The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles by Hemangini Dutt Majumder

 The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles by Hemangini Dutt Majumder | Book Review

Set in a Bengali home, this murder mystery is light-hearted, airy, and comfortable. To care for their ancestral property, Fishy, her niece Ollie, and her adopted daughter Laura relocate to Neelbari. 

In the initial pages, Ollie narrates her bonding with Fishy, or her Pishi, and how she started living with her after her mother's demise. Her little stories of her first encounter with periods and how she tackles everything made me feel relatable. However, odd events begin to occur in Neelbari, leading everyone to question whether a ghost is at play.

When Ollie helps find the culprit and free the innocent, her superhuman hyperosmic power saves the day. As the mystery unfolds, the trio discovers hidden secrets within their family’s history that intertwine with the strange occurrences. With each revelation, the bonds between them strengthen, proving that love and loyalty can conquer even the most perplexing of challenges.

The relationship between Ollie and Laura was one that I truly liked. Ollie is astute, tenacious, and humorous, and her keen sense of smell adds a special dimension to the investigation. Laura, on the other hand, is the ideal partner in crime-solving since she offers her own unique brand of audacity and curiosity.  Their humour and the way they played with each other's strengths kept the story moving and gave the mystery a cosy, familial touch.

The frequent use of Bengali food-related words, references, and cultural nuances caught my attention. Since I wasn't familiar with many of them, I initially found myself becoming a little annoyed, but I eventually adapted, and it became a unique flavour of the novel. I found Ollie's remarkable sense of smell, with all of its in-depth explanations, to be fascinating but perhaps a bit excessive.

To be honest, the beginning was a touch slow, and I wasn't immediately captivated. However, I started to like it much more when the inquiry accelerated and the hilarity emerged. I thought the ending was obvious, but it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the journey. The characters developed in unexpected ways, adding layers of complexity that kept me engaged. Ultimately, the blend of humour and mystery left a lasting impression, making it a memorable read despite its slow start.

Bengali cuisine and references are scattered throughout the book, giving the story more realism. My expectations have been met by debutante Hemangini Dutt Majumder, and it is always heartening to see more female writers emerging in the Indian literary landscape.

Overall, the tale is not your typical whodunit; it combines Gothic flair with Bengali heritage and leaves a lasting impression on your mind like a cool perfume.

Purchase here.

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