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Nobody Likes An Outsider

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“We’ll choose the Constitution over the Quran, Bible and Gita. Into that heaven, let my country awake”

Ashraf Zain, an outsider and popular leader who breaks into Bihar politics after parting ways with the Bharatiya National Congress (BNC), is killed in a road accident in Begusarai. BNC blames the ruling party, SDP, over the death of Ashraf, an inspirational & visionary “minority” leader.

Enter Yohan Tytler, a recently promoted CBI lead investigator, along with his associates - the analytical Sukumar Azhagu, and the “I always play by the books” investigator Ila Qureshi. Before the investigation even begins, and while the state is still trying to grasp what just happened, Ashraf’s PA, Piyali Sharma, is found dead in a hotel room at Begusarai - under mysterious circumstances.

Before he knows it, Yohan is thrown into a quagmire of political power play, intellectual mafias, media pressure, religious leaders, increasing suspects, and other powerful people.

Under the radar of the media, the young CBI team manoeuvres through the case facts, only to find that the deaths are linked to major events in the modern history of not just Begusarai but of the whole of Bihar.

As the events unfold, the entire nation is shocked to see the underlying motive behind the actual motive that reveals a lesser-spoken reality in India.

212 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2021

23 people are currently reading
64 people want to read

About the author

Fawaz Jaleel

6 books17 followers
Fawaz Jaleel is an Indian Author who has written three short stories- From the land of palaces, The Legend of Birbals Bull and Inspiring Indians. His short stories are available on Amazon, Juggernaut and select bookstores in the country. His debut novel, NOBODY LIKES AN AN OUTSIDER released on March, 2021.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
Profile Image for Chittajit Mitra.
289 reviews29 followers
September 17, 2021
Amidst a political storm where a famous politician Ashraf Zain gets killed in Begusarai, Bihar a CBI official Yohan Tytler along with his two associates are sent to investigate this high profile case. But things become murkier as Zain’s PA is also found murdered. The investigative team has a tough road ahead as pressure increases on them but at the same time they realize it’s not a regular case and they need to delve deeper. But will they be able to unravel the truth, you have to read this book to know..
Have been going through a little bit of reading slump and that’s when I came across this book and it just broke that slump altogether. Loved the pace and since the language used was so simple it was extremely easy to finish it off quickly. Though I have read better political thrillers but then this one isn’t bad at all and deserves to be read. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Darshayita Thakur.
231 reviews25 followers
May 20, 2021
Another mystery thriller that I really liked. This one's a first for me in a way, as it also involved a lot of politics and casteism; I don't generally pick them up. I was pleasantly surprised by this read.

Ashraf Zain, an outsider, is also a successful youth icon in Indian politics. The story begins with his sudden death, apparently 'a road accident.' However, we know that it is much more than that.

CBI officer Yohan Tytler gets assigned to Zain's case. This is Tytler's first case; he makes up a team along with Sukumar and Ila. These characters and their exchanges provided relief amidst a heavy plot with quite a few disturbing topics.
The highlights of this book would definitely be its plot and the way the language is used to keep the reader engaged.
The story is highly appealing and is filled with twists and turns. Also, this is just the first book in a series, and I can't wait to pick up the next one.
Althouth fiction, the book acts as a mirror to the current state of politics in our country. Kudos to the author for capturing the essence and not going overboard with it.
Profile Image for Rimi.
695 reviews18 followers
January 30, 2023
Review:

Another day, another thriller for me, as it's my another favorite genre right after fantasy and romance.

And the main theme of the book is politics, the dark side of politics, the mafias, religion issues, and the powerful people who plays their games in behind their innocent faces. And in the story a new promoted CBI inspector, Yohan Tytler tries to find out the murderer of Ashraf Zain who tries to do something different for Bihar, even being an outsider.

A enjoy the book so much. As the book not only have a good plot, the writing, the characters, their dynamics makes it more interesting, more entertaining. Though the mystery around the murder is quite predictable, the execution makes me keep going.

The book has perfect amount of thriller, mysteries, humor, emotions, some social truths that will keep you engaging through the end.

A perfect short book for thriller lovers as well as you're looking for fast paced thriller with all the elements mentioned just for a change.
Profile Image for bangalimeyreads.
1,185 reviews29 followers
March 11, 2021
It is a fictional story inspired from the political aspect.
The book begins with Ashraf Zain, an outsider who entered into Bihar politics is killed in a road accident and as usual the opposite party blamed the ruling party for this tragic death.
CBI is appointed to investigate the matter and in the team of CBI, there is Yohan Tytler who has been recently promoted to senior CBI inspector and his colleagues. mysteriously Ashraf’s PA Piyali Sharma is found dead in a hotel room in the city just before the CBI team reaches Begusarai to start the investigation.
Peculiar incidents are happening while the CBI is trying to investigate which makes the matter more complex.
Suddenly, Yohan and team are into a series of issues from multiple political parties, intellectual mafias, media pressure, religious leaders, increasing suspects, and other powerful people.
But the dedicated CBI team works hard and goes through each and every facts of the case, only to find that Ashraf's death is linked to some major events in the modern history of Begusarai, Bihar and India.
The plot focuses on the current situation going on in the political aspect. The narration is good. The language used is lucid.
Profile Image for ASHISH PEETY.
190 reviews3 followers
March 17, 2021
Nobody likes an outsider by Fawaz Jaleel

Book- Nobody likes an outsider
Author- Fawaz Jaleel
Type- Fiction
Format- E Book (Kindle)
Rating-4/5

Nobody likes an outsider by Fawaz Jaleel is an amazing suspense thriller with lot of suspense. Story is about a famous politician who is supposedly murdered through a road accident. The event followed further deaths of his close colleague. What is happening, nobody knows. Who will investigate the case? What role the media would play? Whether the case would get enough limelight or not? Whether any role of opposition exists in the murders or death of politician was merely an accident? If it was murder, whether religion was the basis for the murder. To know all this, read this amazing suspense thriller “Nobody likes an outsider by Fawaz Jaleel”.

Major takeaway from this book is to grasp the fact that truth will reveal one day, sooner or later. Do not engage yourself into wrong doings thinking that you are good enough to conceal the truth. The more we follow the truth, the more we get the positive results. There are lot more take-aways from this amazing fiction which are worth grasping.

Things I liked
1. Language of the book is easy and comfortable.
2. Narration style was noteworthy.
3. Book cover was exquisite. Book title seems apt.
4. Characterization was portrayed well.
5. Pace of the story was fine.
6. Book had enough suspense to keep the reader hooked to the book.

There was nothing in this book, which I disliked particularly. Overall book was a good read and I recommend it for suspense lovers.
Profile Image for Booklyreads (suruchi) .
118 reviews6 followers
May 16, 2021
✨This book revolves around Ashraf Zain, a professor who entered the Bihar politics in a very short time span after parting ways with Bhartiya National Congress (BNC) found dead in a road accident. The public and media claimed it as murder and not road accident due to which a CBI team under Yohan Tytler and his colleagues, is assigned to solve the case. Just as the investigation was about to begin at Begusarai, Ashraf's PA Piyali Sharma also found dead in a hotel room. Here the story took turn. With each chapter, it was becoming more suspensefull and intriguing to read. Turns out that there were more higher forces are at play and the motive of the murder doesn't looks simple.

✨I loved the Characterization of Yohan Tytler and the way of his investigation was so amazing. The logics and connections he made throughout the whole story till the climax was really good.

✨The story has Mystery, thrills, Politics, investigation etc. The book also discussed the topics on caste differences which are rooted so deep in our Society.

✨It was a thrilling read for me with rich language context and the story was gripping from starting to the end. I was fancied by it's cover and the title which was so intruguing to think about what this book will be about. It was the first book in Yohan Tytler murder series and now i can't wait to read more books of this series.

✨I would recommend reading this book to all the thriller and political readers out there. They will definately love this book.
Profile Image for Shreya Mehta.
272 reviews18 followers
May 24, 2021
The story is a mixture of politics and murder mystery.🔪 I am reading about politics in a story first time and I really liked it.🤩

Ashraf Zain joins Bihar politics after parting ways from BNC (Bharatiya National Congress). The people already in power there didn't like his intrusion🤨 and he was murdered.🔪 All political parties were in confusion🙄 and blaming each other for his murder.😤 Then CBI officer Yohan Tytler along with his team is appointed to solve this case 👮🏻‍♂️ and finds the killer.😈

This story includes description of castism and religious things.😔 It portrayed bitter truth about dirty practices of discrimination in our country.😟 There are various twists and turns in the story which will keep the reader hooked.🤯 The characters are well developed.🎭 It's a must read for those who like politics with a murder mystery. 😊
1 review4 followers
May 23, 2021
Ashraf, an emerging and inspiring political leader from Bihar is found dead under mysterious condition and within days his personal assistant is also found dead. Media and political parties creates different narratives suiting their interests. Enter three smart CBI officials entrusted to bring the truth of what happened and who was behind the death of Ashraf.

As a reader of thrillers I can say this debut novel writer Fawas succeeds in 3 things

1.creating a sure page Turner with his first Yohan Tytler mystery. With each page the reader along with the cbi team gets closer to unravel the mystery and one can finish the book in just one sitting.

2.getting the reader invested in the lead characters. It is impossible I believe for any reader not to feel admiration and sense of belonging to the CBI team. The intelligent and confident Yohan , the fierce and sharp Ila and the charming but equally quick witted Sukumar make an excellent team and the increasing warmth and friendship they develop as the story progresses enables the reader to be part of the journey as an invisible fourth member of the team.

3. While the writer is clear he is writing a suspense thriller, he also succeeds in giving the reader a sense of the politics and crisis in the place where his story develops. While the reader gets to know Ashraf, one also identifies how deep and wide certain evil practices go in our country and how much we need good leaders to show us a way out of it.

Now ratings - what more can you ask in thriller - grips you from the start , builds up tension and mystery , a set of characters you root for and as a bonus a brilliant setup of contemporary Indian or Bihar political landscape .. for the debut novel I give 5 out of 5 ..

Profile Image for Lithika Shranuu.
257 reviews26 followers
May 10, 2021
TITLE: Nobody Likes An Outsider
AUTHOR: Fawaz Jaleel
RATING: ***
GENRE: Fiction

The story begins with the death of Ashraf, a young and rising leader. Yohan Tytler comes into the picture and starts investigating the case with Sukumar and Ila, his team. The case takes multiple turns. At first, they are misled. But Ila's clever observances led them to the culprits.

Turns out, there are bigger forces at play, and the motive behind the murder isn't as simple as it looks. The book talks about a very different aspect of the caste differences that are rooted deep in Indian society.

I would have enjoyed the book if it dived more into politics. Nevertheless, this was a good read.
Profile Image for Shivani.
175 reviews42 followers
September 27, 2022
If ever there was a book that deserved over five stars, this book is it. All the stars and more for you, Fawaz Sir! "Nobody likes an outsider" is a murder mystery-thriller featuring Yohan Tytler as the lead investigator from CBI. We follow him and his team, comprising the 'data-savvy' Sukumar Anna and the 'cool-and-calm' Ila as they try to solve the deaths of an up-and-coming politician, Ashraf and his PA, Piyali.

While the story, of course, is fictional, it references several true events, like the 2018 riots in the state of Bihar, the India-Nepal cross border oil pipeline project, and many others. As the investigators puzzled together Ashraf and Piyali's last days piece by piece, we were dropped into the thick of Bihar politics and scams. The author also took a jab at how people unwittingly believed and helped spread (more often than not) fake news via the Whatsapp forwards.

In a comedic twist, the author named each chapter by playing upon famous quotes or proverbs and replacing words to fit the investigative theme. Here are some:
Where there is a kill, there is news (Where there's a will, there's a way),
Breakthrough lies in the eyes of the beholder (Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder),
An interrogation on time saves nine (A stitch in time saves nine), and the best one (I think)
Absence makes the case go longer (Absence makes the heart grow fonder).

I really admired the theme that the author chose for this novel, which (in a really classic move) got revealed only at the end, together with the true culprit, and how masterly he knitted together all the past events of India around it. While I would definitely recommend this to all mystery-thriller lovers, I think those familiar with the events and politics in India and Bihar would get to capture its true essence.

It's a true testament to the author's skill that I did not feel tempted to skip even a single line to get to the end reveal faster simply because I did not want to miss even the teeniest thing. Eagerly awaiting the next Yohan Tytler thriller!!
191 reviews5 followers
March 3, 2023
Crime thrillers have seldom been my genre. But considering the cover and the blurb o this book, I had an unexplainable urge to pick this one up. And I was amazed by the results. @fawazsays 's 'Nobody Likes an Outsider' is one such novel that serves as a delight for all crime fiction lovers.

Set in Bihar, the novel narrates the story of a young police officer Yohan, his comrade Sukumar and associate Ila as they try to track down the murderers of an emerging young politician Ashraf Jain and his P.A Piyali. The story has so many twists and turns I was almost super confused in the middle of the book. The author uses subtle hints about our country's political and religious scenario at the moment and how certain people keep holding back our nation's progress. A fast-paced narrative packed with suspense, thrill, and intrigues, the novel is a treat for anyone who wants to explore crime thrillers by Indian authors—cheers to the author for penning out a wholesome narrative. I would recommend this to a beginner in crime thrillers. Overall, an okayish read. 
Profile Image for Aathira Suni Sunil.
186 reviews2 followers
March 9, 2021
Ashraf Zain, one of India's most promising young politicians and also a complete outsider. He was found dead in a road accident. His death came as a shock to the entire nation. Everyone including media claim it as a murder as there were some issues going on with him and other political party members. After two days his PA Piyali was found dead in a hotel room. The case became more controversial. A team under CBI Director Jagat Verma is assigned to investigate this issue. Media come up against the team as they were inexperienced with such big cases. Very next day the team reached Bihar and started their investigation. The evidences they got were shocking.

Is it a murder? Will they find the truth behind the deaths?

This is a wonderful thriller story. The plot development is too good that it makes the reader to think about what will come next. The bond among the team is also beautifully penned. The language is very simple. Overall a good read.
Profile Image for Anupa Prabhu.
39 reviews1 follower
Read
September 21, 2022
The book deals with a political murder mystery and a young CBI team that pledges to solve it and stumbles upon the motive of murder. It’s a book that touches a topic that mostly goes untouched. An uncommon detail of the most common topic; that is either neglected, masked or not known to many.
43 reviews3 followers
October 30, 2024
Plot Overview: Nobody Likes an Outsider is a thrilling crime mystery that follows the aftermath of politician Ashraf Zain’s untimely death in a suspected accident. Ashraf, an outsider in the political landscape of Bihar, leaves behind a legacy that ignites controversy and power struggles between political factions. The CBI steps in with their investigative team, led by the newly promoted Yohan Tytler, alongside the meticulous Sukumar Azhagu and the steadfast Ila Qureshi. As they dig deeper, the team realizes that Ashraf’s death is only the beginning of a web of corruption, history, and power hidden within Bihar’s political system.

Characterization: Fawaz Jaleel crafts memorable and distinct characters that add depth to the narrative. Ashraf Zain’s broad-minded, progressive approach to politics and his drive for national unity make him a sympathetic figure. His loss is palpable, resonating with readers who are drawn to his unbiased and thoughtful persona. The CBI team brings a perfect balance of skill and personality—Yohan as the lead investigator, Sukumar as the data-driven analyst, and Ila as the calm, methodical investigator. These characters feel real, each bringing their strengths to the team, which enhances the depth of the investigation.

Themes: The novel doesn’t shy away from portraying the complex relationship between politics and religion in India. Through the investigation, Jaleel sheds light on the political maneuvering, social biases, and the spread of misinformation that fuel unrest. The story touches on real-world issues such as fake news and political corruption, making readers question the line between fact and fiction in modern India. This blend of social critique with a crime thriller keeps the book grounded and impactful.

Writing Style and Structure: Jaleel’s writing is both simple and vivid, with a straightforward yet engaging style that makes this thriller accessible to all readers. His use of chapter titles that play on famous proverbs—such as "Where There is a Kill, There is News"—adds a clever, humorous twist to the story, enhancing the suspense and keeping the reader invested. The story’s fast-paced structure and seamless blend of fiction with real-life references create an immersive reading experience, making it hard to put down.


Why Should You Read This Book? Nobody Likes an Outsider is more than just a mystery; it’s an insightful look at the undercurrents of Indian society. The book appeals to readers of all backgrounds but is particularly rewarding for those interested in India’s socio-political climate. With its unique approach to exploring the dark realities of politics and power, the book is perfect for mystery lovers who appreciate a story that makes them think while keeping them entertained.

Final Thoughts: Fawaz Jaleel delivers a remarkable novel with Nobody Likes an Outsider, a story that blends mystery, thriller, and political critique into an engaging and thought-provoking read. The book’s well-rounded characters, suspenseful plot, and insightful themes make it a standout in the crime thriller genre. Whether you’re a fan of mystery or simply curious about Indian politics, this book is a must-read that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next Yohan Tytler investigation.
Profile Image for Sumit RK.
1,304 reviews554 followers
January 26, 2023
Nobody Likes An Outsider is a police procedural thriller with a lot of political drama and intrigue, all combined into an exceptional thriller.

Yohan Tytler, a recently promoted CBI lead investigator, along with his associates – Sukumar and Ila are assigned to investigate the murder of Ashraf Zain, an upcoming leader who is killed in a road accident. Before the investigation even begins, Ashraf’s PA, Piyali is also found dead in a hotel room - under mysterious circumstances. Before he knows it, Yohan gets caught up in a quagmire of political power play, intellectual mafias, media pressure, religious leaders, increasing suspects, and other powerful people. Can Yohan and his team find the real culprit?

When it comes to a police procedural, this book gets everything right. From a rookie detective, a high-profile case in the media limelight, prominent suspects, and the politically charged atmosphere, this book gets the tone just right. The book meticulously goes into deconstructing the case and interrogating witnesses and forensic evidence, which really gets you in detective mode. The story has a varied array of suspects and leaves behind just enough clues to keep you guessing. The story draws a lot from the current state of politics in the country. You can easily find real-life parallels to the characters in the movie. What I loved about the book is the way, the book captures the stark reality of politics and the caste system, cutting across religions, in the country. It not only provides an additional dimension to the entire story but also elevates it. I also loved how the story captures the bureaucracy, the internal politics, and the media sensationalism.

The story is fast-paced and the characters communicate in an informal way which was refreshing. The characters especially Yohan and Sukumar are really well crafted and I loved the banter between the two. The story has enough twists and turns and the final reveal was totally unpredictable. Overall, I loved the first book in the series and I can't wait to read the next one. This is one thriller series, and fans of the thriller genre will enjoy reading it.
1,189 reviews46 followers
May 8, 2021
📚 Rating: 4.3/5️⃣



|| BOOK REVIEW || - 🍁 The Book, Nobody Likes An Outsider By Fawaz Jaleel, is a Mystery Story.
🍂

🍁 The Story has Mystery, Thrill, Politics, Investigation, Discussion of Caste and Religion and many other Interesting Aspects.
🍂

🍁 The Story Revolves around Ashraf Zain, a Professor who Entered and Conquered The Politics in a Short Span of Time. He is Found Dead and the Reason is Unknown to Everyone. Some of the People are assuming it a Road Accident. Investigation Begins and Senior Officer, Yohan Tytler, Gets the Case to be Solved and Decide whether the Death of the Politician happened in a Road Accident or that was a Murder.
🍂

🍁 Cbi Officers, Sukumar and Ila, help Yohan in the Investigation. The Assistant of Ashraf Zain is also Found Dead after sometime. The Story gets more and more Intriguing with each Page. Read the Book and Get to Know the Answers whether Death was because of Murder or a Road Accident.
🍂

🍁 The Language of the Book is Rich. The Writing Style of the Book is Gripping. The Cover of the Book is Captivating. The Title of the Book is An Intriguing.
🍂

🍁 The Plot is An Intriguing. The Author has Narrated Scenes in a Well - Paced Manner. The Storyline moves Forward with a Fast - Paced Style. The Imagination of the Author Behind the Story is An Impeccable. The Execution of that Imagination is Done by the Author in An Amazing Manner.
🍂

🍁 The Suspense is Maintained Wonderfully in the Story till the End. The Climax of the Book is An Amazing and An Unpredictable.
🍂

|| PERSONAL INSIGHT || - 🌸 I Enjoyed Reading the Book. The Story has many Twists and Turns. The Story is An Engaging and Refreshing to be Read.
🍂

🍁 The Story has Some Emotionally Overwhelming Scenes. If Someone Likes to Read Light Stories For Leisure Purpose, Then The Book is Not a Good Pick For Him/Her.
Profile Image for Sagar Naskar.
803 reviews13 followers
September 4, 2022
Book : Nobody Likes An Outsider
Author : Fawaz Jaleel

This story was almost like watching a movie. Every scene was running inside my mind. The author's writing skill was the obvious reason behind this.

While reading certain scenes in the story I actually felt like it was happening in reality ! That is how the book deeply engages the readers. Many more gave a scary experience while reading this book. The author has a good storytelling style. However, it's the ending that was the most terrifying.

It is an investigative thriller mystery surrounding the death of India’s most promising young politician. If you have ever been an Outsider to any industry, you can relate with the characters. Also, this is the first of the CBI Senior Inspector, Yohan Tytler series. I promise you it is a page turner.

Well written from start to end.This book is amazing and hard to believe the writing is excellent and plot will keep you absolutely hooked!!!

Such an intriguing and unique storyline. Eloborate writing and smooth transition between scenes. The plot and the plot twist were shocking and I like it alot. This book got me hooked right from start and you just can't stop reading it unless you have finished it.

The book has so much in it like I cannot even express and it can’t be define in words. Talking about characters they have been effective enough to make an impact. I am sure each one of you gonna love this book and no one will be disappointed after completing the book. A great book that is beyond expectations.

The language in the book is straightforward and interesting. I liked how the book includes or represents the real composition of society. You can simply get it right now. Leave all specifications, hey you pick it up.

⭐ Rating : 4/5 🌟⭐
⭐ Must Recommended 🌟
105 reviews
May 18, 2021
Spoiler free review of book - 'Nobody likes an Outsider' by author ''Fawaz Jaleel'

Description-
Ashraf Zain, an outsider who broke into Bihar politics after parting ways with the Bharatiya National Congress (BNC) is killed in a road accident near the Barauni oil refinery in Begusarai. BNC
blamed the ruling party SDP for the death of a 'minority' leader while SDP accused BNC for extracting revenge on Ashraf.

Enter Yohan Tytler, the recently promoted senior CBI inspector and his colleagues, the analytical Sukumar Azhagu and the textbook investigator, Ila Qureshi. Before the team reaches Begusarai to start the investigation, Ashraf's PA Piyali Sharma is found dead in a hotel room in the city.

Suddenly, Yohan and team are thrown into a quagmire consisting of multiple political parties, intellectual mafias, media pressure, religious leaders, increasing suspects, and other powerful people.

The young CBI team manoeuvres through the case facts, only to find that Ashraf's death is linked to major events in the modern history of Begusarai, Bihar and India.

In what shocks the entire nation, the underlying motive behind the actual motive reveals a lesser-spoken about reality in India.

My review-
The book has a very interesting Title as well as cover.
The language used is very simple and easy to understand.

The story has a good pace along with suspense andd thrill.
The story focuses on the dirty politics along with power, money and racial discrimination between religions.

The book easily grabs your attention and perks up one's interest to find out what will happen next.

My Rating - 4.2/5 ⭐
Author - Fawaz Jaleel

Final Say-
The book isn't a light read but a good read. You'll enjoy the book even if you aren't into politics.

Profile Image for Nikita Bharti.
279 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2021
Book : Nobody likes an outsider
Genre : Political Thriller/Fiction
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I haven't read many books revolving around Indian Politics, nor do I pick them frequently, so this debut by @fawazsays turned out quite an interesting book unexpectedly! While the thriller element is predictable at times, the story is weaved beautifully around it.

The book kicks off with the sensational news of the 'accidental' death of Ashraf Zain, a renowned activist in Bihar and an outsider to the world of politics, and the alleged suicide of his PA.

Enter in the equation an uncanny team of detectives, a recently promoted CBI officer, and his colleagues, the ever analytical Sukumar and the diligent investigator Ila. Abruptly thrown in a web of media pressures, political mafias and influential goons, they are dead set on ensuring justice for the innocent victims before it's too late. ⚖️

A stupendous take at the communal divisions, casteism and the dirty politics in India, the author has expressed the extent to which many people in India justify their motives in the name of misplaced faith. Which is saddening but a 100% true. 🙁

The book is extremely well researched and heavily detailed, specially with the characters and the political agendas. So that's where I felt a slight disconnect for me, because I'm not very politically aware or interested.
But I would definitely recommend this if you enjoy reading political fiction or even thriller as a genre.

P.S : This book gave me very much of a 'Paatal Lok' vibe if anybody has watched it. 👀

Thank you for the copy in exchange of an honest review. ✨
Profile Image for S.Readss.
553 reviews13 followers
May 11, 2021
👉A Nexus is Only as Strong as Its Weakest Link.

I have read many books about Indian politics in some time, I guess many authors are interested in this given the tension and attention it has been getting from the past few years.

This book revolves around Ashraf Zain, an outsider who broke into Bihar politics after parting ways with the Bharatiya National Congress (BNC) is killed in a road accident. BNC blamed the ruling party SDP for the death of a 'minority leader while SDP accused BNC of exacting revenge on Ashraf.
Enter Yohan Tytler, the recently promoted senior CBI inspector and his colleagues, the analytical Sukumar Azhagu and the textbook investigator, Ila Qureshi. Before the team reaches Begusarai to start the investigation, Ashraf’s PA Piyali Sharma is found dead in a hotel room in the city. The young CBI team manoeuvres through the case facts, only to find that Ashraf's death is linked to major events in the modern history of Begusarai, Bihar and India.
In what shocks the entire nation, the underlying motive behind the actual motive reveals a lesser-spoken about reality in India.
.
.

-The book is a perfect blend of mystery, suspense, thriller and politics. 
- The author has taken a dig on humorous ways around journalism and politics, whoever keeps up with the news will get.
- The narration is lucid and intriguing enough to keep readers engaged.
- What caught my eye were quirky chapter titles, they grasped the essence of the chapter and made me, even more, excited to read the chapters.
- Overall, it is a good read.
Profile Image for Poorna Rao.
54 reviews
May 1, 2022
Book Review

Nobody Likes An Outsider by Fawaz Jaleel

Ashraf Zain, an outsider and popular leader who breaks into Bihar politics after parting ways with the Bharatiya National Congress (BNC), is killed in a road accident in Begusarai. BNC blames the ruling party, SDP, over the death of Ashraf, an inspirational & visionary “minority” leader.

A young CBI team of 3 enters for investigation to unearth the truth. As the events unfold, the entire nation is shocked to see the underlying motive behind the actual motive that reveals a lesser-spoken reality in India.

My Thoughts –

I was looking for a book to get me out of a terrible reading slump. When I was going through the books on Amazon, A sponsor ad showed up suggesting to pick this book. The ratings and the reviews were promising. Thus, I dived into this book without expecting much

This book is all about politics and casteism. Generally, I wouldn’t pick these kinds of books. But I was intrigued by the storyline. I was pleasantly surprised by the way the storyline had developed

The writer gave insight into investigation procedures by the police to unearth the truth behind the crime

There was the right amount of suspense by the end of every chapter

Another aspect that I liked is every chapter had a caption that resonated with idioms/proverbs

Having said all these, I felt there was an unwanted explanation of a person or situation that made this book a tab boring

Ratings: 4
Profile Image for Dalbir Singh.
93 reviews2 followers
July 12, 2021
Title: Nobody likes an outsider
Author: Fawaz Jaleel

"A journey of thousand mysteries begins with a single step"

Ashraf Zain, a renowned activist in Bihar and an outsider to the world of politics. He joined SDP after quitting BNC. Both the parties blamed each other for the murder of Ashraf Zain who was killed in a road accident in the Begusarai district of Bihar.

Enter Yohan Tytler, a recently promoted CBI lead investigator, along with his associates: Sukumar Azhagu (His brain is the most crowded yet organized dashboard) and the “I always play by the books” investigator Ila Qureshi who worked on 14 cases and there were results in 12 of them. Before the investigation even begins, Ashraf's PA Piyali Sharma also found dead in a hotel room. Media and political parties create different narratives suiting their interests.

With each page, the reader along with the CBI team gets closer to solve the mystery. The story is highly appealing and is filled with twists and turns. The book acts as a mirror to the current state of politics in our country.

I was fancied by its cover and the title which was so intriguing to think about what this book will be about. It was the first book in the Yohan Tytler murder series and now I can't wait to read more books of this series.

#bookreviews
350 reviews3 followers
September 20, 2021
Very good book

A political thriller book at it's best.

The story starts with the young dynamic, Popular, upcoming leader, Ashraf Zain from Bihar.Of course the blame game starts for the political parties and the CBI enters the story.

The CBI investigation is by 3 people mainly, Yohan tytler, Sukumar Azaghu & Ila Qureshi, This is when the thrill starts with the roller coaster ride where there are more deaths, more accusation and of course more thrill, I guess that's expected when it's a novel with a political setting and a murder and the state involved it is Bihar.

In this book the author also has touched on topics like role of media in murder cases and politics, religion which obviously no one can ignore and for me the surprise package was the book does take us back to a bit of history too.

Overall an amazing story, I actually didn't expect the story to be like this and extremely well done on the characters in the book, very real and believable. The author does mention it's fiction but with bits of non fiction, I think that added the extra spice to the book.

This book is also going to be a series of Yohan tytler, it's so exciting when an author can come up with not one but books like this, I really hope we get a complete series like the Agatha Christie one, believe me it's as good as that.

A very good book to pick up

Profile Image for Dharmendra.
345 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2021
Title: Nobody Likes An Outsider
Author: Fawaz Jaleel

Review:

“Nobody likes an Outsider” by Fawaz Jaleel is a fictional crime thriller very much close to the reality. Set in the Indian state of Bihar, the book brings out the harsh realities of modern day India. It talks about the rotting Indian society and political system.

The story begins with the death of a promising, Independent, outsider and popular leader Ashraf Zain in a road accident. Ashraf’s tragic death causes furore in the state and both ruling party and opposition blame each other for his death. This trading of charges forces the state to handle the case to CBI. To investigate the case a young CBI team led by Yohan Tytler is dispatched to Bihar. Even before the team begins its investigation, the state is shook by the murder of Ashraf Zain's PA Piyali Sharma under mysterious circumstances. As the investigation proceeds, they start unravelling shocking truths about the murders. Will they be able to crack this high-profile double case?

With very intriguing plot and characters, Author Fawaz Jaleel has weaved an edge of the seat thriller. The book not only dishes out an entertaining story but also throws light on some of the crucial issues of India politics. Overall, it’s a promising book with lots of nuances, won’t be surprised if it is adapted into web series or movie. Highly Recommended!
138 reviews2 followers
November 21, 2022
Crime thrillers have always been a genre which keeps us on the edge of our seats and intrigues us by taking us through a maze of uncertainties,suspicions and revelations. The crime fiction feels even better when it is written keeping in mind the political and social issues of a region. @fawazsays 's 'Nobody Likes an Outsider ' is one such novel that serves as a delight for all crime fiction lovers.

Set in Bihar,the novel narrates the story of a young police officer Yohan,his comrade Sukumar and associate Ila as they try to track down the murderers of an emerging young politician Ashraf Jain and his P.A Piyali. The story has enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing after every chapter culminating in a riveting finish that will leave you with plenty of food for thought. The author uses subtle hints about the political and religious scenario of our country at the moment and how certain people keep holding back our nation's progress. A fast paced narrative that is packed with suspense,thrill and intrigues , the novel is a treat for anyone who wants to explore crime thrillers of Indian authors. Kudos to the author for penning out a wholesome narrative.

Pages - 203
Favourite lines- “We’ll choose the Constitution over the Quran, Bible, and Gita. Into that heaven my country will awake.”
650 reviews15 followers
March 14, 2021
The artistic work as written by the writer is the presentation one and stands according to the assumptions. Digging further, as the interesting idea of the actual title demonstrates the unpleasant demeanor of individuals towards somebody with no linkage to them ventures into their ground and the ailment of goals heightens further when the topic is legislative issues. The story rotates around Ashraf Zain who enters the unchartered region of Bihar legislative issues and will in general upset the harmony and strength of those all around in force and every last bit of it at long last involves into the death of Ashraf

Considering the rush remainder and the secrets that are uncovered with time, the association of Yohan Tytler as CBI officials adds to the force of equivalent to burrowing further, they witness themselves in the soil and encompassed by accomplices who are reluctant to open up about their contribution. All things considered, this book is a legit debut endeavor to depict occasions which don't remain precisely anecdotal however appear in a genuinely steady way and subsequently it's an absolute necessity read for everybody willing to observe the method of things in governmental issues
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
247 reviews
May 20, 2021
Amazing reading delight

One young fellow found dead in road accident. While examine the dead body, that found it as young political leader named Ashraf Zain of BNC party. And then the blame game started between the BNC party and ruling SDP party. Coming as professor , the party fellows see him as outsider, having no political background. Kind a hint of nepotism, one this point I think, ha ha ha.
Coming back to the story the investigation of this case has been assigned to newly promoted senior CBI inspector Yohan Tytler. He and his team has to find out is it an accident or murder?
They started considering it murder as after Ashraf's death, his assistant Piyali also found dead in her hotel, so this case started providing "Masalas" To media and they started creating pressure on Yohan and his team and started chewing this case as Chewing gum.
Under extream pressure of political party, religious party , media and fan people- Yohan and his team has to solve this case.
Well, they succeed but what was the actual reason for this death or murder is surprising.
Throwing light on religious differences, dirty politics and poor mindset of people, this book is really reading delight.
94 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2021
Most intriguing thriller


The story line is intriguing. The story begins with the professor Ashraf Zain's overnight success in politics. When things were going smooth, he died. His death was a mystery. It wasn't not clear whether he was killed in an accident or murdered purposely in a setting of an accident. Yohan Tytler, a senior officer tries to solve the case. Tytler was helped by CBI officers Sukumar and Ila.

The story gets more complex when we find Ashraf's assistant Piyali sharma's dead body. This causes more pressure. Yohan and his team were under so much pressure from the department as well as media. They had many number of suspects.
Will they find the truth behind the murders?
Why were they killed?

The answer is shocking. It will shook the whole nation. It has not been spoken anywhere.

The characters of the book are very well developed. The story goes smooth without any distractions. The plot is complex. The language is simple and vivid.
Everything seems realistic. It made me curious to know what would happen next. The only thing I felt negative was the multitude of characters which made it a difficult read.

I would definitely recommend you this book if you are a lover of thriller.
Profile Image for Arushi Kulshreshtha.
203 reviews3 followers
May 22, 2021
A Nice Read!!

Nobody likes an outsider is a crime thriller book with political touch. The language of the book is easy and the book length is around 150pages. People who love politics and suspense are going to love this book a lot.

Talking about the story, it is about a politician Ashraf Zain who was found dead. CBI team had been called up to solve the case and find the real culprit behind this. Yohan, Ila and Sukumar had been appointed to take this up and solve the case. This story has lot of things about religions, so if you are interested to know many things about caste and religion, this book is for you. There were many facts which I read for the first time, a good research can be found here. You will know about media, religions and castes here.

I liked the way the case has been made up but somehow at some points I felt the story is unneccessarily dragged up. Few details could have been avoided. By mid of the book, I even guessed the ending. I am not at all into political stuffs and at some points I even lost my Interest in the story. I am impressed by the author to put up the topic which is quite new and he drafted it in such an unique way!
Go for it If you love reading detective stories, religious stuffs and politics based stories.
101 reviews
September 30, 2022
The crime fiction feels even better when it is written keeping in mind the political and social issues of a region. @fawazsays 's 'Nobody Likes an Outsider ' is one such novel that serves as a delight for all crime fiction lovers.The author uses subtle hints about the political and religious scenario of our country at the moment and how certain people keep holding back our nation's progress. A fast paced narrative that is packed with suspense,thrill and intrigues , the novel is a treat for anyone who wants to explore crime thrillers of Indian authors. Kudos to the author for penning out a wholesome narrative.The language in the book is straightforward and interesting. I liked how the book includes or represents the real composition of society. You can simply get it right now. Leave all specifications,While I would definitely recommend this to all mystery-thriller lovers, I think those familiar with the events and politics in India and Bihar would get to capture its true essence. It's a true testament to the author's skill that I did not feel tempted to skip even a single line to get to the end reveal faster simply because I did not want to miss even the teeniest thing. Eagerly awaiting the next Yohan Tytler thriller!! hey you pick it up.
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