Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi is a captivating and richly narrated audiobook that immerses you in the vibrant world of 1960s India. The story is beautifully told, blending mystery, emotion, and cultural detail with compelling characters and evocative prose. The narration enhances the experience, bringing every scene to life. A short but powerful listen that leaves a lasting impression

This book is a beautiful love letter to accepting yourself, taking risks and having adventures; and all the people who help us along the way.

Sona lives a very small life, she goes to work, she goes home to her single mother. Having never felt like she truely belonged anywhere due to her half English, half Indian heritage; she feels safe in the confines of this simple life, though she yearns for more.

One night she meets a new patient. Mira is full of life, she has lived and loved loudly. She believes Sona is meant for so much more and encourages her to follow those dreams.

This book is beautiful and heartbreaking, both in the writing and narration.

This story swept me away in the best way. I felt so lucky to have received a signed and personalized finished copy from Alka Joshi herself—it made diving into this beautiful book feel extra meaningful!

As expected with her writing, I was completely transported. The way she brings each location to life—from the chaos and color of Bombay to the elegance of Prague and Paris—is just stunning. But what really stuck with me was Sona’s personal journey. While she’s chasing down answers about Mira, she slowly starts uncovering parts of herself, too.

There were definitely sad, emotional moments, but the whole story had this thread of hope and possibility running through it. It reminded me that sometimes the life we’re looking for is already right in front of us—we just have to be willing to see it.

Rich, layered, and full of heart. I loved it.

I adored Alka Joshi's the Jaipur trilogy, so I was delighted to receive an advance copy of Six Days in Bombay. Her ability to bring readers into a richly-described world is unparalleled. This stand-alone novel that introduces many readers to painter Amrita Sher-Gil, the "Frida Kahlo of India," and takes us and nurse Sona on an international journey.

The narration of this book amplified the experience.

Many thanks to the author, narrator, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

This is my first read by Alka Joshi and I cannot wait to read more!

This standalone novel is about Sona, a nurse in India in the 1930s. I was so drawn in by her job as a nurse and the realities for women back in this time. A favorite patient passes away and it is on Sona to deliver her paintings to their rightful owners. I loved her journey through delivering the paintings and Sona's self discovery. The character development on this one is top notch! I loved the mystery of what really happened to the patient and what will Sona do now. Highly recommend!

Six Days in Bombay is a beautifully written historical fiction novel that transports readers to 1930s Bombay and across Europe. Alka Joshi masterfully weaves a tale of Sona, a young Anglo-Indian nurse, whose life takes an unexpected turn after meeting the charismatic artist Mira.​

Joshi's descriptive prose brings each setting to life, from the bustling streets of Bombay to the artistic hubs of Prague and Paris. The novel delves deep into themes of identity, colonialism, and the transformative power of unexpected friendships.​

While the narrative is compelling, some transitions between settings felt abrupt, and certain character developments could have been more fleshed out. Nonetheless, the story's emotional depth and historical context make it a worthwhile read.​

I recommended for active who enjoys historical fiction with rich cultural settings and character-driven narratives.

I really enjoyed this book. It is engaging and interesting. The book is well written and unique. I highly recommend this book.

Oh Sona, I thought you’d be my girl’s girl protagonist. I’d strap in as your ride-or-die reader as you went from lamb to lioness and became the hero of your own story.

Instead, as the book progressed, your first-person perspective became more about being the investigative narrator of someone else’s storyline. I know you’re a nurse, which means you prioritize caring for others—but it’s OK to put your own hero’s journey first. To attach emotionally to you and your outcome, I needed more from you than being a dead patient’s delivery girl.

The audiobook narrator, Deepti Gupta, has such a soothing voice. Her delivery really added positively to my reading experience.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I’m still such a fan of Alka Joshi’s Henna Artist trilogy that whatever she writes snacks will go straight to my TBR list.

This was a slow dance. At times I wish it would go faster, it then I fell more deeply into it, the characters, and the story of a young woman finding herself thanks to an artist. In finding herself, she travels to some of my favorite cities in Europe, with places that I recognize as having been to, and others that I hope one day to visit. As I write this, I am reminded of “Eat, Pray, Love” and that journey and how I find parallels. It’s a slow dance, but it’s worth it.

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I was excited to read "Six Days in Bombay" as I loved Joshi's Henna Artist trilogy. This book is just as engrossing--it is an epic that first allows us to peek into the everyday life of Sona, a nurse in 1937 Bombay, and then witness her adventures across Europe. Her travels and interactions with a wide cast of characters help her understand herself and the woman whose brief friendship changed her life. It is a captivating tale and I loved watched Sona grow as her world expands. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide an honest review of this audiobook.

★ ★ ★ ½

Alka Joshi’s Six Days in Bombay kicks off with a bang—a famous painter dies under suspicious circumstances, and Sona, a young Anglo-Indian nurse, is suddenly the prime suspect. What follows is a globe-trotting journey from Bombay to Europe as Sona tries to clear her name and untangle the truth about Mira Novak, the enigmatic artist who changed her life in just six days.

The setup is rich, and the premise has real intrigue. Joshi brings exotic locations to life with her usual flair. But where The Henna Artist and The Secret Keeper of Jaipur gripped me from the start, this one took a while to warm up. The first third drags, bogged down by overlong descriptions and a slower pace than the mystery deserves.

That said, once Sona hits the road—armed with Mira’s note and a few cryptic paintings—the novel finds its rhythm. The twisty backstories and emotional reveals add depth, and Sona’s growth is satisfying. Still, I wished the plot had more urgency and fewer travelogue-style detours. The narrator did a wonderful job, though.

Fans of art, secrets, and strong female leads will enjoy this one—but it’s not Joshi’s strongest work.

** Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Harlequin Audio for comps of the eBook and audiobook. The opinions are my own.

I loved Joshi’s other books, but this one left me a bit disappointed. The premise and protagonist are very promising, but the writing just doesn’t feel… finished. The plot feels slow to start and rushed to finish, and the characters aren’t quite developed enough. I love seeing all the different places represented, but I wish there had been a few more revisions to refine the storytelling.

I absolutely loved this book. The author's storytelling is so vivid and nostalgic. I loved following Sona’s journey across Europe it felt personal and dreamy. The themes of identity and finding yourself were powerful, and the mystery around the artist kept me hooked. The audiobook narrator was amazing and brought everything to life beautifully.

Super excited for Alka Joshi’s newest book post her Henna Artist trilogy! This one had very similar vibes to her previous series. It really reminded me a lot of The Perfumist of Paris in many ways. It was a good time seeing Sons travel from Bombay to Prague, Florence, Paris, and London. There felt like there was something missing from this, though, to make it a truly great book. But overall enjoyable and definitely worth checking out if you like Joshi’s other books.

Than you to NetGalley and the publisher for an audio copy to listen to in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I have read from Joshi and I'm hooked on this author! Such a beautiful piece of writing that fully captures how just one person, or one day, or one interaction can have an impact. I loved the story and the characters and the descriptions. A remarkable tale expertly written to evoke emotion.

The audio was spectacular. The narrator made me feel like I was there.

Alka Joshi delivers a captivating and richly layered tale in Six Days in Bombay, a historical fiction gem set in 1930s India. With vivid imagery and a gripping plot, this story pulled me in from page one and never let go.

At its heart is Sona Falstaff, a smart, determined nurse who unexpectedly finds herself at the center of a murder mystery. As tensions rise and secrets unravel, Sona’s emotional journey of self-discovery is both powerful and inspiring. The female leads in this novel are strong, complex, and refreshingly real—each one adding depth and fire to the story.

