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The Highway Murders
In August 2009, a thirty-nine-year-old policewoman went missing in Tamil Nadu. A month later, her heavily decomposed body was discovered in a drain by a graveyard. She had been brutally violated and killed.
As the investigation started, the police detected a pattern in more than a dozen unsolved rape-and-murder cases with mutilated bodies of women turning up in graveyards, drains and empty fields along the highways.
It didn’t take the police too long to find out that the perpetrator was a trucker named M Jaishankar.
What followed was a cat-and-mouse game across states, many more gruesome killings, one of the most sensational jailbreaks in the history of the country, and a controversial suicide in a high security cell.
The Highway Murders is the breathtaking true story of 'Psycho Shankar', one of India's most notorious serial killers, and one policeman's relentless decade-long battle against the 'terror of the highways'.
As the investigation started, the police detected a pattern in more than a dozen unsolved rape-and-murder cases with mutilated bodies of women turning up in graveyards, drains and empty fields along the highways.
It didn’t take the police too long to find out that the perpetrator was a trucker named M Jaishankar.
What followed was a cat-and-mouse game across states, many more gruesome killings, one of the most sensational jailbreaks in the history of the country, and a controversial suicide in a high security cell.
The Highway Murders is the breathtaking true story of 'Psycho Shankar', one of India's most notorious serial killers, and one policeman's relentless decade-long battle against the 'terror of the highways'.
200 pages, Paperback
Published January 12, 2023
16 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Sourabh Mukherjee
33 books57 followersMid-Day calls Sourabh Mukherjee 'one of the front-runners in Indian crime fiction' and The Asian Age calls him 'one of the most popular writers of Indian crime fiction'. India Today has honoured him as one of the “ten celebrated role models of 2022” and Outlook calls him one of the “top ten personalities to look upon if you are looking for an inspiration”.
Sourabh Mukherjee is the author of true-crime books 'The Highway Murders' and 'Death Served Cold' as well as thriller novels - 'The Web of Lies', 'The Trail of Blood', 'The Sinners', and 'In the Shadows of Death'.
He has written three collections of short stories - 'Loves Lost'; 'Beyond 22 Yards', a collection of 2 titles about Love and Crime from the world of cricket; 'It's All About Love', a collection of 7 short stories titled 'The Gift', 'The Cookery Show and a Love Story', 'A Special Day', 'Masks', 'An Autumn Turmoil', 'The Hunt', and 'The Death Wish'.
His books in Bengali include thrillers titled 'Chandralekha Nihato', 'Oindrila Ghore Phereni', 'Ratisanghar', 'Shonitakshar' and a collection of short stories titled 'Roshe Doshe', apart from stories in popular anthologies and periodicals.
Sourabh has co-authored a textbook 'Big Data Simplified' published by Pearson. He has also written columns for Yahoo! Sports.
The audiobooks of his titles are also very popular. The 2 titles in the 'Beyond 22 Yards' series, the 7 titles in the series 'It's All About Love' as well as 'The Highway Murders', 'The Trail of Blood', 'Death Served Cold' and 'The Sinners' have been adapted into audiobooks in Amazon Audible. 'In the Shadows of Death' is on Storytel and Google Play Books. The regional language audiobooks for 'Death Served Cold' are on KukuFM. The audiobook of his Bengali novel 'Chandralekha Nihoto' is a topper in Suspense Top 50 chart of PocketFM, a leading audiobook platform of the country.
His books have featured in bestseller lists in bookstores and online stores. His books are in consideration for screen adaptations, including 'The Highway Murders' being acquired by a leading production house and an earlier edition of ‘The Web of Lies’ being long-listed in WordToScreen conducted by Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), Mumbai International Film Festival.
Sourabh has been honoured with several awards. He received the Golden Pen Award in the Sulekha Monsoon Romance Contest (2014), Juggernaut Selects Award (2019), Literoma Hall of Fame in The Literoma International Symposium on Literature and Festival (2020), The Man of Excellence Award from Indian Achievers' Forum (2021) and the Munshi Premchand Award for Literature (2023). He is invited regularly to book fairs and literary events across the country. His books have received accolades from readers, book critics and the mainstream national media.
