I Never Knew it Was You

by Kalpana Swaminathan

Sita, detective Lalli’s niece—and occasional Watson—runs into former classmate Anais at Mumbai airport. Even as the friends catch up, Anais hands over a cardboard box she is carrying to a waiting woman, nonchalantly informing the traumatized lady that the box contains her son’s ashes. Some days later, Anais herself turns up dead in the slimy Mithi River, a pink nylon rope wrapped ritually around her neck. What does the cardboard box with human remains have to do with Anais’s murder? And what significance do the peculiar knots round her neck have? Lalli must find answers, fast, if she is to prevent more deaths.

288 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2012

Reviews

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many disjointed characters. Nobody for whom I could feel any sympathy. And I'm, frankly speaking, disgusted with Sita, Lalli's niece and the narrator. Plus, the plot was fool of irrelevant observations, information and backstory.
Overall, didn’t enjoy the book at all, despite the usual wit and charm of the author lacing each page, in her signature style.

[Srividya Ganapathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading about this author in the newspaper and after coming to know that she writes mystery novels, I picked this book. The plot was ok and the story was not too bad. But could have been edited better.

[Meera Srikant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kalpana Swaminathan weaves a rich tapestry that is a joy to read. But the problem is, at the end of it, I am still wondering if only the current mystery was solved or even the historical ones connected to the current one. Somehow leaves me gasping for breath - both in good and bad ways.

[Asha Gopalakrishnan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complicated plot, too many characters and the English quite complicated. Kalpana Swaminathan needs the (I'm guessing) sobering influence of Ishrat and as a duo, they are way better than her solo book.

[Snehal · Rating 1 out of 5]

poor character development, mishmash plot, very disappointing

[Ayush · Rating 2 out of 5]

No such mystery...

[Venkat Raghavan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Avoidable book.