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Inspector Saralkar Mystery #6
206 Bones: An Inspector Saralkar Mystery
About the Book
INSPECTOR SARALKAR IS BACK TO SOLVE ANOTHER BONE-CHILLING MYSTERY!
Do you think half the murders in this world would have occurred if the killer had paused to think what they were going to do with the body?' Saralkar asked, cracking his fingers.
When a skeleton is unearthed beneath the lawns of Shanti Villa-an old bungalow being demolished for redevelopment-the Pune Homicide Unit has a new mystery on its hands. There are no leads and too many who is the victim? How long ago was the skeleton buried? Who could be behind this crime-the couple who built the house and lived in it for more than three decades, one of their tenants, one of the many servants they employed over the years, their own children who have now inherited the villa, or someone else entirely?
Saralkar, Motkar and Zirpe have barely begun their investigation when they find themselves tangled up in another a high-profile murder-suicide involving disgraced DCP Kuldeep Khalap. He has survived a bullet in the brain, but his wife is dead and his two children-both witnesses-seem to be hiding something.
As the pressure to crack both cases builds, Saralkar's team must navigate a complex web of lies, guilt and silence. Pacy and suspenseful, 206 Bones will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end.
About the Author
Salil Desai is one of India's leading crime fiction writers and the creator of the much-acclaimed Inspector Saralkar mystery series. 206 Bones is the sixth book of the series and his tenth fiction title overall. His short fiction has also been published in popular anthologies published by Westland, Hachette, Unisun and Penguin.
Screen rights of several of his books and stories have been acquired by leading production houses and studios, including his Inspector Saralkar series novels, which are currently being adapted into a web-series by Jio Studios.
An alumnus of Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Salil Desai is also a screenwriter, having scripted a web series, Kalsutra that awaits release on Jio-Hotstar, as well as a feature film, that has recently been green-lit.
He is a seasoned newspaper columnist, with over 400 articles, op- ed pieces, features and travelogues in leading dailies. His books have been reviewed in The Hindu, New Indian Express, The Pioneer, Bangalore Mirror, DNA, First City and The Tribune, among others. His work has been praised by veteran authors Dr Shashi Tharoor, Shobhaa De and film-makers Sriram Raghavan, Sujoy Ghosh and Sandeep Modi.
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
A true-to-form police procedural. Senior Inspector Saralkar has a strong work ethic but can also be moody and cynical, a bit like Ian Rankin’s John Rebus. The author ensures that the curiosity element is intact throughout. —Deccan Herald
Salil Desai weaves a dense net of intrigue. A perfect distraction for a lazy weekend. —Mint
Salil Desai is one of India’s few crime novelists who can go toe to toe with the Jo Nesbos, Tana Frenches and Keigo Higashinos of the world. —Advisory (www.splainer.
INSPECTOR SARALKAR IS BACK TO SOLVE ANOTHER BONE-CHILLING MYSTERY!
Do you think half the murders in this world would have occurred if the killer had paused to think what they were going to do with the body?' Saralkar asked, cracking his fingers.
When a skeleton is unearthed beneath the lawns of Shanti Villa-an old bungalow being demolished for redevelopment-the Pune Homicide Unit has a new mystery on its hands. There are no leads and too many who is the victim? How long ago was the skeleton buried? Who could be behind this crime-the couple who built the house and lived in it for more than three decades, one of their tenants, one of the many servants they employed over the years, their own children who have now inherited the villa, or someone else entirely?
Saralkar, Motkar and Zirpe have barely begun their investigation when they find themselves tangled up in another a high-profile murder-suicide involving disgraced DCP Kuldeep Khalap. He has survived a bullet in the brain, but his wife is dead and his two children-both witnesses-seem to be hiding something.
As the pressure to crack both cases builds, Saralkar's team must navigate a complex web of lies, guilt and silence. Pacy and suspenseful, 206 Bones will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end.
About the Author
Salil Desai is one of India's leading crime fiction writers and the creator of the much-acclaimed Inspector Saralkar mystery series. 206 Bones is the sixth book of the series and his tenth fiction title overall. His short fiction has also been published in popular anthologies published by Westland, Hachette, Unisun and Penguin.
Screen rights of several of his books and stories have been acquired by leading production houses and studios, including his Inspector Saralkar series novels, which are currently being adapted into a web-series by Jio Studios.
An alumnus of Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Salil Desai is also a screenwriter, having scripted a web series, Kalsutra that awaits release on Jio-Hotstar, as well as a feature film, that has recently been green-lit.
He is a seasoned newspaper columnist, with over 400 articles, op- ed pieces, features and travelogues in leading dailies. His books have been reviewed in The Hindu, New Indian Express, The Pioneer, Bangalore Mirror, DNA, First City and The Tribune, among others. His work has been praised by veteran authors Dr Shashi Tharoor, Shobhaa De and film-makers Sriram Raghavan, Sujoy Ghosh and Sandeep Modi.
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
A true-to-form police procedural. Senior Inspector Saralkar has a strong work ethic but can also be moody and cynical, a bit like Ian Rankin’s John Rebus. The author ensures that the curiosity element is intact throughout. —Deccan Herald
Salil Desai weaves a dense net of intrigue. A perfect distraction for a lazy weekend. —Mint
Salil Desai is one of India’s few crime novelists who can go toe to toe with the Jo Nesbos, Tana Frenches and Keigo Higashinos of the world. —Advisory (www.splainer.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2025
3 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Salil Desai
11 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 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 3, 2025
Crime Fiction at its best . Investigation procedures were well written . Overall a brilliant read.
December 17, 2025
Salil Desai’s 206 Bones is a captivating crime thriller that blends suspense with sharp social observation. His storytelling grips you from the very first discovery of the skeleton and keeps you hooked through Inspector Saralkar’s witty, incisive investigation.
What makes the book stand out is not just the mystery, but the way Desai explores human nature, relationships, and hidden truths beneath everyday life. A brilliant addition to contemporary Indian crime fiction, and a testament to the author’s craft.
What makes the book stand out is not just the mystery, but the way Desai explores human nature, relationships, and hidden truths beneath everyday life. A brilliant addition to contemporary Indian crime fiction, and a testament to the author’s craft.
January 5, 2026
4.5*. Pretty solid, read it in one go almost, start to finish. Proper police procedural with interesting twists.
What shines in this series, apart from Mr Salil Desai's craft is, the social commentary and the authenticity of the characters. It all feels real in a sense and very sincere. I have been a fan since the first Saralkar mystery I read in 2017!
What shines in this series, apart from Mr Salil Desai's craft is, the social commentary and the authenticity of the characters. It all feels real in a sense and very sincere. I have been a fan since the first Saralkar mystery I read in 2017!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews