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Kanpur Koofiya pvt Ltd

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Meet Mr Prachand Tripathi, private investigator and owner of Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd. Accustomed to tracking down missing pets and cheating lovers, he is about to have his world change completely when a new case requires him to tail actress Shailaja Kapoor. What seems like a simple request turns into a dramatic dive into her murky past, wading through which is not going to be easy. Or safe. Soon Prachand and his wife, and partner against crime, Vidya, fall under the glare of the police as Shailaja Kapoor is abducted right before their eyes. Now he must put his skills to the test before they become victims at the end of a dark and dangerous game.

296 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2019

14 people are currently reading
128 people want to read

About the author

Richa S. Mukherjee

6 books36 followers
After spending years in advertising, selling shampoos and juices to unsuspecting housewives, also chasing after a few criminals and their lawyers as a journalist, Richa finally decided to write a book of soul searing poetry followed by a few funny blogs. Then came her first novel, followed by her second that was published this year. She now lives in Mumbai juggling work, writing, and often, her 5 year old daughter as well.

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5 stars
45 (24%)
4 stars
69 (37%)
3 stars
47 (25%)
2 stars
16 (8%)
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5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Arvind Iyer.
51 reviews15 followers
December 4, 2019
4 stars. Solid book laced with strong characters, humour, emotions, thrill and plot twists. After Byomkesh Bakshi and Karamchand, we get another detective in PRACHAND TRIPATHI and his lovely wife VIDYA TRIPATHI.

The characters in KKPL (Kanpur Koofiya PVT Ltd) are very quirky especially the Tripathi family my favourite being Rachna Tripathi and AMMAJI. Everyone gets great one-liners which are bound to make you laugh.

The story is very simple but the main plus point of this book lies in the events that take place. Some events that occur are unpredictable.

Overall a great book in the detective genre. I hope we get to witness more cases by KKPL leading to a series.
Profile Image for Mayuri Sharrma.
Author 1 book9 followers
October 9, 2019

Book Review: Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd by Richa S Mukherjee
Pages: 296
Genre: Fiction

Available in: Paperback and E-book Format

The Plot: Prachand Tripathi lives in a joint family, along with their cow, Hirwa. His father never fails to share his disappointment that Prachand ‘did not clear IIT’.

To disappoint him further, Prachand is a detective and proprietor of Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd. The cases that have come to him so far have been tracking down missing pets, people and objects and spying on cheating lovers, sorely disappointing him and his partner in life and the agency, his wife Vidya.

One morning a mysterious man walks into Kanpur Khoofiya with a wad of money and a case, assigning them the job of tailing actress Shailaja Kapoor. What seems like a prestigious and exciting assignment turns out to have a murder involved, followed by the abduction of the actress.

Prachand and his wife are on the run, dodging the suspicious glare of the police, with the fear of being treated as criminals. The only person who can help them prove their innocence is Shailaja Kapoor, but to do that Prachand has to find Shailaja. What will Prachand do next?

My Thoughts: A juicy mystery is always an interesting genre for a reader. When coupled with a setting of a small town, it creates its own charm. The eye-catching cover of this book, and the novel title, made me want to pick up the book and read it immediately. I wanted to solve the mystery along with Prachand Tripathi.

Richa S Mukherjee is a gifted writer. Her crisp writing manages to hold your attention, despite a weak plot. Her words recreate Kanpur for you and bring to life all the characters of the Tripathi family. However too many characters spoil the plot.

The mystery and the protagonist are buried between numerous characters, all described in great detail by the author. You wait to see how the characters would link to the story, until you find out that they don’t, instead they take away from it, not allowing Prachand, or the mystery he has to solve, to shine through.

What starts of as endearing eccentricities of the characters soon turn into annoyance as you want to know more about Prachand and what he is up to.

Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd by Richa S Mukherjee is a quick read. Even though it left me disappointed, I won’t be surprised if it I see it being adapted for the big screen or for a web series.

Profile Image for Booxoul.
484 reviews29 followers
October 14, 2019
This is the very first time I have completely and irrevocably fallen in love with an Indian author. Ha! Me, who always use to criticize them for something or the other. I am talking about Richa Mukherjee, the author of Kanpur Khoofiya PVT Ltd.

The moment I started reading it, I knew that I was going to love this book and it’s super interesting characters.

Hat’s off to Richa, who did a remarkable job with her writing – simplistic, yet full of wit and humor – which is confident and self-assured and the narrative is vivid and compelling (I read this book in one sitting, which for me is the first time).

Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd by Richa S Mukherjee

It will keep you chuckling…
This witty, suspense story Kanpur Khoofiya PVT Ltd. will keep you chuckling.

Furthermore, it has every element to keep you hooked; from intense moments to a little bit of action, to some mind-boggling mystery, all mixed in crazy humor.

I was mightily impressed with the story, dipped and soaked in Kanpuriya essence and peppered with Kanpuriya slang.

Every nook and corner of the story was a treat to my heart. There wasn’t a moment when I hadn’t chuckled like crazy.

The Characters
Cherry to the cake was its characters. Especially, Prachand Tripathi and his wife Vidya, and also Hirwa, the cow.

These crazy characters seemed so real and believable, that they are now etched my heart forever.

It was fun following Prachand Tripathi as he was trying to solve the disappearance of famous personality Shailaja Kapoor, and the murder of her husband. Loved the chemistry between him and his wife Vidya, and their crazy banter was hilarious.

As crazy as the characters seem, and as nutty as their adventures are, they still seem so real and believable.

Do I recommend it?
Richa made sure that none can unravel the ‘whodunit’ mystery. She made us circle around our own assumptions. Kudos!

One thing that I did not like about the book was that it finished too early. I did not want it to end and, part with my favorite characters. I hope that Richa turns this book into a long series (fingers crossed).

For me, it’s a 5 out of 5 stars read.
Profile Image for Ronak.
254 reviews124 followers
November 22, 2019
Kanpur khoofiya Pvt. Ltd
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Favorite Indian author?
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One word for this book - impressive ✨

A complete package of humor, mystery, crime, suspense, some family drama. Let's start with cover it's good no doubt. It perfectly goes with the story.

When you start reading this book you will definitely fall in love with it. I always think that writing a mystery book is quite a hard job but did the finest job.

Our Protagonist prachand Tripathi has a joint family, who unable to clear IIT. He is a detective and over of Kanpur khoofiya Pvt. Ltd. At starting he takes cases like tracking pets, people, etc.

On one day they got a case of shailaja Kapoor and life becomes up and downs. They got a case for spying which turns into murder now the real story Starts. While keeping track of shailaja, she went missing.

Now prachand and vidya are suspect for Missing lady. Now they have run from the police.
The question is,
Where is shailaja Kapoor?
How this family will prove their innocence?
The bigger question is what happens in the end?

I must say the author did a really good job. The first time I'm completely in love with the book. Even though it's a detective novel it's packed with humor.

Character OMG just loved it. Tripathi family and hirwa nailed it. They are really well developed and described. The bonding of vidya and grandmother is the icing on the cake.

The plot is predictable as we have less character or to be specific suspects. The story is quite unique. The language and narration are superb.

The only drawback I felt is near to 50 pages the pace become a little slow. Otherwise, it's a complete package.

I can't wait to see this book on a big screen.

Definitely, recommend.







