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Byomkesh Bakshi Vol. II

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Seven exciting mysteries from the casebook of Byomkesh Bakshi, arguably the most famous Indian fictional detective ever created.
Generations of readers have been thrilled by the tales of Byomkesh Bakshi, the Bengali fictional detective created by Saradindu Bandopadhyay. Superbly translated by Monimala Dhar, the brilliant and unflappable Byomkesh Bakshi and his partner Ajit are introduced to the world in this series. Disturbing and original, surprising and shocking, Byomkesh Bakshi Vol. II is a collection of seven of his most deliciously compelling mysteries. From meeting Satyabati in a bizarre series of events in the first story to another, where he must find the murderer behind two seemingly natural deaths to still another, where he finds the truth to a series of gramophone pin murders, there is an almost palpable sense of excitement that enthrals the reader as Byomkesh and Ajit set off on one adventure after another.
Clever, intriguing and suspenseful, these stories are homage to the great detective with astounding powers of deduction, perfect for fans of classic crime fiction.

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2023

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Saradindu Bandyopadhyay

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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Debabrata Mishra.
1,642 reviews44 followers
October 12, 2023
"Byomkesh Bakshi Vol. II" is a captivating collection of seven mysteries featuring the brilliant detective Byomkesh Bakshi and his loyal partner Ajit. These stories, meticulously translated by Monimala Dhar, offer readers a thrilling journey into the world of Indian detective fiction.

Saradindu Bandopadhyay's creation, Byomkesh Bakshi, stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the detective genre. In this volume, readers are treated to a series of intriguing and original mysteries that showcase Bakshi's remarkable deductive abilities.

The first story introduces us to Satyabati through a bizarre sequence of events, setting the tone for the intriguing adventures that follow. As the narrative unfolds, readers are drawn into a web of suspense, where the unexpected becomes the norm.

One of the standout mysteries in this collection involves Bakshi's quest to uncover the truth behind two seemingly natural deaths. Bandopadhyay's storytelling prowess shines through as he weaves a complex narrative filled with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Another compelling case involves a series of gramophone pin murders. The meticulous attention to detail and the clever deductions made by Bakshi in this story are a testament to the author's skill in crafting intricate plots.

Throughout the book, the dynamic partnership between Byomkesh Bakshi and Ajit adds depth to the narrative. Ajit's role as both a friend and chronicler of Bakshi's adventures provides readers with an intimate view of the detective's thought process and methods.

In terms of writing style, Monimala Dhar's translation captures the essence of the original Bengali stories, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the world of Byomkesh Bakshi. The prose is both evocative and atmospheric, enhancing the overall reading experience.

It pays homage to the classic crime fiction genre, offering readers a taste of the golden age of detective stories. The mysteries presented in this collection are cleverly constructed, keeping readers engaged and guessing until the final revelation.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for fans of classic crime fiction.

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332 reviews3 followers
October 7, 2023
Byomkesh Bakshi is a famous Bangali fictional character created by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. A popular and witty detective who is famous for solving the most difficult cases with his wisdom. I haven't read about him before so when I got the opportunity to read his stories, I was more than excited.

This book shares seven short mystery cases which have been solved by Byomkesh. The stories are really well translated where we meet Byomkesh and his friend Ajit. The stories are being told from Ajit's perspective where he shares their adventures of solving seven difficult mysteries. The narration is very engaging and smooth which will keep you hooked till the last story. The way Bakshi solves the mysteries and the way he notices the small things in each case is remarkable.

We have seen the series of Byomkesh on DD and this book surely made me miss those days. Each and every case is special but I loved 'Money Matters' the most.

I would highly recommend this one.
Profile Image for Asha Seth.
Author 1 book349 followers
September 25, 2023
Crime fiction is one of my favorite genres since childhood. Many a nights were spent covered under the blanket reading Nancy Drew mysteries. It is only for this hunger that was cultivated in childhood to only grow with time as there are so many amazing authors and books to read under the crime thriller genre. Growing up, I met Poirot and Sherlock and Miss Marple, and I knew the kid inside me was always going to be happy and satisfied. And then I came across Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries. My thrill knew no bounds. Our very own Indian Mr. Holmes and even better, because the settings were relatable and familiar!

In this volume of Byomkesh Bakshi, readers find 7 thrilling mysteries from the casebook of Byomkesh Bakshi, arguably the most famous Indian fictional detective ever created. Saradindu Bandopadhyay’s iconic Bengali detective, brought to life through the superb translation skills of Monimala Dhar, takes center stage alongside his indomitable partner, Ajit. The book is narrated through this sidekick’s perspective.

Real life issues married with tragedies and often ending in crime come to the fore in this collection. From the enigmatic encounter with Satyabati in the opening tale to the relentless pursuit of a murderer hidden behind two seemingly natural deaths, and finally to the perplexing investigation into a series of gramophone pin murders, the collection is a treat for every crime fiction lover.

These clever, intriguing, and suspenseful narratives pay homage to the great mastermind with a great show of some unparalleled powers of analyzation and his detective prowess. They will keep readers glued to the edge of their seat of the thrilling ride that each of these tales are. The fantastic world of Byomkesh Bakshi comes alive again in this book, and how!

