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The Mahabharata Murders
BRAND NEW, Exactly same ISBN as listed, Please double check ISBN carefully before ordering.
304 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2017
32 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
About the author
Arnab Ray
14 books121 followersArnab Ray, better known as Greatbong, is one of India's most widely read bloggers who blogs at Random Thoughts Of A Demented Mind. He is known for his sarcastic takes on the Indian film industry, Indian politics and society in general. His blog was awarded the "Indiblog of the Year" at Indibloggies in 2006[1] and 2008. He has written for several media outlets like the Washington Post, Outlook magazine and Live Mint. He graduated from Jadavpur University as a Bachelor in Computer Science and Engineering and went on to finish his PhD in Computer Science from State University of New York at Stony Brook. He is presently employed as a research scientist at the University of Maryland and resides in the suburbs of Washington DC. His first book "May I Hebb Your Attention Pliss", published by Harper Collins, was on India Today's Bestsellers list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 30, 2017
An entertaining harboiled read from start to finish. I liked the protagonist and the noirish atmosphere that the author has created. If you are looking for a fast paced read, then you wouldn't go wrong with this. Although, i would have liked it more if readers would have been given more clues.
You can read more here:
The Mahabharta Murders
FTC: Full disclosure
I got a copy from the publisher in a exchange of an honest review.
You can read more here:
The Mahabharta Murders
FTC: Full disclosure
I got a copy from the publisher in a exchange of an honest review.
August 17, 2017
When the city of joy shimmers under dark clouds pregnant with rain, and like countless millions I drag myself to the mundane drudgery of routine, some thoughts keep flashing in my mind like distant lightning.
Unlike the great Metropolis on the Arabian sea, or the rich & obscenely powerful city in the North, is our city actually ready to catch a serial killer?
It seems that the Greatbong has also warmed to this idea. And, he has gone the extra mile about it.
He has mixed some of the biggest Bong obsessions in a meticulously planned murder mystery, to give Kolkata its own take on Son of Sam.
We have biriyani, white-dressed Calcutta Police and detectives, posh gigs in & around the city, the dark underbelly that throbs below eyeline, politicians, criminals, sex, kinky habits, gruesome murders.
And Mahabharata!
The first to fall was the beautiful Draupadi. Then fell the smart Sahadeva, followed by visionary Nakul, brilliant Arjuna, and almighty Bheema.
Can Ruksana Ahmed save her Yudhistira?
Or, is she going to be the next victim of the killer who thinks like Duryodhana?
This thriller, which also pays homage to Dame Agatha Christie as well as the other greats who have charmed & stunned the bongs with their ware over the ages, is one of the darkest and most pitiless piece of work that I have read.
And I'm not going to get rid of its memories anytime soon, that's for sure.
Savour this book. Have it by small portions.
Let this be your own dark epic.
Highly Recommended.
Unlike the great Metropolis on the Arabian sea, or the rich & obscenely powerful city in the North, is our city actually ready to catch a serial killer?
It seems that the Greatbong has also warmed to this idea. And, he has gone the extra mile about it.
He has mixed some of the biggest Bong obsessions in a meticulously planned murder mystery, to give Kolkata its own take on Son of Sam.
We have biriyani, white-dressed Calcutta Police and detectives, posh gigs in & around the city, the dark underbelly that throbs below eyeline, politicians, criminals, sex, kinky habits, gruesome murders.
And Mahabharata!
The first to fall was the beautiful Draupadi. Then fell the smart Sahadeva, followed by visionary Nakul, brilliant Arjuna, and almighty Bheema.
Can Ruksana Ahmed save her Yudhistira?
Or, is she going to be the next victim of the killer who thinks like Duryodhana?
This thriller, which also pays homage to Dame Agatha Christie as well as the other greats who have charmed & stunned the bongs with their ware over the ages, is one of the darkest and most pitiless piece of work that I have read.
And I'm not going to get rid of its memories anytime soon, that's for sure.
Savour this book. Have it by small portions.
Let this be your own dark epic.
Highly Recommended.
August 30, 2020
“The smile is the cruelest balm of all. It covers the wound from the outside and keeps it open from the inside.”
The Mahabharata Murders is a gripping, fast paced and a perfect edge-of-the-seat murder mystery novel. It’s fun, it's fast and it's entertaining. No subtext here, nothing deep or philosophical, it delivers on what it promises - an engaging story for one to enjoy.
The mystery is sufficiently engaging, but it’s the characters, the flawed & the vulnerable protagonist and an equally peculiar antagonist make it a worthwhile read. To me at least, a couple of parallels to the Mahabharata characters seem a bit stretched and drawn out but the rest of them fit fairly well.
This book reads more like a movie screenplay, but a good screenplay, so you wouldn’t be disappointed. All in all, a perfect weekend read - 4/5.
The Mahabharata Murders is a gripping, fast paced and a perfect edge-of-the-seat murder mystery novel. It’s fun, it's fast and it's entertaining. No subtext here, nothing deep or philosophical, it delivers on what it promises - an engaging story for one to enjoy.
The mystery is sufficiently engaging, but it’s the characters, the flawed & the vulnerable protagonist and an equally peculiar antagonist make it a worthwhile read. To me at least, a couple of parallels to the Mahabharata characters seem a bit stretched and drawn out but the rest of them fit fairly well.
This book reads more like a movie screenplay, but a good screenplay, so you wouldn’t be disappointed. All in all, a perfect weekend read - 4/5.
July 21, 2017
A stunningly well-written serial killer story where the murders are based on that ubiquitous story of our lives - the Mahabharat.
An unusual heroine. Gruesome deaths. Eminently recognisable characters. Calcutta's seedy underbelly. Snippets - known and obscure - from the epic. Mahabharata Murders packs in a punch in every chapter, hurtling towards a totally unpredictable climax.
The story is almost written like a screenplay with great scenes and kickass dialogues. The structure follows the classical mystery mini-series and I hope this gets made into one real soon.
An unusual heroine. Gruesome deaths. Eminently recognisable characters. Calcutta's seedy underbelly. Snippets - known and obscure - from the epic. Mahabharata Murders packs in a punch in every chapter, hurtling towards a totally unpredictable climax.
The story is almost written like a screenplay with great scenes and kickass dialogues. The structure follows the classical mystery mini-series and I hope this gets made into one real soon.
September 28, 2022
Most likely the best novel ever written is the Mahabharata. It is a true epic because of its broad scale, astonishing intricacy, wide range of characters, perfect attention to detail, and nebulous moral messages. In reality, it is entirely feasible to remove a small section of its plots and people and build intricate plotlines around them. The Mahabharata Murders by Arnab Ray (also known as Greatbong) accomplishes the same feat by developing a mysterious identity, terse conversations, and an intriguing murder mystery that are all based on the themes and characters of the Mahabharata.
A serial murderer mystery, "The Mahabharat Murders" is actually much more than that. It transcends its genre to serve as a potent reflection on the characters and the society they inhabit. The story is set in Kolkata as a cat and mouse game between two investigating cops and a mysterious sociopath develops.
It is told from the perspective of a Muslim woman in her 30s. Despite not being Muslim or a woman himself, the author gives the character his unique finesse by integrating the numerous challenges and sexisms that a working, single woman must deal with in today's culture, which is sometimes just as patriarchal in its treatment of women as it was during the time the Mahabharata was written. In fact, the main character, Ruksana Ahmed, resembles Draupadi in many respects. Similar to Draupadi, she is strong-willed, bright, and ambitious but is also restricted by societal conventions and patriarchy. She has a number of men in her life, many of whom have treated her like a pathetic object of desire, but she manages to exact revenge and live longer than most of her tormentors.
Unlike a usual work in this genre, "The Mahabharata Murders" contains a lot of dialogue and is mostly written in the style of a screenplay. The majority of the characters are Bengalis, and they enjoy talking, frequently with a dry sense of humour and oozing sarcasm. To the author's credit, it never becomes verbose and the plot moves forward without being interrupted. In fact, he skillfully allows the characters to play off one another, creating suspense through their interactions. Some of the book's strongest moments come from these character exchanges, which are frequently dark and filled with a sense of foreboding.
The climax is the one flaw in "The Mahabharata Murders," if there is one. The denouement of a mystery novel is generally the most challenging since the writer not only has to tie up all the loose ends and give a satisfying, coherent conclusion, but also have to explain how plausible it is to the reader while maintaining a sense of surprise. Even Satyajit Ray himself and the author of this book recognise that explanation may be a cumbersome instrument in the storytelling process.
Greatbong makes a sincere effort to give the story a satisfying finish; while the conclusion is unexpected and may be the best one can come up with, it still leaves some significant plot gaps.
If the Mahabharata teaches us anything about morality, it is that the ends justify the means. The Mahabharata Murders is one of the best mystery novels, not just by an Indian author, if you, however, find the journey more pleasant than the destination it leads you to.
A serial murderer mystery, "The Mahabharat Murders" is actually much more than that. It transcends its genre to serve as a potent reflection on the characters and the society they inhabit. The story is set in Kolkata as a cat and mouse game between two investigating cops and a mysterious sociopath develops.
It is told from the perspective of a Muslim woman in her 30s. Despite not being Muslim or a woman himself, the author gives the character his unique finesse by integrating the numerous challenges and sexisms that a working, single woman must deal with in today's culture, which is sometimes just as patriarchal in its treatment of women as it was during the time the Mahabharata was written. In fact, the main character, Ruksana Ahmed, resembles Draupadi in many respects. Similar to Draupadi, she is strong-willed, bright, and ambitious but is also restricted by societal conventions and patriarchy. She has a number of men in her life, many of whom have treated her like a pathetic object of desire, but she manages to exact revenge and live longer than most of her tormentors.
Unlike a usual work in this genre, "The Mahabharata Murders" contains a lot of dialogue and is mostly written in the style of a screenplay. The majority of the characters are Bengalis, and they enjoy talking, frequently with a dry sense of humour and oozing sarcasm. To the author's credit, it never becomes verbose and the plot moves forward without being interrupted. In fact, he skillfully allows the characters to play off one another, creating suspense through their interactions. Some of the book's strongest moments come from these character exchanges, which are frequently dark and filled with a sense of foreboding.
The climax is the one flaw in "The Mahabharata Murders," if there is one. The denouement of a mystery novel is generally the most challenging since the writer not only has to tie up all the loose ends and give a satisfying, coherent conclusion, but also have to explain how plausible it is to the reader while maintaining a sense of surprise. Even Satyajit Ray himself and the author of this book recognise that explanation may be a cumbersome instrument in the storytelling process.
Greatbong makes a sincere effort to give the story a satisfying finish; while the conclusion is unexpected and may be the best one can come up with, it still leaves some significant plot gaps.
If the Mahabharata teaches us anything about morality, it is that the ends justify the means. The Mahabharata Murders is one of the best mystery novels, not just by an Indian author, if you, however, find the journey more pleasant than the destination it leads you to.
August 16, 2017
It's always tough discussing a thriller without spoilers, and while I'm going to try to do that, there's no guarantee I will succeed, so consider this a disclaimer.
I was a little bummed that Arnab Ray's next book would not be the sequel to Sultan of Delhi which ended on quite the cliff hanger. But having read TMM, it is more than adequate compensation.
The protagonist is a cop right out of noir -- a hard drinking cynic who finds herself way over her head in a case that's bewildering and outre, even as she struggles with numerous metaphoric and real personal demons.
The case is that of a serial killer dispatching various people (most of whom appear to have more than just a foot in the bizarre, disreputable side of Kolkata society), all of whom are killed using methods that were used on key characters in the Mahabharatha, and all of whom are, in some tangential way, linked to the Pandavas.
If you are looking for pat resolutions and everything explained, look elsewhere. The best parts of the book stray into inexplicable urban legend territory: an entrepreneur with a vampire fetish, a child abusing dancer with the powers of prophecy -- an improvement on the sort of stories you often hear when the people around you are drinking, and the alcohol has done away with the impulses that compel them to be non-superstitious and tediously rational.
I'm not sure if liking this is a generational thing, considering these have a resonance to the urban legends and stories I grew up on - it may well be, but its these details that lend the book a lot of its atmosphere. That and the way the book ties into its 'source text', the Mahabharatha.
Does the final explanation stretch the bounds of credibility a bit? It does, but nowhere near as much as the conclusion of The Girl On The Train, to name just one example. By the end at least I was not sure if I'd heard a convincing explanation or one from an unreliable narrator relying on the fact that they are not expected to be an unreliable narrator.
I was a little bummed that Arnab Ray's next book would not be the sequel to Sultan of Delhi which ended on quite the cliff hanger. But having read TMM, it is more than adequate compensation.
The protagonist is a cop right out of noir -- a hard drinking cynic who finds herself way over her head in a case that's bewildering and outre, even as she struggles with numerous metaphoric and real personal demons.
The case is that of a serial killer dispatching various people (most of whom appear to have more than just a foot in the bizarre, disreputable side of Kolkata society), all of whom are killed using methods that were used on key characters in the Mahabharatha, and all of whom are, in some tangential way, linked to the Pandavas.
If you are looking for pat resolutions and everything explained, look elsewhere. The best parts of the book stray into inexplicable urban legend territory: an entrepreneur with a vampire fetish, a child abusing dancer with the powers of prophecy -- an improvement on the sort of stories you often hear when the people around you are drinking, and the alcohol has done away with the impulses that compel them to be non-superstitious and tediously rational.
I'm not sure if liking this is a generational thing, considering these have a resonance to the urban legends and stories I grew up on - it may well be, but its these details that lend the book a lot of its atmosphere. That and the way the book ties into its 'source text', the Mahabharatha.
Does the final explanation stretch the bounds of credibility a bit? It does, but nowhere near as much as the conclusion of The Girl On The Train, to name just one example. By the end at least I was not sure if I'd heard a convincing explanation or one from an unreliable narrator relying on the fact that they are not expected to be an unreliable narrator.
July 29, 2019
3.8/5
What I liked about the book was the parallel stories - one, that of Rukhsana Ahmed and two, of the murders. It was almost like one could create two books - one a psycho-social and the other a mystery. But it was all very well managed by the author to get into one flow. I could guess the perp quite early - more a guess and an instinct rather than any logic at that point of the narrative. The language is easy and the flow impeccable. The tale gripping you to finish ASAP. A very satisfactory read.
What I liked about the book was the parallel stories - one, that of Rukhsana Ahmed and two, of the murders. It was almost like one could create two books - one a psycho-social and the other a mystery. But it was all very well managed by the author to get into one flow. I could guess the perp quite early - more a guess and an instinct rather than any logic at that point of the narrative. The language is easy and the flow impeccable. The tale gripping you to finish ASAP. A very satisfactory read.
July 25, 2017
Amazing fast paced thriller. Kind of book you need to finish in one session. Great subject to make a movie from. I have read other books from the author and generally like his narrative and handling of darker themes. One particularly interesting aspect of this book is how the fathers of the principle characters shape the narrative even though they themselves are not part of the story directly. Wonder whether this was a conscious approach from the author.
August 24, 2017
Finished the book in a single go. Unputdownable. Arnab Ray of The Mine phase is back. And his book is an extremely well written thriller. More later. For now, I suggest you buy this.
August 16, 2017
Once in a while, a book comes along that indulges the thrill-monger in you and satiates your dark soul. You don't want it to be over too soon. You linger on the pages, savoring every line, nibbling away at the words. Without giving away any more of my evil self, all I'll say is never have I enjoyed a chill-ride so much since Thomas Harris. And if you think you've read The Mahabharata through and through and recall every little detail, you're mistaken. Brilliant stuff. Arnab Ray, take a bow.
April 30, 2016
I had the privilege of reading Arnab's unreleased (as of April 2016) murder mystery - The Mahabharata Murders. As with all of his books, this review goes with the disclaimer that I am a friend and a fan.
Comedy/short stories, horror/thriller, drama, drama/thriller, and now murder/mystery. It's almost like Arnab is out there to prove his versatility and we should be thankful for that. Longtime readers of his blog, and there are plenty, know him for his wit, sarcasm, hold over current affairs, and a balanced approach on topics. However, his flair for fiction doesn't come across that clearly on that famous blog of his. With the Mahabharata Murders he displays his command over holding your attention with just 3 primary characters, with a plot that mirrors the greatest tale of them all - the Mahabhrata.
The narrative is in the first person of a policeowoman, and a Muslim to boot. Talk about breaking stereotypes. And as an eternally aspiring writer I understand it's quite demanding to write an entire novel from the perspective of the other gender, and not let the efforts show. With a grisly murder taking place within the first few pages you are sucked into the story from the get go. Ruksana is not just offbeat as a Muslim policeman but has a checquered past of her own (having just finished The Girl on the Train, could see some similarities with Rachel though they are purely unintentional as he had started writing MM much before GotT released). I think a quick wikipedia reading of the Mahabharata would be good warm up for this book, especially if you don't remember the epic in details. Pavitra Chatterjee's character is one for the ages. If this story ever gets made into a movie, and it should, there's an award winning role for the taking. And I hope SRK does that.
This is Arnab's best work till date, at par with his other unreleased novel - The Sultan of Delhi (Part 1).
Comedy/short stories, horror/thriller, drama, drama/thriller, and now murder/mystery. It's almost like Arnab is out there to prove his versatility and we should be thankful for that. Longtime readers of his blog, and there are plenty, know him for his wit, sarcasm, hold over current affairs, and a balanced approach on topics. However, his flair for fiction doesn't come across that clearly on that famous blog of his. With the Mahabharata Murders he displays his command over holding your attention with just 3 primary characters, with a plot that mirrors the greatest tale of them all - the Mahabhrata.
The narrative is in the first person of a policeowoman, and a Muslim to boot. Talk about breaking stereotypes. And as an eternally aspiring writer I understand it's quite demanding to write an entire novel from the perspective of the other gender, and not let the efforts show. With a grisly murder taking place within the first few pages you are sucked into the story from the get go. Ruksana is not just offbeat as a Muslim policeman but has a checquered past of her own (having just finished The Girl on the Train, could see some similarities with Rachel though they are purely unintentional as he had started writing MM much before GotT released). I think a quick wikipedia reading of the Mahabharata would be good warm up for this book, especially if you don't remember the epic in details. Pavitra Chatterjee's character is one for the ages. If this story ever gets made into a movie, and it should, there's an award winning role for the taking. And I hope SRK does that.
This is Arnab's best work till date, at par with his other unreleased novel - The Sultan of Delhi (Part 1).
