Title: The Cosmic Clues
Author: Manjiri Prabhu
ISBN: 9780440241720
Pages: 384
Release Date: September 28, 2004
Publisher: Dell
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Cultural Fiction
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

Sonia Samarth is the newest private investigator in the city of Pune, India, but her business comes with a twist.  Sonia uses astrology in order to aid her in solving mysteries, and though many think her approach ridiculous, her successes begin to bring her some fame.

Review:

Astrology is an important part of Hindu tradition, though many don’t subscribe to it these days.  However, Manjiri Prabhu brings the practice back in her cozy mystery The Cosmic Clues.  Sonia has a talent for reading horoscopes; they tell her if a person has a betrayal coming, if they are easily deceived, even if they might not find happiness in a marriage.  These insights into a person’s character, as well as their past and future, help Sonia solve the mysteries she’s presented with.  Admittedly, it’s a bit silly, but it makes for an entertaining novel if you’re in the mood for light and easy.

Instead of The Cosmic Clues having one overarching mystery like most novels in this genre, the book is filled with smaller mysteries that Sonia must solve in order to demonstrate her detecting abilities.  It makes for a quick, fast-paced read, though it’s a bit unrealistic how quickly and perfectly Sonia can solve everything that’s thrown her way.  Still, Prabhu came up with some clever twists and turns for Sonia, and the fast pace and new mysteries mean that readers won’t lose interest in this book.

The Cosmic Clues is a fun novel, and it provides a unique insight into Hindu culture.  Manjiri Prabhu has written a second Astral Investigations novel, The Astral Alibi, and I look forward to reading it and seeing what Sonia is up to next.

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