The translator has done a splendid job and the narratives, flow, and dialogues are all on the point and thoroughly engaging. The chilling settings in some of these stories just blow your mind. The inevitable factors of sinister and danger that lurks around the corners of every story makes them worth remembering long after the book is over. Truly, Byomkesh Bakshi teaches readers a thing or two about caution and observation, and how through sheer mindfulness the most twisted crimes can be solved efficiently. The stories that remain with me are ‘The Dart of Death’ and ‘The Thorn in the Flesh’.

‘Byomkesh Bakshi’ is more than a mere collection of crime fiction tales; it’s a peek into the creative and imaginative prowess that the author was. It’s a must-have on your shelf if you love books with unpredictable stories, sinister crime settings, eccentric crime elements, all through the lens of the Indian landscape and culture; especially Bengal.
Profile Image for Ruchi Patel.
1,144 reviews94 followers
September 21, 2023
As we all might have been familiar with Byomkesh Bakshi characters, I will mention little details here. Tales of Byomkesh Bakshi have been well read and popular among readers. It belongs to thriller, murder mystery genre. That character is created by Saradindu Bandopadhay. This book is translated by Monimala Dhar. This is volume two. It includes 7 stories. Here protagonist Bymokesh is referred as Bindhu babu too. Ajit is partner and tales are written from his point of view. I wanted to read it since long because I have read Sherlock, Poirot, and every other detective stories but this is originated in India. So while reading too, I could connect more to the scenes and the stories. Here I will discuss only one story that will give you idea about it. Further discussion will lead to spoilers. My favourite one here also is , “Money Matters”. As we can guess from the title, here the story is probably murder mystery due to property issues. Karali Babu was murdered and he didn’t have his own kids to inherit his property. Bindhu babu investigated this crime. I liked how the method is portrayed. It’s quite fascinating. I loved the language, love the narrative style of the author is. Obviously stories are well written and captivating in nature. That’s why it’s called classics. You can’t predict the end. Suspense is well created and maintained. The translation is to the point. Like at any point, I didn’t feel like I had a confusion regarding language. I enjoyed reading it very much. Strongly recommend from my side. A must read !
Profile Image for Sem.
966 reviews41 followers
Read
December 20, 2023
This was a disappointment. I was so excited to find a new Byomkesh volume that I didn't exercise my usual caution. How could I have guessed that the translator would choose stories that have been translated before? Surely there must be many Byomkesh Bakshi stories still untranslated. More to the point, and as was the case with her first volume twenty years ago, these translations are not of the best. Oh well. Another foggy evening bites the dust.
Profile Image for Ekta M.
539 reviews4 followers
September 28, 2023
Did you know?
Byomkesh Bakshi is a fictional detective in Bengali Literature created by the Bengali novelist Saradindu Bandyopadhyay (1899-1970).

Book - Byomkesh Bakshi Vol. 2
Author - Saradindu Bandyopadhyay
Translator- Monimala Dhar
Genre - Crime/ detective
Fiction / Short Stories
Published by @rupa_publications
Pages 221
Ebook available

This book is a collection of 7 short stories. These stories are all murder mysteries and how the intelligent detective Byomkesh Bakshi solves these cases with such calm and logic without any use of instrument.
In all the murder cases Byomkesh Bakshi is accompanied by his friend Ajit.
In one story Byomkesh Bakshi cracks a case about the Mystery of gramophone pin.....Of all the stories i liked this one the best. The mystery and then unfolding the culprit, it was intriguing to read. There is this excitement at every story to know how and who did the murder. All the stories were good and kept me glued to the book. Monimala Dhar has nicely translated the stories.
I also liked the friendly banter between Byomkesh and Ajit.

I am a great fan of detective stories and when i got a chance to read this book i immediately picked it up. I have heard of Byomkesh Bakshi but never read or watched before. This is the first time i read Byomkesh Bakshi stories and liked it.

I would recommend this book to all those who like detective fiction. Even beginners can read this. The language is easy and its a fast paced read.
Profile Image for Aditi.
300 reviews3 followers
October 22, 2023
The tales of Byomkesh Bakshi have enthralled generations of readers, and this volume, Byomkesh Bakshi Vol. II; does justice to the detective's enduring popularity. These stories, disturbing and original, unfold with an air of intrigue, leaving readers both surprised and shocked as they venture deeper into the mysteries.

Byomkesh Bakshi is a captivating journey into the world of one of India's most iconic fictional detectives. Crafted by the talented Saradindu Bandopadhyay and superbly translated by Monimala Dhar, this collection of seven mysteries introduces readers to the brilliant and unflappable Byomkesh Bakshi and his ever-loyal partner, Ajit.

The strength of these mysteries lies in their clever, intriguing, and suspenseful nature. Each story is a unique and enthralling adventure, leaving the reader eager to solve the puzzle alongside Byomkesh and Ajit. The cases range from unraveling seemingly natural deaths to uncovering the truth behind a series of gramophone pin murders.

What makes "Byomkesh Bakshi" so compelling is its ability to transport readers to an era of classic crime-solving, where deduction and wit reign supreme. The collection pays homage to the great detective, and it's a delightful read for fans of classic crime fiction.

This collection is a fitting tribute to Byomkesh Bakshi's enduring legacy, and I wholeheartedly award it 4 stars. It's a literary gem that continues to shine brightly in the world of detective fiction.
23 reviews1 follower
June 21, 2024
A set of 7 short investigative stories set in Bengal in the 1940s.
A simple and enjoyable read, although the culprit was given away by the writing style, probably because of the translation.
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