Five years ago, Geeta's no-good husband simply walked away and she never heard from him again. However, in her small Indian village, the rumor persists that Geeta killed him. Geeta doesn't mind since no one wants to mess with a black widow. Until women start asking Geeta for advice on how to off their own husbands and they won't take no for an answer.

It's been a long time since a book made me laugh this hard. Shroff's dark sense of humor eases the very weighty topic of gender expectations and limitations in Indian society. Heartwarming and hilarious all at once, The Bandit Queens has a well-rounded story and witty characters that make for an enjoyable, yet thought-provoking, read. Easily five stars from me, I'll be shocked if one of the celebrity book clubs doesn't choose it in January.