Stroke of Death

by Shampa Roy

The year is 1904 and there's a storm brewing on the horizon...

Nothing ever disturbs the quaint idyll of the village Rajapur. That is, until one day, a young widow is discovered bludgeoned to death, flies swarming over her corpse.

Called in to investigate, Bansidhar, the local daroga, is at his wits' end about this grisly murder, further complicated by the slain woman's ties to the most important household in the village - the Rajbari.

Inspector Dhananjoy Lahiri has just arrived at his friend Bansidhar's for a break from work, but he can't stop himself from being drawn to the gruesome case.

As the duo begins to dig deep into the victim's life and her relationships with the people she worked for, they discover that the Rajbari residents are hiding secrets of their own.

With the clock ticking, will the two of them be able to find the killer before tragedy strikes again?

Genres: Indian Literature

Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2024

Reviews

[Fictionandme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Name : Stroke of Death
Author : Shampa Roy
Genre : Historical murder mystery

My 💭:
[24/10/24 1.28 PM]

Wow I can't remember the last time I read a historical murder mystery! Maybe this is my first time trying out this genre 🤔.

I have been reading too many romance recently, books and ffs both. So I decided to pick up this deliciously dark looking murder mystery book in order to balance out my too much romance addled brain (and DM🐉). And when I realised that this book is set in a historical era of my own motherland, I thought maybe it will help to ground me.

The author has done a brilliant job of incorporating the style and pace of 20th century Bengal life. Honestly, it felt like I am reading the translated work of a Bengali author where the daily life of a commoner is intricately portrayed with historically accurate facts about widow remarriage, purdah system, Swadeshi movement etc. And given that this is a murder mystery, a lot of developments depended on the characters' traits and day to day lives. I won't lie that I got bored for the first half of the book because of the too much details and reminiscence. So I skipped a whole lot and came to regret that later on when I had to come back and read them properly as I couldn't understand the later parts 🤦. So, don't skip any detail, trust me. Sip on a hot cup of ginger tea and absorb all the details. Then you might be able to figure out the murderer and the liars (yes plural) before detective Dhananjoy 😉.

Now, for the plot, the first half sets up the characters and the second half starts throwing out the twists that kept riddling my mind. I kept reading late night yesterday till I found out the truth. The final revelation was quite unexpected, but it made sense of everything. I felt really bad for the victim Sarala because she absolutely deserved better. She reminded me of all the women of that era's Bengal whose only mistake was being born as a woman in that era. Hats off to the author for bringing out the pathos of those women struggling to find their footing in this world ruled by men.

This book took me more time than usual to finish, but then it really deserves the reader's patience to be understood properly. Please do give this a read.

P.S. This book is a 2x treat if you are a Bengali, like me 🤓.

[Anushka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review 🕯🔍⚜ 🍂🌼 ❤

My Ratings : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Well if I have to describe this book in one word it would be ' Mind - Blowing'. Imagine Byomkesh Bakshi's books or movies but far more better, then look no further this is the perfect spot for you to stop ,read this review and grab a copy ASAP. Reading murder mystery has always been one of my favorite things and when I saw this book is set in a historical era of my own motherland I instantly knew I'll have to try this book.

After reading this book , I must admit I made the right decision to give this book a try. And trust me when I say this , Stroke of Death will blow your mind ( quite literally). The author has done an amazing job in incorporating the style and chronology of the 20th century Bengal life . I personally don't like Byomkesh Bakshi a lot , cause I'm more of a Felu Mitter Fan but this book is beyond them. This book felt like I'm reading an auto biography of a bengali commoner set in the 1900s where the author has intricately portrayed the historically accurate facts like widow remarriage, partition of bengal during Lord Curzon, Purdah system, Swadeshi movement etc.

The first half of the book sets up the characters where ,the author has wonderfully developed all the characters and their character traits throughout the book. Every character in this book had a separate backstory which were interrelated with the case . The victim Sarala deserved a lot better in her life , she depicted the story of every women in that era whose only fault was to be born as a woman and to think they can live a free life. But the author has wonderfully brought out especially the struggles of those women struggling to find their footing in this men centric world. Now coming to the plot twist, this book kept me on the edge throughout. I was literally hooked ( it will definitely keep you up at nights).

This book is perfect for this winter season to cozy up with a warm cup of chai and the perfect murder mystery. I literally didn't want this book to end.❤

Thank you so much @hachette_india and Shampa Roy for the gifted copy.

[Khushi Agarwal · Rating 3 out of 5]

STROKE OF DEATH by Shampa Roy is a Suspense, Thriller. The book is written in a village set up, where one fine day the local police get the news that one of the workers of the Rajbari ( Palace in the village) was found dead, and in a small village like that this was huge and the question was Who Killed her? Why Would Someone Kill her?

The book starts with a detective named Dhananjoy Lahiri who comes to Rajapur to visit his friend Bansidhar, who is the local Daroga of the village, but when Dhananjoy reaches there, he gets to know about the murder and decided to help out his friend, what started of as help escalated so quickly that after a point every person of the Rajbari was a potential suspect, everyone had a dark secret hidden behind all the glitz and glamor of the royalty, and a shocking revelation gave the story a whole another twist, when the doctor told the detective that the widowed girl who is murdered was pregnant!!!!

I had tons of questions while reading the book like - Who is the father of that child ? Did he kill her because he didn’t want the child? If Not, than Who else would want a widow maid dead? And Why?

But the ending made all these questions pointless, It was so so soooo unexpected I didn’t even saw that coming at all, NOT AT ALL.

The book was well edited, and very well written, It’s just that it was a little slow paced in the beginning, so it took me some time to get hooked to the book.

I would recommend this book to everyone who loves reading Suspense, Thriller, It’s a little slow paced but if you are looking for a light read, go for it.

[AMEERA ARIF · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed every second of reading this murder mystery.
In terms of the pace of the book, the first half of the book focuses on giving the reader details and reminiscences of the case, which play a rather important role in helping readers try to understand the happenings of the plot simultaneously.
Set in 1904, Bengal, the writing perfectly captures the interior life of people of that time and, at the same time, gives nuances of culture through the dialogue between the characters.
Certain topics of societal importance were showcased in the story, such as widow marriage, the purdah system, the Swadeshi movement, and so much more.
Both protagonists complemented each other's personalities amazingly. On one hand, we had light-hearted, foodie Bansi, on the other hand, we had Dhananjoy with his sharp-eyed and disciplined personality.
REASONS Why you should pick this one as your next read.
1. It's a murder mystery, and it's the perfect season to put on your detective caps and cover the truth simultaneously with the characters.
2. Not one but two detectives trying to uncover the truth.
3. The story is set in Bengal during the colonial period, and it contains a touch of history.
4. In the patriarchal world, a female detective in action!
5. Storyline narrative that challenges gender and class stereotypes subtly.

[Abhishek Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Stroke of Death" is a tremendous murder mystery with a vast number of characters and plenty of twists and turns.

Dhananjoy, posted in Calcutta as a detective, returns to Rajapur for the Durga Puja celebration, but he has no idea what awaits him. Sarala Dasi is murdered, and Dhananjoy's friend, Bansidhar Gupta, is assigned to solve the case.

At Bansidhar's insistence, Dhananjoy assists him in solving this complex case and begins interrogating members of one of the most prominent families of that time.

What makes the story exciting is the meticulous way the interrogations are conducted and the attention to minute details, which any skilled detective would note during questioning.

The story is so beautifully written that I could vividly imagine everything unfolding right before my eyes. Although it starts at a slow pace, it kept me hooked until the end.

Another remarkable aspect is that, despite the numerous characters, each one is perfectly developed, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Last but not least, the author has crafted the mystery so brilliantly that I couldn't guess the identity of the real killer. The twists and turns unraveling at the end are truly commendable.

This book is definitely a page-turner and one of the best murder mysteries written in 2024. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to every mystery lover.

