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The Sane Psychopath
About the Book
Are some crimes unpardonable?
A young lawyer is about to find out.
It was just another day in Pune. Just another morning.
Until a man decided otherwise.
And left an entire city horrified . . . scared . . . angry . . . baying for blood.
This is the story of Shanker Lande, driver of a state transport bus, who goes on a bone-chilling hour-long rampage on the streets of Pune—killing 10, maiming 70, and damaging over 100 vehicles, before he is captured.
In this case of Shanker Lande vs the city of Pune, the difference between the criminal and the victims is clear as night and day. But a young idealistic lawyer, Varun Gupte, a Punekar, still decides to defend Lande. And in the process seeks help from a psychiatrist, a man who lost his son to the same incident.
Caught in the pincer grip of their dilemmas, do the two men crumble? Do they unearth the truth? And does the truth absolve Lande?
Inspired by a real incident, The Sane Psychopath is a fictional exploration of a frightening murderous phenomenon of our times.
About the Author
Salil Desai is an author, columnist, and film-maker based in Pune. He is best known for his much-acclaimed Inspector Saralkar Mystery Series which includes 3 and a Half Murders (2017), The Murder of Sonia Raikkonen (2015), and Killing Ashish Karve (2014). His other popular books are Murder on a Side Street (2011) as well as a collection of short stories, Lost Libido and Other Gulp Fiction (2012). The Sane Psychopath (2018) is his sixth book.
An alumnus of Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Salil’s dramatized management training videos (www.relivingindia.com) are much appreciated in the corporate world. He also conducts intensive workshops in creative fiction writing, story and scenario design, screenplay writing and film-making.
Salil was also one of the four international authors worldwide selected for the HALD International Writers’ Residency in Denmark, hosted by the Danish Centre for Writers & Translators in June 2016.
Are some crimes unpardonable?
A young lawyer is about to find out.
It was just another day in Pune. Just another morning.
Until a man decided otherwise.
And left an entire city horrified . . . scared . . . angry . . . baying for blood.
This is the story of Shanker Lande, driver of a state transport bus, who goes on a bone-chilling hour-long rampage on the streets of Pune—killing 10, maiming 70, and damaging over 100 vehicles, before he is captured.
In this case of Shanker Lande vs the city of Pune, the difference between the criminal and the victims is clear as night and day. But a young idealistic lawyer, Varun Gupte, a Punekar, still decides to defend Lande. And in the process seeks help from a psychiatrist, a man who lost his son to the same incident.
Caught in the pincer grip of their dilemmas, do the two men crumble? Do they unearth the truth? And does the truth absolve Lande?
Inspired by a real incident, The Sane Psychopath is a fictional exploration of a frightening murderous phenomenon of our times.
About the Author
Salil Desai is an author, columnist, and film-maker based in Pune. He is best known for his much-acclaimed Inspector Saralkar Mystery Series which includes 3 and a Half Murders (2017), The Murder of Sonia Raikkonen (2015), and Killing Ashish Karve (2014). His other popular books are Murder on a Side Street (2011) as well as a collection of short stories, Lost Libido and Other Gulp Fiction (2012). The Sane Psychopath (2018) is his sixth book.
An alumnus of Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Salil’s dramatized management training videos (www.relivingindia.com) are much appreciated in the corporate world. He also conducts intensive workshops in creative fiction writing, story and scenario design, screenplay writing and film-making.
Salil was also one of the four international authors worldwide selected for the HALD International Writers’ Residency in Denmark, hosted by the Danish Centre for Writers & Translators in June 2016.
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2018
15 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Salil Desai
11 books94 followersSalil Desai is the author of the much-acclaimed Inspector Saralkar Mystery Series, that includes - The Kid Killer (2023), Murder Milestone (2020), 3 and a Half Murders (2017), The Murder of Sonia Raikkonen (2015) and Killing Ashish Karve (2014). The books are currently being adapted into a web series by Jio Studios.
Titled 'Kalsutra', the first season of the web-series is based on 'Murder Milestone' and is due for release in 2025. Salil is also the lead writer of the screenplay of 'Kalsutra'.
Salil’s other popular books are Murder on a Side Street (2011), Lost Libido and Other Gulp Fiction (2012), as well as The Sane Psychopath (2018). Salil's short story 'Sound Motive' has also appeared in The Hachette Book of Indian Detective Fiction (2024), while other short fiction has been published in anthologies by Penguin, Westland and Unisun.
His latest novel ‘The Grudges of Gajanan Godbole’, a wacky crime thriller, has just been published by Hachette India in November 2024.
His short story ‘The Perfect Day’ and novel ‘The Sane Psychopath’ are also in the process of being adapted for screen as feature films.
Salil’s books have been reviewed in The Hindu, New Indian Express, The Pioneer, Bangalore Mirror, DNA, First City, The Tribune, among others. His work has been praised by veteran authors Dr Shashi Tharoor, Shobhaa De and film-makers Sriram Raghavan and Sujoy Ghosh.
An alumnus of Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Salil also conducts intensive workshops in creative fiction writing, story and scenario design, screenplay writing and film-making at leading liberal arts institutions and media & communication colleges across India.
He is a seasoned newspaper columnist, with over 400 articles, op-ed pieces, features and travelogues in leading dailies like The Times of India, Indian Express, DNA, The Tribune, Reader’s Digest, Deccan Herald, The Hindu etc.
Salil was one of the four international authors worldwide selected for the HALD International Writers’ Residency in Denmark, hosted by the Danish Centre for Writers & Translators in June 2016. He was also invited to Gullkistan Centre for Creativity, Iceland and spent the month of May 2023 there as a Resident.
Know more about him at www.salildesai.com
Titled 'Kalsutra', the first season of the web-series is based on 'Murder Milestone' and is due for release in 2025. Salil is also the lead writer of the screenplay of 'Kalsutra'.
Salil’s other popular books are Murder on a Side Street (2011), Lost Libido and Other Gulp Fiction (2012), as well as The Sane Psychopath (2018). Salil's short story 'Sound Motive' has also appeared in The Hachette Book of Indian Detective Fiction (2024), while other short fiction has been published in anthologies by Penguin, Westland and Unisun.
His latest novel ‘The Grudges of Gajanan Godbole’, a wacky crime thriller, has just been published by Hachette India in November 2024.
His short story ‘The Perfect Day’ and novel ‘The Sane Psychopath’ are also in the process of being adapted for screen as feature films.
Salil’s books have been reviewed in The Hindu, New Indian Express, The Pioneer, Bangalore Mirror, DNA, First City, The Tribune, among others. His work has been praised by veteran authors Dr Shashi Tharoor, Shobhaa De and film-makers Sriram Raghavan and Sujoy Ghosh.
An alumnus of Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Salil also conducts intensive workshops in creative fiction writing, story and scenario design, screenplay writing and film-making at leading liberal arts institutions and media & communication colleges across India.
He is a seasoned newspaper columnist, with over 400 articles, op-ed pieces, features and travelogues in leading dailies like The Times of India, Indian Express, DNA, The Tribune, Reader’s Digest, Deccan Herald, The Hindu etc.
Salil was one of the four international authors worldwide selected for the HALD International Writers’ Residency in Denmark, hosted by the Danish Centre for Writers & Translators in June 2016. He was also invited to Gullkistan Centre for Creativity, Iceland and spent the month of May 2023 there as a Resident.
Know more about him at www.salildesai.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 16, 2019
Shankar Lande is a state bus driver. So, when he gets on a bus and starts to drive erratically it would have seemed like a normal thing for most of the public. But soon it is clear that he is on a rampage as he goes on to kill and maim numerous people and vehicles. It took 10 deaths and 70 injuries before the police could stop and arrest him. The crime was so heinous that most lawyers wouldn’t touch Shankar Lande’s case until a young lawyer decides to represent him. Varun Gupta is an idealist and as such he makes it his duty to do his best to defend his client even when the said client seems like a monster.
The book starts with a bang. It gets you in its grips almost immediately and doesn’t let go. From the very beginning the readers feel involved with the story partly due the hook that the author has masterfully placed in the beginning and partly because the story is based off a true incident from 2012. The author has kept the story going with some information drops and some action in regular intervals. There was a bit of sarcasm in the book, parts of which was directed towards today’s media and I couldn’t help but appreciate it. Description of events, specially the rampage, has been done well. The climax and the conclusion of the book are exceptionally suitable for the topic/case at hand. Though it left me bowled over at first, it felt like the only suitable ending later on.
Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws
The book starts with a bang. It gets you in its grips almost immediately and doesn’t let go. From the very beginning the readers feel involved with the story partly due the hook that the author has masterfully placed in the beginning and partly because the story is based off a true incident from 2012. The author has kept the story going with some information drops and some action in regular intervals. There was a bit of sarcasm in the book, parts of which was directed towards today’s media and I couldn’t help but appreciate it. Description of events, specially the rampage, has been done well. The climax and the conclusion of the book are exceptionally suitable for the topic/case at hand. Though it left me bowled over at first, it felt like the only suitable ending later on.
Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws
July 15, 2019
Salil Desai got me reading a genre - police/detective procedurals again after a gap of years last year. His Inspector Saralkar novels had interesting characters including the policemen. The crime, the dialogues, the twists, the pacing were all quite good especially in book #2 and #3.
So I picked this short book hoping for an interesting courtroom drama. But this one never took off. It was a predictable story with every known cliche thrown in. And the ending was abrupt and inconclusive.
Avoid !
So I picked this short book hoping for an interesting courtroom drama. But this one never took off. It was a predictable story with every known cliche thrown in. And the ending was abrupt and inconclusive.
Avoid !
November 1, 2018
The Sane Psychopath by Salil Desai is a crazy reading ride. It not only enthralls you but also shakes your thinking cap really hard a number of times. On many occasions, this book forced me to take a break from reading and think hard. Yes, you heard me right. It forced me to think really hard. And, very few books do that to me. In fact, this book is more than just a simple novel. Of course, there is a gripping storyline to entertain you and there are characters you would fall for. But, more importantly, the book raises a number of questions that are relevant to present society. It shakes your perception of seeing things. I would simply say to the author - well done.
The book tells us the story of Shanker Lande, driver of a state transport bus in Pune, Maharashtra. One morning, this driver gets in one of the buses at Swargate bus depot in Pune to go on a killing spree. This ride kills ten, maims 70 and damages over 100 vehicles before the driver is finally captured. A number of injured, who survived the injuries, gets impaired and will live in pain and agony for the rest of their lives. While the ghastly nature of the crime is well-established in this case, a young idealist lawyer from Pune decides to defend Shanker Lande. In the process of defending the driver, the young lawyer also seeks help from a psychiatrist, a man who lost his son in the same bizarre bus rampage. What happened to Shanker that day? Will the lawyer be able to defend this atrocious crime? Will the psychiatrist help the lawyer? And, most importantly, why is the lawyer trying to defend such a heinous crime in the first place? Is he doing it to gain popularity or is there any other reason behind it? The rest of the book deals with these questions. Read the book if you want to know the answers of these questions.
The incident of the bone-chilling rampage on the streets of Pune in this book is inspired from a similar true incident that took place in Pune on January 25, 2012. While the book under review is a fictionalised version of this incident, the killing of innocents by a bus driver is the core of this novel. The whole story revolves around this. And, here I would like to again compliment the author because writing a novel based on a horrific real-life incident is not an easy task. It is a lot more than just spewing up a story you just happen to know. The author has to take into consideration the facts available to him and mold it into his own creation. And, this can end up more than just writing a simple story.
The book has all the ingredients of a thrilling story. The book is fast-paced, has enough twists to keep readers engaged, and, most importantly, a terrific ending. I really loved the ending of this book. To be frank, I had an apprehension that the author would disappoint me at the end but he didn’t. On the other hand, he surprised me the way he treated the climax of this book. Well! For some readers, this ending may not work. But for me, it was awesome. I also liked the title, cover, and blurb of the book. All of these do justice to the content of the book. The language used is easy to follow and dialogues are great.
Go for it folks. The author has brought his creative best to the table as he gives us a thrilling mystery.
Note: This review was originally published on
https://pgalmora.wordpress.com/2018/1...
The book tells us the story of Shanker Lande, driver of a state transport bus in Pune, Maharashtra. One morning, this driver gets in one of the buses at Swargate bus depot in Pune to go on a killing spree. This ride kills ten, maims 70 and damages over 100 vehicles before the driver is finally captured. A number of injured, who survived the injuries, gets impaired and will live in pain and agony for the rest of their lives. While the ghastly nature of the crime is well-established in this case, a young idealist lawyer from Pune decides to defend Shanker Lande. In the process of defending the driver, the young lawyer also seeks help from a psychiatrist, a man who lost his son in the same bizarre bus rampage. What happened to Shanker that day? Will the lawyer be able to defend this atrocious crime? Will the psychiatrist help the lawyer? And, most importantly, why is the lawyer trying to defend such a heinous crime in the first place? Is he doing it to gain popularity or is there any other reason behind it? The rest of the book deals with these questions. Read the book if you want to know the answers of these questions.
The incident of the bone-chilling rampage on the streets of Pune in this book is inspired from a similar true incident that took place in Pune on January 25, 2012. While the book under review is a fictionalised version of this incident, the killing of innocents by a bus driver is the core of this novel. The whole story revolves around this. And, here I would like to again compliment the author because writing a novel based on a horrific real-life incident is not an easy task. It is a lot more than just spewing up a story you just happen to know. The author has to take into consideration the facts available to him and mold it into his own creation. And, this can end up more than just writing a simple story.
The book has all the ingredients of a thrilling story. The book is fast-paced, has enough twists to keep readers engaged, and, most importantly, a terrific ending. I really loved the ending of this book. To be frank, I had an apprehension that the author would disappoint me at the end but he didn’t. On the other hand, he surprised me the way he treated the climax of this book. Well! For some readers, this ending may not work. But for me, it was awesome. I also liked the title, cover, and blurb of the book. All of these do justice to the content of the book. The language used is easy to follow and dialogues are great.
Go for it folks. The author has brought his creative best to the table as he gives us a thrilling mystery.
Note: This review was originally published on
https://pgalmora.wordpress.com/2018/1...
August 28, 2025
This book pulls you in right from the first page.About the driver a little spooky and psychological start to make everything fit in right place .It starts with what feels like an ordinary day a state bus driver, Shankar Lande, gets behind the wheel. But things quickly spiral into chaos. What begins as a routine bus ride turns into a terrifying rampage. Shankar drives like a man possessed, crashing through vehicles, mowing down people, and causing complete havoc on the roads. By the time it’s over, 10 people are dead, 70 are injured, and the entire state is left shocked and shaken.
Most people see Shankar as a monster. The crime is so brutal, no lawyer even wants to go near his case. But then comes Varun Gupta a young, idealistic lawyer who believes everyone deserves a fair trial. Even someone like Shankar. He steps up to defend him, and from that moment, the story takes a whole new turn.
What makes this book so powerful is not just the shocking events, but how deeply it pulls you into the story. You’re not just reading it you’re in it. The fact that it’s based on a real incident from 2012 adds even more weight to every chapter.
The writing keeps a good pace mixing action with well-placed bits of information and insight. There’s also some clever sarcasm aimed at modern media that made me smile (and think). The scenes describing the rampage are intense but well-handled vivid without being over-the-top.
As for the ending wow. It really knocks the wind out of you. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, but the more I sat with it, the more I realized it was the only ending that truly made sense.
Overall, this is a bold, thought-provoking, and gripping read. It’s not just a story about a crime it’s about justice, morality, and the grey areas in between.
Completed it in 4 hours
Most people see Shankar as a monster. The crime is so brutal, no lawyer even wants to go near his case. But then comes Varun Gupta a young, idealistic lawyer who believes everyone deserves a fair trial. Even someone like Shankar. He steps up to defend him, and from that moment, the story takes a whole new turn.
What makes this book so powerful is not just the shocking events, but how deeply it pulls you into the story. You’re not just reading it you’re in it. The fact that it’s based on a real incident from 2012 adds even more weight to every chapter.
The writing keeps a good pace mixing action with well-placed bits of information and insight. There’s also some clever sarcasm aimed at modern media that made me smile (and think). The scenes describing the rampage are intense but well-handled vivid without being over-the-top.
As for the ending wow. It really knocks the wind out of you. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, but the more I sat with it, the more I realized it was the only ending that truly made sense.
Overall, this is a bold, thought-provoking, and gripping read. It’s not just a story about a crime it’s about justice, morality, and the grey areas in between.
Completed it in 4 hours
May 14, 2020
3.5*
Got some vibes of the Mindhunters series. Nevertheless, like all his previous books, the crime, the characters all seems pretty rooted and authentic to our milieu.
Not a bad ending either.
Got some vibes of the Mindhunters series. Nevertheless, like all his previous books, the crime, the characters all seems pretty rooted and authentic to our milieu.
Not a bad ending either.
March 27, 2025
i really ought to stick with serial killer-detective thrillers i never have a sense of satisfaction with other types of thrillers but this was written well and fast-paced so i liked it
April 1, 2019
Name: The Sane Psychopath
Author: Salil Desai
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Crime Fiction
Publisher: Fingerprint! Publishing
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Is Shanker victimizing or is he the victim himself?
Are you a psychology lover? Do you like action spiced up with mystery and logic? If yes then ‘The Sane Psychopath’ by Salil Desai might be the book for you!
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
*NOTE: I am extremely grateful to Fingerprint! Publishing for sending me this book. However, this does not at all hinder my honest opinions regarding the book. This is a spoiler-free review. All opinions are solely mine. Also, make sure to hop on to my blog (https://thescribblingssite.wordpress.com) to read more of my reviews and other book related posts!
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
The main interest that the book surrounds is indeed fascinating. It is set in Pune where works a bus driver named Shanker. He is a quiet and reserved man who would rather be left alone to dwell on his problems than open up. The book starts with the character being on a drive “up the mountain road” where he sees a buffalo on the way and has to abruptly stop the bus. On almost thrashing a car due to the abrupt stoppage, the drivers of the car demand Shanker to get down. They beat him up for the dangerous move. Apparently, there was not a single animal on the road which means that the buffalo was just a figment of Shanker’s mind. But, why this wild imagination? Was Shanker simply in a distracted state or was it a serious condition?
Another thing that is quite intriguing is that he often hears demonic voices which no one else seems to hear.
These voices surely prove to be much more dangerous as one day the same quiet, reserved, and placid natured man takes on a devilishly perilous trip, smashing anything and anybody that comes his way. What exactly is going on with Shanker? Is he on an intentional killing spree or is he absolutely out of his senses? Well, the latter question proves to be the main question that the book revolves around. To find out the answers you need to read the book!
I absolutely love it when mystery books don’t provide final solutions until only about 20-30 pages are left. This book was of the same kind so yay! If you know a bit about psychology, it might be the case that you would be able to identify what was happening with Shanker. All in all, this book is one book that will definitely keep your senses awake!
Another thing that I love about this book is the title! Incredible job deciding the title, indeed. The title is enough to spark anybody’s attention! Oh, I also love the word structures that have been used. Good vocabulary always contributes in making a book a success and ‘The Sane Psychopath’ is surely an example!
There is one factual information that I could not quite agree with but, in order to save you from spoilers, I cannot give it away! Also, I felt like punctuation could be attended to more carefully however, it is surely not a problem in the way of making this book a great read! It is a thing that only comes up when you’re reading really closely.
All in all, I would recommend this book to anybody who loves a good mystery/psychology/law fiction book and to anybody who is looking for a nice and fast-paced book. Kudos to the author and the publishing team!
Author: Salil Desai
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Crime Fiction
Publisher: Fingerprint! Publishing
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Is Shanker victimizing or is he the victim himself?
Are you a psychology lover? Do you like action spiced up with mystery and logic? If yes then ‘The Sane Psychopath’ by Salil Desai might be the book for you!
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
*NOTE: I am extremely grateful to Fingerprint! Publishing for sending me this book. However, this does not at all hinder my honest opinions regarding the book. This is a spoiler-free review. All opinions are solely mine. Also, make sure to hop on to my blog (https://thescribblingssite.wordpress.com) to read more of my reviews and other book related posts!
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
The main interest that the book surrounds is indeed fascinating. It is set in Pune where works a bus driver named Shanker. He is a quiet and reserved man who would rather be left alone to dwell on his problems than open up. The book starts with the character being on a drive “up the mountain road” where he sees a buffalo on the way and has to abruptly stop the bus. On almost thrashing a car due to the abrupt stoppage, the drivers of the car demand Shanker to get down. They beat him up for the dangerous move. Apparently, there was not a single animal on the road which means that the buffalo was just a figment of Shanker’s mind. But, why this wild imagination? Was Shanker simply in a distracted state or was it a serious condition?