August 18, 2021
কলকাতা শহরে পরপর ভয়াবহ খুন আর বডির পাশে "অমর চিত্র কথার" মহাভারতের পান্ডবদের একটি করে চরিত্রের পোস্টার। খুনের পদ্ধতিও অদ্ভুত যেভাবে পান্ডবরা কৌরবদের হত্যা করে খুনিও সেই পথই অবলম্বন করে এবং নিজেকে দুর্যোধণ বলে প্রতিপন্ন করার চেষ্টা করে।
এ হেন পাগল খুনিকে ধরার দায়িত্ব পরে কলকাতা পুলিশ রুকসানা আহমেদ আর সিদ্ধান্ত এর উপর এবং তারা সূত্র ধরে তদন্ত শুরু করেন। গল্পে চরিত্র অঙ্কন এত সুন্দর ভাবে করা হয়েছে ভিকটিম থেকে শুরু করে পার্শ্ব চরিত্র গুলিও মনে গেঁথে যায় আবীরলাল, সুস্মিতা তালুকদার, কনিকা বোস। রহস্য উন্মোচন হতে থাকে মহাভারতের চরিত্রের নানা অজানা মজাদার তথ্য পরিবেশনার মাধ্যমে ও তার সাথে ভিকটিমের যোগাযোগ আর সাথে চলতে থাকে রুকসানা মানুষটির মানসপটে চলতে থাকা তার পরিবারের (পুত্র ও স্বামী) ও অতীতের বিভিন্ন দিক (দাঙ্গার প্রতিচ্ছবি)
গল্পে প্রচুর ডার্ক সাবপ্লট রয়েছে যেমন ড্রাগ ডিলার, অশ্লীল ফিল্মের প্রযোজনা, paedophile, ভ্যাম্পায়রিজম যেগুলি শেষে কানেক্ট হয়। সর্বোপরি খুনোখুনি সত্ত্বেও রাজনীতি সেই ব্যাপারকে কত নৃশংস পর্যায় নিয়ে যেতে পারে সেই বাস্তবকেই ফুটিয়ে তুলেছেন লেখক।
Some goosebump lines: We have a serial killer on loose, he isnt your garden variety lunatic, he is painting, like an artist except he is using blood and bone, extremely motivated
এ হেন পাগল খুনিকে ধরার দায়িত্ব পরে কলকাতা পুলিশ রুকসানা আহমেদ আর সিদ্ধান্ত এর উপর এবং তারা সূত্র ধরে তদন্ত শুরু করেন। গল্পে চরিত্র অঙ্কন এত সুন্দর ভাবে করা হয়েছে ভিকটিম থেকে শুরু করে পার্শ্ব চরিত্র গুলিও মনে গেঁথে যায় আবীরলাল, সুস্মিতা তালুকদার, কনিকা বোস। রহস্য উন্মোচন হতে থাকে মহাভারতের চরিত্রের নানা অজানা মজাদার তথ্য পরিবেশনার মাধ্যমে ও তার সাথে ভিকটিমের যোগাযোগ আর সাথে চলতে থাকে রুকসানা মানুষটির মানসপটে চলতে থাকা তার পরিবারের (পুত্র ও স্বামী) ও অতীতের বিভিন্ন দিক (দাঙ্গার প্রতিচ্ছবি)
গল্পে প্রচুর ডার্ক সাবপ্লট রয়েছে যেমন ড্রাগ ডিলার, অশ্লীল ফিল্মের প্রযোজনা, paedophile, ভ্যাম্পায়রিজম যেগুলি শেষে কানেক্ট হয়। সর্বোপরি খুনোখুনি সত্ত্বেও রাজনীতি সেই ব্যাপারকে কত নৃশংস পর্যায় নিয়ে যেতে পারে সেই বাস্তবকেই ফুটিয়ে তুলেছেন লেখক।
Some goosebump lines: We have a serial killer on loose, he isnt your garden variety lunatic, he is painting, like an artist except he is using blood and bone, extremely motivated
March 14, 2022
This was my second book by Arnab Ray and I am slowly becoming a fan of his writing. I usually finish his books within a week and given my hectic schedule, that is a miracle. This book was, as expected, an exciting and gory read. His style of writing was tough and brutal and that reflected well in his characters and their backstory. The premise and suspense was well created but the ending of the book did not live up to the hype. It was a poor ending because the resolution of the mystery felt forced and abrupt. It did not have any anticipation and did not match with either of the characters' personalities or previous actions. Instead of the main character finding out and solving the mystery, the entire resolution was narrated out by one of the characters, giving him an unnatural power in the story that wasn't really believable. To quote the author himself, "the end justifies the means" and for this book, a big finish was lacking.
A 4/5 for The Mahabharata Murders. The author has a signature style in his writing and this book would have been perfect, if perhaps the ending was written before the beginning.
A 4/5 for The Mahabharata Murders. The author has a signature style in his writing and this book would have been perfect, if perhaps the ending was written before the beginning.
August 24, 2017
A good edge-of-the-seat thriller which keeps you turning pages till you reach the end. A good linkage with the Mahabharata & some of its characters; the Mahabharata is fascinating & its always good to read stories based on it. The author has explained the intricacies of the characters based on the Mahabharata quite well.
As with any other thriller though, one needs to go back & check for certain clues. The twist towards the end was surprising, but unconvincing. Maybe I need to read the book again.
On the flip side, I felt there was too much sex in the book; it frankly didn't seem to take the story forward. Also, I am not a huge fan of profanity, there is a lot of that as well.
It's an interesting book for sure. Pick it up if you like to read a good murder mystery and/or are interested in the Mahabharata. You will not be disappointed.
As with any other thriller though, one needs to go back & check for certain clues. The twist towards the end was surprising, but unconvincing. Maybe I need to read the book again.
On the flip side, I felt there was too much sex in the book; it frankly didn't seem to take the story forward. Also, I am not a huge fan of profanity, there is a lot of that as well.
It's an interesting book for sure. Pick it up if you like to read a good murder mystery and/or are interested in the Mahabharata. You will not be disappointed.
August 8, 2017
The end felt a little rushed. It's great to see in Yudhishitra's manipulating side , but maybe don't leave the character you were focusing on for most of the book dead without enough explanations. The line "You killed Siddhanth, and Siddhanth killed everyone before" that was the most disappointing part of the book. Serial killer with Duryodhana complex is on killing spree and instead of any justification for victims through his view, all we got is that he left a diary and knew the victims because of his girlfriend(And in case of Sahdeva , may be he had known in some other way too :( ).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2018
Written just for the sake of it. Too predictable. Nothing different from millions of other crime mysteries!
October 23, 2020
Very very readable but quite problematic characterization and plotting.
October 5, 2020
Must read for thriller lovers.
August 24, 2017
A killer who believes himself to be Duryodhana the Kaurava prince, a female detective wrestling with her own inner demons, and five gruesome murders exposing the darker side of Kolkata. All the ingredients required for a nail-biting crime thriller are present in The Mahabharata Murders written by Arnab Ray.
Ruksana Ahmed is a homicide detective with the Kolkata police. Her turbulent past has sharpened her desire to be the best at what she does. At the same time the shadows in her personal life form the chinks in her armour. Ruksana is smart, incorruptible and immensely dedicated to her work. Siddhanth Singh, who looks more like a movie star than a policeman, is her partner, the calm to her storm. Pavitra Chatterji is a dashing young politician, the darling of the masses who has fast become synonymous with honesty and commitment to the people. These are the three main characters around whom the story unfolds.
There’s no beating about the bush and the reader is taken right into the first murder scene in the first page. The victim is named Draupadi by the deranged killer and she is killed in the most macabre manner. The pace is maintained at a slick tempo and no sooner do the detectives unearth a couple of leads than the next murder is committed. The police find tenuous links between the victims, but they keep going in circles because the killer is canny and stays one step ahead of them. Pavitra Chatterji has an extensive knowledge of the intricacies of the Mahabharata and he provides invaluable help to the two detectives but it is evident that he has a soft spot for Ruksana. The pace does not let up at any point and the momentum is maintained right to the end. Will Duryohana finally eliminate all the Pandavas and rewrite the epic story or will justice prevail ? Will Ruksana be able to remain unaffected by the events in her personal life and manage to nab the killer before he reaches his Yudhistira ?
The Mahabharata Murders is a well-written book with a very interesting premise. Arnab has created complex characters who have their own fetishes, some harmless and some extremely twisted. Each of the victims have intriguing lives which unfortunately has not been explored much. I feel that adding layers in the form of their backstories would have enriched the story. Arnab tantalizes the reader with glimpses of exciting sidetracks, but they aren’t completed. In the interests of keeping it tight the author has sacrificed some interesting turns that the story could have taken. I must admit that the ending too did not give me the closure that I look for in a crime thriller. However The Mahabharata Murders does come through in terms of plot and characterisation.
Ruksana Ahmed is a homicide detective with the Kolkata police. Her turbulent past has sharpened her desire to be the best at what she does. At the same time the shadows in her personal life form the chinks in her armour. Ruksana is smart, incorruptible and immensely dedicated to her work. Siddhanth Singh, who looks more like a movie star than a policeman, is her partner, the calm to her storm. Pavitra Chatterji is a dashing young politician, the darling of the masses who has fast become synonymous with honesty and commitment to the people. These are the three main characters around whom the story unfolds.
There’s no beating about the bush and the reader is taken right into the first murder scene in the first page. The victim is named Draupadi by the deranged killer and she is killed in the most macabre manner. The pace is maintained at a slick tempo and no sooner do the detectives unearth a couple of leads than the next murder is committed. The police find tenuous links between the victims, but they keep going in circles because the killer is canny and stays one step ahead of them. Pavitra Chatterji has an extensive knowledge of the intricacies of the Mahabharata and he provides invaluable help to the two detectives but it is evident that he has a soft spot for Ruksana. The pace does not let up at any point and the momentum is maintained right to the end. Will Duryohana finally eliminate all the Pandavas and rewrite the epic story or will justice prevail ? Will Ruksana be able to remain unaffected by the events in her personal life and manage to nab the killer before he reaches his Yudhistira ?
The Mahabharata Murders is a well-written book with a very interesting premise. Arnab has created complex characters who have their own fetishes, some harmless and some extremely twisted. Each of the victims have intriguing lives which unfortunately has not been explored much. I feel that adding layers in the form of their backstories would have enriched the story. Arnab tantalizes the reader with glimpses of exciting sidetracks, but they aren’t completed. In the interests of keeping it tight the author has sacrificed some interesting turns that the story could have taken. I must admit that the ending too did not give me the closure that I look for in a crime thriller. However The Mahabharata Murders does come through in terms of plot and characterisation.
December 31, 2017
I have read two books by Arnab (Sultan of Delhi or SoD is the other one) so far and three things really stand out. One, the pace of narration is so very consistent throughout (like Glen McGrath's bowling spell on a good day). The books are solid pageturners - not by tricking the readers via some overly dramatic plot turns but due a robust, well-thought out overall plot. Second, the author does cynicism really well! Sample this in the first page - " death is messy, though just a bit less than life" - got me hooked right away! And then there is a reference to tears running dry and comparing it to depleting groundwater - nasty. The cynicism ostensibly pours forth from the protagonists - in both SoD and TMM, they have a very troubled past. But almost every character is a negative one - schemers, backstabbers, psychopaths, deranged, sycophants or just plain superficial. Third, it is easy to forget that Arnab is just a part-time author. If he can come up with such impressive books given his constraints, one can only imagine what he can achieve if he can take writing as a full time profession, the kind of research he can invest in for the plot details, for example.
Coming to TMM itself, a serial murder mystery is obviously a more difficult one to execute than SoD (a rags-to-riches story) and Arnab does it with a great sense of assurance. It is as if he has thought through every single major detail before he wrote the first word. The connection with the original epic is drawn out quite intelligently. The narration reminded me a bit of the movies "Seven" and "Insomnia". In a thriller, all the chapters count for nothing however brilliantly it is written if the ending is disappointing - here the author does not let you down; the climax is quite clever though I will not say it is entirely unpredictable. But in my opinion, where Arnab really scores is in his portrayal of the protagonist, a whisky drinking Muslim woman cop (well done, Arnab, well done!). Her backstory is brutally tragic - the author does not dwell too much into the details, just enough to understand her inner turmoil and at one point you really start liking her. Her partner, Siddhant is even more likeable - a normal, nice guy (something very rare in Arnab's world).
I have a couple of grouses with the book, though I would readily excuse it. For a murder mystery, the cops make little headway in their investigations until very late into the story - no red herrings, no deadends etc.
Second, and this is a spoiler so please stop reading if have not read the book yet - I found the backstory of Abirlal and Pavitra a bit unrealistic. That he would leave aside his claim to the vast properties and instead choose to just be Pavitra's puppetmaster.
Coming to TMM itself, a serial murder mystery is obviously a more difficult one to execute than SoD (a rags-to-riches story) and Arnab does it with a great sense of assurance. It is as if he has thought through every single major detail before he wrote the first word. The connection with the original epic is drawn out quite intelligently. The narration reminded me a bit of the movies "Seven" and "Insomnia". In a thriller, all the chapters count for nothing however brilliantly it is written if the ending is disappointing - here the author does not let you down; the climax is quite clever though I will not say it is entirely unpredictable. But in my opinion, where Arnab really scores is in his portrayal of the protagonist, a whisky drinking Muslim woman cop (well done, Arnab, well done!). Her backstory is brutally tragic - the author does not dwell too much into the details, just enough to understand her inner turmoil and at one point you really start liking her. Her partner, Siddhant is even more likeable - a normal, nice guy (something very rare in Arnab's world).
I have a couple of grouses with the book, though I would readily excuse it. For a murder mystery, the cops make little headway in their investigations until very late into the story - no red herrings, no deadends etc.
Second, and this is a spoiler so please stop reading if have not read the book yet - I found the backstory of Abirlal and Pavitra a bit unrealistic. That he would leave aside his claim to the vast properties and instead choose to just be Pavitra's puppetmaster.
July 24, 2017
Arnab Ray, probably better known by his blogger persona "greatbong", has pulled up another gem out of his hat with his newest murder mystery thriller - The Mahabharata Murders.
Both the author and his works are unlike what sells like hot-cakes these days among the Indian English readers and can genuinely be compared to the international best sellers of similar genres. His previous one, the mafia saga Sultans of Delhi - Ascension is another pointer in this regard.
Coming back to The Mahabharata Murders, it is one of those kinds of novels that grabs you by the neck and doesn't allow your attention to veer away even for a minute. Extremely well paced, the author takes you on a hell of a ride and the way he has developed the storyline, the readers can visualise, as in a good screenplay, the different situations unfolding in front of their own eyes. The heady combo of one of the greatest epics intertwined with the dark underbelly of Kolkata underworld, with the most unlikely of homicide detectives battling her own personal demons and trying to catch an extremely clever serial killer, who believes himself to the reincarceration of Duryodhana, makes it unputdownable.
The classic double twist in the end (I could sense at least one of them, but wasn't prepared at all for the second) will leave the readers in shock and awe.
Again, probably no literally work is fool proof and at least in one of the murders, the justification seemed weak. But, the complete package is worth its salt!
Overall, this is a must read and I can vouch that both the time and money of readers will be well spent.