[Pretty Little Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

shampa roy needs to write more books!!! absolutely loved this book and i would recommend it anytime! small town setting (indian edition), colonial era, historical details, and true bengali essence. kinda slow paced but did not bore me at all!
many thanks to hachette india!

[Madhulika Liddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rural Bengal, 1904. A young widow named Sarala is found dead on a path, her head bashed in with a brick. Sarala was walking to her village from the Rajbari, the zamindar’s mansion, where she has been working as a kitchen helper. The local police officer, the Daroga Bansidhar Gupta, is nervous about investigating this crime: it will involve questioning the (extremely intimidating) members of the Rajbari. Fortunately for Bansi, his childhood friend Dhananjoy, a very successful police detective in Calcutta, has just arrived to stay for a few days, to take a break: and Dhananjoy is happy to help.

Dhananjoy and Bansi begin their investigation, and it soon becomes apparent to them that the people at the Rajbari harbour secrets aplenty…

I enjoyed Stroke of Death very much. The mystery is solid, the clues and the red herrings sprinkled in judiciously, and the deduction plausible. Both Dhananjoy and Bansi make for very likeable characters, the tubby, food-loving Bansi a light-hearted counterfoil to Dhananjoy’s rather more sharp-eyed, self-disciplined detective.

I also, in particular, liked the way Roy evokes the Rajbari, its relationship with the nearby village, and the people in it. The dynamics of the time, the descriptions of the spaces around, the nationalistic stirrings, the tensions between traditional ideas and newer, more progressive ones (especially in the realm of the rights of women, especially widows). The larger picture, of Bengal at a critical point in time—the partition was just round the corner—is very well done, and yet it never overpowers the story.

So far, of all the historical detective novels I’ve read written by Indians (okay, barring my own, the Muzaffar Jang series!), this is the one I’ve liked the most. It marries history and mystery superbly, without letting either element dominate. I

I do hope Shampa Roy intends to make a series of this: I would love to read more of Dhananjoy Lahiri, preferably with Bansi continuing as sidekick.

(Somewhat longer review here, at my blog: https://madhulikareads.wordpress.com/...)

[Varsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set place in Kolkata in the 1900s, ‘Stroke of Death’ by Shampa Roy starts with a bang with the discovery of the corpse right from the prologue itself.

We are introduced to Inspector Dhananjoy Lahiri from Kolkata and his friend Bansidhar, the local daroga of the village Rajapur, as they investigate the murder of a young woman.

Shampa Roy has cleverly woven the story, making you invested in all the characters while keeping you guessing until the very end. And just when you think everything is solved, you are hit with a plot twist.

As a story set in Bengal, few Bengali phrases/words are incorporated into the story. My only gripe, if any, was that I wished there was a glossary for it. But the lack of one does not take away from enjoying the story.


This book has been so beautifully written that you almost feel that you are there with Dhananjoy & Bansi as they investigate the murder. This book has a rustic charm to it.


I absolutely loved this book and would recommend this book for all those who are looking to venture into reading books by Indian authors. I am looking forward to reading more from Shampa Roy.

This book is a must read for people who love Satyajit Ray’s Feluda series and for fans of Agatha Christie.

Thank you, @hachetteindia and Shampa Roy, for the review copy.

[Mridula Charlu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Shampa Roy's tale about a detective, set in soon-to-be East Bengal in the early 20th century. As a mystery, the author hits it out of the park. I was surprised when I learned who the killer was, but when I found out what the motivation was, I was completely blindsided! Bravo. The killer's preparation and premeditation were enjoyably chilling and creepy. I also enjoyed the almost Gothic style resolution for the denouement, delightfully dramatic!

As far as using the crime novel format to shine a light on historical and social aspects, the author was once again very successful. The novel educated me about so many aspects of 19th-century and early-20th century Bengal, from the lowly status of "upper-caste and upper-class" women, the plight of child widows, the prevalence of purdah and seclusion, the rumblings of the Independence movement, and the teachings of Vidyasagar and Rammohun Roy finally getting some people to change their thought.

The author's delightful afterword explains how the author has based this novel on actual accounts by Darogas in the 19th century. Her research and attention to detail shine through in the novel. Most surprising to me was the fact that the Bengali Detective Force was actually established before the Scotland Yard!

If you enjoy crime novels that are more than a whodunit, or historical novels, or learning about the British Raj, I highly recommend this book!

[Sejuti Majumdar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stroke of Death by Shampa Roy is a whodunnit murder mystery set in 1904 Bengal. In the village of Rajapur, a young widow is brutally murdered and local daroga Banshidhar is inexperienced in such cases. Luckily his friend inspector Dhananjoy comes to visit and gets involved in the investigations.

What I especially loved about the book was the old Bengal's vibes in the book which is one of my favorite settings. The twist at the end, the killer reveal and the motive is so surprising and unpredictable that I just had to take a pause.

I loved the writing style, it was simple, engaging and beginner friendly and I feel Bengalis like me will specially love this book.

Thank you @hachette_india for the copy

[Sonal Budhiraja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective fiction set in Bengal

This book is a FUN read. I really enjoyed this book. Well written and well crafted story. I highly recommend reading it.

[Kajree Gautom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDSC1DHSr...

[curleduptoes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, brilliant mystery!

[Jeevanjot Nagpal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Indian historical detective fiction I’ve ever read!

Set in 1904, a very critical juncture in history, the novel evokes the atmosphere of the time so well. Intricately woven into the narrative are the social and gender mores prevalent at the time, an exposition of the hierarchical systems that dictated the way society was organised, a sense of unease or anticipation created by the political shifts that were taking place, and a glimpse into the evolution of thoughts and the reforms in the making and how all of this affected people and inspired them to act in certain ways, sometimes without reflecting upon the consequences of their actions.

In terms of the writing style, the prose flows so well and the gradual buildup of suspense keeps you hooked till the final reveal, which is so unexpected and absolutely brilliant! No amount of analysis or careful filtering of clues could have prepared me for the drama at the end.

The characters are also well-rounded. In so many instances, I could almost visualise these people in real life, with their unique body language and their inflection of certain Bengali words. I like how Inspector Dhananjoy is not put on a pedestal, unlike some popular literary detectives, but given his own back story, which helps root him into the society he’s a part of. His powers of deduction are admirable, but it’s his emotional intelligence that endears him to the other characters and to the readers. He is a sensitive man, not a proud one — a truly compassionate and kind gentleman, who is not unaffected by the crimes he witnesses and helps resolve. As for Daroga Bansi, he may not be as sharp as his friend and he may have his idiosyncrasies but he’s no bumbling counterfoil or sidekick. He has his heart in the right place and is a good friend to Dhananjoy. Their friendship brings a lot of warmth to the narrative. Would love to see more books featuring this duo!

And to discover the existence of meye goyenda was the cherry on the cake! Truly fascinating.

I would definitely recommend this quintessentially Indian mystery to all crime and mystery lovers!

[Jaspreet Virk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun reading this cozy murder mystery. Not enough cozy murder mysteries are coming out of India and I am so glad someone wrote one and such a fun mystery! The setting of the haveli was a great choice and the descriptions of the village were heartwarming and nostalgic for an era bygone. Inspector Dhanjoy and his partner (the village Inspector) make for a comical duo whose adventures I would like to read more of.

Slower paced from what I would have liked and at some places I feel the author could have given herself more time to explore the plight of a young widow. Or perhaps that would have taken the levity of the story away but still I do wish the mystery was slightly more coherent perhaps the matriarch figure of the Rajbari family’s character could have been explored further.

All that said, I still had a lovely time reading this mystery. The characters were well-formed, the end took me by surprise (one can only possibly solve the puzzle by the end when the author deliberately begins to leave bread-crumbs). Oh and I also quite enjoyed the gossip tone of the villagers. A fun, cozy read for a gloomy winter day. Thank you Hachette India for sending this book my way.