Character Interview with Neeti Shah by MJ Soni

The Masala Chai Mystery Club 

Suspects abound when a much-despised neighbor is killed, perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building and Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club.

Retired librarian Neeti Shah was hoping for a restful life with her chai-loving friends, but when the body of a neighbor, a childhood friend of Neeti’s, turns up dead and the killer’s MO is similar to that of Neeti’s most recent book club read, things start to get out of control.

When Neeti hears a commotion at a neighbor’s house, she finds Rohit’s body sprawled across the bottom of the staircase with Agatha Christie’s Dumb Witness nearby. Blackmailing his neighbors, threatening them with lawsuits, and calling them by nasty nicknames were only some of the hateful things that made him so disliked. But were they angry enough to kill?

Neeti is indebted to her old friend, and she’s determined to find his killer. But she can’t do it alone, so she enlists her mystery-loving friends, the Masala Chai Mystery Club, to get to the bottom of the murder.

But Neeti and her club members need to be careful. As more bodies turn up and more suspects start to appear, they’ll need to find the killer before they end up in hot water!

Character Interview with Neeti Shah by MJ Soni

Q: Let’s jump right into it. Neeti, why did MJ choose you as the protagonist of her story?

A: I don’t really know, but I think it’s related to her mom. At author panels she’s spoken of losing her mom to dementia, especially when her mom forgot who she was, and her trying to bring back that badass lady her mom used to be—her words, not mine—in The Masala Chai Mystery Club. Apparently, her mom wore a saree every day, and so do I. 

Q: Are you a badass lady?

A: Define badass.

Q (laughs): Umm, a badass lady would be someone who is unafraid, confident, challenges societal norms, someone who displays courage and has formidable skills. 

A: Yes, sure, I’m badass then.

Q: What made you a badass lady?

A: I grew up in the 70s in India when there were strong women’s movements. The kachra tula movement was inspired by ancient kings and noblemen who would weigh themselves in gold and silver. In the kachra tula movement a group of poor women weighed an effigy of the then Chief Minister on a scale next to a pile of kachra (dirt) that was the dust and debris found in food grains distributed through ration shops.

And then there were the latnis, women from different castes, classes, and religions who marched in protest of rising food prices while they beat thalis (plates) with latnis (rolling pins). My mother and aunts were involved in these marches. 

Q: Why did you absolutely have to get involved in investigating Rohit’s murder?

A: I don’t want to give away spoilers, but suffice it to say he saved my life, I owed it to him. 

Q:  What skills do you have that make you believe you’re a good amateur sleuth?

A: I always enjoyed solving puzzles. I’m a Capricorn you know, we love order. And to me, a puzzle is disorder begging to be made orderly. I suspect this is why I became a librarian, to bring order to the library, but also unlimited free access to books of course. I’m also stubborn, I don’t take no easily. I inherited that stubborn streak from my father. 

And then the rest of the Masala Chai Mystery Club, we all call it the MCMC for short, are so wonderfully intelligent. Myra is a genius with finding things on the internet, Peggy has the medical knowledge, Thandi the accounting knowledge, and Lawrence has all the legal know-how. Of course, we could never have solved it without our beloved Ved, and Rohit’s dog, the wonderful, Yolo. 

Q: What was the most difficult part about solving this case?

A: I think that second murder threw us because we were so sure the second victim was Rohit’s murderer. We, the MCMC, had to go back to the drawing board after that. 

Q: Would you do it again, and if so, what would you do differently?

A: Absolutely! I hate the idea of someone getting away with murder in cold blood. What would I do differently, that’s a good question. I think I would interview suspects earlier, spend less time talking amongst ourselves and get talking to suspects. 

Q: Some events in your investigation sound unbelievable, like that finger-biting incident. Did that really happen?

A: Yes! Truth is always stranger than fiction, isn’t it? 

Q: Absolutely. Do you have another case, and if so, can you tell me more?

A: We have been approached to get involved in two other cases but that’s all I can say at the moment. MJ is superstitious about giving away too much too early and jinxing herself. I personally don’t believe in all that mumbo jumbo, but hey, MJ’s the boss. 

Q: You have a very testy relationship with the police chief. Why?

A: Because I wear a saree and come across as traditional, and based on my appearance many people decide I must be fresh-off-the-boat and cannot speak English or am not educated. He’s one of those people, and I don’t tolerate fools like that easily. 

Q: What did you love about being a librarian?

A: Everything! From helping people find something on cancer, or dealing with the death of a loved one, to my favorite part, reading to the kids in the children’s section. I love books with a lot of sounds and body movements like stomping or swaying, that gets the kids to become part of the story. 

Q: What did you hate about being a librarian?

A: Book bans without a doubt. I have an embroidered jacket that has on the back—Ban Bigots. Not Books. And of course, budget cuts, I’d still be working as a librarian if it weren’t for them. 

Q: What is your favorite chai accompaniment?

A: Now you’re talking my language. A karak, which means strong, cup of milky chai, steeped with my special masala chai powder, the recipe is at the end of the book, and lemon grass, mint, and ginger. And the best snack that goes with that is shortbread, recipe also included in the book, or if you prefer savory then the best is spicy puri. You have to ask MJ if she’s going to include that recipe in the next book. 

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Category: Interviews