The cultural nuances, historical backdrop, and family drama are intricately woven, making the novel feel both cinematic and intimate. Joshi masterfully balances suspense with emotional depth, and the result is a story that’s both thrilling and heartfelt.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Sneha Mathan, and it was a fabulous experience. Her narration brought the diverse characters to life with such skill—the accents, the emotion, the delivery—everything stood out in the best ways. It truly enhanced the immersion.

If you love historical fiction with strong women, emotional drama, and a touch of mystery, this one’s for you. A fun, thought-provoking, and utterly immersive read!

The audiobook was so well done! I was immersed into Sona and Mira's world. There was some romance, some mystery and suspense. Well done, Alka Joshi!

Very interesting story!

This story starts out in 1937 in Bombay at a hospital where the main character is a nurse. Sona is a good nurse that takes special time with her patients. She is young and has had issues while growing up because her mother was from India and her father was English. During this time the people of India are trying to get free from the English. This is a very interesting time in India which makes the story informative from a historical point of view.

The story goes to Prague, Florence, England and Paris. which is interesting because Hitler is gaining power and there is speculation about another world war. The characters in the story are well developed and fun to get to know. The book describes details about the characters from their past that helps us understand who they are in 1937. The story also describes issues for women of the time period.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Sneha Mathan did a great job making the story come to life.

In Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi, Mira, an artist (whose character is based on the artist Amrita Sher-Gil) befriends our main character Sona, when admitted into a hospital in Bombay. Sona, after Mira dies under questionable circumstances, is forced to leave the hospital in disgrace.

After receiving a note, from Mira, along with some of her art, Sona commences on a journey do deliver 3 paintings. On the way we learn Mira’s story, she begins to question Mira’s motivation for choosing her while trying to clear her name.

The narration by Sneha Mathan is very well done. I was able to remain engaged because Sneha is able to bring these characters to life.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. All opinions are my own.

Book Rating: 4 Stars
Audiobook Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Apr 15 2025

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4.5 ⭐

Synopsis:
When renouned painter Mira Novak arrives at Wadia hospital in Bombay after a miscarriage, she's expected to make a quick recovery, and Sona is excited to spend time with the worldly woman who shares her half-Indian identity, even if that's where their similarities end. Sona is enraptured by Mira's stories of her travels, and shocked by accounts of the many lovers she's left scattered through Europe. Over the course of a week, Mira befriends Sona, seeing in her something bigger than the small life she's living with her mother. Mira is released from the hospital just in time to attend a lavish engagement party where all of Bombay society. But the next day, Mira is readmitted to the hospital in worse condition than before, and when she dies under mysterious circumstances, Sona immediately falls under suspicion.

Before leaving the hospital in disgrace, Sona is given a note Mira left for her, along with her four favorite paintings. But how could she have known to leave a note if she didn't know she was going to die? The note sends Sona on a mission to deliver three of the paintings—the first to Petra, Mira's childhood friend and first love in Prague; the second to her art dealer Josephine in Paris; the third to her first painting tutor, Paolo, with whom both Mira and her mother had affairs. As Sona uncovers Mira's history, she learns that the charming facade she'd come to know was only one part of a complicated and sometimes cruel woman. But can she discover what really happened to Mira and exonerate herself?

Along the way, Sona also comes to terms with her own complex history and the English father who deserted her and her mother in India so many years ago. In the end, she'll discover that we are all made up of pieces, and only by seeing the world do we learn to see ourselves.

Alka Joshi is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. She researches her books thoroughly and writes beautifully. I really enjoyed the Jaipur Trilogy and Six Days in Bombay is equally compelling. The characters in the novel were relatable and flawed. The different settings (Bombay, Istanbul, Paris, Florence, Prague, and London) were described in such a way that I felt like I was traveling with Sona, the main character. I highly recommend the book if you like learning about other cultures and great storytelling. This novel was based on the life of painter Amrita Sher-Gil, a Hungarian Indian painter.

Sneha Mathan does a wonderful job narrating the book and bringing it to life. It was a mesmerizing performance!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advanced digital copy of the audiobook.