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Inspector Saralkar Mystery #1
Killing Ashish Karve
Senior Inspector Saralkar is back at his desk after spending a rather annoying week at a Secrets of Living course, especially for police officers and he is itching for some action now. Luckily, an exciting new case turns up right away!
The body of Ashish Karve, a local businessman has been found in the back seat of his car. To PSI Motkar, Saralkar's diminutive assistant, it seems to be a straightforward case of suicide. But Saralkar's sharp mind is agog with the dark possibility of murder. As the case unfolds Saralkar finds enough motives for people, be it Ashishs business partner, his wife, his brother, his friend, his brother-in-law or even strangers to want to do away with him! Is the senior inspector becoming too fanciful in his imagination or is he on the right track in assuming that Ashish was killed?
Delve into this deliciously thrilling whodunit and walk along with Senior Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar as they set out to sift the truth from lies and half truths.
The body of Ashish Karve, a local businessman has been found in the back seat of his car. To PSI Motkar, Saralkar's diminutive assistant, it seems to be a straightforward case of suicide. But Saralkar's sharp mind is agog with the dark possibility of murder. As the case unfolds Saralkar finds enough motives for people, be it Ashishs business partner, his wife, his brother, his friend, his brother-in-law or even strangers to want to do away with him! Is the senior inspector becoming too fanciful in his imagination or is he on the right track in assuming that Ashish was killed?
Delve into this deliciously thrilling whodunit and walk along with Senior Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar as they set out to sift the truth from lies and half truths.
260 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2011
30 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Salil Desai
12 books94 followersSalil Desai is the author of the much-acclaimed Inspector Saralkar Mystery Series, that includes - The Kid Killer (2023), Murder Milestone (2020), 3 and a Half Murders (2017), The Murder of Sonia Raikkonen (2015) and Killing Ashish Karve (2014). The books are currently being adapted into a web series by Jio Studios.
Titled 'Kalsutra', the first season of the web-series is based on 'Murder Milestone' and is due for release in 2025. Salil is also the lead writer of the screenplay of 'Kalsutra'.
Salil’s other popular books are Murder on a Side Street (2011), Lost Libido and Other Gulp Fiction (2012), as well as The Sane Psychopath (2018). Salil's short story 'Sound Motive' has also appeared in The Hachette Book of Indian Detective Fiction (2024), while other short fiction has been published in anthologies by Penguin, Westland and Unisun.
His latest novel ‘The Grudges of Gajanan Godbole’, a wacky crime thriller, has just been published by Hachette India in November 2024.
His short story ‘The Perfect Day’ and novel ‘The Sane Psychopath’ are also in the process of being adapted for screen as feature films.
Salil’s books have been reviewed in The Hindu, New Indian Express, The Pioneer, Bangalore Mirror, DNA, First City, The Tribune, among others. His work has been praised by veteran authors Dr Shashi Tharoor, Shobhaa De and film-makers Sriram Raghavan and Sujoy Ghosh.
An alumnus of Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Salil also conducts intensive workshops in creative fiction writing, story and scenario design, screenplay writing and film-making at leading liberal arts institutions and media & communication colleges across India.
He is a seasoned newspaper columnist, with over 400 articles, op-ed pieces, features and travelogues in leading dailies like The Times of India, Indian Express, DNA, The Tribune, Reader’s Digest, Deccan Herald, The Hindu etc.
Salil was one of the four international authors worldwide selected for the HALD International Writers’ Residency in Denmark, hosted by the Danish Centre for Writers & Translators in June 2016. He was also invited to Gullkistan Centre for Creativity, Iceland and spent the month of May 2023 there as a Resident.
Know more about him at www.salildesai.com
Titled 'Kalsutra', the first season of the web-series is based on 'Murder Milestone' and is due for release in 2025. Salil is also the lead writer of the screenplay of 'Kalsutra'.
Salil’s other popular books are Murder on a Side Street (2011), Lost Libido and Other Gulp Fiction (2012), as well as The Sane Psychopath (2018). Salil's short story 'Sound Motive' has also appeared in The Hachette Book of Indian Detective Fiction (2024), while other short fiction has been published in anthologies by Penguin, Westland and Unisun.
His latest novel ‘The Grudges of Gajanan Godbole’, a wacky crime thriller, has just been published by Hachette India in November 2024.
His short story ‘The Perfect Day’ and novel ‘The Sane Psychopath’ are also in the process of being adapted for screen as feature films.
Salil’s books have been reviewed in The Hindu, New Indian Express, The Pioneer, Bangalore Mirror, DNA, First City, The Tribune, among others. His work has been praised by veteran authors Dr Shashi Tharoor, Shobhaa De and film-makers Sriram Raghavan and Sujoy Ghosh.
An alumnus of Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Salil also conducts intensive workshops in creative fiction writing, story and scenario design, screenplay writing and film-making at leading liberal arts institutions and media & communication colleges across India.
He is a seasoned newspaper columnist, with over 400 articles, op-ed pieces, features and travelogues in leading dailies like The Times of India, Indian Express, DNA, The Tribune, Reader’s Digest, Deccan Herald, The Hindu etc.
Salil was one of the four international authors worldwide selected for the HALD International Writers’ Residency in Denmark, hosted by the Danish Centre for Writers & Translators in June 2016. He was also invited to Gullkistan Centre for Creativity, Iceland and spent the month of May 2023 there as a Resident.
Know more about him at www.salildesai.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
February 17, 2017
This is another instance where I have read the second book first. Don’t get me wrong, the books in this series can be read as standalones, but I rather like to read them in order. That way I get to see how the author introduces the protagonist and then note the growth of the character through the series. I have already read The Murder of Sonia Raikkonen, and have enjoyed it quite a bit.
Senior Inspector Saralkar had been away for a week attending the Secrets of Living course. To a man of action like Inspector Saralkar, it had been a particularly annoying week. But he manages to get a case soon after his return. The body of Ashish Karve has been found in the back seat of his car. While it seems like an open-and-shut case of suicide, Saralkar’s intuition says otherwise. As he takes on the charge of investigating this death of a local businessman as a murder, Saralkar is thrown into a world of deceit and betrayals. Everybody in Ashish Karve’s life seems to have a motive to kill him – his wife or, his brother or, his friend or, his business partner… They all have something to hide. It is up to Saralkar and his assistant to separate the truth from the lies and get to the bottom of the matter.