Profile Image for Hardipsinh Vansadiya.
30 reviews3 followers
January 12, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book. Literally still feeling punches which we usually found in a thriller mystery & it quite reminds me of bollywood dramatic touch on every single page. The plot is so promising & story is well narrated, though i would like to say, I found it quite predictable at some points but for good story & decent writing it deserves full marks. Mr. Prachand Tripathi- private investigator and owner of Kanpur khoofiya Pvt.Ltd mostly found combating the eccentricities of his large Kanpuriya family, he makes his living tracking down missing pets & cheating lovers. But his world turns upside down when a curious new case requires him to tail actress Shailaja Kapoor. What seems like a simple request snowballs into a dramatic dive into her murky past, wading through which is not going to be easy. Or safe. When Shailaja is abducted right before their eyes, Prachand and his headstrong wife and partner-against crime, Vidhya, find themselves under the glare of police. Now, the intrepid detective must put his skills to the test before they become victims of the dark and dangerous game.
This story is packed with humour,danger & intrigue.
Profile Image for Arushi Kulshreshtha.
203 reviews3 followers
November 25, 2020
This book is a crime thriller where you can actually laugh your heart out🤭.
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The story is about Prachand Tripathi,a private detective and owner of Kanpur Khoofiya pvt. Ltd ., married to Vidya. This story is totally family based and every character is amazingly potraited. I am in love with each and every character😍.
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One day, an anonymous person came into their office and told them to follow ex-actress Shailja Kapoor and in return he promised them to give handsome amount🤔. Getting small and useless cases to this big case, Vidya suggested Prachand not to miss this opportunity. Prachand also wanted to do something for his family, especially wanted to make his father feel proud and therefore he agreed and they both started following Shailja👍.
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Abduction of Shailja kapoor and murder of her husband , police kept Prachand in suspection. Will Prachand be able to find the real person behind all these things?🤔 Story flows from narrow lanes of Kanpur to the city of dreams, Mumbai .The storyline seems simple but believe me there is lot more to read out❤.
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I really loved the way how the narration of the story has been done. This book is worth reading and entertaining🤩. I was literally laughing at many incidents in the book😄. I am glad that I got to read a bunch of thriller along with humour being a thriller lover! I wish to read a sequel of this book as well if Author is planning to write😇. Highly recommened!
Profile Image for Dhwani.
687 reviews25 followers
September 27, 2019
The book is a combination of lot of genres; crime fiction, family drama in some amount and humour. The blurb is interesting and so is the name of the book. The cover of the book is perfect in relation to the plot and the name. The theme explored by the author is common but the writing style has made it entity interesting and indulging. The language used by the author is lucid and the plot of the story is engaging. The narration is set at a perfect pace. The writing style is the best thing about the book. It won't let you leave the book even for a minute. It will hurt you when you will be on the last page and the realisation about the book ending will set in. I absolutely loved the book and the character development. There are multiple characters but all of them are so different from each other. One more thing I loved : details. The author has paid attention to the smallest details and written accordingly. The humour in the book is on point and at multiple times I laughed out so loud that people around me looked in amazement. The family drama part of the book was a 10/10. The humour was a 10/10. Only the mystery part could've been a little better, so a 9/10 for it. The plot development was amazing. I'm so glad I picked up this book.
Profile Image for Kavita.
268 reviews12 followers
January 28, 2021
My Take:

One of the best reads of 2021. This one is going to remain one for a long time to come. One that is going to be re read. A quirky story woven across the narrow lanes of Kanpur. The small town mindsets and quirks are beautifully blended in the story. The traits and the slang makes it a more engaging and interesting read.

Prachand and Vidya are the owners of a detective agency as the title name suggests. Prachand is sharp, honest and hardworking. His wife Vidya supports him in managing his agency much to the displeasure of his parents as they expect him to take over their business and run. How he comes across a celebrity client and how his life changes from a detective to a criminal when the celebrity goes missing forms the crux of the story.

The humor is in abundance. I am yet to come across a book that makes you cracks up every minute of reading. A novel way of writing a suspense story. The language is smooth and the narration simply beautiful. The varied emotions and suspense the book holds is very raw and relatable. Somewhere down the book we all start connecting to. Prachand’s emotions and laud his way of thinking. Very few authors are able to bring out such myriad emotions with so much ease.

Rating
5 🌟🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
1 review
May 7, 2020
This is such a great book. And little did I know that I had picked up an author signed copy! The story begins with a small town guy whose ambition is to become a detective and his lovely wife who leaves no stone unturned in supporting his dreams... I think creating these really layered characters gives an edge to the story. I won't be surprised if this is picked up as a movie adaptation... It would be an adventure! There is consistent humour, characters are given enough details, all of which makes you engrossed in the tale.

Profile Image for Saswata Guha.
67 reviews3 followers
October 21, 2024
Book: Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd.
Author: Richa S. Mukherjee
Publisher: Blackink (Harper Collins India)
Published: 2019
Genre: Fiction-Mystery-Thriller-Comedy
ISBN:9789353571511
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Introduction:

Ah, the world of private investigators! Where would we be without our beloved sleuths? From the hallowed halls of 221B Baker Street with Sherlock Holmes to the quaint Belgian countryside with Hercule Poirot, not to mention the bustling streets of Kolkata with Feluda and Byomkesh Bakshi. Now, add a new name to that illustrious list: Mr. Prachand Tripathi – Kanpur's very own detective, and the star of Richa S. Mukherjee's "Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd."

Meet Prachand Tripathi, a man who would make even the great Holmes nod in approval, albeit with a hint of exasperation. Prachand runs Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd, a detective agency where the cases are as thrilling as finding Mrs. Sharma's lost cat or catching Mr. Verma with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar of infidelity. Prachand lives in a joint family that includes a cow named Hirwa, who, for all intents and purposes, is a character unto herself.

Prachand's father, forever disappointed that his son didn't clear the IIT exams (what a scandal!), sees his detective career as just another feather in the cap of failure. But life has other plans for our protagonist. Enter a mysterious man with a wad of cash and a case that promises to be anything but ordinary: tailing the glamorous actress Shailaja Kapoor.

What starts as a simple tailing job spirals into a vortex of murder, abduction, and a cat-and-mouse game that would make even Byomkesh Bakshi break a sweat. Shailaja Kapoor is snatched right under Prachand and Vidya's noses, and suddenly, our favorite detective duo finds themselves dodging the police and trying to clear their names. The only person who can help them is Shailaja herself – if only they could find her!

Character Analysis:

Let's start with the man of the hour: Prachand Tripathi. If Sherlock Holmes had a lovechild with Inspector Clouseau, you'd get Prachand. He's endearing, quirky, and has a knack for stumbling upon trouble. His partnership with his wife, Vidya, is the stuff of legends. Think Watson but with more sass and a lot more patience. Vidya isn't just a sidekick; she’s Prachand’s equal in every sense, bringing her own brand of brilliance to the table.

The Tripathi family is a delightful mix of eccentricities. Picture this: a father who's perpetually disappointed, siblings who have their own quirks, and a cow that seems to have more personality than some humans. Mukherjee's detailed portrayal of this family adds a layer of humor and warmth to the story. Each family member, with their own unique quirks, feels like someone you might bump into on the streets of Kanpur.

Shailaja Kapoor, the actress at the center of this maelstrom, is a complex character. Underneath the glitz and glamour lies a woman with a past that's murkier than the Ganges during monsoon. Her mysterious client, who sets the plot in motion, remains as elusive as the Scarlet Pimpernel, adding a layer of intrigue that keeps the readers guessing.

Setting and Atmosphere:

Muskuraiye, aap Kanpur pe hain! Mukherjee's depiction of this small town is so vivid that you can almost smell the samosas frying in the local tea stalls. The bustling streets, the intimate corners of the Tripathi household, and the local dialect create an atmosphere that's both authentic and charming. It's like stepping into a Satyajit Ray film, where every frame is filled with life and color.

Mukherjee captures the essence of small-town India with finesse. The interactions between characters, the cultural nuances, and the everyday life of the Tripathi family make Kanpur come alive. This authenticity enhances the reading experience, making you feel like you're right there, navigating the twists and turns alongside Prachand and Vidya.

Take, for instance, the vivid descriptions of Kanpur's markets, where vendors shout out their wares, the smell of street food wafts through the air, and every corner is a burst of colors and sounds. It's a sensory overload that Mukherjee captures with the flair of a seasoned cinematographer. The Tripathi household itself is a microcosm of chaos and love, with its own rhythm that readers quickly become attuned to.

Writing Style:

Richa S. Mukherjee’s writing is a delightful mix of wit, humor, and suspense. Her prose is crisp and engaging, much like a well-brewed cup of chai – refreshing and invigorating. Mukherjee’s ability to blend humor with suspense is particularly noteworthy. Her wit shines through in the interactions between characters, infusing the story with moments of levity that balance the tension perfectly.

The pacing is generally well-maintained, with the plot unfolding at a steady clip. However, there are moments when the narrative gets bogged down by the sheer number of characters.

Despite these occasional distractions, Mukherjee’s storytelling prowess ensures that readers remain hooked. Her descriptive language and keen observations bring the world of Kanpur and its inhabitants to life, making the reading experience both immersive and enjoyable.

Mukherjee’s knack for dialogue deserves special mention. The banter between Prachand and Vidya is sharp and often laugh-out-loud funny, reminiscent of the verbal sparring matches between Holmes and Watson, but with a distinct Indian flavor. Whether it’s Prachand’s dry humor or Vidya’s quick retorts, the dialogues add a layer of authenticity and relatability to their relationship.

Themes and Motifs:

"Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd" explores several themes and motifs that add depth and complexity to the narrative. One of the central themes is the idea of identity and the masks people wear. Shailaja Kapoor’s glamorous exterior conceals a troubled past, and as Prachand delves deeper, the theme of hidden identities becomes increasingly prominent.

Family dynamics are another significant theme. The Tripathi household is a microcosm of Indian family life, filled with love, conflict, and tradition. Mukherjee’s portrayal of this family adds a layer of warmth and authenticity to the story, making readers feel like they’re part of the family.

Deception and appearances being deceiving run throughout the narrative. From the enigmatic client to the secrets hidden in Shailaja Kapoor’s past, the plot is filled with twists and turns that keep readers guessing. This motif is effectively used to create suspense and maintain the intrigue of the mystery.

Another interesting motif is that of the underdog. Much like Feluda or Byomkesh who often operate outside the formal structures of law enforcement, Prachand too is an underdog, constantly underestimated by those around him, including his own family. This motif adds an element of rooting for the unlikely hero, making Prachand's triumphs all the more satisfying.

Notable Scenes and Highlights:

One of the most memorable scenes in the book is the initial meeting between Prachand and the mysterious client. The client’s ominous demeanor, coupled with Prachand’s mix of excitement and skepticism, sets the tone for the adventure that follows. The tension in this scene is palpable, and Mukherjee masterfully builds suspense, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.

The humorous interactions between the Tripathi family members are also worth mentioning. Mukherjee’s ability to infuse humor into the narrative adds a refreshing layer of enjoyment. Whether it’s Prachand’s father’s constant jibes about IIT or the amusing antics of Hirwa the cow, these moments provide comic relief and make the characters more relatable.

Conclusion:

"Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd" by Richa S. Mukherjee is a delightful romp through the world of private investigation, set against the charming backdrop of small-town India. With its vivid characters, engaging writing style, and unique blend of humor and suspense, the book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

Prachand Tripathi may not have the deductive prowess of Sherlock Holmes or the methodical precision of Hercule Poirot, but his quirky charm and unwavering determination make him a detective worth rooting for. His partnership with Vidya adds an extra layer of warmth and depth to the story, making their adventures a joy to follow.

Despite its imperfections, "Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd" leaves a lasting impression and is well worth the time of any reader looking for a light yet engaging mystery. Given its cinematic qualities, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this story adapted for the big screen or a web series in the future.

So, grab a cup of chai, settle into your favorite reading nook, and dive into the world of Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd. You’re in for a treat!

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Profile Image for Motivationaldailythoughts.
1,091 reviews33 followers
November 11, 2019
Title - Kanpur Khoofiya PVT. LTD
Author - Richa S. Mukherjee
Publisher - Harper Collins
Genre - mystery/fiction
Pages - 289
Format - Paperback
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Plot - The story revolves around the protagonist Prachand Tripathi, a private investigator and owner of Kanpur Khoofiya PVT. LTD. He used to investigate the cases of missing pets and cheating lovers but his life totally changes when he receives the case of an actress Shailja Kapoor. But this case was not as simple as it seems. Grab this book and follow the journey of Prachand and how he solves this case.
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Review -
1) The cover and the title of the book is eye catchy and totally apt to the content.
2) The plot of the story is interesting and unique with lots of twist and turns. It is a perfect blend of mystery, action, love, thrill and humor. I liked the humorous part from his grandmother and Ranganathan.
3) The author has beautifully depicted the places of Kanpur that one can easily visualise them.
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Family love and friendship has been narrated very well by the author.
5)Language used in this book is simple and lucid and the use of typical Kanpuriya language in between gives the flavor to it.
6) Characterization is done well that each and every character seems to be lively.
7) Writing style is amazing which is the best part of the book.
8) The flow of the book is fast paced which keeps the readers hooked till the end.
9) Hats off to the author for her imagination and research work.
10) Overall, a fun filled mystery novel.
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Rating - 4.7/5
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I recommend this book to those who love reading mysterious novels.
Profile Image for Rahul Vishnoi.
822 reviews26 followers
May 24, 2025
-Crafting a Known but Memorable World-
Review of 'Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd'

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"𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐲𝐚 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐦. 𝐍𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐢 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲. 𝐀𝐧 𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝-𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝟎𝟎𝟕 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐣 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐥. 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐢è𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐫é𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫, 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬"

Most of the writers, I have deduced, have a secret fantasy: to create a detective who will go on to become an iconic character. Perhaps that's why Mukherjee has written Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd- to give bones to her fantasy of creating a solid detective character. And what better name than Prachand Tripathi! Prachand, alas, is a humble, down-to-earth man with oiled hair and tightly buttoned shirt.

In spite of completing engineering, he decided he wanted to be a detective. His father wasn't having any of it. Amidst barbs and complaints, he carried on his deduction. Then came Vidya. She was initially not a fan but Prachand won her over with his Sherlockian power of deduction. Together they opened a detective office that shares its name with the book.

Panchayat and Gullak, two insanely famous series with middle class family values were released in 2020 and 2019. Mukherjee's book too came out in 2019. Her storytelling is very similar and feels at-home in this zone. The everyday tussles, the issues of a lower middle class family that fights but remains together, a father who wants to heap his dreams upon his children, another who just wants some lone time with her friends. It's adorable.

Mukherjee has given emotional heft to her detective fiction by carefully etching her characters and giving them a lingo that wouldn't feel out of place in Kanpur. The characters and the situations she creates are memorable yet funny.

Read it to visit those small town roots once more.
284 reviews44 followers
December 15, 2020
I would consider Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd. to be a cozy mystery that relies heavily on humor to appeal to readers. The first half of the book is set in Kanpur and the author does a brilliant job of capturing the local flavor, using turns of phrase typical to the city and names of authentic locations.

I couldn’t stop giggling through the first half–the eccentricities of the Tripathi family and the ineptitude of the local police are immensely funny.

The second half of the book takes us to Mumbai where Prachand Tripathi, private investigator, follows the trail of yesteryear actress Shailaja Kapoor, but it couldn’t keep me engaged. The humor began to feel repetitive and couldn’t hold up the plot, which felt unnecessarily complicated and long-winded. There isn’t much of a mystery–at least, I could figure out by around 80% who the murderer was. Some characters are force-fit at the end for seemingly no purpose. Also, Prachand doesn’t really have much detective work to do because the narrative is taken over by other characters who begin to tell their own story.

It seems like the book was written for the screen because I can picture Rajkummar Rao doing a fabulous job as Prachand Tripathi. The chase scenes and over-the-top drama belong in a Hindi movie. This isn’t to say that the writing is farcical. The author makes some tongue-in-cheek but astute observations on social and political matters in the country.

Reading Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd. made me feel nostalgic because I’ve spent some time in Kanpur. I would recommend this light-hearted mystery with madcap characters for an authentic small-town experience.

If you enjoyed watching the web series “Panchayat” or the movie “Made in China,” parts of this book will remind you of the same brilliance.
Profile Image for Bharg Modi.
18 reviews1 follower
Read
May 28, 2020
This book is an amalgamation of humor, mystery, and danger but shown is a very light manner. The story revolves is of a detective named Prachand Tripathi. The whole plot is based in Kanpur and it goes to Mumbai. Prachand usually solves all the mysteries by himself. He has solved cases like tracking down pets and finding cheating lovers. But, this time he got into something serious. Vidya his wife joined him, in this case, to find the murderer and get themselves out of the whole scenario.
This is my first book from Richa ma’am. I saw this book on Instagram when it was promoted by Ravinder Singh for pre-booking. The reason I ordered this book was its name. I found the name catchy and different from the flow. When the book arrived I was very happy because it was my first pre-booked book. The cover of the book is also made interesting.
The author really did put humor where she found the place and to read a mystery with a smile on a face is very uncommon. This book was very easy to read and I prefer easy reads because easy vocabulary can reach more people then tough vocabulary. I didn’t take much time to read it. But, the time I spend was really wonderful and worthwhile.
I don’t think that there are any flaws because I think that an author put his/her all efforts to write a book but every coin has two sides and in this book also has two sides it is funny and all but at a point I think that mystery books should maintain a constantly tense atmosphere.
Profile Image for Contemporary_literary_threads.
194 reviews15 followers
July 1, 2021
Kanpur Koofiya Pvt. Ltd. is a humorous mystery novel set in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Prachand Tripathi, our detective, lives with his joint family and runs a detective agency and is looking for that one big case to get his name on everyone's tongue in Kanpur. His wife, Vidya, is a part of his profession as well. The story unfolds with a brief introduction of his family members. Each one bores a sarcastic quality and gives a chance to smile or laugh at their desi innocence.
One fine morning, when a man walks into Kanpur Koofiya Pvt. Ltd. for a case, Prachand and his wife didn't know their lives will turn topsy-turvy. The man asked them to keep an eye on the Bollywood star, Shailaja Kapoor. But it's much more than just keeping-an-eye-task, Prachand realised.

Richa S Mukherjee's mild-paced novel has a lot of entertainment and is a light-hearted novel with a not a very complex mystery. Sadly, the riddle didn't amaze me, and it was easy to guess who is the culprit. Majorly the reason behind mystery is something worth reading. What stands out in the book for me is the intriguing writing style, narration and character development. They come alive with the manner of their dialogues and actions. But too many characters buried Prachand's role under them. His detective demeanour doesn't impress a lot.

Overall, it's a good metro fiction for novice readers looking for a mix of humour, mystery and relatable characters.
Profile Image for Aditi Varma.
323 reviews54 followers
April 8, 2020
Week 15 book 7
Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd by Richa Mukherjee
Rating: 4/5

I rarely give 4 stars rating but this book deserves it! The corona lockdown should have helped, but it disturbed my reading plans. Anyhow, I managed to find time and finish this awesome book, and boy am I glad I did!

KKPL is a excellently written humourous story about a small town detective who wants to solve great cases. He comes from a big joint family, complete with an eccentric dadi, a strict father, a chilled out chachu, and an emotional mom. Throw in a feisty bahu and a naughty cow, and you've got yourself the never boring Tripathi family.

As Prachand Tripathi gets involved in a murky mystery that takes him on a wild chase across the country, readers get a glimpse into family dynamics, intricacies of the Kanpuriya culture, bureaucracy in the Police Department, lifestyles of the rich and the famous, and the power of putting two and two together!

The storyline is hilarious, the characters are well etched and super funny, the writing is engaging and fast paced. Overall, what a delightful book to read, like panacea for the times we are going through today.

Absolutely must read! I hope it's a series and continues with more cases. In fact id love for it to become a movie some day!!
65 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2020
Book review ✨
Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd

Meet Mr Prachand Tripathi a detective🕵️‍♂️,throw in a damsel in distress who is also an actress🎬-Shailaja Kapoor ,add in an eccentric kanpuriya family, an abduction and a murder. This whodunit is filled with all the masala of a blockbuster Bollywood movie. Infact the rights of the book have been bought by a production company to be made into a motion picture soon. That gives you another reason to read the book first ( how else will you be able to reaffirm that books are always better than their movie adaptations 🙄) The narrative is smooth and doesn't drag even for a moment. It's hilarious in parts and the climax is also unpredictable. Prachand's pet cow Hirwa takes the cake.
Take a bow @mukherjeericha for this masterpiece. Read this on a breezy rainy evening.
The @kindleindia version is aptly charged at Rs 95 while the paperback version is for Rs 250.Published by @harpercollinsin and @blackink_books
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#IndianAuthoReadathon #booksbooksbooks #harpercollinspublishers #kanpurkhoofiyapvtltd #richamukherjee #bibliophile #nerdsofinstagram #readersofinstagram #blackinkbooks #bookrecommendations #review #fiction #readingisfun
222 reviews2 followers
August 10, 2020
We find detective Genre mostly somewhat stressful but this book isn't one of them..It makes you keep going smoothly..
📖Prachand Tripathi was always interested in detective stuff but Dinbandhu Tripathi's constant taunts made Prachand Tripathi complete his engineering..But he felt he was made to be a detective so he ended up founding his agency KANPUR KHOOFIYA PVT LTD...But his life changed all of a sudden when he came across the case related to shailaja Kapoor... The characters (especially Prachand and Vidya) are soooo well defined and the culture and blind believes in most of the semi urban and rural area is well presented
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📖 Prachand was hired by some stranger who ensured him about his fees..He was to keep look on Shailaja Kapoor..He saw someone wanted to harm her and unfortunately her husband was under attack too and the blame of these losses were now on Vidya and Prachand
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📖They beautifully took over the problem and solved with ease..The wisdom of Prachand and the childish acts of Vidya and the chemistry between them attracts the reader very much to the story..
Profile Image for Annapoorni.
138 reviews16 followers
May 2, 2020
Are you looking for a fun, light, witty read?
Then look no further!
#KanpurKhoofiyaPvtLtd by @mukherjeericha is a detective story set in Kanpur. Meet Prachand Tripathi, the unassuming, underestimated but intelligent detective and his wife Vidya.
The book takes you through the bylanes of Kanpur, showing you its vistas, as much as it takes you through a tangled mystery.
Be armed with a dictionary to understand some Kanpuri slang and if you are not an Indian, some of the beliefs and superstitions mentioned are going to befuddle you, to say the least. They add to the ambience and quirkiness of the book.
Book- Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt LTD
Author - Richa S Mukherjee
Publisher -@harpercollinsin
And @blackink_books
My rating-3.5⭐
Genre- Detective

#MarchReads
#Bookstagram
#BooksOfInstagram
#IndianWritingInEnglish
#LoveYourShelfChallenge
Profile Image for Unnati.
129 reviews40 followers
August 20, 2020
I picked this one solely because the title seemed interesting to me coupled with the fact that it is written by an Indian author. It promises humor, a murder mystery and drama but delivers only on humor. The plot, wasn't as engrossing as I would expect a mystery plot to be, but it delivers what it promises: a murder, an investigation, a cat and mouse chase stringed together with mild doses of humor.

It tells the story of Prachand, the eldest son of a middle class family in Kanpur who chooses an unconventional occupation of being a private detective. He has landed a secret assignment, the biggest of his career that involves a bollywood star but soon he & his simplistic wife are entangled in the mystery. We travel with them as they are try to find the truth and find their way out of the mess.

Not the kind of book I would recommend but I am not sad that I picked it either. A super light read, one time read. Three stars ⭐⭐⭐ for the Kanpur Detectives.
Profile Image for Namrita Sharma.
299 reviews6 followers
April 30, 2021
This is the story of a detective Mr Prachand Tripathi, a private investigator and owner of Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt Ltd. He was not any famous detective but he wanted to prove his own family and the society because till now, he didn't get any big case.

But everybody gets a chance to be famous and the same happened in in Prachand's life when he got the case of Shailaja Kapoor, an actress. In this case, his wife Vidya fully supported him.

Shailaja was abducted in front of Prachand eyes and he couldn't stop the same. The twist came when police doubted both of them. To know about what followed next you should read the book.

As per my point of view, I didn't like the book very much. Because the author mostly talked about the other things except the case. And I don't think it was a thriller book, it was more a tale about the husband and wife romantic things.
Profile Image for Shashank Tiwari.
16 reviews4 followers
August 4, 2020
The book starts off with all the right elements. Be it characters, the set, or humor, everything fits in so well. Add to that, the author's beautiful narration. The right mix of required local language adds in more to the local flavor making it a perfect set.

I particularly liked how characters are built and the story couldn't get a better take off.

However, as the story proceeds, the quality of narration and writing diminishes, and the plot itself weakens, considerably. You would expect more from a smart, observant private detective. Also, all the drama added is far off from the realistic tone the story had so far set.

Recommend it for the first half, the narration, and humor elements added.
Profile Image for Nithya Rajagopal.
Author 5 books19 followers
December 12, 2020
Highly recommended if you are looking for an entertaining and charming detective read. The story is set largely in Kanpur and Richa brings out the buzz and life of the city very well. The characters are developed well, and the Tripathi family, with all its quirky people, enchant the reader. Amidst all the confusion, Prachand and Vidya live out a very sweet love story too! The plot is gripping and feels a lot like a movie. This book is a complete package 😊
My little grouse is that it could have been a chapter shorter. The author's focus on toilet jokes in order to make the setting authentic could have been avoided as it doesn't align with the plot and becomes a trade off for the inherent charm.in her writing.
Don't miss this book!
Profile Image for Syed Umar Ali.
31 reviews
June 10, 2020
Starting is really great and the story take it's twists and turns, upto 50 chapters I was curious to know who was the kidnapper and who was the murderer but last 5 chapters the book is like some typical bollywood film. "Alexa turnoff the lights" ah! Sorry but to be honest the book didn't go with the hype. I don't want to sound rude but....
You can give it a try and then we can discuss about it. Till then in my opinion the book is good but not that great.
Profile Image for Sashanka Basak.
4 reviews
April 12, 2023
The book was pretty good. However, there were some aspects that I found to be not in continuation with a characters background.

For example, 'Vidya', a girl bred and raised in Delhi who was stated to be very educated is astonished by the simplest of things, I for one found it to be pretty unconvincing.

Please, do not misunderstand, the book was very enjoyable. The author's witty humour added a flair to the story. I would love to read some of her other books.
Profile Image for Piyusha Vir.
Author 9 books26 followers
April 4, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable read of the antics of a private detective and his eccentric family.
Would love to see this one made into a Bollywood film soon.
Profile Image for Swati Khatri.
Author 4 books6 followers
February 6, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed the book as it took me to the lanes of Kanpur.
Must say the story has that Bollywood charm to it.
41 reviews
April 27, 2021
Unlike Sherlock, Poirot or Feluda yet an enjoyable read! 3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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