The Wings Of The Nike

Janardan Maity #6

by Bhaskar Chattopadhyay

The fascinating story about a cursed artifact that made Vincent van Gogh cut off his own ear, drove Friedrich Nietzsche insane, and started the First World War!

When an iconic yesteryear actress asks Prakash Ray to write her biography, Prakash joins the veteran matinee idol and her family on a weeklong retreat in the heart of a tranquil forest in Odisha. Accompanying him, of course, is his dear friend, the astute detective Janardan Maity.

In the forest, Maity and Prakash get pulled into a complex and endless labyrinth of lies, deceits and scandalous family secrets, centered around a priceless but cursed family heirloom that has been known throughout the pages of history to bring death and destruction to anyone who has ever aspired to possess it.

Soon, Maity and Prakash realize that several mysterious individuals in the forest have their eyes set on the invaluable artifact, 'The Wings of the Nike', and that they will do anything to get their hands on it.

Even murder!

Genres: Fiction

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2025

About the author

Bhaskar Chattopadhyay is an author, translator, columnist and screenwriter. He is best known for the Janardan Maity series and for the translation of Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay's iconic novel 'Aranyak'. His primary research interest is the life, literature, art and cinema of Satyajit Ray, and he has written several books on Ray. Bhaskar has also written several screenplays, all of which are in production. He teaches screenwriting to film students and aspiring filmmakers. Bhaskar lives and works in Toronto.

Reviews

[Sneha Pathak (reader_girl_reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release of every book in the Janardan Maity series feels like an occasion to me. I wait for it as soon as I learn that a new book is to be released, finish it in a day or two it reaches me, and then wait for the next one. The Wings of the Nike was no exception.

This time Maity and Prakash encounter their latest adventure at a resort located near the wildlife sanctuary bordering the Hirakud Dam in Odissa where they are accompanying a yester-year superstar Vasundhara Rathod who wants Prakash to pen her life story.

Staying with them for a week-long retreat are a few family members and friends of Mrs Rathod. What should have been a tranquil holiday for the duo turns into an intricate case of deceit, greed, complex interpersonal relationships and attempted murder. Related to all this seems to be the legend of the wings of the nike, which has haunted many people in the past and seems to be exerting its power even today.

The mystery is fantastic. It's well written, evenly paced and balances intrigue with beautiful descriptions - something that I have come to associate with Chattopadhyay's writing. I read a lot of thrillers and mystery novels, and yet I was (as always in the case of Chattopadhyay's books) way off the mark. Highly recommending this one to all fellow mystery lovers. And now, I am dreaming of visiting the beautiful place described in the book as I wait for Maity and Ray's next outing.

[Krutika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every year, there is one singular moment that I wait for with bated breath. It is for Bhaskar Chattopadhay to announce the release of his latest book. When a dear friend of mine intimated me about the release of his latest, The Wings of the Nike, I pre-ordered a copy right away. His previous whodunnit Aperture, was a bit of a miss for me and so I was a bit hesitant to bank my hopes on his latest work. His Janardhan Maity series is perhaps my most favourite detective series, making JM my all time favourite sleuth. There’s a certain charm and ease that has been weaved into his personality that just makes him better than all the other detectives that I grew up reading. Choosing perfect locations for his stories is something else that Chattopadhyay does really well. In this latest part of JM whodunnit, the author takes us to a scenic resort located near the Hirakud Dam, Odisha.

When a yesteryear actress named Vasundhara Rathod approaches Prakash Ray, Maity’s author friend to write her autobiography, the duo are invited to the resort for a brief getaway to help understand her better. A wide array of characters tag along to the resort, some family and some friends to simply unwind. But what was supposed to be a vacation quickly turns into a rather sinister situation when a murder is attempted. As Maity dives into the mystery, he realises soon enough that each character’s relationship with Mrs Rathod has minute cracks, seemingly non-existent from the outside but somehow runs very deep. And so begins the game of cat and mouse as he sets about unraveling the case.

As it often happens with Chattopadhyay’s books, he offers much more than just mystery. The beauty lies in the way he chooses the perfect setting for his stories to unfold, coupled with a sense of suspense that builds gradually. And as is always the case with his books, I can never quite guess the culprit correctly and it was no different in The Wings of the Nike. It kept me at the edge of my seat and made me want to book my tickets to witness the grandeur of Hirakud Dam right away. With his latest work, Chattopadhyay has once again proved that no one does thrillers like him. Cannot recommend this enough and now I go back to waiting for his next book to be out.

[Nandini · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wait is worth wile, each year same time.

Reading about the Maity-Ray duo is a soft hug from the childhood equivalent of Nancy Drew series

I thoroughly enjoyed it and my appreciation and respect for Chhatopadhyay increases with each instalment

The story, the duo and the scenic descriptions of beautiful places across India wins my heart, it’s as if I am just behind the duo and observing their world

Yep, awaiting the next one eagerly

[Shinhye · Rating 5 out of 5]

The release of a new book in the Janardan Maity series is always a highly anticipated and one-of-a-kind event in the life of booklovers, and this time, things were no different. Bhaskar Chattopadhyay writes on an average one book in 2-3 years. That's about the only complaint that we readers have of him. 'The Wings Of The Nike' was by far the most anticipated book of the year for me and other mystery genre fans like me. And once again, the author delights us, awes us with a brilliant story, beautifully described locales, and humanely crafted characters.

This is a book that I finished reading in one sitting, cover to cover. I just couldn't put it down. In the end, I once again marvelled at how, just how, does Bhaskar Chattopadhyay manage to write such complex, such layered, and yet, immensely entertaining stories every single time. How do these ideas even come to him? I can only imagine the immense effort required in conceiving, planning, executing a writing project such as this one. And like a cherry on the top, there are these two endearing characters that the author has created. I simply cannot get enough of Janardan Maity and Prakash Ray. And once again, once I have barely come out of the awe of the author's writing, my heart aches because I know it will be a long wait for the next Janardan Maity novel.

If you haven't read any of the books in the series, I strongly recommend you do. You don't know what you are missing out on! Chattopadhyay is a hidden treasure in Indian literature, and is by far the best contemporary crime writer in the country today.

[Dhiraj Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have said it before and I will say it again, Bhaskar Chattopadhyay is India’s Agatha Christie, period. The Agatha Christie society (am sure one exists) should give him an award for carrying forward the legacy of the world-renowned mystery author. Bhaskar does dedicate this book to Ray, Agatha and Conan Doyle though.

The setting of “The Wings of Nike” is your typical Christie too with a bunch of characters (relatives so to say) are brought together in an isolated jungle resort and a murder attempt takes place with each character becoming the obvious suspect, as I said typical Christie.

You will keep on scratching your head to decipher the subtle clues, the red herrings thrown in for good measure and the character’s statements to arrive at “whodunit” or rather "who-the-hell-did-it". Trust me, as always Bhaskar will pull the rug right under your feet and leave you flabbergasted when the final revelation is announced towards the end when the characters are brought together in a room with finger of suspicion moving from one to another, as I said its’ your typical Christie setting.

For fans of the great dame let me put a bit of a spoiler over here, if you have read the masterpiece “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” you will know what to expect here, however unlike TMORA the main character doesn’t die.

And before I pen off let me state again that I will be eagerly waiting for Bhaskar Chattopadhyay’s next work, after all, like a curious child I am a sucker for the whodunit genre!!!

[Adhyayan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Janardan Maity, a man with a stocky build, broad shoulders and a very little neck, and his dear friend (and biographer?), Prakash, make a triumphant return in yet another picturesque puzzle. The plot flows as smoothly as the previous entries, which I highly recommend everyone read.

The Wings Of The Nike is a breezy read that serves as a brilliant piece of fiction and also an enticing travel log of Odisha's hidden gem, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary. The setting is perfect, the characters are plenty and layered, but as with the previous books, I cherish the moments where Prakash and Maity interact with the kids. Shoutout to Rimli!

The setting takes me back to Penumbra, but the plot here is much more intricate and complex. The mystery itself is quite intricately woven. Even if you can guess the culprit (like I did), it's highly unlikely you will be able to guess the why and how. Bhaskar has spun a wonderful tale around the Wings, peppered with real history blending with fiction.

Prakash’s endearing nature and Maity’s genius shine again. Why isn't the Maity series a film adaptation yet?

PS: Aperture made me crave for Biryani with Thums Up, but this one has me drooling for that double-egg-double-chicken roll, with lots of ketchup and very little cucumber!

[Medha A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bhaskar Chattopadhyay's The Wings of the Nike effortlessly blends suspense, rich atmosphere, and deeply human storytelling. The mystery is smartly plotted, but what truly elevates the book is the emotional depth and intelligence behind every twist. Janardan Maity and Prakash Ray continue to shine as one of the most compelling detective duos in Indian fiction—distinctly original, yet comfortingly familiar.

The pacing is taut, the setting vivid, and the writing quietly powerful. I was hooked from the first chapter and didn’t come up for air until the last page. It's rare to find a writer who consistently delivers quality of this calibre, and Chattopadhyay does so with grace and precision.

I can only hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next instalment. This is crime fiction at its finest—unmissable for fans of the genre, and a real gem of Indian literature.

[Kaustav Songman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detective novel, to my mind, works best when the central characters are developed well & this is done brilliantly in this novel. One can see in one's mind's eye Ray & Maity & relate to them continuously as they display their brilliance & idiosyncrasies through the novel.

The story is remarkably visual & cinematic, begins with a period scene as it were, with relatable characters in France & then brings us back to present day India with Maity & Ray taking centerstage.

One aspect that has to be mentioned is the language of the book. Mr. Chattopadhyay keeps it simple to understand without being banally populist. He is witty, doesn't underestimate his readers' intellect/understanding of the language & his words have a certain music to them. The last characteristic is something I didn't find in his earlier novels.

So turn off Netflix & dip into The Wings of The Nike. You will feel more rewarded. It is available over Kindle Unlimited :)

[Rajdeep · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wings of the Nike is one of those rare mysteries that grips you from the get-go and never lets up. The plot is razor-sharp—clever, unpredictable, and never dumbs itself down, which I absolutely loved. Every clue, every twist feels earned, and the tension builds so naturally that you're flipping pages without even realizing it. But what really stood out to me was the setting—so vividly described that I felt like I was walking the jungle, breathing that air, and watching the mystery unfold right in front of me. Bhaskar Chattopadhyay has a real gift for making the world of his story come alive, and this book is a total treat for anyone who loves a smart, atmospheric whodunit.

[Anunay Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the case is solved in this book, Prakash reminisces about it and states that he had an empty feeling in his heart- a vacant and melancholic feeling after every case is solved. I feel the same after finishing these books. So well-written, so simple in its conception, yet so intricately woven with an ending that gets you every time.
Bhaskar Sir! I tip my hat to you. You truly are an exceptionally gifted writer. I am not denying your talent, but the knack that you have for telling these stories is something that you can't cultivate, it's in-built.
All in all, another brilliant entry into the series.

[Rafaa Dalvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Wings Of The Nike' soars high!

Bhaskar Chattopadhyay’s The Wings Of The Nike is a mesmerizing triumph in modern detective fiction.

Set against the lush, atmospheric backdrop of Odisha’s Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, the book is peppered with layered characters, cursed jewelry and dysfunctional relationships.

Even seasoned mystery lovers will find themselves pleasantly fooled by the “why” and “how" of the crime. It kept me guessing until the very end.

An absolute must-read for lovers of whodunits.

[Anshuman Lenka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant as always ..

[Kartikey Shandilya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Vishal Bagaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much awaited in my favourite series, Bhaskar Chattopadhyay hits the ball out of the park yet again with his new Janardan Maity & Prakash Ray suspense. Invited by a yesteryear actress, Vasundhara Rathod aka Muskaan to pen down her biography to a resort where technology doesn’t work, Prakash Ray and Janardan Maity find themselves surrounded by her friends and family - all who have plenty to hide, and definite motives to harm Muskaan. Surrounding all of these is a myth - a myth that started World War I and caused several deaths. A piece of cursed jewellery that goes missing after a lethal stabbing forms the crux of the story. The story is set inside the compound of the Debrigarh forest and resort set by the Hirakud Dam in Odisha, which, with its tall, well canopied foliage and its sunless spaces and its ironically claustrophobic environment, plays yet another vital character in the narrative, like all of the previous works. Among the various safaris and island tours, pay attention, that’s all I can say. Pay enough attention to every word spoken by every character, because this atmospheric & tightly plotted story is not your standard fare of suspense, and the final twist is something you will not have expected even when you prematurely pat yourself on the back assuming victory in figuring out the culprit. Reading the sixth instalment in this series is like catching up with old friends, whom you know inside out - and that is the writer’s victory. The oddballs surrounding our duo are equally well fleshed out, with many poignant moments among them arising out of dysfunctional familial relationships. I loved the exchange on the safari about bisons, it’s too hilarious - but if you laugh, you miss out on the clues! So, dear reader, be warned! Instances that seem ordinary, are not so. Red herrings are deceptive. Words spoken that seem commonplace, are not so. Suspects lie through their teeth. And separating wheat from chaff, are our beloved two, yet again, who with their combined prowess have unravelled yet another complicated tangle of webs. That said, I am already going berserk for the next adventure in this series!