I liked the way the author introduced Saralkar and Motkar to his readers... each in a personal situation that had nothing to do with the case. It was like looking at a common man without the uniform. Saralkar has so many shades – he can be grumpy, and mostly he is. But he can also be sarcastic and funny. There is also an indulgent side to him which doesn’t come out often. Motkar is a perfect sidekick who is meek, provides comic relief and often stumbles into something important without realizing it. Saralkar and Motkar make quite a pair. There are a bunch of other characters in the book, but none are expendable. They each bring in something to the plot. Each character is uniquely developed and there are only a couple of them who I felt were underplayed in the story.
The plotline is not very complicated. It’s the number of suspects with motives that add to the mystery in the story. I also particularly liked the way the author has portrayed how the Indian Police work. It is not as gritty as some of the international police procedural books or tv shows, but it was a nice change to read about the Indian counterparts. It is not very common in Indian literature, especially not in the recent times. The other thing I liked was the way the author left the clues out in the open like breadcrumbs for the readers to follow and play a classic game of whodunit. The narration style is addictive with ample amount of twists and wit infused in it. The story starts with a crack and continues to build its momentum till the climax.
A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Senior Inspector Saralkar had been away for a week attending the Secrets of Living course. To a man of action like Inspector Saralkar, it had been a particularly annoying week. But he manages to get a case soon after his return. The body of Ashish Karve has been found in the back seat of his car. While it seems like an open-and-shut case of suicide, Saralkar’s intuition says otherwise. As he takes on the charge of investigating this death of a local businessman as a murder, Saralkar is thrown into a world of deceit and betrayals. Everybody in Ashish Karve’s life seems to have a motive to kill him – his wife or, his brother or, his friend or, his business partner… They all have something to hide. It is up to Saralkar and his assistant to separate the truth from the lies and get to the bottom of the matter.
I liked the way the author introduced Saralkar and Motkar to his readers... each in a personal situation that had nothing to do with the case. It was like looking at a common man without the uniform. Saralkar has so many shades – he can be grumpy, and mostly he is. But he can also be sarcastic and funny. There is also an indulgent side to him which doesn’t come out often. Motkar is a perfect sidekick who is meek, provides comic relief and often stumbles into something important without realizing it. Saralkar and Motkar make quite a pair. There are a bunch of other characters in the book, but none are expendable. They each bring in something to the plot. Each character is uniquely developed and there are only a couple of them who I felt were underplayed in the story.
The plotline is not very complicated. It’s the number of suspects with motives that add to the mystery in the story. I also particularly liked the way the author has portrayed how the Indian Police work. It is not as gritty as some of the international police procedural books or tv shows, but it was a nice change to read about the Indian counterparts. It is not very common in Indian literature, especially not in the recent times. The other thing I liked was the way the author left the clues out in the open like breadcrumbs for the readers to follow and play a classic game of whodunit. The narration style is addictive with ample amount of twists and wit infused in it. The story starts with a crack and continues to build its momentum till the climax.
A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
August 13, 2017
Ashish Karve is missing. His wife Sutjot wants to lodge a police complaint, but is taken seriously only after the mandatory 48 hours have passed.
.Meanwhile police tow off an abandoned illegally parked car which is later found to have a dead body within.
Inspector Saralkar and his assistant Motkar are there to solve the mystery.
I just love the dynamics of the duo - the cutting remarks, leg pulling and the almost opposite natures which easily complement each other.
They slowly and steadily unearth secrets and controversies surrounding Karve and his associates, relatives and friends.
Am a fan of the author, particularly this series.
.Meanwhile police tow off an abandoned illegally parked car which is later found to have a dead body within.
Inspector Saralkar and his assistant Motkar are there to solve the mystery.
I just love the dynamics of the duo - the cutting remarks, leg pulling and the almost opposite natures which easily complement each other.
They slowly and steadily unearth secrets and controversies surrounding Karve and his associates, relatives and friends.
Am a fan of the author, particularly this series.
April 17, 2020
3.5 to be precise.
Typical murder case mystery.
Detailed review may follow
Typical murder case mystery.
Detailed review may follow
March 23, 2013
Reading Salil Desai’s ‘The body in the back seat’ is like being excited about a dish prepared by your mom, only to realize that a little salt is missing which would have made your meal just perfect. Don’t get me wrong, it is much better than any of the fiction novels you have across in recent times specially in the genre of murder mystery but it fizzles out exactly at the point it should have picked up steam. Dissecting the book into further details will be like giving away too much away, and that is one crime you don’t want me to commit. But let me just say, it could have been so much more. It’s all foreplay and much less playoff in the end.
If there is one rule every crime/mystery novelist should follow for success, then it would definitely be that book should be a page turner. And Salil Desai manages to do that with his debut novel, The Body in the Back Seat. A 250 page mystery novel set in Pune; the Body in the Back Seat makes you compete with the police officers for answers about the death of Ashish Karve.
The book starts off brightly and briskly when we are exposed to the murder in the back seat of the car and how the traffic cops identify the body. Right from the first page an atmosphere of suspense is beautifully created, that manages to retain its momentum till the very end. Though it seems to be moving slow for a few pages, it is reflective of the mood of the city that morning (and even makes you jump at the thought that probably the parked car you pass by everyday might have a body in it). But once the police are brought into the picture, things unfold rapidly, while allowing you enough time to scrutinize each potential suspect. However from the moment Senior Inspector Saralkar comes onstage with PI Motkar at his side, the book picks up. Saralkar is convinced that the apparent suicide victim has been murdered and he is equally convinced that one of the family or a business partner must have done it, since that is his pet psychological theory.
In the next 100 odd pages, we are introduced to a Rajshri-style saga consisting of victim’s family members, friends and business associates. At this point, author’s attention to detail and pitch-perfect accuracy in describing the state of mind of each of the characters is commendable. The writer adds human touch to the way the cops deal with the crime and pushes the envelope by inserting psychological games they play with the suspects. However, the episodic nature of interrogating each of the characters with almost similar set of questions slackens the pace considerably. Shifting from one character to another in the screenplay, the writer delves into the emotional psyche of each of them even when it is clear that a few of them may not be associated with the murder in any form.
One by one we are introduced to all the people who had close contacts with the victim and who may therefore have a reason to murder him. This is accompanied by insights into police procedure and the good cop bad cop games that we know police are accustomed to play.
The author throws in clues at regular intervals and creates a sense of a passionate motive for the crime. Though it would be inappropriate to reveal the motive or the murderer here, one can safely say that at least one of them is the usual suspect!
