Madras, India: The orphaned girls of St Ursula’s convent are destined to be nuns or servants but seventeen-year-old Savi dreams of escape.

Responsible and good with languages, she’s taken on as governess for the wealthy Nandiyar family at their country estate.

The horrific events of a single night force Savi and her love, Ananda, into a dangerous journey, re-emerging in America under new identities, their homeland forever in their rearview.

But the past is never far away.

Forty years later, Savi, known to all as Missy, is the embodiment of the American dream – successful business owner in Chicago, pillar of the South Asian community, and mother to two brilliant, stubborn young women, Mansi and Shilpa.

Until Varun, a charming doctor, enters their lives, setting off a chain of events that puts Missy’s carefully constructed world in jeopardy with the revelation that you can never truly outrun your secrets…

My Review

What a wonderful book. It’s not only a tale of courage and resilience, it’s also a love story, an insight into India’s culture, and a philosophical tome. The poverty in India is extreme – poor people age faster than in the West – and the servants are often treated worse than the animals. But Savi, later known in America as Missy, is different, and her journey is miraculous.

We first meet Savi when she and her mother have been abandoned by Savi’s father, and then walk miles in bare feet to find a better life. But Savi’s mother dies and the orphaned Savi is taken into St Ursula’s convent. It is obvious she is clever and good at languages, so the nuns secure for her a position with the wealthy Nandiyar family at their country estate. She will be governess to their young son Aditya.

Though she knows she wants more, she is happy in her work, but one member of staff is always stalking her and making her life a misery. Then she meets Ananda – a talented sculptor from the nearby metalworks – and their secret romance begins. And that is where the story takes a more sinister turn.

Fast forward 40 years and Missy runs a successful driving school in America. She and Andy – they both had to change their names, having entered the country illegally – are separated. I felt very sorry for Andy, though I don’t really know why. He never had Missy’s courage or sass. They have two daughters Shilpa and Mansi. two strong women who are carving their own paths.

And all is well until Varun, a well respected young doctor from a wealthy family, turns up for driving lessons, and Missy’s life is about to be turned upside down.

I adored this book. The characters have such depth, the vivid descriptions of India put us right there, and the differences between life in America and India are brought firmly to the fore.

Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author, and my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable read.

About the Author

Raghav Rao was born in Mumbai, India. He grew up in London, Los Angeles, and Southern India. He is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Crime Writers of Color, and Sisters in Crime. He is active in the Chicago literary scene, hosting a twice-weekly cowrite, and attending monthly lit salons. A principal member of The Office of Modern Composition, Raghav hosts virtual and in-person meetups and workshops for their writing community with over 400 members