#Review: Trouble in the Tea Garden by Mitali Perkins

Trouble in the Tea Gardens is a quietly powerful middle-grade novel that blends mystery with social realism, set against the misty slopes of Darjeeling’s tea plantations. At its heart is Sena, a twelve-year-old Nepali girl whose everyday struggles—learning English, fetching water, worrying about her brother’s future—are rendered with warmth and credibility. Perkins writes Sena not as a symbolic child-hero, but as a thoughtful, observant girl negotiating a world stacked with small injustices.

The central plot—the disappearance of a neighbour’s gold and the suspicion that falls on Sena’s brother, Samiran Daju—unfolds steadily, allowing tension to grow organically. What elevates the story is how the mystery is never isolated from its setting. Issues of class, language, migration, and power dynamics within plantation life are woven seamlessly into the narrative. Adults mistrust easily, rumours travel fast, and truth becomes complicated when survival is at stake.

Perkins’ writing style is simple but precise. The prose is accessible for younger readers yet layered enough to invite reflection. Dialogues feel natural, and sensory details—the chill of the hills, the crowded water queues, the watchful eyes of neighbours—anchor the story firmly in place. Sena’s courage lies not in grand gestures but in persistence, observation, and moral clarity, making her a compelling protagonist.

The pacing occasionally slows, particularly in the investigative stretches, and some secondary characters could have been developed further. However, these minor lapses are outweighed by the book’s emotional honesty and thematic depth.

Overall, Trouble in the Tea Gardens is more than a mystery—it’s a thoughtful exploration of belonging, justice, and growing up in a world where being heard is not guaranteed. It invites young readers to look beyond blame and ask harder questions about fairness, courage, and community.

Find this book here.