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The Debt Collector's Due
There comes a day in every boy's life when he needs to sit down and decide what to do with the rest of it. But our layabout hero, Samay, slept through it, as he did most days growing up. Waking up aged twenty-nine, he finds that he barely has any money left in the bank and the only job anyone is willing to give him is as a debt collector for small businesses.
To top it all, he has had no luck with his college flame, Amrita. They were close friends once but are not even in touch any more.
His less-than-ordinary life takes a mad turn when he is mistaken by mob boss Pande for a hitman and given Rs 75 lakh as payment. Samay wants to take the money and flee the city, but he discovers that Amrita, now a journalist, is next on the hit list...
The Debt Collector's Due is a wild ride through the drama of college heartbreak and a terrifying murder in south Mumbai's Parsi colony to the sweaty alleys of Crawford Market and the mist-filled valley of Panchgani. This is a story about shifting fortunes and high stakes, a breathless read from the first page to the very last word.
To top it all, he has had no luck with his college flame, Amrita. They were close friends once but are not even in touch any more.
His less-than-ordinary life takes a mad turn when he is mistaken by mob boss Pande for a hitman and given Rs 75 lakh as payment. Samay wants to take the money and flee the city, but he discovers that Amrita, now a journalist, is next on the hit list...
The Debt Collector's Due is a wild ride through the drama of college heartbreak and a terrifying murder in south Mumbai's Parsi colony to the sweaty alleys of Crawford Market and the mist-filled valley of Panchgani. This is a story about shifting fortunes and high stakes, a breathless read from the first page to the very last word.
151 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2015
9 people want to read
About the author
Adhirath Sethi
6 books6 followersAdhirath Sethi writes because situations intrigue him. There is a joy he finds in exploring ‘what-ifs’ and turning them into sub plots that are then allowed to run unsupervised in his mind, colliding recklessly with one another. From the ensuing chaos, he draws out a story. He does not know whether it will be funny or sad, but he hopes that his style of writing waxes the interest of any reader wading through it.
He is not excited by elaborate prose, riddled with hard words. His is a pursuit of the ability to evoke curious visualizations in the reader’s mind, using even the simplest language, as so many of his favourite writers have done.
A former management consultant with The Boston Consulting Group, he took an all too eager plunge into entreprenurship in 2008, only to be immediately confronted with the financial crisis. He took to writing as a way to keep sane during this time.
His first book – The Debt Collector’s Due – was published by HarperCollins and draws on his own experiences with hiring debt collectors to recover funds for his business.
His second book – Where the Hills Hide their Secrets –published in 2019 – is set in a fictitious hill-station in post-colonial India, where the murder of a local woman sends secrets and scandals spilling out of the woodwork across the town of Nalanoor.
As an individual Sethi hopes to remain as uncomplicated as possible, most unlike what he expects of his stories. Despite all the experiences afforded to him by a childhood spent in boarding schools, he is an introvert whose ultimate daily ambition is to go home early.
He is an alumnus of The Rishi Valley School, Eton College and the London School of Economics. He is currently settled in Bangalore.
He is not excited by elaborate prose, riddled with hard words. His is a pursuit of the ability to evoke curious visualizations in the reader’s mind, using even the simplest language, as so many of his favourite writers have done.
A former management consultant with The Boston Consulting Group, he took an all too eager plunge into entreprenurship in 2008, only to be immediately confronted with the financial crisis. He took to writing as a way to keep sane during this time.
His first book – The Debt Collector’s Due – was published by HarperCollins and draws on his own experiences with hiring debt collectors to recover funds for his business.
His second book – Where the Hills Hide their Secrets –published in 2019 – is set in a fictitious hill-station in post-colonial India, where the murder of a local woman sends secrets and scandals spilling out of the woodwork across the town of Nalanoor.
As an individual Sethi hopes to remain as uncomplicated as possible, most unlike what he expects of his stories. Despite all the experiences afforded to him by a childhood spent in boarding schools, he is an introvert whose ultimate daily ambition is to go home early.
He is an alumnus of The Rishi Valley School, Eton College and the London School of Economics. He is currently settled in Bangalore.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 11, 2015
Let me start with the cover of the book. I don’t usually comment on the cover but this one definitely needs a mention. It portrays a hand holding four cards (aces), one marked with a heart while the other three are blotted with the rupee symbol, which signifies the importance of money or lack of it, on the characters in the story. It also brings in the metaphysical dimension of life with Samay’s (protagonist) life being swayed by luck or the lack of it just as drawing a hand at a game of cards. Along with it, there is Gateway of India in background with a man and woman holding hands trying to escape (a story set in Mumbai). The cover sums up the story and it initially intrigued and cajoled me to pick up a copy.
‘Come on Sam,’ he chided himself, ‘this day isn’t going to totally suck unless you’re awake to experience it.’ – This sums up the life of Samay thus far with him sleeping through most of his lack-luster younger years. He was a college dropout, unmotivated to do anything with his life other than spend the money inherited from a late uncle. Along with it, he has been rejected by his lady love as him being short of ambition sways her choice between Samay and her career in journalism.
Over the years of him sleeping through and not working, the inheritance from his uncle draws thin and Samay is forced to look for work, which yields more than unpleasant results. After 85 interviews and rejections, he is hired by a ‘noble soul’ who wants to help Samay and is offered a job as a debt collector. He excels at his job both because of his calm and pleasant personality and his sheer need for money.
Samay is on one of his usual debt collections, and he is mistaken for a hitman and a large sum changes hands wrongfully. Driven by need and greed, he chooses to run with the money and start a life elsewhere. However, along with the money comes the news of Amrita (his lady love in college) being the next target to eliminate. Samay chooses to stay and protect her from whatever impending danger.
Why is the mob after her? How does Samay help her forms the rest of the plot.
The story moves smoothly from start to finish. However, the twists and turns were unbelievable as everything conveniently falls in place every single time for Samay. It reads like a string of coincidences one after the other and I wasn’t convinced it was possible, as only the good fellows get this leveraged treatment while everything goes wrong for the bad guys.
The last straw of dislike in the sequence of events unfolding came with Raka falling into a manhole and staying there for hours while people try to help him. Does this happen in broad daylight and that too for a hitman? However, the media personnel taking pictures, lowering the mike into the manhole to get Ramdeo’s (Raka) reaction was hilarious and very real.
Characters
I was rooting for Samay from the get go although his life is less than impressive. He is sharp, shrewd and funny which makes him more than likable and I wanted him to succeed no matter what. I love an underdog rising.
The other important characters are Amrita, an ambitious woman, who knows what she wants at all times and won’t shy away or stop until she gets what she is aiming for. This makes her an excellent female protagonist, with her taking on larger than life issues to battle along her line of work. Also, Pande and Raka the mobsters and the character of commissioner were interesting and chiseled well.
Although the character of Waghmare had a tiny role to play in the entire plot, I loved the charming constable – Especially loved his ‘extra polish for his shoes’ and ‘expensive starch on his shirt.’
Here is a passport-size picture of the constable – “Last year he was loaned out to the traffic department, as they had a shortage of policemen. The stint saw him hand out two traffic tickets and seven near traffic tickets –wherein the culprits had driven off while Waghmare searched for his pen.”
Nevertheless, I wasn’t so sure a constable would have a ‘tiny gun’ tucked in his sock to be pulled and used when necessary.
All the characters had their unique traits and were reasonably well rounded.
Nevertheless, the relation commissioner and his wife share with Amrita was too Bollywood for me. It seemed too convenient (to the plot) as the couple are childless and take a liking to the girl and treat her like their own daughter, along with treating her with generous home cooked meals! I’d definitely like to meet one such commissioner of police.
One last point on the characters – there was too much nausea in the book as everyone more or less has the need to throw up at some point of time or have unbelievably weak stomachs.
Writing
The flow is remarkably smooth and the writing is hilarious with admirable use of similes and metaphors. Sometimes I had to look around to make sure people weren’t looking at me for laughing aloud, reading.
I have great admiration for the author’s descriptions. They are vivid and draw confusion-less picture for the reader. The language is simple and it is unbelievably gripping. I think the author needs to be applauded for achieving this remarkable feat.
Here are some examples –
“Mr. Raman had the look of a man who had taken only forty years to reach the age of fifty-five.”
“There was a dank smell in air emanating from the slum. In the rains, small rivulets of dark water would form and weave their way through the slum’s alleyways and culminate at the far end, where the toilets and bathing taps were located. It was an ode to filth and destitution, and it was exactly where Ramdeo needed to go.”
“The cart was moved, and Raka prayed, with every atheistic fibre in his body, that he would be rescued soon.”
There are many others that are sure to awe the audience.
Conclusion
If you ignore the reality/plausibility of events unfolding and just go with the flow of the story, and bury yourself in the story without second guessing yourself, the book is definitely a good onetime read.
Rating: 3.00
‘Come on Sam,’ he chided himself, ‘this day isn’t going to totally suck unless you’re awake to experience it.’ – This sums up the life of Samay thus far with him sleeping through most of his lack-luster younger years. He was a college dropout, unmotivated to do anything with his life other than spend the money inherited from a late uncle. Along with it, he has been rejected by his lady love as him being short of ambition sways her choice between Samay and her career in journalism.
Over the years of him sleeping through and not working, the inheritance from his uncle draws thin and Samay is forced to look for work, which yields more than unpleasant results. After 85 interviews and rejections, he is hired by a ‘noble soul’ who wants to help Samay and is offered a job as a debt collector. He excels at his job both because of his calm and pleasant personality and his sheer need for money.
Samay is on one of his usual debt collections, and he is mistaken for a hitman and a large sum changes hands wrongfully. Driven by need and greed, he chooses to run with the money and start a life elsewhere. However, along with the money comes the news of Amrita (his lady love in college) being the next target to eliminate. Samay chooses to stay and protect her from whatever impending danger.
Why is the mob after her? How does Samay help her forms the rest of the plot.
The story moves smoothly from start to finish. However, the twists and turns were unbelievable as everything conveniently falls in place every single time for Samay. It reads like a string of coincidences one after the other and I wasn’t convinced it was possible, as only the good fellows get this leveraged treatment while everything goes wrong for the bad guys.
The last straw of dislike in the sequence of events unfolding came with Raka falling into a manhole and staying there for hours while people try to help him. Does this happen in broad daylight and that too for a hitman? However, the media personnel taking pictures, lowering the mike into the manhole to get Ramdeo’s (Raka) reaction was hilarious and very real.
Characters
I was rooting for Samay from the get go although his life is less than impressive. He is sharp, shrewd and funny which makes him more than likable and I wanted him to succeed no matter what. I love an underdog rising.
The other important characters are Amrita, an ambitious woman, who knows what she wants at all times and won’t shy away or stop until she gets what she is aiming for. This makes her an excellent female protagonist, with her taking on larger than life issues to battle along her line of work. Also, Pande and Raka the mobsters and the character of commissioner were interesting and chiseled well.
Although the character of Waghmare had a tiny role to play in the entire plot, I loved the charming constable – Especially loved his ‘extra polish for his shoes’ and ‘expensive starch on his shirt.’
Here is a passport-size picture of the constable – “Last year he was loaned out to the traffic department, as they had a shortage of policemen. The stint saw him hand out two traffic tickets and seven near traffic tickets –wherein the culprits had driven off while Waghmare searched for his pen.”
Nevertheless, I wasn’t so sure a constable would have a ‘tiny gun’ tucked in his sock to be pulled and used when necessary.
All the characters had their unique traits and were reasonably well rounded.
Nevertheless, the relation commissioner and his wife share with Amrita was too Bollywood for me. It seemed too convenient (to the plot) as the couple are childless and take a liking to the girl and treat her like their own daughter, along with treating her with generous home cooked meals! I’d definitely like to meet one such commissioner of police.
One last point on the characters – there was too much nausea in the book as everyone more or less has the need to throw up at some point of time or have unbelievably weak stomachs.
Writing
The flow is remarkably smooth and the writing is hilarious with admirable use of similes and metaphors. Sometimes I had to look around to make sure people weren’t looking at me for laughing aloud, reading.
I have great admiration for the author’s descriptions. They are vivid and draw confusion-less picture for the reader. The language is simple and it is unbelievably gripping. I think the author needs to be applauded for achieving this remarkable feat.
Here are some examples –
“Mr. Raman had the look of a man who had taken only forty years to reach the age of fifty-five.”
“There was a dank smell in air emanating from the slum. In the rains, small rivulets of dark water would form and weave their way through the slum’s alleyways and culminate at the far end, where the toilets and bathing taps were located. It was an ode to filth and destitution, and it was exactly where Ramdeo needed to go.”
“The cart was moved, and Raka prayed, with every atheistic fibre in his body, that he would be rescued soon.”
There are many others that are sure to awe the audience.
Conclusion
If you ignore the reality/plausibility of events unfolding and just go with the flow of the story, and bury yourself in the story without second guessing yourself, the book is definitely a good onetime read.
Rating: 3.00
May 7, 2015
Detailed review put up at https://mahabore.wordpress.com/2015/0...
May 12, 2015
The Debt Collector's Due reads beautifully from cover to cover, and is both gripping and light at the same time. It starts off at a slow, comfortable pace, as you get introduced to Samay - lazy, entirely unmotivated, yet somehow instantly likeable. However, at just the right point, the pace picks up and throws the reader into an exciting world of crime, justice, and corruption. The potential heaviness of the content is offset by the lightness of the writing, which never ceases to be witty and immensely quotable, making the book a very easy read, perfect for livening up a dull weekend or a long, boring flight. Side effects may include giggling helplessly in public, or missing your bus stop because you were too worried about what happens next.
The book is well-thought-out, with all the aspects of the plot falling together neatly and without confusion. It is also quite evident that a lot of research and planning has gone into the creation of this book, making it not only fun but also an interesting and rather plausible story.
The book is well-thought-out, with all the aspects of the plot falling together neatly and without confusion. It is also quite evident that a lot of research and planning has gone into the creation of this book, making it not only fun but also an interesting and rather plausible story.
June 28, 2015
The concept is really good and the author does manage to make a good impression. Many can identify themselves with the main protagonist Samay, who ends up as a failure not due to lack of intelligence but more out of sheer laziness and lack of ambition. As far as the story and the plot sequence goes, it was good overall but I was a tad disappointed as in some places the story goes very slow and tends to drag in some places. Also, some of the sequences could have shown better inter-connectivity with each other, for example: the part in which Raka gets a knock on his head by the door unknowingly by Constable Waghmare. Raka's narrative and Waghmare's narrative could have been interconnected better by adding both of them in parallel instead of in sequence to make the story more exciting.
But overall it is an interesting read with good language. The author can pat himself on the back for writing a good debut novel. I'm sure more will follow.
But overall it is an interesting read with good language. The author can pat himself on the back for writing a good debut novel. I'm sure more will follow.
March 17, 2015
Gripping, fast paced and filled with vivid descriptions. The Debt Collector's Due gets you invested in its protagonist from page one and has you rooting for him until the end.
Sethi creates whole, three dimensional characters and then has them colliding with one another, while never losing sight of the underlying plot at play.
The author's quality of prose indicates that as he matures, his style should allow for the kind of work that is both entertaining and intellectually rewarding.
Certainly worth a read and an author to watch out for.
Sethi creates whole, three dimensional characters and then has them colliding with one another, while never losing sight of the underlying plot at play.
The author's quality of prose indicates that as he matures, his style should allow for the kind of work that is both entertaining and intellectually rewarding.
Certainly worth a read and an author to watch out for.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews