The Night of the Storm is an example of the locked-room mystery. Invented by Edgar Allen Poe, this is a mystery subgenre with the following characteristics: A murder takes place in a room locked from inside, with no sign of a break-in, in what might appear to be an impossible crime.
Jia Shah, recently separated from her husband Dev, has much to contend with. As Hurricane Harvey bears down on Houston, she’s asked to evacuate her home. She and her 12-year-old son Ishaan are seemingly rescued when they seek refuge in the home of her sister Seema in the same city. And it seems like an ideal solution. Seema, her husband Vipul, their daughter Asha, and his mother live on a hill in an area of the city believed to be protected from the hurricane.
Still Jia finds herself not at ease. Her relationship with Seema is not the smoothest. But what really concerns her is the unwelcome attention she always receives from Vipul.
Soon Vipul’s brother Raj and his wife join them, in this claustrophobic environment, as does a neighbor, Rafael. They make the most of the situation by sharing food and drinks. The conviviality doesn’t last long. Rafael, feeling sick, slides off his chair and tumbles onto the floor. Upon examination, much to the shock of everyone, he’s found to be dead.
Meanwhile the storm intensifies, causing the water level to rise outside the house, shattering everyone’s feeling of safety. It is then that, yet another tragic event takes place in the study. This time, Vipul is the victim, shot dead by an assassin. The grief-stricken family asks how this could happen. Also, how did someone gain entry in here? The police are contacted, but they can’t show up for a few hours. Although baffled and close to panic, Jia decides to take the initiative to decode the mystery of the two deaths.
Author Parekh, in her multicultural novel, sprinkles tidbits of Indian tradition, thereby adding a spark to the pages. Although the story starts at a slow pace and continues in that manner, it gathers momentum toward the end. Throughout, Jia manages to remain a sympathetic character.