Relying more on treatment than content to take the story forward, author exposes to the dark secrets of the victim’s life as the two cops tries to unravel the mystery using various clues. From here on, it gets inconsistent with its own logic. If you look back after finishing the book and tries to fit in pieces, you will definitely wonder at reactions of the main culprit at certain points in the narrative. There are a few coincidences and last minute character thrown in to get out of tricky screenplay situations to resolve the mystery. It is only with avoiding any self-indulges or side-tracking into sub-plots, the author keeps the narrative on a tight leash.
Through the course of the book, Saralkar and Motkar interact with a lot of people who they see primarily as murder suspects, and hence, who they think are beneath them. Desai uses this as a perfect tool to dish out some acerbic, yet funny, lines. Motkar’s struggle to try and teach his son basic mathematics also makes for some lighthearted distraction.
I have to admit that I’m tasteless enough that the macabre humor also made me laugh:
“What’s this new technique of custodial death you’ve adopted, Ghorpade?” asked Saralkar cheerfully. “You tow away people in their cars, and then eliminate them?”
PI Ghorpade chuckled. “No, no, it’s our traffic colleagues who’ve decided to start penalizing all parking violations with death.”
Our hero, Senior Inspector Saralkar is astute, afflicted by mood swings (though generally of grumpy nature), and a reader’s delight, sarcastic about the Secrets of Living spirituality course the department has deputed him to attend, and astute at popping perfect Catch 22 questions to his longsuffering subordinate (“Are you in a hurry, Motkar?”)
Luckily 'raps' were a thing of the past; he can but pound the table with his fists and hiss with contempt,
Get out, Motkar! You aren’t fit to be a police officer! You ought to be a clerk in one of those fancy companies that give paternity leave!
But Saralkar can be gentle too – surprising even himself – when the need arises. I liked almost everything about him – except perhaps the fact that he didn’t care for some of the many thumb rules and unofficial norms of policing – such as delaying police intervention to let matters sort themselves out – it’s a tactic that the sadly overburdened Pune police really cannot do without.
The story-telling is simple and neat, and the book is a real page turner, though the prose does get clunky at times. The book holds your attention, at least till it enters the last third, where it falls flat. It is well intended, neatly packaged and crisply edited book. It has got it’s heart in the right place all through, but other body parts are scattered all over by the time you reach the end of the book. Still, i make a recommendation to read it.
Regards
Rajeev Roshan
If there is one rule every crime/mystery novelist should follow for success, then it would definitely be that book should be a page turner. And Salil Desai manages to do that with his debut novel, The Body in the Back Seat. A 250 page mystery novel set in Pune; the Body in the Back Seat makes you compete with the police officers for answers about the death of Ashish Karve.
The book starts off brightly and briskly when we are exposed to the murder in the back seat of the car and how the traffic cops identify the body. Right from the first page an atmosphere of suspense is beautifully created, that manages to retain its momentum till the very end. Though it seems to be moving slow for a few pages, it is reflective of the mood of the city that morning (and even makes you jump at the thought that probably the parked car you pass by everyday might have a body in it). But once the police are brought into the picture, things unfold rapidly, while allowing you enough time to scrutinize each potential suspect. However from the moment Senior Inspector Saralkar comes onstage with PI Motkar at his side, the book picks up. Saralkar is convinced that the apparent suicide victim has been murdered and he is equally convinced that one of the family or a business partner must have done it, since that is his pet psychological theory.
In the next 100 odd pages, we are introduced to a Rajshri-style saga consisting of victim’s family members, friends and business associates. At this point, author’s attention to detail and pitch-perfect accuracy in describing the state of mind of each of the characters is commendable. The writer adds human touch to the way the cops deal with the crime and pushes the envelope by inserting psychological games they play with the suspects. However, the episodic nature of interrogating each of the characters with almost similar set of questions slackens the pace considerably. Shifting from one character to another in the screenplay, the writer delves into the emotional psyche of each of them even when it is clear that a few of them may not be associated with the murder in any form.
One by one we are introduced to all the people who had close contacts with the victim and who may therefore have a reason to murder him. This is accompanied by insights into police procedure and the good cop bad cop games that we know police are accustomed to play.
The author throws in clues at regular intervals and creates a sense of a passionate motive for the crime. Though it would be inappropriate to reveal the motive or the murderer here, one can safely say that at least one of them is the usual suspect!
Relying more on treatment than content to take the story forward, author exposes to the dark secrets of the victim’s life as the two cops tries to unravel the mystery using various clues. From here on, it gets inconsistent with its own logic. If you look back after finishing the book and tries to fit in pieces, you will definitely wonder at reactions of the main culprit at certain points in the narrative. There are a few coincidences and last minute character thrown in to get out of tricky screenplay situations to resolve the mystery. It is only with avoiding any self-indulges or side-tracking into sub-plots, the author keeps the narrative on a tight leash.
Through the course of the book, Saralkar and Motkar interact with a lot of people who they see primarily as murder suspects, and hence, who they think are beneath them. Desai uses this as a perfect tool to dish out some acerbic, yet funny, lines. Motkar’s struggle to try and teach his son basic mathematics also makes for some lighthearted distraction.
I have to admit that I’m tasteless enough that the macabre humor also made me laugh:
“What’s this new technique of custodial death you’ve adopted, Ghorpade?” asked Saralkar cheerfully. “You tow away people in their cars, and then eliminate them?”
PI Ghorpade chuckled. “No, no, it’s our traffic colleagues who’ve decided to start penalizing all parking violations with death.”
Our hero, Senior Inspector Saralkar is astute, afflicted by mood swings (though generally of grumpy nature), and a reader’s delight, sarcastic about the Secrets of Living spirituality course the department has deputed him to attend, and astute at popping perfect Catch 22 questions to his longsuffering subordinate (“Are you in a hurry, Motkar?”)
Luckily 'raps' were a thing of the past; he can but pound the table with his fists and hiss with contempt,
Get out, Motkar! You aren’t fit to be a police officer! You ought to be a clerk in one of those fancy companies that give paternity leave!
But Saralkar can be gentle too – surprising even himself – when the need arises. I liked almost everything about him – except perhaps the fact that he didn’t care for some of the many thumb rules and unofficial norms of policing – such as delaying police intervention to let matters sort themselves out – it’s a tactic that the sadly overburdened Pune police really cannot do without.
The story-telling is simple and neat, and the book is a real page turner, though the prose does get clunky at times. The book holds your attention, at least till it enters the last third, where it falls flat. It is well intended, neatly packaged and crisply edited book. It has got it’s heart in the right place all through, but other body parts are scattered all over by the time you reach the end of the book. Still, i make a recommendation to read it.
Regards
Rajeev Roshan
May 9, 2018
Some time ago, I loved the 4 detective Vish Puri novels by Tarquin Hall set in India. The series was set in North India and it was quite refreshing ironically to read good crime fiction set in India. Probably, this is my second such series which came to my notice via friends on goodreads.
This novel is set in Pune and is a murder-mystery. While I liked the setting, the 2 police-officers Saralkar and Motkar, and writing style - it is full of conversations, the ending was abrupt and dissatisfying. However, continuing with book #2.
This novel is set in Pune and is a murder-mystery. While I liked the setting, the 2 police-officers Saralkar and Motkar, and writing style - it is full of conversations, the ending was abrupt and dissatisfying. However, continuing with book #2.
January 19, 2016
Killing Ashish Karve (An Inspector Saralkar Mystery) by Salil Desai was my first encounter with Inspector Saralkar. This book was first published as The Body in the Back Seat. And you know what? I enjoyed reading this book. It is a brilliantly woven murder mystery. The plot is good. The story-line is both eventful and fast-paced. Characters have been sketched well. The dialogues have been constructed skilfully. The editors have done a nice job. Even the cover of the book is designed exceptionally well and blurb is also fitting. Then, why three stars? Well! It is the climax where the book fizzles out like a balloon. A little more effort on this aspect would have definitely made this book a ‘must-read’ book. Nonetheless, the book is still a good read and you will be surprised by the writing skill of the author.
Read my complete review on:
https://pgalmora.wordpress.com/2016/0...
Read my complete review on:
https://pgalmora.wordpress.com/2016/0...
April 18, 2020
This book is about how saralkar and PSI motkar find the murderer of Ashish karve. Author has given justice to each and every character. Always the murderer is a person to whom we don't suspect. And author has kept that intact till the end. As in real world one murder one mistake 2nd murder the second mistake. Same way in this book too the murderer does the 2nd mistake. Overall would say ok goodread... 🙂
August 21, 2023
A fairly decent whodunit, the first in the Inspector Saralkar series (though I was peeved that they had his wife in an almost zero appearance and did not even reveal her name).
Ashish Karve is found dead in the back seat of his car having allegedly slashed his wrists after writing a suicide note. Inspector Salralkar is not having any of it though and proceeds to treat it like a murder investigation.
Ashish Karve is found dead in the back seat of his car having allegedly slashed his wrists after writing a suicide note. Inspector Salralkar is not having any of it though and proceeds to treat it like a murder investigation.
September 8, 2018
Watch my video review here: https://youtu.be/GoZBqd9XB_g
This was a interesting and intriguing, Indian Crime Fiction murder mystery. Frankly, I did not see the climax reveal in the end and that itself made it a memorable read. Moreover, I found the reasons mentioned int he climax more interesting rather than the person who had done it. Salil Desai has a a perfect style of writing these kind of books for the genre. He puts the right clues in the right places for the readers to keep guessing as to what is happening. Overall, this was a fun murder mystery.
This was a interesting and intriguing, Indian Crime Fiction murder mystery. Frankly, I did not see the climax reveal in the end and that itself made it a memorable read. Moreover, I found the reasons mentioned int he climax more interesting rather than the person who had done it. Salil Desai has a a perfect style of writing these kind of books for the genre. He puts the right clues in the right places for the readers to keep guessing as to what is happening. Overall, this was a fun murder mystery.
April 22, 2022
I love Salil Desai’s writing style, the way the story takes a dark turn in the end is what keeps me on the edge of my seat. While reading this book, the reader is kept in the dark just the same way that Saralkar and Motkar feel while investigating the case. The leads seem to go nowhere and every single acquaintance of Ashish has some or the other motive to commit homicide which honestly confused me a little. It’s amazing how we, like the investigators in the story, tend to search for the answers in weird places only to find out that the clues were right there, in front of our eyes.
In my opinion, writing a good murder story is hard and the fact that Salil Desai can write one that is this good, with such fluidity is just amazing. But I have to say that The Murder of Sonia Raikkonen was not as good as Killing Ashish Karve. Here’s how I think the books in the series compare to each other (I haven’t read Murder Milestone yet):
The Murder of Sonia Raikkonen < Killing Ashish Karve < 3 and a half murders
In my opinion, writing a good murder story is hard and the fact that Salil Desai can write one that is this good, with such fluidity is just amazing. But I have to say that The Murder of Sonia Raikkonen was not as good as Killing Ashish Karve. Here’s how I think the books in the series compare to each other (I haven’t read Murder Milestone yet):
The Murder of Sonia Raikkonen < Killing Ashish Karve < 3 and a half murders
June 25, 2024
If you're anything like me and love getting lost in a good whodunit, then "Killing Ashish Karve" by Salil Desai should be on your radar. Desai is known for his sharp, engaging crime novels, and after being captivated by "3 and a Half Murders," I had high hopes for this book. Spoiler alert: It lived up to the hype!
The story kicks off with a bang when Ashish Karve is found dead in the back seat of his car with slit wrists. At first glance, it looks like a suicide, but Senior Inspector Saralkar, who’s itching for action after a week-long 'Secrets of Living' course, senses something more sinister. Alongside his diligent assistant, PSI Motkar, Saralkar dives into the investigation. As they dig deeper, they find a tangled web of suspects—Karve's business partner, his wife, his brother, his friend, his brother-in-law, and even a stranger. When Karve's colleague, Suchitra, also turns up dead, the urgency to solve the case ramps up. Will Saralkar and Motkar catch the killer before more lives are lost?
Desai’s writing is refreshingly straightforward and engaging. He gets right to the point, avoiding unnecessary fluff, which I really appreciated. His prose is clear, making it easy to follow the twists and turns of the investigation. The witty banter between Saralkar and Motkar adds a touch of humor that lightens the tension and makes the characters feel more relatable.
Inspector Saralkar is your classic maverick cop—sharp, sarcastic, and always thinking ahead. His dynamic with Motkar, who is more by-the-book, creates a balanced and entertaining duo. The suspects are fleshed out well, each with enough depth to keep you guessing about their motives. Desai does a fantastic job of making these characters feel real, which is crucial in any good mystery.
The plot is tightly woven, with enough twists to keep you on your toes. Desai expertly balances the procedural aspects of the investigation with the unfolding drama, ensuring the story remains engaging throughout. The pacing is mostly spot-on, though there were moments where it felt a tad slow. The climax, while surprising, felt a bit rushed and could have used more buildup.
Beyond the surface-level mystery, the book delves into deeper themes of trust, betrayal, and the darker aspects of human nature. Desai explores how greed and jealousy can drive people to commit heinous acts, all while maintaining a gripping narrative. These themes are seamlessly integrated into the plot, making the story not just a whodunit but also a reflection on human behavior.
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. From the initial shock of Ashish’s death to the tension of the investigation and the unexpected climax, it kept me thoroughly engaged. The humorous exchanges between Saralkar and Motkar provided some much-needed comic relief, balancing out the heavier moments and making the characters even more endearing.
One of the book's biggest strengths is its character development. Saralkar and Motkar are well-rounded and relatable, making you root for them from start to finish. The plot is another highlight, filled with enough red herrings and twists to keep even seasoned mystery readers guessing. Desai’s vivid descriptions and engaging prose add to the book’s charm.
While the book is largely well-crafted, the climax felt a bit forced and could have been more convincing. Some readers might also find the pacing slow at times, especially during the detailed police procedures. However, these are minor issues in an otherwise solid mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed "Killing Ashish Karve." As a fan of crime thrillers, I appreciated Desai’s attention to detail and his ability to keep me guessing. The dynamic between Saralkar and Motkar, coupled with the engaging plot, made it a real page-turner for me. Yes, the climax could have been stronger, but overall, it was a satisfying read.
"Killing Ashish Karve" is a gripping murder mystery that showcases Salil Desai’s talent for crafting intricate plots and compelling characters. Despite a few minor flaws, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will keep you hooked until the end. If you love a good crime thriller, this one is definitely worth picking up. Here’s hoping for more adventures with Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar!
The story kicks off with a bang when Ashish Karve is found dead in the back seat of his car with slit wrists. At first glance, it looks like a suicide, but Senior Inspector Saralkar, who’s itching for action after a week-long 'Secrets of Living' course, senses something more sinister. Alongside his diligent assistant, PSI Motkar, Saralkar dives into the investigation. As they dig deeper, they find a tangled web of suspects—Karve's business partner, his wife, his brother, his friend, his brother-in-law, and even a stranger. When Karve's colleague, Suchitra, also turns up dead, the urgency to solve the case ramps up. Will Saralkar and Motkar catch the killer before more lives are lost?
Desai’s writing is refreshingly straightforward and engaging. He gets right to the point, avoiding unnecessary fluff, which I really appreciated. His prose is clear, making it easy to follow the twists and turns of the investigation. The witty banter between Saralkar and Motkar adds a touch of humor that lightens the tension and makes the characters feel more relatable.
Inspector Saralkar is your classic maverick cop—sharp, sarcastic, and always thinking ahead. His dynamic with Motkar, who is more by-the-book, creates a balanced and entertaining duo. The suspects are fleshed out well, each with enough depth to keep you guessing about their motives. Desai does a fantastic job of making these characters feel real, which is crucial in any good mystery.
The plot is tightly woven, with enough twists to keep you on your toes. Desai expertly balances the procedural aspects of the investigation with the unfolding drama, ensuring the story remains engaging throughout. The pacing is mostly spot-on, though there were moments where it felt a tad slow. The climax, while surprising, felt a bit rushed and could have used more buildup.
Beyond the surface-level mystery, the book delves into deeper themes of trust, betrayal, and the darker aspects of human nature. Desai explores how greed and jealousy can drive people to commit heinous acts, all while maintaining a gripping narrative. These themes are seamlessly integrated into the plot, making the story not just a whodunit but also a reflection on human behavior.
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. From the initial shock of Ashish’s death to the tension of the investigation and the unexpected climax, it kept me thoroughly engaged. The humorous exchanges between Saralkar and Motkar provided some much-needed comic relief, balancing out the heavier moments and making the characters even more endearing.
One of the book's biggest strengths is its character development. Saralkar and Motkar are well-rounded and relatable, making you root for them from start to finish. The plot is another highlight, filled with enough red herrings and twists to keep even seasoned mystery readers guessing. Desai’s vivid descriptions and engaging prose add to the book’s charm.
While the book is largely well-crafted, the climax felt a bit forced and could have been more convincing. Some readers might also find the pacing slow at times, especially during the detailed police procedures. However, these are minor issues in an otherwise solid mystery.
I thoroughly enjoyed "Killing Ashish Karve." As a fan of crime thrillers, I appreciated Desai’s attention to detail and his ability to keep me guessing. The dynamic between Saralkar and Motkar, coupled with the engaging plot, made it a real page-turner for me. Yes, the climax could have been stronger, but overall, it was a satisfying read.
"Killing Ashish Karve" is a gripping murder mystery that showcases Salil Desai’s talent for crafting intricate plots and compelling characters. Despite a few minor flaws, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will keep you hooked until the end. If you love a good crime thriller, this one is definitely worth picking up. Here’s hoping for more adventures with Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar!
May 19, 2017
Another interesting police procedural by Salil Desai
==========================================
Earlier printed as The Body In "The Back Seat" this book is later re-published as "Killing Ashish Karve". It is the first book in Inspector Saralkar Series.
The book goes moderately good in terms of pace and characters and was met with the target. This success could have made author Salil Desai to start a series of Police Procedural written in Indian environment by having Inspector Saralkar as the key investigating officer.
If you talk about the plot, as the title says it all, it revolves around the murder of a young businessman named Ashish Karve.
How his murder comes to light is portrayed quite interestingly. The modus operandi of a car-thief, how he actually runs away with a car, how he reacts when he sees a "body in the back seat". Everything is written so convincingly that you will raise bar of expectations quite high.
The car thief than deserts the car in a street. The reactions of the shopkeepers and police about the abandoned car are explored realistically.
The other things we would like to point out are:
1. The maid's behavior towards elder Mr. Ramakant Karve who is bed ridden. This is quite realistic and proves that if you want to take care of your loved ones, try to do it yourself as much as possible, rather than leaving them to mercy of others.
2. The police officers are also human beings like us and they also have to face some problems which we are facing in routine. See how PSI Motkar tries to cop up with the needs to help his son in studies (especially Maths).
3. Also Saralkar's reactions reflects sarcasm effective. Take his views about Motkar and his efficiency and attitude towards police duty for example.
The "Secrets Of Living" program which was attended by Senior Inspector Saralkar will remind you a similar program running actually by a well known person.
So, this mixture of real things and attributes with fiction is what makes a good crime thriller.
Some of the dialogs/descriptions worth to take note from the book:
Even a policeman had the right to enjoy a Sunday lunch and siesta, didn’t he?
----
Much of police work is tasteless, madam, and thankless too, but you have not answered my question.
There are some low points in the book as well. But the highs are more than the lows.
So if you like reading crime thrillers and police procedural, you will enjoy it.
We would be giving 3.5 to 4 stars (out of 5).
Detailed reviews are available at: http://thinkerviews.com/books/killing...
==========================================
Earlier printed as The Body In "The Back Seat" this book is later re-published as "Killing Ashish Karve". It is the first book in Inspector Saralkar Series.
The book goes moderately good in terms of pace and characters and was met with the target. This success could have made author Salil Desai to start a series of Police Procedural written in Indian environment by having Inspector Saralkar as the key investigating officer.
If you talk about the plot, as the title says it all, it revolves around the murder of a young businessman named Ashish Karve.
How his murder comes to light is portrayed quite interestingly. The modus operandi of a car-thief, how he actually runs away with a car, how he reacts when he sees a "body in the back seat". Everything is written so convincingly that you will raise bar of expectations quite high.
The car thief than deserts the car in a street. The reactions of the shopkeepers and police about the abandoned car are explored realistically.
The other things we would like to point out are:
1. The maid's behavior towards elder Mr. Ramakant Karve who is bed ridden. This is quite realistic and proves that if you want to take care of your loved ones, try to do it yourself as much as possible, rather than leaving them to mercy of others.
2. The police officers are also human beings like us and they also have to face some problems which we are facing in routine. See how PSI Motkar tries to cop up with the needs to help his son in studies (especially Maths).
3. Also Saralkar's reactions reflects sarcasm effective. Take his views about Motkar and his efficiency and attitude towards police duty for example.
The "Secrets Of Living" program which was attended by Senior Inspector Saralkar will remind you a similar program running actually by a well known person.
So, this mixture of real things and attributes with fiction is what makes a good crime thriller.
Some of the dialogs/descriptions worth to take note from the book:
Even a policeman had the right to enjoy a Sunday lunch and siesta, didn’t he?
----
Much of police work is tasteless, madam, and thankless too, but you have not answered my question.
There are some low points in the book as well. But the highs are more than the lows.
So if you like reading crime thrillers and police procedural, you will enjoy it.
We would be giving 3.5 to 4 stars (out of 5).
Detailed reviews are available at: http://thinkerviews.com/books/killing...
January 1, 2024
As far as Indian murder mysteries / detective novels go, I agree with the blurb on the cover. This is probably the best work by an Indian author set in contemporary India so far. It is not perfect or exceptional, but at no point while reading it did I feel a sense of 'Oh god why', and it moved with great pace.
This is a bit of a relief because in the effort to read more desi fare, I felt I was wading through a fair bit of crap - so nice to close the year off with Inspector Saralkar.
The good first - solid police procedural. Grounded in reality, with some local touch (but not a lot). A good, quick set-up and plot. Relatable characters (whether from the corporate executive brother, the mistreated & complaining house help, the underlings at the police station and more). All characters again followed relatively logical motivations. Liked the side quests for the cops even if they weren't very fleshed out, with Saralkar's Art of Living course or Motkar's kid's maths homework.
I saw some complaints about the ending - it is not remarkable but I personally no issues with it, and felt it tied up the knots pretty logically, accounting for all the reddish herrings, and without some magic silver bullet. Again the confession letter felt a sub-optimal narrative device to use but oh well.
The could be better - the language really made me groan. I don't know if this is on Desai or the editor or a bit of both. We are already suspending disbelief having most characters in an Indian set-up speak in English, but is it so difficult to to have them speak in a bit more relatable manner. 'We are like this only' as they say so a peppering the language of at least your non elite characters (and cops at least)with some 'na?', 'arey' and 'bc's' would make them so much natural.
I read this immediately after Anuja Chauhan's latest, and she is a master at this with a flair for Hinglish, Kanglish and more so perhaps the contrast is even stronger. Not everyone needs to go that far but this feels staid, safe and even lazy when the set-ups are there to add some tadka and bring the characters to life but the author hasn't bothered to...
Would be a nice idea to add a bit more context and detail on the functioning of an Indian police set-up. I daresay most Indian readers who read in English are probably more familiar with American police ways of working thanks to Hollywood and Netflix rather than local ones.
There's also an (unelaborated upon) flavour and humour of Pune which seems to seep through the book especially in Saralkar's mannerisms and sarcasm. Would be great to expand on this more in future parts of the series.
All in all - a solid and breezy read, and I look forward to following Saralkar and Motkar on their future adventures.
Edit on further thinking: I would love a mixture of Ankush Sakia's Arjun Arora series with the desi atmosphere, flavours and mahaul + Salil Desai's Inspector Saralkar series with its tight plot and realism.
This is a bit of a relief because in the effort to read more desi fare, I felt I was wading through a fair bit of crap - so nice to close the year off with Inspector Saralkar.
The good first - solid police procedural. Grounded in reality, with some local touch (but not a lot). A good, quick set-up and plot. Relatable characters (whether from the corporate executive brother, the mistreated & complaining house help, the underlings at the police station and more). All characters again followed relatively logical motivations. Liked the side quests for the cops even if they weren't very fleshed out, with Saralkar's Art of Living course or Motkar's kid's maths homework.
I saw some complaints about the ending - it is not remarkable but I personally no issues with it, and felt it tied up the knots pretty logically, accounting for all the reddish herrings, and without some magic silver bullet. Again the confession letter felt a sub-optimal narrative device to use but oh well.
The could be better - the language really made me groan. I don't know if this is on Desai or the editor or a bit of both. We are already suspending disbelief having most characters in an Indian set-up speak in English, but is it so difficult to to have them speak in a bit more relatable manner. 'We are like this only' as they say so a peppering the language of at least your non elite characters (and cops at least)with some 'na?', 'arey' and 'bc's' would make them so much natural.
I read this immediately after Anuja Chauhan's latest, and she is a master at this with a flair for Hinglish, Kanglish and more so perhaps the contrast is even stronger. Not everyone needs to go that far but this feels staid, safe and even lazy when the set-ups are there to add some tadka and bring the characters to life but the author hasn't bothered to...
Would be a nice idea to add a bit more context and detail on the functioning of an Indian police set-up. I daresay most Indian readers who read in English are probably more familiar with American police ways of working thanks to Hollywood and Netflix rather than local ones.
There's also an (unelaborated upon) flavour and humour of Pune which seems to seep through the book especially in Saralkar's mannerisms and sarcasm. Would be great to expand on this more in future parts of the series.
All in all - a solid and breezy read, and I look forward to following Saralkar and Motkar on their future adventures.
Edit on further thinking: I would love a mixture of Ankush Sakia's Arjun Arora series with the desi atmosphere, flavours and mahaul + Salil Desai's Inspector Saralkar series with its tight plot and realism.