Sourabh can be reached at:
Website: www.sourabhmukherjee.com
E-mail: mukherjee.sourabh74@gmail.com
Instagram: authorsourabhmukherjee
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorsourabhmukherjee
Twitter: @sourabhm_ofcl
Blog: http://blog.sourabhmukherjee.com
Sourabh Mukherjee is the author of true-crime books 'The Highway Murders' and 'Death Served Cold' as well as thriller novels - 'The Web of Lies', 'The Trail of Blood', 'The Sinners', and 'In the Shadows of Death'.
He has written three collections of short stories - 'Loves Lost'; 'Beyond 22 Yards', a collection of 2 titles about Love and Crime from the world of cricket; 'It's All About Love', a collection of 7 short stories titled 'The Gift', 'The Cookery Show and a Love Story', 'A Special Day', 'Masks', 'An Autumn Turmoil', 'The Hunt', and 'The Death Wish'.
His books in Bengali include thrillers titled 'Chandralekha Nihato', 'Oindrila Ghore Phereni', 'Ratisanghar', 'Shonitakshar' and a collection of short stories titled 'Roshe Doshe', apart from stories in popular anthologies and periodicals.
Sourabh has co-authored a textbook 'Big Data Simplified' published by Pearson. He has also written columns for Yahoo! Sports.
The audiobooks of his titles are also very popular. The 2 titles in the 'Beyond 22 Yards' series, the 7 titles in the series 'It's All About Love' as well as 'The Highway Murders', 'The Trail of Blood', 'Death Served Cold' and 'The Sinners' have been adapted into audiobooks in Amazon Audible. 'In the Shadows of Death' is on Storytel and Google Play Books. The regional language audiobooks for 'Death Served Cold' are on KukuFM. The audiobook of his Bengali novel 'Chandralekha Nihoto' is a topper in Suspense Top 50 chart of PocketFM, a leading audiobook platform of the country.
His books have featured in bestseller lists in bookstores and online stores. His books are in consideration for screen adaptations, including 'The Highway Murders' being acquired by a leading production house and an earlier edition of ‘The Web of Lies’ being long-listed in WordToScreen conducted by Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), Mumbai International Film Festival.
Sourabh has been honoured with several awards. He received the Golden Pen Award in the Sulekha Monsoon Romance Contest (2014), Juggernaut Selects Award (2019), Literoma Hall of Fame in The Literoma International Symposium on Literature and Festival (2020), The Man of Excellence Award from Indian Achievers' Forum (2021) and the Munshi Premchand Award for Literature (2023). He is invited regularly to book fairs and literary events across the country. His books have received accolades from readers, book critics and the mainstream national media.
Sourabh can be reached at:
Website: www.sourabhmukherjee.com
E-mail: mukherjee.sourabh74@gmail.com
Instagram: authorsourabhmukherjee
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorsourabhmukherjee
Twitter: @sourabhm_ofcl
Blog: http://blog.sourabhmukherjee.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
February 7, 2023
There's a thin line between fiction and crime, when this line disappears it becomes a living nightmare. It's crucial for true crime books to keep things as close as to the true nature and psyche of the criminal yet make things more palatable for larger audience. 'The Highway Murders' has strike the perfect balance in this case. In August 2009, a thirty nine year old policewoman went missing in Tamil Nadu. A month later, her heavily decomposed body was discovered in a drain by a graveyard. She had been brutally violated and killed. As the investigation started, more such violently mutilated bodies of women turned up, all unsolved. It didn't take the police too long to grab the culprit. However what the police didn't know was that their worst nightmare had just started.
'The Highway Murders' is a true account of the notorious psychopathic serial killer India has ever seen, Psycho Shankar. In this book the author takes us through the whole ordeal in just 200 pages but every line is worth reading. The book thrilled and horrified me at the same time. The severity of the situation, the grave description horrified me, it gave me pain to think about those innocent women. The psyche of the characters and the cat and mouse chase thrilled me. It would be an injustice to the book if I don't mention the exceptional writing that kept me hooked to the book and finish it in one go. The way everything is written in a structured manner, keeping the pace intact is praiseworthy.
This book took a different approach from the monotonous, documented true crimes. However many details as I presume to keep the volume of this book in check have been omitted. Overall it was a great read for me. Recommended to crime junkies.
'The Highway Murders' is a true account of the notorious psychopathic serial killer India has ever seen, Psycho Shankar. In this book the author takes us through the whole ordeal in just 200 pages but every line is worth reading. The book thrilled and horrified me at the same time. The severity of the situation, the grave description horrified me, it gave me pain to think about those innocent women. The psyche of the characters and the cat and mouse chase thrilled me. It would be an injustice to the book if I don't mention the exceptional writing that kept me hooked to the book and finish it in one go. The way everything is written in a structured manner, keeping the pace intact is praiseworthy.
This book took a different approach from the monotonous, documented true crimes. However many details as I presume to keep the volume of this book in check have been omitted. Overall it was a great read for me. Recommended to crime junkies.
November 25, 2024
I never thought I’d read the phrase “his throbbing hardness” in a true crime book, but here we are. Very unique.
February 20, 2023
This is one chilling story of a chronic executioner " Pyscho Shankar " who threatened the Indian expressways.
There are many cases credited to him and it took some time before he was at long last grabbed. The creator makes reference to about the cases exhaustively, the casualties who need to confront a frightful end and the how the examination conveyed forward.
The investigation of the executioners profile and the indepth enumerating made it a holding read.
Chronic executioners are a unique case in this piece of the mainland however as the cases rise, one feels fearful. I have been exceptionally intrigued to know the brain science or the mentality concerning why they kill. This made me read material about Ted bundy, Jack the ripper and a few other chronic executioners from India, USA, Japan and so forth.
However many reasons are given, actually its a secret with regards to why they act the manner in which they do. I thank the creator for covering this story in such a clear and striking manner..
I throughly appreciated understanding it and I firmly prescribed.
There are many cases credited to him and it took some time before he was at long last grabbed. The creator makes reference to about the cases exhaustively, the casualties who need to confront a frightful end and the how the examination conveyed forward.
The investigation of the executioners profile and the indepth enumerating made it a holding read.
Chronic executioners are a unique case in this piece of the mainland however as the cases rise, one feels fearful. I have been exceptionally intrigued to know the brain science or the mentality concerning why they kill. This made me read material about Ted bundy, Jack the ripper and a few other chronic executioners from India, USA, Japan and so forth.
However many reasons are given, actually its a secret with regards to why they act the manner in which they do. I thank the creator for covering this story in such a clear and striking manner..
I throughly appreciated understanding it and I firmly prescribed.
September 12, 2024
Clean what it says on the tin 😉
February 14, 2023
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟. 5
Review:
The book is true account of a psychopath serial killer, who terrorised women and accused in more than thirty gruesome rape and murder cases and many more.
In the book the author gives us our psychopath's early life, his first attempt to crime and how he becomes more dangerous day by day. And all through his own pov, so if it's not something you're comfortable it's not for you.
And not only his side, we also gets the police officers pov that are in charge of his investigation, as well as some of the victims too.
It's a well constructed, well written book, and I like the way the story progress. Though the plot is simple, the execution makes it perfect thrilling, intriguing book.
And as far as the crime thriller, also a real one, I absolutely enjoy the book from the beginning till the end. And definitely like to recommend.
Review:
The book is true account of a psychopath serial killer, who terrorised women and accused in more than thirty gruesome rape and murder cases and many more.
In the book the author gives us our psychopath's early life, his first attempt to crime and how he becomes more dangerous day by day. And all through his own pov, so if it's not something you're comfortable it's not for you.
And not only his side, we also gets the police officers pov that are in charge of his investigation, as well as some of the victims too.
It's a well constructed, well written book, and I like the way the story progress. Though the plot is simple, the execution makes it perfect thrilling, intriguing book.
And as far as the crime thriller, also a real one, I absolutely enjoy the book from the beginning till the end. And definitely like to recommend.
January 21, 2023
•Genre - True Crime•
Sourabh Mukherjee's book 'The Highway Murders' is a true account of one of the most notorious killer the country has ever known.
The Psycho Killer Jaishankar had spread havoc along the highways in Tirupur, Salem and Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu. He would pick up prostitutes and target women in farms and in their houses in villages by the roads. He would rape them and torture them brutally and eventually kill them and dispose off their bodies in drains and empty fields near highways.
___
This book covers the details of gruesome rapes and murders committed on the highways by serial killer and rapist Jaishankar. It sheds light on what drove the killer to commit such acts and in what manner and How did he escape the police everytime but then got caught and again how he escaped from the police not once but twice and thrice.
👉If you are a beginner and want to start reading True Crime then this one is a good book to start with. It is fast paced with easy language and engaging narrative. Towards the end the book also gets thrilling.
TW : Rape, Murder, Violence
Sourabh Mukherjee's book 'The Highway Murders' is a true account of one of the most notorious killer the country has ever known.
The Psycho Killer Jaishankar had spread havoc along the highways in Tirupur, Salem and Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu. He would pick up prostitutes and target women in farms and in their houses in villages by the roads. He would rape them and torture them brutally and eventually kill them and dispose off their bodies in drains and empty fields near highways.
___
This book covers the details of gruesome rapes and murders committed on the highways by serial killer and rapist Jaishankar. It sheds light on what drove the killer to commit such acts and in what manner and How did he escape the police everytime but then got caught and again how he escaped from the police not once but twice and thrice.
👉If you are a beginner and want to start reading True Crime then this one is a good book to start with. It is fast paced with easy language and engaging narrative. Towards the end the book also gets thrilling.
TW : Rape, Murder, Violence
November 25, 2024
Trigger warning: graphic descriptions of sexual violence, murder and general psychopath-serial killer behavior.
This book was more of a memoir (with fictional dialogues) about the life of M.Jaishankar who terrorized Southern India with his abhorrent acts of violence and perversion.
I understand that this book can be a tough read for many, due to gruesome descriptions of violence, however I feel that the unfiltered stories are necessary to understand the magnitude of the predicament faced by both the law enforcement and the citizens at the time when "Psycho Shankar" was active.
Idk if I particularly liked the book, or the overall experience of reading it but the pace was fast, so it didn't feel as slow as most memoirs do and I genuinely feel that this is an important story, solely to make people aware of heinous crimes that were and, sadly, may continue to be prevalent in our society.
Once again, I'll give extra credit to Mr. Sourabh Mukherjee for both the research that he has done for this book and his guts when it comes to mentioning the details.
This book was more of a memoir (with fictional dialogues) about the life of M.Jaishankar who terrorized Southern India with his abhorrent acts of violence and perversion.
I understand that this book can be a tough read for many, due to gruesome descriptions of violence, however I feel that the unfiltered stories are necessary to understand the magnitude of the predicament faced by both the law enforcement and the citizens at the time when "Psycho Shankar" was active.
Idk if I particularly liked the book, or the overall experience of reading it but the pace was fast, so it didn't feel as slow as most memoirs do and I genuinely feel that this is an important story, solely to make people aware of heinous crimes that were and, sadly, may continue to be prevalent in our society.
Once again, I'll give extra credit to Mr. Sourabh Mukherjee for both the research that he has done for this book and his guts when it comes to mentioning the details.
February 12, 2023
Highway murders is the 2nd book I have read by the author Saurabh Mukherjee, 1st one was a trail of blood.
After finishing this book one thing I guarantee is that Saurabh is one of the best author in India in the genre of crime fiction.
The story began with the old case of a lady police constable who went missing from the highways of Tamilnadu.
News is that any psychopath is picking women, torturing them, killing them brutally & is disposing off their bodies near highways of the Salem, Tirupur & Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu.
Who is this murderer?
Why he hates women so much?
How he became a psychopath?
The narration is brilliant, it hooked me from the beginning to the end, the way author has narrated the plot thrilled me from top to bottom.
It's based on a true incident, read it to know the person behind this murder.
After finishing this book one thing I guarantee is that Saurabh is one of the best author in India in the genre of crime fiction.
The story began with the old case of a lady police constable who went missing from the highways of Tamilnadu.
News is that any psychopath is picking women, torturing them, killing them brutally & is disposing off their bodies near highways of the Salem, Tirupur & Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu.
Who is this murderer?
Why he hates women so much?
How he became a psychopath?
The narration is brilliant, it hooked me from the beginning to the end, the way author has narrated the plot thrilled me from top to bottom.
It's based on a true incident, read it to know the person behind this murder.
February 6, 2023
This book is a close view of what all went behind the police desks to lay hold of the most wanted and gruesome serial killer.
This was my first read by this author and I have read good things about his work.
I must admit the mystery is smooth as you go along and the good part is the insights of the police and the serial killer that are shared in between as anecdotes.
Good read for true crime story enthusiasts.
This was my first read by this author and I have read good things about his work.
I must admit the mystery is smooth as you go along and the good part is the insights of the police and the serial killer that are shared in between as anecdotes.
Good read for true crime story enthusiasts.
January 14, 2023
Racy gripping psycho thriller. Binge read worthy.
May 6, 2023
The writing style of the author in "The Highway Murders" can be described as straightforward and to the point. The author does not waste time on flowery language or unnecessary descriptions, but rather presents the facts of the case in a clear and concise manner. The author's use of language is simple yet effective, allowing readers to easily understand the complex and often gruesome details of the crimes committed by M Jaishankar.
The author's tone is also notably neutral and objective, which adds to the book's credibility as a true-crime account. The author does not appear to take sides or inject personal opinions, but rather presents the facts of the case as they are known. This style of writing is well-suited for a book of this nature, as it allows readers to form their own opinions and conclusions based on the evidence presented.
Overall, the author's straightforward and to-the-point writing style in "The Highway Murders" is effective in conveying the story of one of India's most notorious serial killers. The book is both informative and engaging, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of criminal investigations in India, while also providing a harrowing account of the crimes committed by Jaishankar.
The author's tone is also notably neutral and objective, which adds to the book's credibility as a true-crime account. The author does not appear to take sides or inject personal opinions, but rather presents the facts of the case as they are known. This style of writing is well-suited for a book of this nature, as it allows readers to form their own opinions and conclusions based on the evidence presented.
Overall, the author's straightforward and to-the-point writing style in "The Highway Murders" is effective in conveying the story of one of India's most notorious serial killers. The book is both informative and engaging, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of criminal investigations in India, while also providing a harrowing account of the crimes committed by Jaishankar.
February 13, 2023
The book The Highway Murders as the name suggest is a book on Highway Murders an Incident that took place South of India, and how the serial killer was caught.
First and Foremost, I need to address the elephant in the room, that is the gore and rape mentioned in the book, made my skin crawl. I am a silent reader but these details made me want to read aloud as I don't want the scenario to be stuck in my head. And when I did, my mom asked me don't you have a decent book to read that such ghastly book. and when I made her aware of the plot, she said writing and reading the book needs nerves of steel. But at the end of the book one question remains, is the end justified? My answer no. Since its a real life story, its ending is definitely not something you can get creative with :( But I would like to give credit to the author to create a vile reading personality of Psycho Shankar.
Overall read, if you are strong.
First and Foremost, I need to address the elephant in the room, that is the gore and rape mentioned in the book, made my skin crawl. I am a silent reader but these details made me want to read aloud as I don't want the scenario to be stuck in my head. And when I did, my mom asked me don't you have a decent book to read that such ghastly book. and when I made her aware of the plot, she said writing and reading the book needs nerves of steel. But at the end of the book one question remains, is the end justified? My answer no. Since its a real life story, its ending is definitely not something you can get creative with :( But I would like to give credit to the author to create a vile reading personality of Psycho Shankar.
Overall read, if you are strong.
August 27, 2024
The Highway Murders
Book Review - The Highway Murders
Author - Sourabh Mukherjee
Genre - Indian Crime Fiction
Secluded Highways of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka take you to re-live one of the horrific crimes it witnessed in 2009. Initially, a truck driver who took the roads to live his childhood dream of being a free man turns into a serial killer preying on women residing near to highways. These highways help homicidal maniac dump his prey and hide his crimes for weeks.
Readers will instinctively put themselves in the shoes of the victim. Mind will recreate the entire crime scene as if everything is happening before them. You will feel the fear, and helplessness of unfortunate women when they suddenly become aware that the monster is ready to strike.
The pace of the book will keep you on the edge and will not give you time to recover from the shocks one after the other. The book’s phase where psychopath’s background is introduced is specifically commendable. It is not a justification or clarification of the horrendous work of the killer but a message to society. How the social surroundings, vulnerability, exposure to age inappropriate atmospheres and trauma, define and shape the personality of a child in later life.
