An unusual novel set in New York City. An Indian female newsreporter investigates a murder trial and face prejudice from her colleagues.
The book is well researched and has a cast of real historical figures.
Review posted on Goodreads.

This is an offbeat, fascinating, engrossing story set in New York City in the first decade of the 20th century. It is populated with a colourful and memorable cast of characters, many of them actual historical figures and some vividly imagined, and takes place against a background of actual events as the rough-and-tumble city grew, changed, developed and began to move towards its future as a modern mega-metropolis. The story tackles issues of gender, class and racial prejudice; civic corruption; community coherence; love of family; and longing for home. A most unusual and enjoyable book which I heartily recommend.

Radha Vatsal’s novel, set in 1907, is based on historical events in New York City in an untried part of a new century. Our viewpoint is through Archie (Archana) Morley, a journalist from Bombay who revels in her freedom to tromp through the streets of her new home in trousers, although she’s not averse to wearing saris to support her doctor husband in his pursuit of better health for the people. Mayor ‘Hizzoner’ Georgie B. McLellan has big plans on the drawing board; one is the Catskills Reservoir Project; the other is demolishing Chinatown in favour of green space, a politically savvy move considering the white elected officials’ firm belief that Chinatown isn’t a worthy part of the city.

Archie’s sojourns to Doyers Street intrigue and scare her after interviewing Mock Duck, the supposed head of the Hip Sing Tong. He is the most feared gangster, responsible for all the violence, yet witnessing the removal, by child services, of his six-year-old adopted daughter, with intent to erase her Asian heritage in favour of a white one, gives Archie a new perspective that both surprises and shocks her, but to which she can relate as an immigrant from an alien country. As she mingles with law and local politics, Archie sees racial inequality playing out firsthand. She gets what she can into print. Sometimes she succeeds, sometimes she doesn’t.

Vatsal’s six years of research has created a compelling look at the early growing pains of New York City, and its relationship with Chinatown, which might well be “Anytown” were there to have been a huge influx of any other non-white culture into the city in a short space of time. The legend of Mock Duck, juxtaposed against what Archie sees and feels, makes for an engrossing read about the erasure of people and their homes and culture in the name of so-called progress.

3.75 stars

This unusual story is as much historical insight as it is mystery. It gives a glimpse into several themes: New York City politics during the Tammany Hall era, racism against Chinese and Indian people, early female news reporters, public health, etc.

Reporter Archana (Archie) Morley came from Bombay, married an American doctor and is working as a reporter. She dresses in trousers rather than saris and faces bad attitudes and prejudice from most people. Her husband appears to be an extraordinarily enlightened man, particularly for that time. I would have liked to have heard more about their relationship which is affectionate and honest and equitable.

Dr. Morley works for the city and is a friend of the mayor, and he works to improve public health.
There is a lot of background on public administration issues of that time including milk pasteurization, clean water and the Catskills Aqueduct and so on. The other historical story running in the background is the infamous Harry Thaw murder trial but it was mostly a red herring.

Archie gets involved in an issue involving Chinatown and we get to watch the various threads she follows and where they lead. There is an epilog which lets us know what happened later which was gratifying. An offbeat and interesting look at those times. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.