September 25, 2019
Book Title: Killing AshishKarve: An Inspector Saralkar Mystery
Author: Salil Desai
Format: Paperback
Book Title:
The title of the book is ‘Killing AshishKarve: An Inspector Saralkar Mystery ‘ is intriguing
Book Cover:
The cover of the book is an image of a blood-stained car mirror reflecting the hand of the dead body.
Plot:
Senior Inspector Saralkarawaits for the critical and interesting case to solve. One such murder mystery will come in his way and he sets his journey to untangle the case with the help of his sub-ordinate Motkar.
A dead body of a local businessman AshishKarve is found in the backseat of his car. The scene clearly shows that it is suicide. Even Motkar suspects the same about the case, But Saralkar will find that there is something devious about this case and starts to dig another side of it.
As he solves the levels of his investigation he starts to suspect the people who are involved in the murdered business man’s life. Right from Ashish’s wife to the strangers who are merely involved in his routines, he suspects everyone. To solve the case he checks all the possibilities to fetch the victim.
Will the Saralkar solve this case with the proper evidence and clues? Is it a murder or suicide?
Read this interesting and thrilling book ‘Killing AshishKarve: An Inspector Saralkar Mystery’ buSalil Desai.
What I like:
1. The plot and the characterization are very well done.
2. The case and the secrets behind it will leave the readers with an excellent feeling.
3.The case-solving techniques and suspecting the main reason/person behind this case is interesting.
4. The narration was good and the scenes are designed beautifully.
5. The author designed this story in an excellent way so that the reader will travel with the characters of the story
What I didn’t like:
In particular, there are no negative points but in some areas, the story was dragged a bit.
Narration:
The narration is done in a good way and it could be more interesting and enthusiastic.
Language & Grammar:
A clear language with neat and uncomplicated grammar is used in the book
My Final Verdict:
An interesting thriller and a story packed with suspense. The book is apt for readers who like to read thriller and suspense stories.
Book Title: 3/5
Book Cover:3/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Narration: 3/5
Language & Grammar: 3/5
Final Rating: 3/5
Author: Salil Desai
Format: Paperback
Book Title:
The title of the book is ‘Killing AshishKarve: An Inspector Saralkar Mystery ‘ is intriguing
Book Cover:
The cover of the book is an image of a blood-stained car mirror reflecting the hand of the dead body.
Plot:
Senior Inspector Saralkarawaits for the critical and interesting case to solve. One such murder mystery will come in his way and he sets his journey to untangle the case with the help of his sub-ordinate Motkar.
A dead body of a local businessman AshishKarve is found in the backseat of his car. The scene clearly shows that it is suicide. Even Motkar suspects the same about the case, But Saralkar will find that there is something devious about this case and starts to dig another side of it.
As he solves the levels of his investigation he starts to suspect the people who are involved in the murdered business man’s life. Right from Ashish’s wife to the strangers who are merely involved in his routines, he suspects everyone. To solve the case he checks all the possibilities to fetch the victim.
Will the Saralkar solve this case with the proper evidence and clues? Is it a murder or suicide?
Read this interesting and thrilling book ‘Killing AshishKarve: An Inspector Saralkar Mystery’ buSalil Desai.
What I like:
1. The plot and the characterization are very well done.
2. The case and the secrets behind it will leave the readers with an excellent feeling.
3.The case-solving techniques and suspecting the main reason/person behind this case is interesting.
4. The narration was good and the scenes are designed beautifully.
5. The author designed this story in an excellent way so that the reader will travel with the characters of the story
What I didn’t like:
In particular, there are no negative points but in some areas, the story was dragged a bit.
Narration:
The narration is done in a good way and it could be more interesting and enthusiastic.
Language & Grammar:
A clear language with neat and uncomplicated grammar is used in the book
My Final Verdict:
An interesting thriller and a story packed with suspense. The book is apt for readers who like to read thriller and suspense stories.
Book Title: 3/5
Book Cover:3/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Narration: 3/5
Language & Grammar: 3/5
Final Rating: 3/5
May 19, 2021
The first instalment in the Saralkar saga, which was a refreshing read. A very interesting murder mystery of Mr. Ashish Karve found dead in the backseat of his vehicle, with murder disguised as suicide.
The duo Senior Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar go through this labyrinth of clues, various motives and suspects to arrive at the conclusion of this murder. The refreshing aspect of this novel is that the victim is a character that isn't well liked by the reader, sometimes making the reader empathise with the killer. The twists & turns in the form of new evidence and the character development of the victim make this a very interesting read.
I felt that the relationship between Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar could have more flavour, but the characters have been written with very detailed realism instead of portraying them as film heroes.
All in all, a good and realistic murder mystery, that keeps the reader enticed till the end. Really looking forward to reading through the saga of Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar.
The duo Senior Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar go through this labyrinth of clues, various motives and suspects to arrive at the conclusion of this murder. The refreshing aspect of this novel is that the victim is a character that isn't well liked by the reader, sometimes making the reader empathise with the killer. The twists & turns in the form of new evidence and the character development of the victim make this a very interesting read.
I felt that the relationship between Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar could have more flavour, but the characters have been written with very detailed realism instead of portraying them as film heroes.
All in all, a good and realistic murder mystery, that keeps the reader enticed till the end. Really looking forward to reading through the saga of Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar.
July 26, 2018
This is the first murder mystery book that I read, of any Indian author. I was looking forward for this to be a great read. But as the story unfolded it was seeming more and more like a bollywood movie script. As the author deals more with bureaucratic procedures, build up of suspense in the story, gets lost in this. Then it just feels more of a labored work of the policemen to solve the crime. The thrill to solve a crime, which also rubs onto the readers, is missing. But it would be unfair to Salil Desai because I am talking in relative terms of the other good crime mystery books. Amidst all the police procedure of alibi checks of everyone, Salil Desai conveniently forgets about alibi checks of the final criminals. He offers no explanations as to why that happens. Through all of it, suspense seems forced just for the sake of it.
March 4, 2018
The bad:
Solution to the murder mystery, and the supposedly main twist, had become clear pretty early.
The good:
A crisp and lucid writing style had made reading this book a genuine pleasure. Also, the story was very good, making the book almost unputdownable.
The awesome:
Senior Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar are two of the most realistic and engrossing Police personnel to have graced Indian crime fiction. I would probably go for the entire series just to meet them again.
A really very good book. It's NOT a cosy mystery, but a rather dark one, with characters displaying various shades of grey. But the writing style and our protagonists would take you ahead until you have reached the end.
Recommended.
Solution to the murder mystery, and the supposedly main twist, had become clear pretty early.
The good:
A crisp and lucid writing style had made reading this book a genuine pleasure. Also, the story was very good, making the book almost unputdownable.
The awesome:
Senior Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar are two of the most realistic and engrossing Police personnel to have graced Indian crime fiction. I would probably go for the entire series just to meet them again.
A really very good book. It's NOT a cosy mystery, but a rather dark one, with characters displaying various shades of grey. But the writing style and our protagonists would take you ahead until you have reached the end.
Recommended.
October 28, 2022
yet another salil desai's crime thriller i have just finished to read... its a well written story of a man who used to have suicidal tendency plus a dark turth which he is trying to hide... one day he was found dead inside his car... a thife took it from a place to another place and abandoned ...salarkar's yet again took this as homicide... the police tried hard to make all the information put togather as they found all the suspected people are somehow manage to hide some of their part..
and slowly all dots are start connected when they further investigate ..
its well written balance story.. not so dark not so easy i would say... a one time best novel i should say.... overall its a good story....🙂🙂🙂 3.75 points out of 5.
and slowly all dots are start connected when they further investigate ..
its well written balance story.. not so dark not so easy i would say... a one time best novel i should say.... overall its a good story....🙂🙂🙂 3.75 points out of 5.
October 26, 2017
Another thriller from Salil Desai 's series of Senior Inspector Saralkar and his Assistant Inspector Motkar, the book starts with a murder of the Protagonist in his own car abandoned , the duo smells homicide though there is a suicide note and a whole lot of people are suspects, who can be the murder is the story .
Salil Desai's books always have intrinsic human behavior pattern , there is always something to do with human psychic , this book has it less and is not complex than the book 3 and half murder.
Engrossing , fast paced , but the boorish Inspector Saralkar does not remotely sound like Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot if he trying to portray them.
Salil Desai's books always have intrinsic human behavior pattern , there is always something to do with human psychic , this book has it less and is not complex than the book 3 and half murder.
Engrossing , fast paced , but the boorish Inspector Saralkar does not remotely sound like Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot if he trying to portray them.
May 6, 2021
Salis Desai is an author who is famous for his crime fiction. This book is one of his best writings. The book is gripping and well written. The story telling is simple and neat, the book is real page turner. Salil Desai used a simple language. And each character is portrayed very well.
Killing Ashish Karve is a spine-chilling murder mystery which follows the adventures and exploits of senior inspector SARALKAR.
Personally, I loved to read murder mysteries book. And no doubt this one also has a great and amazing story. If you love to read murder mysteries so you should try this one.
Killing Ashish Karve is a spine-chilling murder mystery which follows the adventures and exploits of senior inspector SARALKAR.
Personally, I loved to read murder mysteries book. And no doubt this one also has a great and amazing story. If you love to read murder mysteries so you should try this one.
August 7, 2017
The least you expect from a thriller/suspense genre fiction is to keep you hooked till the last page. Anything above that is a bonus. This novel has too has a pretty simple narration and language but the plot is taut. There are sincere attempts at a) humanizing the main characters and b) making the whole police procedural bit realistic, which as I said, is a bonus. This is what makes it more than an average page turner.
August 4, 2023
The beginning of the Inspector Saralkar series and I am mighty glad that the author took the plunge. We hardly have too many crime thriller series, and good ones at that in India and this series could usher in a great reading experience for readers.
Given that this is the beginning, the murder mystery explored here is simple enough for me to guess the murderer from the very beginning.
The ending nicely ties everything together.
My rating - 3/5
Given that this is the beginning, the murder mystery explored here is simple enough for me to guess the murderer from the very beginning.
The ending nicely ties everything together.
My rating - 3/5
January 20, 2021
Quick Thoughts :
a) Solid if predictable.
b) Saralkar-Motwakar : unfortunately a bland duo.
c) Too simple at times. Required a wittier approach.
d) The no nonsense cop and the fumbling side kick is a dying concept.
e) I personally felt the author could have played beyond the tropes for them.
f) More or less saw the main twist coming.
Would try the next books though.
a) Solid if predictable.
b) Saralkar-Motwakar : unfortunately a bland duo.
c) Too simple at times. Required a wittier approach.
d) The no nonsense cop and the fumbling side kick is a dying concept.
e) I personally felt the author could have played beyond the tropes for them.
f) More or less saw the main twist coming.
Would try the next books though.
October 11, 2022
An excellent murder investigation. Definitely a page turner and can be converted into a Bollywood movie. The writing is fluid and the story moves on at a very fast pace. At no point in time you can guess the killers. And the mystery is revealed at the time of police grilling the suspect with some circumstantial evidence.
June 11, 2023
This was a decent murder mystery. Not sure if I would read it again. I recommend this for people who like typical detective type stories with an good and well-paced plot. It is a bit slow at the beginning but it rounded up being intriguing in a short while after. Also the twist at the end didn't anticipate that so quite shocking.
March 9, 2020
4.5 stars to be precise...
I liked how the ending turned out..kinda anticipated it but satisfactory.
I really enjoyed reading it...mostly cause it spoke about a scenario in our society about which most of the people are still narrow-minded.
I liked how the ending turned out..kinda anticipated it but satisfactory.
I really enjoyed reading it...mostly cause it spoke about a scenario in our society about which most of the people are still narrow-minded.
September 29, 2020
suspense thriller
I most like the way of authors writing and disclose the suspense in step by step. some words used by the author needs dictionary for me,you can choose easy parellel words . I want to read all your books. excellent.recommanded.
I most like the way of authors writing and disclose the suspense in step by step. some words used by the author needs dictionary for me,you can choose easy parellel words . I want to read all your books. excellent.recommanded.
November 28, 2021
Salil Desai has mastered the art of the police procedural. He builds up a story with skill and his characterization has depth . However,his conclusions and plot resolutions are sometimes a bit hurried and a trifle disappointing.
July 21, 2024
Never expected the amazing plot twist, I still feel, the story could have been something more.Gripping. It's a page turner, never lets you get bored, fast paced and well written, but at the end, the murderer needed some more emotion, the author portrayed the murderes's emotion in about 3-4 pages, for me it's just there, I can't feel that character's teeth gritting hard-core rage towards the victim.
I do recommend this, it keeps you hooked.
(On my way to buy the next book in the Saralkar series)
I do recommend this, it keeps you hooked.
(On my way to buy the next book in the Saralkar series)
January 1, 2018
Pretty easy to figure out - though one finer aspect of the crime escaped my surmise
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews