Book: The Witch In The Peepul Tree
Author: Arefa Tehsin
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 340
The Witch In The Peepul Tree by Arefa Tehsin is a murder mystery, suspense novel. In the recent dawn of partition, in the Makar Sankranti of 1950, when Sanaz’s body was found dead, it shook the walls of Tahir’s or commonly known as Dada Bhai’s house in Bohrawadi, Udaipur. One Murder, many suspicions- Rao Sahib of Singhgarh, a zamindar who was there for his good; Hariharan, an opportunistic in the newly minted Hindustan; Nathu, a Bhil, who came there to inform Dada Bhai about a leopard kill; Parijat, a Bhangan- nightsoil worker; Sugra, Dada Bhai’s mother who is constantly seeking the “Jeevti Dakkan” – the witch in the peepul tree! Who did this, is what the police are trying to find out. Read this book to know the Murderer.
The Makar Sankranti, Jeevti Dakkan on the peepul tree, murder mystery, and suspense, it was more than enough for me to get into the book.
The story although the history of the characters in detail, takes place in a single day and thus follows intense details and information. All the characters have their motives, intentions, and aims which they want the achieve and it had been shown in detail.
The author’s writing is detailed, consisting of lots of local words and sentences which gives it a real touch. It sheds light on the landlord system and social structure after partition and its after-effects.
The character of Parijat and Sugra were very intriguing and they show the diversity of emotions one can go through. They both come from polar opposite backgrounds, and they might appear to have nothing in common, but when it comes to emotional dilemma, turmoil, and intensity, there appears a ray of similarity in them, with which I feel connected.
The book was slow and it takes time to get into it. The story of Parijat and Rao Sahib astonished me in the end but otherwise, the ending was predictable for me. The story shows casteism in great detail, but it takes center stage rather than murder and loses interest. The police investigation seems very superficial and I expected more from it.
The book has a great world-building and if it looks interesting to you, you can pick it up.
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See also: Heart On The Edge by Novoneel Chakraborty
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