Q&A with MJ Soni, Author of The Masala Chai Mystery Club 

A lifelong fan of Agatha Christie, she now draws upon her love of the culture and cuisine of her diverse Indian, African, and American background to write heartwarming murder mysteries set largely in coastal New England.

She’s a recipient of the Leon B. Burstein/MWA-NY Scholarship and a runner-up to the Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award, a Pitch Wars mentee and mentor, and a member of Crime Writers of Color, Sisters in Crime National, and Sisters in Crime–CT.

The Masala Chai Mystery Club follows a tenacious librarian who is forced into early retirement due to budget cuts. She then teams up with an eclectic group of characters to find out who killed her neighbor.

Let’s get to know MJ as she talks favorite books, inspiration behind her novel, her TBR and more!

What are some of your favorite novels?

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: In my debut mystery, The Masala Chai Mystery Club, my protagonist, librarian Neeti Shah, is inspired by Jane Eyre. And that part is autobiographical. I read Jane Eyre when I was about fourteen, and it was life-altering for me. I was surprised at how independent Jane was, and shocked when she refused to marry Rochester when he made an unacceptable proposition to her. It was the first time I learned what true courage and agency really mean. 

Books by my fellow Crime Writers of Color and Sisters in Crime authors are always so enjoyable, especially Tracy Clark, Kellye Garrett, VM Burns, Olivia Mathews, Tessa Wegert, Jennifer Chow, Cheryl Head, and Ellen Byron. 

When did you know you wanted to become an author?

I wish I could say it was from the age of seven or so, but I can’t. I did scientific writing as part of my job, but scientific writing is all about clarity and facts, creative writing, especially mysteries, is the opposite, it’s about obfuscation, of misleading the reader. I would say the first time I knew I wanted to write fiction was about ten years ago. 

What inspired you to write The Masala Chai Mystery Club?

After writing a number of psychological and domestic suspense stories without any luck, I decided on something lighthearted that I could have fun with. At the time my mom was suffering from advanced dementia and had forgotten who I was. She was also forgetting who my dad was and would panic when seeing him in her bedroom. It was so sad. 

I think I subconsciously wanted to re-create the person my mom used to be, a caring, intelligent, tough, meticulous person. 

Another inspiration was libraries and librarians. I grew up in South Africa, under apartheid, a system of legalized racism under which people of color like myself were denied the rights to vote and basically treated as lesser human beings. 

The nearest public library to us was a ten-minute walk away but I wasn’t allowed in it because it was only for White people. So, here in the US, I really treasure libraries and librarians who every day stand up for the written word, for their patrons, and authors. 

What was your favorite part or chapter to write?

I loved writing about the kid, Ved, and the dog, Yolo, he’s such a love sponge. The pirate invasion was also fun. 

What are some aspects you like best about cozy mysteries?

The sense of community, the friendships, especially female friendships, and food.

What are you currently reading and what’s on your TBR (to be read) list?

Tsundoku is a Japanese word for the phenomenon of acquiring books to be read later. That so aptly describes me. Currently I’m reading Happy Hour by Elissa Bass and Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy.