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7 Suspects
Inspector Shyamala Verma investigates the murder of a youth named Nandu, who is found strangled in a dark track inside a wooded area.
Unfortunately, due to heavy rains, no trace of any clue is left—no fingerprints, shoe or tyre marks. Even sniffer dogs fail to track any odour in the rain-soaked territory. Only five days ago, Nandu had been arrested for assaulting his girlfriend, Anjali, and was released on bail.
Who has done it? Could it be Anjali’s brother to avenge the attack on his sister? As Shyamala digs deeper into the mystery, several suspects emerge. A previously unknown half-brother of the deceased, who stands to gain immense property from Nandu’s death. A second boyfriend of Anjali, who regales her with his detective skills. A haggard-looking drug addict. And suddenly, a drug empire surfaces involving more suspects within the crosshairs of the police.
Can Inspector Shyamala match the wits of the killer?
Unfortunately, due to heavy rains, no trace of any clue is left—no fingerprints, shoe or tyre marks. Even sniffer dogs fail to track any odour in the rain-soaked territory. Only five days ago, Nandu had been arrested for assaulting his girlfriend, Anjali, and was released on bail.
Who has done it? Could it be Anjali’s brother to avenge the attack on his sister? As Shyamala digs deeper into the mystery, several suspects emerge. A previously unknown half-brother of the deceased, who stands to gain immense property from Nandu’s death. A second boyfriend of Anjali, who regales her with his detective skills. A haggard-looking drug addict. And suddenly, a drug empire surfaces involving more suspects within the crosshairs of the police.
Can Inspector Shyamala match the wits of the killer?
222 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2025
3 people want to read
About the author
Surendra Nath
18 books42 followersSurendra Nath
Books by the author
1. Karna’s Alter Ego
2. Kavach of Surya
3. Kavyanjali Vol. 1
4. Kavyanjali Vol. 2
5. Kavyanjali Vol. 3
6. Kavyanjali Vol. 4
7. Kavyanjali Vol. 5
8. Selected Poems of Haldhar Nag
9. 7 Suspects (Seven Suspects)
Books by the author
1. Karna’s Alter Ego
2. Kavach of Surya
3. Kavyanjali Vol. 1
4. Kavyanjali Vol. 2
5. Kavyanjali Vol. 3
6. Kavyanjali Vol. 4
7. Kavyanjali Vol. 5
8. Selected Poems of Haldhar Nag
9. 7 Suspects (Seven Suspects)
He has a few other eBooks to his credit, namely, ‘Mysteries Surrounding Konark’, How to Self-Publish Your eBook’, Fourteen Folktales from Faraway Lands’. All are available online.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 8, 2026
"Seven Suspects" is a compelling murder mystery that had me racing through the pages, eager to see how the investigation would unfold. I couldn't put this book down.
What makes this book special is how authentically Indian it feels. This isn't a Western detective story transplanted to India—it's a proper Indian police procedural that captures the reality of how investigations actually work here. Rather than relying on a brilliant lone detective having eureka moments, the book follows the systematic, methodical process of police work: interviewing witnesses, checking alibis, following up leads, and painstakingly analyzing details. The detection is realistic and grounded, built on teamwork, grit, and smart thinking rather than convenient plot twists or gotcha moments. The characters behave like real Indians would, and that authenticity makes the story that much more engaging.
Shyamala is a fantastic lead character who works within the system rather than above it, and I'm already hoping for sequels featuring her. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, with people acting in believable, human ways throughout.
The police procedural aspects are excellent. Surendra Nath clearly understands how Indian law enforcement works—the hierarchy, the constraints, the step-by-step building of a case. While the book doesn't explicitly dwell on it, you can see the darker realities of our legal system in how the suspects are treated—the casual acceptance of interrogation tactics, the limited access to legal protections, how easily someone could be railroaded. It's sobering to infer these truths from the way the investigation unfolds, and it bothered me precisely because it feels so realistic.
The pacing is fantastic. This is a fast-paced whodunnit that keeps you guessing without cheating. The only minor quibble I have is that the romance subplot felt a bit silly, but it's a small flaw in an otherwise excellent book.
If you're looking for an Indian murder mystery that's grounded, intelligently plotted, and genuinely reflective of our country, this is it. After enjoying the author's previous book "Kavach of Surya," I knew I had to read this one—and I wasn't disappointed.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good mystery with an authentic Indian flavor.
What makes this book special is how authentically Indian it feels. This isn't a Western detective story transplanted to India—it's a proper Indian police procedural that captures the reality of how investigations actually work here. Rather than relying on a brilliant lone detective having eureka moments, the book follows the systematic, methodical process of police work: interviewing witnesses, checking alibis, following up leads, and painstakingly analyzing details. The detection is realistic and grounded, built on teamwork, grit, and smart thinking rather than convenient plot twists or gotcha moments. The characters behave like real Indians would, and that authenticity makes the story that much more engaging.
Shyamala is a fantastic lead character who works within the system rather than above it, and I'm already hoping for sequels featuring her. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, with people acting in believable, human ways throughout.
The police procedural aspects are excellent. Surendra Nath clearly understands how Indian law enforcement works—the hierarchy, the constraints, the step-by-step building of a case. While the book doesn't explicitly dwell on it, you can see the darker realities of our legal system in how the suspects are treated—the casual acceptance of interrogation tactics, the limited access to legal protections, how easily someone could be railroaded. It's sobering to infer these truths from the way the investigation unfolds, and it bothered me precisely because it feels so realistic.
The pacing is fantastic. This is a fast-paced whodunnit that keeps you guessing without cheating. The only minor quibble I have is that the romance subplot felt a bit silly, but it's a small flaw in an otherwise excellent book.
If you're looking for an Indian murder mystery that's grounded, intelligently plotted, and genuinely reflective of our country, this is it. After enjoying the author's previous book "Kavach of Surya," I knew I had to read this one—and I wasn't disappointed.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good mystery with an authentic Indian flavor.
January 31, 2026
7 Suspects is a book that balances several ingredients of a suspense mystery very well. It works brilliantly as a procedural. The writer has portrayed the intricate workings of a police force in an Indian city convincingly. What I liked most was the depiction of how a resourceful inspector could find ways in which an investigation could be conducted within legal constraints that bind them. The tediousness of the operations, the sacrifices the investigators have to make in their personal lives to carry out their duties, the quick thinking they have to develop, and the manipulative tactics they use to bring situations under control are portrayed in detail.
The book is a taut mystery thriller that effectively uses the investigation methods of the local police and criminal psychology to tell a suspenseful story. This would be a perfect read for mystery aficionados who prefer procedural details without too many narrative frills.
The book is a taut mystery thriller that effectively uses the investigation methods of the local police and criminal psychology to tell a suspenseful story. This would be a perfect read for mystery aficionados who prefer procedural details without too many narrative frills.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews