The White Lotus: A murder mystery set in the early 1900s [Review]

Rate this Book / Post

Title: The White Lotus
Author: Aditi Krishnakumar
Cover Illustrator: Aradhana Rawat
Cover Design: Gina James
Type: Hardcover
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Duckbill (an imprint of Penguin Random House)
Length: 318 pages
Age group: 12 years onwards (YA)

The White Lotus by Aditi Krishna Kumar is set in early 1900s Tamil Nadu and offers us a glimpse into the lives of women during that time. As I read it, I was reminded of the stories I had heard from my grandmother—about how women lived, the customs they followed, and the kind of restrictions society placed on them.

The story revolves around a 14-year-old girl, Aru, who is eager to get married and begin a new life with her husband. But her excitement is cut short by an unexpected tragedy—her husband dies under mysterious circumstances. What follows is a journey of how Aru’s life changes, the paths she chooses, and whether she can uncover the truth behind her husband’s death or come to terms with it.

What stood out to me was the unusual setting for a murder mystery. When I picked up the book, the blurb promised suspense, but the first few chapters felt more like a relaxed slice of life. The world felt so real and relatable—very different from the dramatic, almost unbelievable twists we often see in crime fiction. And then, when the murder takes place, the pace shifts. As readers, we get deeply invested in finding out who was behind her husband’s death. Just when we think we’ve guessed the culprit, the narrative shifts and makes us second-guess ourselves right until the very end.

The historical backdrop also adds richness to the book. It reflects the social structures of the early 1900s—especially the constraints placed on women—and makes us realize how much has changed, and yet, in some ways, how certain stigmas continue even today. In that sense, it feels like a mirror to society, showing both the distance we’ve covered and the struggles that still linger.

Interestingly, my 13-year-old daughter also read this book, and she found it captivating for a different reason. For her, the contrast between Aru’s life at 14 and her own life today was fascinating. She admired Aru’s transformation into a courageous, bold young woman, which left a lasting impact on her.

The writing is engaging, and the supporting characters are beautifully sketched. Aru’s sister feels very real, with sibling fights and misunderstandings that eventually give way to deep support in times of need. Even characters like the Mirazdar’s mother, who comes close to Aru, are layered and believable.

I also loved the book cover—it’s striking and poignant. A young girl in a white sari, sitting by a pond with a thoughtful expression—it perfectly sets the mood of the story and makes you curious before you even begin reading.

As for the conclusion, at first, it felt a little subdued compared to the dramatic endings we often expect in murder mysteries. But after reading the epilogue, I realized that the ending fits the time and place the story is set in. It feels authentic, even if it’s not shocking. In fact, in hindsight, it makes the book stronger because it stays true to its historical context.

Overall, I absolutely loved The White Lotus. It is not just a mystery—it’s also about history, society, and a young girl’s resilience. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries set in the past, especially those interested in Tamil Nadu’s cultural and social backdrop.

Personally, I’d love to see a sequel that explores what happens after—how Aru moves on, how Sundaram’s family copes, and how her friendship with Balu evolves. Seeing Aru’s growth in a new city would make for a fascinating continuation.

Other books by the same author can be found here.

If you enjoyed the review as much as we both enjoyed the book, you can order it from Amazon (kbc affiliate link),

CLICK & BUY NOW!

Disclaimer: We got this book as part of #kbcReviewerSquad from the publisher via kbc and we feel happy and privileged to be part of it as we are free to have our opinions and give an honest review of the book.