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Reviewed by Gabriel Santos for Readers' Favorite
In Lana Sabarwal's Maya, Dead and Dreaming, Munna Dhingra is an Indian immigrant who has lived in the small town of Shogie, Washington, most of her life. Yet she still feels like a stranger, trying to find her place in the world. One day, she receives a cryptic letter raising doubts about the accidental death of Maya Hickmann 14 years ago, in 1938. The two had been friends until shortly before Maya's death. Her guilt over not being there for Maya or helping with the investigation leads Munna to try tackling the mystery. She seeks the help of her boss, Andrew Weaver, who introduces her to the eccentric but brilliant psychoanalyst Karenina. Now Munna must navigate the complex web of lies and secrets of the Hickmann family while breaking out of her shell.
Perhaps the best way to describe this novel is a psychological whodunit. Lana Sabarwal excels in writing layered, compelling characters who are never as simple as they seem. I was particularly invested in Munna. She's a fascinating protagonist struggling with many unresolved thoughts and feelings, which the case forces her to confront. The other characters are just as deep and intriguing, and the story perfectly captures the atmosphere of small-town drama with its gossip, secrets, and tacit understandings. That said, if you're a fan of classic detective stories in the style of Agatha Christie and the like, you'll still find plenty to enjoy here. While Maya, Dead and Dreaming doesn't place much emphasis on clever tricks and extravagant plans, it presents a fair mystery with a satisfying solution that makes perfect sense in hindsight.
