changes emerging in Europe were well-researched and vividly presented. Joshi reveals in the Author's Note that the character of Mira Novak was loosely based on artist Amrita Sher-Gil, a woman of Indian Hungarian heritage. I immediately started researching her life and artwork. Once again, Joshi has crafted a richly descriptive and moving tale. 

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for providing a gifted advance.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Historical Fiction.

Publication Date: April 15, 2025.

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