The Midnight Taxi

“I adored this resilient, plucky taxi-driving sleuth and her fiercely loyal public defender. Yosha Gunasekera’s debut whodunnit takes readers on an intriguing ride with plenty of surprising turns. Perfect for fans of Olivia Blacke and Mia P. Manansala.”—Elle Cosimano, New York Times bestselling author of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It

“Mystery takes Manhattan in this charming debut, which features a winning cast steeped in the rich diversity of immigrant New York and the nuances of the criminal justice system.”—Nina Simon, New York Times bestselling author of Mother-Daughter Murder Night

“Standing ovation! The Midnight Taxi is a treasure. Engaging, authentic and eye-opening—with a delightful and relatable main character I instantly adored. It’s fast-paced, uniquely voiced, perfectly plotted, and realistically emotional—but what makes this murder mystery a standout is its wise and heartfelt exploration of cultural identity and the search for justice. This is the beginning of your new favorite series!”—Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of All This Could Be Yours

“The Midnight Taxi is one of my favorite mysteries of the year—a witty, charming love letter to New York City, immigrants, and the often-unseen laborers who make the world go round. With a pair of supremely endearing sleuths, a puzzle-box structure full of twists, and a deeply satisfying conclusion, Gunasekera has a winner on her hands.”—Ashley Winstead, USA Today bestselling author of This Book Will Bury Me

“The Midnight Taxi is one of the most fun and unique takes on a locked room mystery that I’ve ever read. I had a blast tagging along with Siri and Amaya as they traversed New York City trying to uncover exactly who killed Siri’s late-night fare in a moving taxi cab. Yosha Gunasekera weaves enlightening–and timely–insights about her Sri Lankan culture and what it’s like being an immigrant into a satisfying, well-plotted mystery. I already can’t wait for book two!”—Kellye Garrett, award-winning author of Missing White Woman

“Yosha Gunasekera’s debut reads as a love letter to New York and all the unsung heroes residing within the city mixed with the intrigue of a locked room mystery. Siri’s blend of strength and vulnerability kept me rooting for her throughout the many twists and turns in the story, and I can’t wait to see what new adventures are in store for the dynamic duo of Siri and Amaya!”—Mia P. Manansala, author of the best-selling Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series

“Yosha Gunasekera’s debut reads like a hug from your tenacious, messy Sri Lankan aunty. A gripping mystery wrapped in a love letter to the immigrants of New York, it has all the elements of your next favorite read—an unstoppable force of a main character, a dead body found in a moving taxi, and a mouthwatering portrait of New York’s food culture. Equal parts clever, funny and insightful, I didn’t want this wild (taxi) ride to end!”—Amanda Jayatissa, author of Island Witch

“Gunasekera’s marvelous debut centers on New York City taxi driver Siriwathi ‘Siri’ Perera, who picks up a passenger headed to JFK, only to discover once they arrive at the airport that the man has been murdered in her backseat… Gunasekera, an attorney with the Innocence Project, pulls no punches when it comes to detailing the hostility Siri faces from law enforcement, but she never loses sight of the brain-teasing fun inherent to the best locked-room mysteries. Meanwhile, Siri herself—an only child who deferred her dreams of law school in order to become the family breadwinner—is a character well worth spending time with. Readers will be rapt.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This is a richly detailed, well-crafted debut mystery led by an appealing amateur detective duo in Siri and Amaya. Recommended for fans of Nita Prose and Jesse Q. Sutanto.”—Library Journal, starred review

“Mystery readers should be drawn to this lively loner, perhaps the most engaging whodunit heroine since Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone…A charming debut mystery told with panache.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Gunasekera writes with straightforward ease, relaying the step-by-step process of Siri and Amaya’s fast-moving investigation. The Sri Lankan American background she shares with her protagonists adds cultural and sociopolitical enhancements to her narrative, broadening the scope beyond the usual whodunit. Her plotting proves notably clever, managing to lull readers into willingly nodding along with persuasive developments until the never-saw-that-coming twists near mystery’s end.”—Shelf Awareness

“Deep family ties, strong food culture, and love and longing for a better future build a picture that one can only hope isn’t quashed by today’s political chaos.”—First Clue