by Members of MWN Hub Book Club

Praised by critics as a cosy mystery, Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin, was considered the perfect book club pick. Here, members reflect on their reading experience and what they thought of the story.

 Bibi's review:

This was my first time reading a book by Uzma Jalaluddin, and from the beginning to the end, I was hooked. I loved Kausar's character and how the Muslim family and community dynamics were brought to life throughout the story. I really enjoyed the mix of mystery with the little sparks of love and friendship. It was such an enjoyable and heart-warming read that I will definitely be recommending it to others. 

Umma's review:

As an avid reader of Uzma Jalauddin's novels, I have always perceived her as a romance writer.  So, when she had released Detective Aunty, penning it as a murder mystery that piqued a curiosity. Expecting a light-hearted satire on the stereotypical tropes of the aunty-jees who hold the crown of being the town crier with an intriguing murder twist. Well it wasn't that kind of a read, as the novel explores heavy themes of grief, injustice, betrayal, trauma and economic deprivation.

As with most murder mysteries, the excitement is in the thrill of finding 'who did it?' Particularly the web of intrigue created from the trail of titbit information. While Detective Aunty builds suspense well, there were other parts that could have been explored further. It would have been great if there was more on Sana: the accused. This may have been done deliberately to keep the reader engaged in the mystery. But if you're like me where backstory about the main characters are important, you may be somewhat disappointed. The novel was also weighed down by having many characters, that it stalled the pacing and sometimes became a struggle of keeping up with who is who.

What's great about Jalauddin's novels is the subtle ways the main female protagonists dismantle stereotypes of Muslim women. They are often presented as strong and subversive at the centre of conflict between societal expectations and self-agency. In Detective Aunty, Jalauddin subverts the traditional expectations perpetually ascribed to elderly South Asian widows: financially reliant, reclusive and self-sacrificing matriarch. Kausar Khan is portrayed as a financially independent, sharp-tongued and observant widow who is on a mission to find the real culprit who murdered the landlord, Imran and to prove her daughter's innocence. Widowhood has given her a new lease of life, where she's no longer defined by her husband's status in the community. She's now able to carve out her own path, finding confidence in her detective skills that were always dismissed as frivolity.

There is a certain level of comfortability you get from reading the works of your favourite authors. Their style of writing, plot lines and characters provide a sense of connection and familiar grounds. But when they decide to switch genre, it can be quite an adjustment, as I found with Jalauddin's detective novel. However, I'm still going to continue reading her murder mysteries as there are plans to turn Detective Aunty into a series and I need to know what happens next.

I’m not sure if this is a film yet, but it would be awesome on screen!

Fayaz's review:

Detective Aunty was my introduction to Uzma Jalaluddin's writing. 

The book felt like a comfortable read as it was about a culture and faith that I could relate to, though references were basic enough for the unfamiliar reader too, especially with the media coverage Muslims get.

The author managed to entertain and amuse, for example it niggled Kausar, the main character, when people not much younger than her referred to her as 'aunty'.

For me, the exposure of the main character's thoughts became my source of interest than the storyline of the murder. Even more so as the story progressed, that it didn't matter that I found the ending a bit lacklustre. I would have preferred the culprit to be one of the main characters, rather than someone in the background.

I loved how feelings that a person would normally suppress were freely aired in the narrative giving licence to the reader that such thoughts are not uncommon. This was demonstrated when Kausar's daughter, Sana called her for help after she had been accused of murder clashed with her own sensitivities (as a role of dogsbody rather than someone who wanted to use their investigative intellect). I feel that reactions to the traumatic loss of a loved family member put a strain on the mother-daughter relationship, as they never discussed it, instead endured their grief independently. A good reminder for the reader!

Another issue the author highlights are tensions in the household, not necessarily related to the murder and how the truth of what is manifesting is masked whilst multiple issues are juggled.

The author succeeds in normalising how when life dramatically changes, new directions (or old ones) can be explored (as in the case of Kausar and Nasir) with a newfound confidence acquired from one's experiences. You're given hope that it's not the end of the world and your past will equip you better for what's ahead, so be brave and go for it. I'm not sure if this is a film yet, but it would be awesome on screen, very easy on the eye too, if Uzma's descriptions are honoured!

Aida's review:

I loved reading Detective Aunty so much. It is so much more than a murder mystery, to me it is story about love, loss, and the uncertainty that life can throw at us when we least expect it. Seeing Kausar, as a mother navigate an investigation after her daughter is arrested for murder made it a compelling, yet emotional journey.

It wasn't the mystery itself that stayed with me, but the way Uzma Jalaluddin explored the strength of family and the importance of community. The characters felt real, flawed, and deeply connected, reminding me that even in the darkest moments, the people around us can give us the courage to keep going.

It is warm, thoughtful, and full of heart. Detective Aunty is a mystery that lingers long after the final page.

*If you want to know more about Uzma Jalaluddin, read the author Q&A on Spotlight about her journey into writing halal romance.