I sincerely hope that Arnab comes up with a sequel of Detective Ruksana Ahmed's exploits in a forthcoming novel. I also hope that this gets transferred in to the visual medium, either as film or a television series.
Both the author and his works are unlike what sells like hot-cakes these days among the Indian English readers and can genuinely be compared to the international best sellers of similar genres. His previous one, the mafia saga Sultans of Delhi - Ascension is another pointer in this regard.
Coming back to The Mahabharata Murders, it is one of those kinds of novels that grabs you by the neck and doesn't allow your attention to veer away even for a minute. Extremely well paced, the author takes you on a hell of a ride and the way he has developed the storyline, the readers can visualise, as in a good screenplay, the different situations unfolding in front of their own eyes. The heady combo of one of the greatest epics intertwined with the dark underbelly of Kolkata underworld, with the most unlikely of homicide detectives battling her own personal demons and trying to catch an extremely clever serial killer, who believes himself to the reincarceration of Duryodhana, makes it unputdownable.
The classic double twist in the end (I could sense at least one of them, but wasn't prepared at all for the second) will leave the readers in shock and awe.
Again, probably no literally work is fool proof and at least in one of the murders, the justification seemed weak. But, the complete package is worth its salt!
Overall, this is a must read and I can vouch that both the time and money of readers will be well spent.
I sincerely hope that Arnab comes up with a sequel of Detective Ruksana Ahmed's exploits in a forthcoming novel. I also hope that this gets transferred in to the visual medium, either as film or a television series.
August 29, 2017
Ramayana and Mahabharata both fascinate me to no ends. So whenever, I find a book dealing with the epics, or various facets of it, or even characters, I try to soak in. Try to learn, because these epics have so much to offer - in terms of life, love, relationships, family, friendship, the deadly sins and more.
A fictional crime thriller based on some of the key characters from Mahabharata obviously got me interested.
An absolutely breezy read, this one is, right from the word go. We start with a murder of a beautiful model, and there is no looking back. More murders follow, and the dead are pretty well known figures, and the clues willingly left behind in each crime scene is a page from the Amar Chitra Katha comics, pondering to the Pandava Brothers. So we get a whiff that the murdered person is being loosely referred to as that specific Pandava by the killer, based on their present skills, interests, weaknesses and kinks.
Things get heated up when it's realised that Yudhisthira is none other than a renowned politician in bengal, who was on way to become the CM, and could one day become the PM of the country.
And it is believed that the killer is an incarnation of Duryodhana
What's more interesting to me is the main character of Ruksana, who is handling the investigation, along with her colleague, Siddhanth. She is the senior officer, and her personal life, her past, her relationships help us understand her a lot, her relationship with her son, her separated husband, her family and her colleague.
I am not going to give out more details though.
I expected more of a solid reason for the killer to believe that he was Duryodhana incarnate, especially given that the murders were all bloody and gory. I also expected the reasons to be even more fool proof.
Of course, this is a fantastic read for people who want to finish off a story quickly.
A fictional crime thriller based on some of the key characters from Mahabharata obviously got me interested.
An absolutely breezy read, this one is, right from the word go. We start with a murder of a beautiful model, and there is no looking back. More murders follow, and the dead are pretty well known figures, and the clues willingly left behind in each crime scene is a page from the Amar Chitra Katha comics, pondering to the Pandava Brothers. So we get a whiff that the murdered person is being loosely referred to as that specific Pandava by the killer, based on their present skills, interests, weaknesses and kinks.
Things get heated up when it's realised that Yudhisthira is none other than a renowned politician in bengal, who was on way to become the CM, and could one day become the PM of the country.
And it is believed that the killer is an incarnation of Duryodhana
What's more interesting to me is the main character of Ruksana, who is handling the investigation, along with her colleague, Siddhanth. She is the senior officer, and her personal life, her past, her relationships help us understand her a lot, her relationship with her son, her separated husband, her family and her colleague.
I am not going to give out more details though.
I expected more of a solid reason for the killer to believe that he was Duryodhana incarnate, especially given that the murders were all bloody and gory. I also expected the reasons to be even more fool proof.
Of course, this is a fantastic read for people who want to finish off a story quickly.
September 26, 2017
After a series of non-fiction books, it was good to get back to fiction with this crisp and meticulous whodunit, The Mahabharata Murders.
One of the most tantalizing aspects of the Mahabharata is the depth each character has, enabling readers and writers throughout history to imagine and interpret them in innumerable ways. And with every new interpretation, you unlock a new facet, previously undiscovered, and yearn to dive into its expanse again.
Set in the backdrop of Kolkata and its suburbs, Arnab Ray walks us through a series of murders from the perspective of the protagonist, Ruksana Ahmed, a senior homicide detective of the Kolkata police force. An honest politician, an "art" filmmaker, a genius entrepreneur, a degenerate forensic expert and many others are introduced, as the story picks up pace with each murder being more macabre and sinister, while simultaneously revealing the underlying connection with the epic's most famous characters - Draupadi, Nakula, Sahadeva, Arjuna, Bheema, Yudhishtra and the murderer himself, Duryodhana.
There tends to be a fine line between an excellent mystery novel and an average one, and it heavily depends on the narration and the ability to maintain the suspense till the exposé. The author treads this line in a delightful fashion, giving us insights into the protagonist's thought process, interspersed with grim flashbacks which have shaped her and scarred her.
The sequence of events reach a crescendo towards the climax, and then diffuses in an admirable fashion, like boiled milk overflowing a vessel, sure to satisfy the reader in every way. That "Aha" moment, when you realize that the answer was staring at you all along, is what every mystery novel strives for, but few achieve it in such a nuanced and refined manner, as has this author.
On an aside, this book improved my vocabulary quite a bit.
Definitely a worthwhile read and yet another hat tip to the greatness of the Mahabharata.
One of the most tantalizing aspects of the Mahabharata is the depth each character has, enabling readers and writers throughout history to imagine and interpret them in innumerable ways. And with every new interpretation, you unlock a new facet, previously undiscovered, and yearn to dive into its expanse again.
Set in the backdrop of Kolkata and its suburbs, Arnab Ray walks us through a series of murders from the perspective of the protagonist, Ruksana Ahmed, a senior homicide detective of the Kolkata police force. An honest politician, an "art" filmmaker, a genius entrepreneur, a degenerate forensic expert and many others are introduced, as the story picks up pace with each murder being more macabre and sinister, while simultaneously revealing the underlying connection with the epic's most famous characters - Draupadi, Nakula, Sahadeva, Arjuna, Bheema, Yudhishtra and the murderer himself, Duryodhana.
There tends to be a fine line between an excellent mystery novel and an average one, and it heavily depends on the narration and the ability to maintain the suspense till the exposé. The author treads this line in a delightful fashion, giving us insights into the protagonist's thought process, interspersed with grim flashbacks which have shaped her and scarred her.
The sequence of events reach a crescendo towards the climax, and then diffuses in an admirable fashion, like boiled milk overflowing a vessel, sure to satisfy the reader in every way. That "Aha" moment, when you realize that the answer was staring at you all along, is what every mystery novel strives for, but few achieve it in such a nuanced and refined manner, as has this author.
On an aside, this book improved my vocabulary quite a bit.
Definitely a worthwhile read and yet another hat tip to the greatness of the Mahabharata.
August 22, 2017
"Truth. It's sharper than the knife and digs deeper than an axe, and leaves exit wounds that remain forever open."
A Dark Crime thriller with gruesome murders, no hint about the murderer till the end of the book, (regular crime thriller readers usually do the prediction & wait to find out how well the prediction was, I did mine too) & a true gripper!!
This is the 1st book that I have come across where the entire narration is done by the female protagonist - A change for the starters itself!! :)
Using The Mahabharata as the source of inspiration to commit crimes - an intriguing concept!!
A Dark, dark crime thriller - Must read for the crime thriller lovers. It will make you want to finish the book in one go.
Arnab-da has done justice to all the characters he chose to plot the story around. No exaggeration about any character...only what's needed for the story is given out. Well described gruesome crime scenes to help your imagination run. Perfect linking of the source (Mahabharata) to the victims.
The writing is simple...connects the reader to the narrator easily and to the extent that the reader can actually feel what she feels as the plot develops and specially at the climax. And Yes, the climax happens only in the end and that's what keeps the page turner effect.
Indian Crime Thrillers are RARE. The Krishna Key being my last read in this genre before The Mahabharata Murders.
A Dark Crime thriller with gruesome murders, no hint about the murderer till the end of the book, (regular crime thriller readers usually do the prediction & wait to find out how well the prediction was, I did mine too) & a true gripper!!
This is the 1st book that I have come across where the entire narration is done by the female protagonist - A change for the starters itself!! :)
Using The Mahabharata as the source of inspiration to commit crimes - an intriguing concept!!
A Dark, dark crime thriller - Must read for the crime thriller lovers. It will make you want to finish the book in one go.
Arnab-da has done justice to all the characters he chose to plot the story around. No exaggeration about any character...only what's needed for the story is given out. Well described gruesome crime scenes to help your imagination run. Perfect linking of the source (Mahabharata) to the victims.
The writing is simple...connects the reader to the narrator easily and to the extent that the reader can actually feel what she feels as the plot develops and specially at the climax. And Yes, the climax happens only in the end and that's what keeps the page turner effect.
Indian Crime Thrillers are RARE. The Krishna Key being my last read in this genre before The Mahabharata Murders.
September 5, 2017
First of all, this book is not about mythology, but it's a thriller fiction based on some Mahabharata characters. This is the story of a Psyco killer on loose in Kolkatta and the investigation of murders by the homicide branch officers Ruksana and Siddhanth. When the killer murders people one after the other assuming himself as the reincarnation of Duryodhana in Mahabharata and the victims as Pandavas, the detectives have to think fast and smart to stop more killings.
More than the murders, it's the character of Ruksana that moved me. She is real. She is not strong, believes in doing right, gets manipulated by everyone around but sails on the safe boat atlast. The plot is interesting with analogies from Mahabharata stories. The climax is not very predictable and allowed readers to think a lot about the murdere and the motive.
What i didnt like in the book is the way climax is carried out. The plot is good but might have written in a better way. When the author tries to explain about the murderer and his motives through a third person, it seems like a slight disconnect for the reader. The reader's mind gets confused on why he has to trust second hand information instead of directly understanding the motive from the murderer through some clues. But, i liked the way it ended.
Overall, I would recommend this to someone who love crime thrillers.
My Rating: 4/5
PS: I have received this book from Juggernaut for review and this is my honest opinion on the book
More than the murders, it's the character of Ruksana that moved me. She is real. She is not strong, believes in doing right, gets manipulated by everyone around but sails on the safe boat atlast. The plot is interesting with analogies from Mahabharata stories. The climax is not very predictable and allowed readers to think a lot about the murdere and the motive.
What i didnt like in the book is the way climax is carried out. The plot is good but might have written in a better way. When the author tries to explain about the murderer and his motives through a third person, it seems like a slight disconnect for the reader. The reader's mind gets confused on why he has to trust second hand information instead of directly understanding the motive from the murderer through some clues. But, i liked the way it ended.
Overall, I would recommend this to someone who love crime thrillers.
My Rating: 4/5
PS: I have received this book from Juggernaut for review and this is my honest opinion on the book
November 17, 2017
With Mahabharata Murders, Arnab Ray returns to the form he showed in the Mine. A serial killer story where we hardly see the killer and see no killings at all. I like how we stick to the narrator through out - we see only what she sees, hear and observe only what her mind allows - I could see this turned into a wonderful bollynoir - maybe Anushka Sharma should get Navdeep Singh to direct this. That said, the novel itself lacks the atmosphere the story demands.
The other problem is the ending which just keeps dragging on and on. The mine had this problem as well - a wish to tie everything together, a wish that goes against the genre's demands. The best of existential horror (The Thing, Alien, Eraserhead, Antichrist, The Skin I Live In - why can't I remember any books?) and noir (The Big Sleep - finally, a book) don't have to tie everything up neatly - the dangling ends make them better. Arnab decides to go Freudian in explaining all his characters and I couldn't stop rolling my eyes - how managed to read while my eyes were rolling is a mystery to me.
On the whole, it is a breezy, enjoyable read - and achieves what it sets out to do. The scenes of domestic violence are difficult to read - but, right after reading Dan Brown, I am happy to find a female lead who is not perfect, not even close.
The other problem is the ending which just keeps dragging on and on. The mine had this problem as well - a wish to tie everything together, a wish that goes against the genre's demands. The best of existential horror (The Thing, Alien, Eraserhead, Antichrist, The Skin I Live In - why can't I remember any books?) and noir (The Big Sleep - finally, a book) don't have to tie everything up neatly - the dangling ends make them better. Arnab decides to go Freudian in explaining all his characters and I couldn't stop rolling my eyes - how managed to read while my eyes were rolling is a mystery to me.
On the whole, it is a breezy, enjoyable read - and achieves what it sets out to do. The scenes of domestic violence are difficult to read - but, right after reading Dan Brown, I am happy to find a female lead who is not perfect, not even close.
September 1, 2019
Having been an ardent follower of the author's earlier works, would rate some of his earlier books - The Mine, Yatrik, higher than the current novel.
Having said that, the narrative is gripping. Finished the book in a weekend, which indeed is quite an achievement for a slow-reader like me. Loved the character portrayal of the cop-in-charge, a women, a mix of vulnerability and strength, battling her inner demons, immensely relateable as someone inhabiting the same world as us.
Where the book left a lot to be desired, personally, is that I never get to know the protagonist - the killer, on whose antics the entire novel is based - first hand. Granted, I get to know theories about the murders, and the theories are proved to the true towards the end of the book, but then I would have liked some pages dedicated to (at-least)some soliloquy from the killer, prior he commits the murder, giving me glimpses to his mind, his justification for the evil, his twisted sense of judgement, his insanity.
Next there is a twist, which so conveniently fits into the grander scheme of things, which almost makes you wonder if the story was written bottom-up. Truth be told, did not see it coming, almost in an Abbas-Mustan sort of way.
Liked the ending. Not much melodrama, no hackneyed sense of duty, no corny revenge saga. No superhero's are born, just a women in the street, understanding the way of of world, decide to carry on with her common life, maybe try rebuilding it - brick by brick.
Having said that, the narrative is gripping. Finished the book in a weekend, which indeed is quite an achievement for a slow-reader like me. Loved the character portrayal of the cop-in-charge, a women, a mix of vulnerability and strength, battling her inner demons, immensely relateable as someone inhabiting the same world as us.
Where the book left a lot to be desired, personally, is that I never get to know the protagonist - the killer, on whose antics the entire novel is based - first hand. Granted, I get to know theories about the murders, and the theories are proved to the true towards the end of the book, but then I would have liked some pages dedicated to (at-least)some soliloquy from the killer, prior he commits the murder, giving me glimpses to his mind, his justification for the evil, his twisted sense of judgement, his insanity.
Next there is a twist, which so conveniently fits into the grander scheme of things, which almost makes you wonder if the story was written bottom-up. Truth be told, did not see it coming, almost in an Abbas-Mustan sort of way.
Liked the ending. Not much melodrama, no hackneyed sense of duty, no corny revenge saga. No superhero's are born, just a women in the street, understanding the way of of world, decide to carry on with her common life, maybe try rebuilding it - brick by brick.
November 28, 2024
If you have not read or do not know of the Mahabharat, there's a good chance you might not understand the characters of this book. Despite that, the Mahabharat angle comes across more like an exploitation of the mythology rather than a genuine inspiration. This weakens the motivations of the characters and makes the book a half hearted attempt at a fusion of the serial killer genre and the slasher genre. In the end, the resolution and reveal feels convenient and underwhelming.
The writing style though, is smooth and enjoyable. The writer is witty in places and has depth in others. Characters have sound back stories and the female protagonist has a unique voice.
There's a flaw in the author's perspective of the Mahabharat:
On page 189, a character believes that Arjuna's rejection of the apsara Urvashi's advances is convenient and against character. I feel the author has not understood this part of the Mahabharat as it clearly says that Urvashi was a legendary apsara who had slept with his father Indra too. Sleeping with Urvashi would be like sleeping with his own mother which is why Arjuna rejects her advances.
I would have not given this book more than 2 stars but the extra star is for a fabulous quote towards the end...
"And that's what's evil about love. We always try to find it where we are sure we will never get it"
The writing style though, is smooth and enjoyable. The writer is witty in places and has depth in others. Characters have sound back stories and the female protagonist has a unique voice.
There's a flaw in the author's perspective of the Mahabharat:
On page 189, a character believes that Arjuna's rejection of the apsara Urvashi's advances is convenient and against character. I feel the author has not understood this part of the Mahabharat as it clearly says that Urvashi was a legendary apsara who had slept with his father Indra too. Sleeping with Urvashi would be like sleeping with his own mother which is why Arjuna rejects her advances.
I would have not given this book more than 2 stars but the extra star is for a fabulous quote towards the end...
"And that's what's evil about love. We always try to find it where we are sure we will never get it"
August 27, 2017
People often take parables, literally these days……..
This addictive book, ‘The Mahabharata murders’ by Arnab Ray is a fast paced, detective thriller. It is written in the first perspective point of view of a lady homicide cop; Ruksana Ahemed (an interesting character, she plays the boss at work and a victim at home). The story is about a serial killer, who thinks that he is Duryodhan, reborn. He relates characters from his own life to that of the Mahabharata characters. The sub plots and the past of the characters are slowly revealed as the plot grows. The ending was unexpected and the plot is truly rich. However, I feel that there has been an intentional overuse of slangs the usage of which could be lessened in the novel. Also, the twist in the last part turned out quite drastically and it was almost pushed into the story. That part could have been a little slow and things could’ve evolved gradually. Instead, there was more highlight on Ruksana, prior to the twist which was unnecessary. Set in the city of joy, Kolkata; it is fascinating how the entire story fits so well around the little snippets of Mahabharata- logic that the author has skillfully woven throughout the entire novel.
This addictive book, ‘The Mahabharata murders’ by Arnab Ray is a fast paced, detective thriller. It is written in the first perspective point of view of a lady homicide cop; Ruksana Ahemed (an interesting character, she plays the boss at work and a victim at home). The story is about a serial killer, who thinks that he is Duryodhan, reborn. He relates characters from his own life to that of the Mahabharata characters. The sub plots and the past of the characters are slowly revealed as the plot grows. The ending was unexpected and the plot is truly rich. However, I feel that there has been an intentional overuse of slangs the usage of which could be lessened in the novel. Also, the twist in the last part turned out quite drastically and it was almost pushed into the story. That part could have been a little slow and things could’ve evolved gradually. Instead, there was more highlight on Ruksana, prior to the twist which was unnecessary. Set in the city of joy, Kolkata; it is fascinating how the entire story fits so well around the little snippets of Mahabharata- logic that the author has skillfully woven throughout the entire novel.
July 18, 2019
3.5/5 Arnab Ray AKA greatbong is one of my favourite podcasters now. On current affairs, on sports, movies and surprisingly on life itself, his views are refreshing and make sense most of the times. And his blogs were quite popular too.
While this book is ostensibly about the police investigating a serial killer, as a mystery it was just decent and the investigation was virtually absent. However, what made it click for me was the central character - Ruksana Ahmed and the dark atmosphere. While it lacks the depth and research of "Sacred Games", as a protagonist Ruksana Ahmed > Sartaj Singh. And the upcoming web-series based on this book too will look great.
Starting with May I Hebb Your Attention Pliss! which seemed a book by a lazy, arrogant blogger who thought anything he scribbled would be a best-seller, Ray has grown with Yatrik, The Sultan of Delhi and finally this one. It is not great but does give me great expectations and I hope he keeps improving.
While this book is ostensibly about the police investigating a serial killer, as a mystery it was just decent and the investigation was virtually absent. However, what made it click for me was the central character - Ruksana Ahmed and the dark atmosphere. While it lacks the depth and research of "Sacred Games", as a protagonist Ruksana Ahmed > Sartaj Singh. And the upcoming web-series based on this book too will look great.
Starting with May I Hebb Your Attention Pliss! which seemed a book by a lazy, arrogant blogger who thought anything he scribbled would be a best-seller, Ray has grown with Yatrik, The Sultan of Delhi and finally this one. It is not great but does give me great expectations and I hope he keeps improving.
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