Another thing that is quite intriguing is that he often hears demonic voices which no one else seems to hear.
These voices surely prove to be much more dangerous as one day the same quiet, reserved, and placid natured man takes on a devilishly perilous trip, smashing anything and anybody that comes his way. What exactly is going on with Shanker? Is he on an intentional killing spree or is he absolutely out of his senses? Well, the latter question proves to be the main question that the book revolves around. To find out the answers you need to read the book!
I absolutely love it when mystery books don’t provide final solutions until only about 20-30 pages are left. This book was of the same kind so yay! If you know a bit about psychology, it might be the case that you would be able to identify what was happening with Shanker. All in all, this book is one book that will definitely keep your senses awake!
Another thing that I love about this book is the title! Incredible job deciding the title, indeed. The title is enough to spark anybody’s attention! Oh, I also love the word structures that have been used. Good vocabulary always contributes in making a book a success and ‘The Sane Psychopath’ is surely an example!
There is one factual information that I could not quite agree with but, in order to save you from spoilers, I cannot give it away! Also, I felt like punctuation could be attended to more carefully however, it is surely not a problem in the way of making this book a great read! It is a thing that only comes up when you’re reading really closely.
All in all, I would recommend this book to anybody who loves a good mystery/psychology/law fiction book and to anybody who is looking for a nice and fast-paced book. Kudos to the author and the publishing team!
November 10, 2018
[Detailed review is available at: https://thinkerviews.com/books/englis...]
As I enjoyed reading Inspector Saralkar book series by Salil Desai, I was curious to read and review "The Sane Psychopath" by him since it's announcement.
This book is not a police procedural but it falls into the psychological thriller category where legal drama is beautifully infused.
Let us take a bird's eye view of the book plot:
Shanker Lande is a bus driver working in the state transport department of Maharashtra, India. Once when he was driving to Pune during a hot summer day he had hallucinations! An unknown person (who is seen to him only) insist him to take fatal actions! He somehow manages to let go the temptation of following the advise and move ahead. He had a bad experience at a hotel, he ignores it as well. When driving, he got into a small tussle with a car owner and he was beaten badly. He, however, didn't fight back!
He was informed by his wife to visit his hometown the next day as some government officials were coming to analyze the loss Shanker's family suffered due to bad crop situation. Shankar went to the duty assigning officer to explain his point and seeking a leave.
After coming out of the traffic controller's cabin Shanker took a bus and went on to do something which is least expected from him!
What he has done and how it affected the lives of many families is explored in a thrilling manner in the book.
Views and Reviews:
Writing a book is a challenging task and writing a thriller is even more challenging. And, when you are writing a thriller which explores human psyche, one has to remain more alert and attentive. Of course, it requires a lot of research and all, but the even more challenging task is to not to let writing such a book affect oneself.
Salil did really a fantastic job in the way he builds the tempo of the book from the very first scene. Many of the readers will relate to the realistic exploration of characters in the book, be it Shanker, Varun, Sanjana or others. Almost none of the character is there which didn't get the due coverage. Often writers focus on building the prime characters and thus the side characters are neglected, this book is a delight to read in those aspects.
Reading this book reminded me of reading Dan Brown book where he builds and builds and builds the things and suddenly an end comes to it! This book also could have been better. Especially towards the climax. It is quite possible that I have had more expectations from the authors which made me feel so. The page quality of this book is also not that good.
The book has its dose of sarcasm and punchlines which I’ve really enjoyed. Here are some examples which almost everyone can relate to.
News channel knew better than anyone else how to milk victim stories.
------
TV news mirrored the concerns but did what it did best – turn it into an amateur inquisition.
. The courtroom scenes are a delight to read. The way Varun was approached for the first time in the court after taking the matter in hand will remind you of some such incident(s) which rocked the media. And, yes, the author took a jibe to various news milking strategies used by the media. The way, the paanwala explain the things to Varun, is also an interesting yet realistic scene. The political aspects of tragic incidents are explored realistically.
Summary:
The book is a nice thriller where psyche and legal aspects are explored nicely. If you enjoy reading books in this genre, this book is definitely a good choice.
Rating:
Around 7.5 stars out of 10.
As I enjoyed reading Inspector Saralkar book series by Salil Desai, I was curious to read and review "The Sane Psychopath" by him since it's announcement.
This book is not a police procedural but it falls into the psychological thriller category where legal drama is beautifully infused.
Let us take a bird's eye view of the book plot:
Shanker Lande is a bus driver working in the state transport department of Maharashtra, India. Once when he was driving to Pune during a hot summer day he had hallucinations! An unknown person (who is seen to him only) insist him to take fatal actions! He somehow manages to let go the temptation of following the advise and move ahead. He had a bad experience at a hotel, he ignores it as well. When driving, he got into a small tussle with a car owner and he was beaten badly. He, however, didn't fight back!
He was informed by his wife to visit his hometown the next day as some government officials were coming to analyze the loss Shanker's family suffered due to bad crop situation. Shankar went to the duty assigning officer to explain his point and seeking a leave.
After coming out of the traffic controller's cabin Shanker took a bus and went on to do something which is least expected from him!
What he has done and how it affected the lives of many families is explored in a thrilling manner in the book.
Views and Reviews:
Writing a book is a challenging task and writing a thriller is even more challenging. And, when you are writing a thriller which explores human psyche, one has to remain more alert and attentive. Of course, it requires a lot of research and all, but the even more challenging task is to not to let writing such a book affect oneself.
Salil did really a fantastic job in the way he builds the tempo of the book from the very first scene. Many of the readers will relate to the realistic exploration of characters in the book, be it Shanker, Varun, Sanjana or others. Almost none of the character is there which didn't get the due coverage. Often writers focus on building the prime characters and thus the side characters are neglected, this book is a delight to read in those aspects.
Reading this book reminded me of reading Dan Brown book where he builds and builds and builds the things and suddenly an end comes to it! This book also could have been better. Especially towards the climax. It is quite possible that I have had more expectations from the authors which made me feel so. The page quality of this book is also not that good.
The book has its dose of sarcasm and punchlines which I’ve really enjoyed. Here are some examples which almost everyone can relate to.
News channel knew better than anyone else how to milk victim stories.
------
TV news mirrored the concerns but did what it did best – turn it into an amateur inquisition.
. The courtroom scenes are a delight to read. The way Varun was approached for the first time in the court after taking the matter in hand will remind you of some such incident(s) which rocked the media. And, yes, the author took a jibe to various news milking strategies used by the media. The way, the paanwala explain the things to Varun, is also an interesting yet realistic scene. The political aspects of tragic incidents are explored realistically.
Summary:
The book is a nice thriller where psyche and legal aspects are explored nicely. If you enjoy reading books in this genre, this book is definitely a good choice.
Rating:
Around 7.5 stars out of 10.
February 13, 2025
-Treading the Thin Line Between Madness and Insanity-
Review of 'The Sane Psychopath'
What's the difference between madness and insanity? The former can get you kill a dozen people and the latter can save you from getting hanged till death for that crime. Insanity is a madman's ticket to go free from the clutches of the Constitution. It's your free pass to go scot free even if you ram a bus upon ten unsuspecting pedestrians. This is the plot of the crime thriller 'The Sane Psychopath' by Salil Desai.
Shanker Lande is a Pune roadways bus driver, plying his bus in scorching summer or relentless rain. We meet him on a baking afternoon, passengers stewing inside an oven of a bus. The reader develops a grain of sympathy for him. Like so many other lower income class people, he is suffering. Not able to get an off Or a change in duty, hos mind fractures. He starts seeing visions, hears things that aren't there and one day he takes a bus and crushes ten people with it. The scenes up to this point are quite graphic. Desai hasn't pulled any punches. Not for the squeamish, I advise.
One such part is here: 'Johnny Netto emerged into East Street on his motorcycle from a small side lane, least expecting to have his life overturned. The bus struck the front wheel, unseating Johnny and sending him sprawling on to the adjacent footpath. His helmeted head hit the cement with a crunch, but it was mostly the uncovered portion of the back of his lower skull and his neck that took the blow.'
Varun Gupte, a young, ambitious lawyer, defies the bar association’s boycott and takes on Lande’s case. He reasons: 'Legal defense is not moral defense.' But will he be able to fight right wing politicians, hostile lawyers and grief stricken survivors and proceed with an unbiased mind? Will Dr Shekhar Kanitkar, a psychiatrist who lost his own son in the same rampage, be able to help him with an icy cold disinterest?
Desai has tried to keep the story unbiased. He doesn't judge Lande. He keeps all the cards upon the story, proceeding page by page, building sympathy equally for the driver and the families whose members he had mauled. It's a difficult story but Desai doesn't let himself side with any side. Kudos to him for that.
There are many graphic scenes but there was a particularly chilly one. When Varun approaches a roadside shopkeeper to ask about the the bus driver, he shows him a spot where a little girl had been mauled. He says ' She was thrown into the air and landed at this spot...body bathed in blood... mangled.. pulped! Didn't know there could be so much blood in a human body.'
The twist in the climax was something I didn't expect. I didn't know how much was it real since the writer was inspired by a real story. This one is for the readers who want their crime thrillers neat (the other neat!)
Review of 'The Sane Psychopath'
What's the difference between madness and insanity? The former can get you kill a dozen people and the latter can save you from getting hanged till death for that crime. Insanity is a madman's ticket to go free from the clutches of the Constitution. It's your free pass to go scot free even if you ram a bus upon ten unsuspecting pedestrians. This is the plot of the crime thriller 'The Sane Psychopath' by Salil Desai.
Shanker Lande is a Pune roadways bus driver, plying his bus in scorching summer or relentless rain. We meet him on a baking afternoon, passengers stewing inside an oven of a bus. The reader develops a grain of sympathy for him. Like so many other lower income class people, he is suffering. Not able to get an off Or a change in duty, hos mind fractures. He starts seeing visions, hears things that aren't there and one day he takes a bus and crushes ten people with it. The scenes up to this point are quite graphic. Desai hasn't pulled any punches. Not for the squeamish, I advise.
One such part is here: 'Johnny Netto emerged into East Street on his motorcycle from a small side lane, least expecting to have his life overturned. The bus struck the front wheel, unseating Johnny and sending him sprawling on to the adjacent footpath. His helmeted head hit the cement with a crunch, but it was mostly the uncovered portion of the back of his lower skull and his neck that took the blow.'
Varun Gupte, a young, ambitious lawyer, defies the bar association’s boycott and takes on Lande’s case. He reasons: 'Legal defense is not moral defense.' But will he be able to fight right wing politicians, hostile lawyers and grief stricken survivors and proceed with an unbiased mind? Will Dr Shekhar Kanitkar, a psychiatrist who lost his own son in the same rampage, be able to help him with an icy cold disinterest?
Desai has tried to keep the story unbiased. He doesn't judge Lande. He keeps all the cards upon the story, proceeding page by page, building sympathy equally for the driver and the families whose members he had mauled. It's a difficult story but Desai doesn't let himself side with any side. Kudos to him for that.
There are many graphic scenes but there was a particularly chilly one. When Varun approaches a roadside shopkeeper to ask about the the bus driver, he shows him a spot where a little girl had been mauled. He says ' She was thrown into the air and landed at this spot...body bathed in blood... mangled.. pulped! Didn't know there could be so much blood in a human body.'
The twist in the climax was something I didn't expect. I didn't know how much was it real since the writer was inspired by a real story. This one is for the readers who want their crime thrillers neat (the other neat!)
August 18, 2023
Prepare to be captivated by the chilling tale that unfolds in "The Sane Psychopath" by Salil Desai. This gripping work delves into the unsettling aftermath of a shocking crime that shakes the city of Pune to its core.
The narrative takes us to an ordinary day in Pune, which suddenly turns horrific when Shanker Lande, a state transport bus driver, embarks on a devastating rampage, leaving death and destruction in his wake. As the city reels from the impact of his actions, a young and idealistic lawyer named Varun Gupte decides to defend Lande, despite the heinous nature of his crimes. With the help of a grieving psychiatrist who lost his own son in the incident, the two men navigate the complexities of seeking justice for the criminal and closure for the victims.
Desai's writing style is both compelling and thought-provoking. He weaves a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, grappling with ethical dilemmas and moral quandaries.
The characters are vividly portrayed, with each one grappling with their own demons and dilemmas. Varun Gupte's determination to defend Lande, and the psychiatrist's internal struggle, add layers of depth to the story.
The plot is masterfully constructed, drawing the reader into a web of suspense and intrigue. The pacing is skillfully managed, with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the final pages.
"The Sane Psychopath" delves into themes of morality, justice, and the complexity of human behaviour. It questions the boundaries of empathy and understanding, challenging readers to confront their own beliefs about crime and punishment.
The book packs an emotional punch, evoking a range of feelings from shock and horror to empathy and introspection. Desai's portrayal of the aftermath of the crime is hauntingly realistic.
The strength of the book lies in its ability to tackle a disturbing subject matter while maintaining a nuanced perspective. However, some readers might find the psychological exploration to be intense and unsettling.
"The Sane Psychopath" is a thought-provoking exploration of crime, compassion, and the human psyche. It delves into the grey areas of morality and leaves readers questioning their own judgments.
Salil Desai's "The Sane Psychopath" is a gripping page-turner that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths. With its well-developed characters, skillful plot construction, and exploration of complex themes, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in delving into the darker corners of human nature.
The narrative takes us to an ordinary day in Pune, which suddenly turns horrific when Shanker Lande, a state transport bus driver, embarks on a devastating rampage, leaving death and destruction in his wake. As the city reels from the impact of his actions, a young and idealistic lawyer named Varun Gupte decides to defend Lande, despite the heinous nature of his crimes. With the help of a grieving psychiatrist who lost his own son in the incident, the two men navigate the complexities of seeking justice for the criminal and closure for the victims.
Desai's writing style is both compelling and thought-provoking. He weaves a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, grappling with ethical dilemmas and moral quandaries.
The characters are vividly portrayed, with each one grappling with their own demons and dilemmas. Varun Gupte's determination to defend Lande, and the psychiatrist's internal struggle, add layers of depth to the story.
The plot is masterfully constructed, drawing the reader into a web of suspense and intrigue. The pacing is skillfully managed, with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the final pages.
"The Sane Psychopath" delves into themes of morality, justice, and the complexity of human behaviour. It questions the boundaries of empathy and understanding, challenging readers to confront their own beliefs about crime and punishment.
The book packs an emotional punch, evoking a range of feelings from shock and horror to empathy and introspection. Desai's portrayal of the aftermath of the crime is hauntingly realistic.
The strength of the book lies in its ability to tackle a disturbing subject matter while maintaining a nuanced perspective. However, some readers might find the psychological exploration to be intense and unsettling.
"The Sane Psychopath" is a thought-provoking exploration of crime, compassion, and the human psyche. It delves into the grey areas of morality and leaves readers questioning their own judgments.
Salil Desai's "The Sane Psychopath" is a gripping page-turner that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths. With its well-developed characters, skillful plot construction, and exploration of complex themes, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in delving into the darker corners of human nature.
December 7, 2018
The Sane Psychopath is the anti-thesis of ‘news’ – while news today is about frenzy, the book is about thought.
News narrates events as they occur, raises surface-level questions, and then answers its own questions, drawing us into its loudness and frenzy by feeding on our apprehensions and anger.
The novel, on the other hand, speaks to our sane mind. It takes a horrific real event, the mowing down of Pune citizens by a bus driver, and probes the events, emotions, and thresholds that trigger the latent ‘demon’ within the driver. It tells us that given the right triggers, sanity can snap for any one of us, at any moment, just as it did for Shanker Lande.
It shows the circular nature of cause and effect, in which the effect can once again become a cause, and points, without judgement, to the difficulty of letting go of our anger and pain. It also shows that we are all inextricably linked in ways that we do not want to acknowledge.
Showing that the perpetrator himself had been a victim and that the victim, in turn, can become a future perpetrator, the novel forces us to acknowledge our reluctance to look inwards at our own anger and the many times when we ourselves must have been the trigger in small ways. It raises the question of our interactions with pain, sickness, everyday life through the men in the car and Lande’s boss.
We are guilty of road rage, of being uncaring with colleagues, service providers, family, strangers, clients, of causing pain and discomfort in our interactions, which we brush aside, stating that we were justified in doing so.
In a very direct way, the novel also highlights the urgent need to better understand and accept psychiatric illnesses.
Crucially, for today’s times, lawyer Varun Gupte’s stance shows the interaction between thought and frenzy and the courage it takes to follow up on thought.
Whoever said that crime novels are mere thrillers! The Sane Psychopath is that and more. Salil Desai shows that the genre can help us revisit our attitudes and thought.
News narrates events as they occur, raises surface-level questions, and then answers its own questions, drawing us into its loudness and frenzy by feeding on our apprehensions and anger.
The novel, on the other hand, speaks to our sane mind. It takes a horrific real event, the mowing down of Pune citizens by a bus driver, and probes the events, emotions, and thresholds that trigger the latent ‘demon’ within the driver. It tells us that given the right triggers, sanity can snap for any one of us, at any moment, just as it did for Shanker Lande.
It shows the circular nature of cause and effect, in which the effect can once again become a cause, and points, without judgement, to the difficulty of letting go of our anger and pain. It also shows that we are all inextricably linked in ways that we do not want to acknowledge.
Showing that the perpetrator himself had been a victim and that the victim, in turn, can become a future perpetrator, the novel forces us to acknowledge our reluctance to look inwards at our own anger and the many times when we ourselves must have been the trigger in small ways. It raises the question of our interactions with pain, sickness, everyday life through the men in the car and Lande’s boss.
We are guilty of road rage, of being uncaring with colleagues, service providers, family, strangers, clients, of causing pain and discomfort in our interactions, which we brush aside, stating that we were justified in doing so.
In a very direct way, the novel also highlights the urgent need to better understand and accept psychiatric illnesses.
Crucially, for today’s times, lawyer Varun Gupte’s stance shows the interaction between thought and frenzy and the courage it takes to follow up on thought.
Whoever said that crime novels are mere thrillers! The Sane Psychopath is that and more. Salil Desai shows that the genre can help us revisit our attitudes and thought.
February 3, 2019
The LazyScoop Book Review:
There are some stories which are written to engage the reader and play with his mind. The Sane Psychopath is one such book. The thrilling moments, Sharp narration, intriguing story, all contribute in keeping the reader glued to the book.
Shanker Lande, a bus driver who has gone berserk and has done something so terrible that the whole city hates him. Everyone wants him dead except for one person, Varun, who wants to know what made Shanker Lande do what he did, and thus he decides to be his lawyer. But would the justice and law survice against the hate of the whole city? Does Shanker’s heinous crime and be forgiven? And why is Varun so interested to fight for him ? This is what the story is all about.
I absolutely was thrilled to read the chapters where Shanker Lande and his bus driving has been written(Not giving any spoilers), those where the places when I as a reader was completely wondering what would happen next?
All the chapters I felt made me turn the pages faster to know what exactly might unfold later.
Salil Desai I think is one of the best writers we have in the country, at par with Sidney Sheldon and John Grisham. I’ve read his book- Three and a half murder and had loved that book as well.
My only opinion about this book would be that it should’ve had a different climax, the writer has tried to keep it as realistic as possible. Which is great, however I would’ve liked a different climax too, somewhat positive.
I loved how this book creates confusion, at one point you root for Shanker, at other point, you despise him. That I think is an amazing point of this book.
The LazyScoop Verdict:
If you love thrillers and want to pick up a book you just can’t keep down until you finished it off, then you must read this book. This book would make you cringe, it’ll make you bite your nails, it’ll also make you emotional and at the same time completely entertained!
Ratings:
Cover: 4/ 5 Stars
Narration: 4.5/ 5 Stars
Entertainment: 4/ 5 Stars
Language: 4/ 5 Stars
Characters: 4/ 5 Stars
The LazyScoop Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars
There are some stories which are written to engage the reader and play with his mind. The Sane Psychopath is one such book. The thrilling moments, Sharp narration, intriguing story, all contribute in keeping the reader glued to the book.
Shanker Lande, a bus driver who has gone berserk and has done something so terrible that the whole city hates him. Everyone wants him dead except for one person, Varun, who wants to know what made Shanker Lande do what he did, and thus he decides to be his lawyer. But would the justice and law survice against the hate of the whole city? Does Shanker’s heinous crime and be forgiven? And why is Varun so interested to fight for him ? This is what the story is all about.
I absolutely was thrilled to read the chapters where Shanker Lande and his bus driving has been written(Not giving any spoilers), those where the places when I as a reader was completely wondering what would happen next?
All the chapters I felt made me turn the pages faster to know what exactly might unfold later.
Salil Desai I think is one of the best writers we have in the country, at par with Sidney Sheldon and John Grisham. I’ve read his book- Three and a half murder and had loved that book as well.
My only opinion about this book would be that it should’ve had a different climax, the writer has tried to keep it as realistic as possible. Which is great, however I would’ve liked a different climax too, somewhat positive.
I loved how this book creates confusion, at one point you root for Shanker, at other point, you despise him. That I think is an amazing point of this book.
The LazyScoop Verdict:
If you love thrillers and want to pick up a book you just can’t keep down until you finished it off, then you must read this book. This book would make you cringe, it’ll make you bite your nails, it’ll also make you emotional and at the same time completely entertained!
Ratings:
Cover: 4/ 5 Stars
Narration: 4.5/ 5 Stars
Entertainment: 4/ 5 Stars
Language: 4/ 5 Stars
Characters: 4/ 5 Stars
The LazyScoop Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars
November 26, 2018
Shankar Lande is a middle-aged man, who works as a driver of a state transport bus in Pune. He is a quiet and gloomy man and doesn’t open up to anybody. On one unfortunate day, he takes a bus from the depot and keeps running on the road, slamming everyone and everything.
He manages to create enough havoc until he is finally arrested.
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This incident is totally depressing and many people die on the spot. Some of them survive but succumb to their grave injuries.
The people of Pune demand the death sentence for Shankar and the Bar association refuse to defend him. Under these circumstances, Advocate Varun Gupte decides to defend him, gaining hate from people.
Meanwhile, Shankar keeps on saying that he has done it upon the order of the devil.
Surprisingly, Psychiatrist Dr. Kanitkar, father of one of the victims of this rampage, agrees to evaluate the mind of Shankar.
There are many people who offend Advocate Gupte and trails are going to happen very soon. Varun has to gather enough information to plead innocence for Shankar but he has to do it quickly.
What will be the fate of Shankar? What was the reason behind his behavior? Who is responsible? Why did Varun want to defend Shankar, for humanity or just for the popularity? What will be the decision of Dr. Kanitkar? Is Shankar insane? Read this super captivating book to know the other realm of the human mind.
Writing style:
The author writes with ease keeping story in proper flow. The language is easy and narration will hook one till the end. One can finish this book in two to three sittings.
My perception:
I have read confessions of some of the killers who have said that they did certain crimes after the persuasion of the devil, which seems weird and horrifying. I always wonder how this can happen; however, the author has brilliantly answered this question in the book. The incident mentioned in this book is based on a true incident that happened in the year 2012 in Pune. The author needs special appreciation for weaving an amazing fictional story around the true incident. The ending of this book is apt and I loved it. This is not just a book but an open story of a disturbed human mind.
Crime, thriller and mystery lovers do not miss this book!
He manages to create enough havoc until he is finally arrested.
Subscribe to https://www.haloofbooks.com/ for latest book review update
This incident is totally depressing and many people die on the spot. Some of them survive but succumb to their grave injuries.
The people of Pune demand the death sentence for Shankar and the Bar association refuse to defend him. Under these circumstances, Advocate Varun Gupte decides to defend him, gaining hate from people.
Meanwhile, Shankar keeps on saying that he has done it upon the order of the devil.
Surprisingly, Psychiatrist Dr. Kanitkar, father of one of the victims of this rampage, agrees to evaluate the mind of Shankar.
There are many people who offend Advocate Gupte and trails are going to happen very soon. Varun has to gather enough information to plead innocence for Shankar but he has to do it quickly.
What will be the fate of Shankar? What was the reason behind his behavior? Who is responsible? Why did Varun want to defend Shankar, for humanity or just for the popularity? What will be the decision of Dr. Kanitkar? Is Shankar insane? Read this super captivating book to know the other realm of the human mind.
Writing style:
The author writes with ease keeping story in proper flow. The language is easy and narration will hook one till the end. One can finish this book in two to three sittings.
My perception:
I have read confessions of some of the killers who have said that they did certain crimes after the persuasion of the devil, which seems weird and horrifying. I always wonder how this can happen; however, the author has brilliantly answered this question in the book. The incident mentioned in this book is based on a true incident that happened in the year 2012 in Pune. The author needs special appreciation for weaving an amazing fictional story around the true incident. The ending of this book is apt and I loved it. This is not just a book but an open story of a disturbed human mind.
Crime, thriller and mystery lovers do not miss this book!
May 21, 2023
It just another day in Pune . just another morning. untill a man decided otherwise and left an entire city horrified ..scared angry...baying for blood ....
🍁This is a story of a state transport bus driver Shankar lande ,who goes on a bone chilling hour long rampage on street of Pune . killing 10 people and maiming 70 and damaging over 100 vehicles ,before he is captured ...
🍁 In this case of Shankar lande vs the city of Pune , the diffrence between the criminal and the victim is clear as night and day , but a young lawyer Varun gupte a punekar , still decide to defend Shankar lande , and in that process he seeks help from psychiatrist , a man who lost his son in the same incident.
🍂 caught in the pincer grip of their dilemmas , do the two men crumble?
do they unearth the truth and does the truth absolve lande...
🍁 as a third time reader of salil desai's book i was not surprised that I will get surprise at the end..
he who was always blown my mind by the narrative he puts on table... a well written thought crafted masterpiece i have just read...
"sometime we do something that we just couldn't want to do but we do for the sake of what illusion" ☺️
🍁 deprived souls needs someone to hold on someone to talk someone to lean on..but god's never hold their hand so they hold demon's.
🍁 from the story telling point of view , those who ever read salil's book they know what they will find a heart scrambling narration which will give you glimpse of those thoughts that we should have avoided unless we can't ...
🍁yes there are over the top emotion occur but if i consider it as top notch emotional experience then its fine to read that too...
all and all its a well balanced trip of deep psychological insanity ...
ratting 7.8/10
November 8, 2023
A terrific horror crime narrated by the author, Salil Desai. This is a story of a state transport bus driver, Shanker Lande, who goes on an hour long rampage on the streets of Pune. Killing, maiming and damaging everyone and everything in his way, until he was captured.
Going against the Pune Bar Association and the Maharashtra Swabhiman Sena, a young lawyer, Varun Gupte decides to defend the driver's gruesome act even after knowing there was no room to justify his actions.
With the help of the psychiatrist Dr. Kanitkar father of Gautam who lost his life in the incident. He got to know about Shanker Lande's past, the incident that shook him and had triggered those auditory hallucinations and rendered him delusional.
Before Varun could present the case in the court to defend him on the grounds of insanity, Lande began to hear those voices again commanding him to take his life. He rested his head against the prison wall and kept banging his head till it has a viscous mass until the sentries came.
This narration is not a regular murder mystery novel. It is a dark story of the disturbed human mind and the need to keep a check on your mental health.
Going against the Pune Bar Association and the Maharashtra Swabhiman Sena, a young lawyer, Varun Gupte decides to defend the driver's gruesome act even after knowing there was no room to justify his actions.
With the help of the psychiatrist Dr. Kanitkar father of Gautam who lost his life in the incident. He got to know about Shanker Lande's past, the incident that shook him and had triggered those auditory hallucinations and rendered him delusional.
Before Varun could present the case in the court to defend him on the grounds of insanity, Lande began to hear those voices again commanding him to take his life. He rested his head against the prison wall and kept banging his head till it has a viscous mass until the sentries came.
This narration is not a regular murder mystery novel. It is a dark story of the disturbed human mind and the need to keep a check on your mental health.
December 30, 2021
This book is based on the true events which shook the state. This book is about Shanker Lande, driver of a state transport bus in Pune. One day, he got berserk and killed 10 people and injured 70 by bus. The police tried to stop him but it seemed that he didn't listen anything only wanted to snatch people's lives and killed them. After many difficulties Gautam Kantikar finally succeeded to stop him.
Varun Gupte, the lawyer of Shanker Lande wanted to save him and tried to prove his insanity.
This is the third book of my favourite author that i read and among all Murder Milestone was my most favourite book. But this book couldn't work for me like others did. This book was not a bad one but different from other books and this book was a kind of disappointment. But i would love to read other book of the author and i hope it would be my next amazing experience.
Overall, it was not the worst experience but may be a little different from other books that's why I don't like. If you want to read something different from Salil Desai, then you can purchase this book for surely.
Varun Gupte, the lawyer of Shanker Lande wanted to save him and tried to prove his insanity.
This is the third book of my favourite author that i read and among all Murder Milestone was my most favourite book. But this book couldn't work for me like others did. This book was not a bad one but different from other books and this book was a kind of disappointment. But i would love to read other book of the author and i hope it would be my next amazing experience.
Overall, it was not the worst experience but may be a little different from other books that's why I don't like. If you want to read something different from Salil Desai, then you can purchase this book for surely.
December 4, 2018
This book was kindly provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book revolves around the unexpected and mind-boggling decision taken by Advocate Varun which resulted in nationwide sensation and criticism.
I loved this story a lot and the fact that it was based on a true story spiked my interest even more. The pace is great and the author had succeeded in keeping the readers guessing about the reason of such a deadly act committed by Shanker Lande.
Is he sane and a psychopath or is he insane? Well you have to read the book to get to the answer because there is no way to classify and explain a person's psychology in terms of black and white only because there exits a gray area which has been masterfully perused by the author. This book will definitely make you think the fact that 'is anyone really and completely sane?'
The ending was a bit abrupt in my opinion because I was expecting a much more shocking end but it wasn't disappointing. The character study that we got to experience in here is mind-blowing and interesting.
I have always been fascinated about human psychology and the factors that influence it and this story was right up my alley. I finished it in one sitting and enjoyed it a lot. Would highly recommend to all.
This book revolves around the unexpected and mind-boggling decision taken by Advocate Varun which resulted in nationwide sensation and criticism.
I loved this story a lot and the fact that it was based on a true story spiked my interest even more. The pace is great and the author had succeeded in keeping the readers guessing about the reason of such a deadly act committed by Shanker Lande.
Is he sane and a psychopath or is he insane? Well you have to read the book to get to the answer because there is no way to classify and explain a person's psychology in terms of black and white only because there exits a gray area which has been masterfully perused by the author. This book will definitely make you think the fact that 'is anyone really and completely sane?'
The ending was a bit abrupt in my opinion because I was expecting a much more shocking end but it wasn't disappointing. The character study that we got to experience in here is mind-blowing and interesting.
I have always been fascinated about human psychology and the factors that influence it and this story was right up my alley. I finished it in one sitting and enjoyed it a lot. Would highly recommend to all.
April 3, 2019
This is a book based on a real story of Pune in 2012( I checked it on Google). A bus driver who is denied leave goes berserk and hijack a test bus, driving it recklessly killing 9 people, injuring a hundred and damaging property.
The book deals with the social and emotional aftermath with lawyer's association releasing a diktat against any legal representation for him. When a couple of lawyers take up the case they are harmed by the political parties.
The family events leading up to the crackdown of the driver are described.
A good read on, upsetting no doubt. The ending is different from the actual case.
Read only if you are not queasy about morbid stuff and psychopaths.
The book deals with the social and emotional aftermath with lawyer's association releasing a diktat against any legal representation for him. When a couple of lawyers take up the case they are harmed by the political parties.
The family events leading up to the crackdown of the driver are described.
A good read on, upsetting no doubt. The ending is different from the actual case.
Read only if you are not queasy about morbid stuff and psychopaths.
May 12, 2021
To be honest I am a fan of Salil Desai's Inspector Sarlakar series. That is why I picked this up. The Sane Psychopath is a book, drawing inspiration from the 2012 Pune Bus Incident and I must say that this is a great mixture of reality and fiction.
But if we compare it to the other books of him this was quite bad. The writing, the language is not lucid and easy to understand. Some questions have remained unanswered. Some plots are unnecessary. Character development is also not properly done.
So if you are a regular reader go for this one. Not for a casual or new reader.
But if we compare it to the other books of him this was quite bad. The writing, the language is not lucid and easy to understand. Some questions have remained unanswered. Some plots are unnecessary. Character development is also not properly done.
So if you are a regular reader go for this one. Not for a casual or new reader.
February 7, 2021
This book is an interesting development of right vs wrong, and the reader is sent on a journey with the protagonist. One moment of rage and the questions of mental imbalance are the core ingredients of this book which make it very interesting. Would recommend for a quick read with an interesting concept.
January 6, 2024
It was a pretty decent book. Not exactly thrilling or highly engaging but good. Characterisation, pacing and the plot, everything is good. I won't say this is the best, a life altering book but it is a pretty good book. The language is simple and there is not much mention of legal procedures and terms so it can be understood easily. In my opinion, this is definitely a nice light read
November 3, 2018
This book hooked me till the last chapter. The climax is unpredictable. Suspens hangs suspended over readers' head. Among a very few English language novels I have read, which can relate characters with Indian readers.
January 20, 2025
Has a fantastic premise and some decent social commentary, starts off at a crisp pace and flys high until it doesn’t due to the highly distracted writing, focusing on plot points and descriptions that are highly superficial and by exploring the only interesting themes on a superficial level.
March 15, 2020
Unlike other works of Salil this story is weak and not well thought off. Varun decision to take up the case is very vague. Somehow I feel the author has not done justice for the plot.
August 8, 2020
Great book couldn't put it down.
February 28, 2021
Well written
April 16, 2021
lesson learnt: don't judge a book by the free sample :D
July 15, 2021
This is a very good book although it is not much of a mystery book. But it will keep u engaged till the end.. I dont know why Salil Desai is so underrated. His writing style is too good.
March 27, 2023
The book was brilliantly written and the ending was awesome. It had both open and close ending like he died but what was the reaction of the punekars and it had kept a question in ne
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2023
It's a quick and engaging read.
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