The author has done a fantastic job of profiling the criminal. His mindset, ruthless and unapologetic approach towards the killings, his pleasure in traumatizing women, and victorious feeling after the ghastly act, have been described aptly. It will make readers question whether the world they are living in is just a facade.
A lucky chance and flaws in the prison management system allow the perpetrator to escape the law twice. A determined and relentless cop leaves no stone unturned to put him behind bars. The cop is so hell-bent on catching the offender that he feels a void when the fate of the murderer does not meet the way he had expected.
The convict’s thoughts and his perception of society have been explained rationally. Psychiatrist explains how killer’s personality attributes and thought process made him just like any other common man and at the same time not.
In-depth research in all aspects is visible throughout the book. Attention to meticulous details like a small icon at the start of every phase of narration has been paid to give the readers a feel of the importance of each chapter.
Pick up this book if you believe to read about an aspect of our society where life is not hunky dory. A society where people with deeply disturbed mindsets often awaken the monster within and punish the innocents as an act of their answer to all the presumed injustices that happened to them by society.
I am sure this masterpiece will be a decorated read on your bookshelf!
Book Review - The Highway Murders
Author - Sourabh Mukherjee
Genre - Indian Crime Fiction
Secluded Highways of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka take you to re-live one of the horrific crimes it witnessed in 2009. Initially, a truck driver who took the roads to live his childhood dream of being a free man turns into a serial killer preying on women residing near to highways. These highways help homicidal maniac dump his prey and hide his crimes for weeks.
Readers will instinctively put themselves in the shoes of the victim. Mind will recreate the entire crime scene as if everything is happening before them. You will feel the fear, and helplessness of unfortunate women when they suddenly become aware that the monster is ready to strike.
The pace of the book will keep you on the edge and will not give you time to recover from the shocks one after the other. The book’s phase where psychopath’s background is introduced is specifically commendable. It is not a justification or clarification of the horrendous work of the killer but a message to society. How the social surroundings, vulnerability, exposure to age inappropriate atmospheres and trauma, define and shape the personality of a child in later life.
The author has done a fantastic job of profiling the criminal. His mindset, ruthless and unapologetic approach towards the killings, his pleasure in traumatizing women, and victorious feeling after the ghastly act, have been described aptly. It will make readers question whether the world they are living in is just a facade.
A lucky chance and flaws in the prison management system allow the perpetrator to escape the law twice. A determined and relentless cop leaves no stone unturned to put him behind bars. The cop is so hell-bent on catching the offender that he feels a void when the fate of the murderer does not meet the way he had expected.
The convict’s thoughts and his perception of society have been explained rationally. Psychiatrist explains how killer’s personality attributes and thought process made him just like any other common man and at the same time not.
In-depth research in all aspects is visible throughout the book. Attention to meticulous details like a small icon at the start of every phase of narration has been paid to give the readers a feel of the importance of each chapter.
Pick up this book if you believe to read about an aspect of our society where life is not hunky dory. A society where people with deeply disturbed mindsets often awaken the monster within and punish the innocents as an act of their answer to all the presumed injustices that happened to them by society.
I am sure this masterpiece will be a decorated read on your bookshelf!
February 1, 2023
The saying that "truth is stranger than fiction" holds a lot of weight when it comes to the topic of real-life serial killers. These individuals, who have committed multiple murders over an extended period of time, showcase a chilling aspect of human nature that is both intriguing and frightening. The most famous cases of serial killers throughout history have captivated the public's attention, showcasing the depravity and cruelty that some individuals are capable of. These cases are a reminder of the dark and dangerous elements of society and serve as a warning to always be vigilant and to keep our doors locked at night for our own protection.
Sourabh Mukherjee's real crime novel The Highway Murders chronicles the horrible killings committed by serial murderer M Jaishankar, better known as "Psycho Shankar." Shankar was engaged in a number of rapes, murders, and robberies in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The narrative recounts a police officer's decade-long hunt for the killer and the several hurdles he confronted along the road. The book takes a comprehensive look at the investigation into serial murders and the challenges that police encounter in arresting the offender. A comprehensive explanation of past killings will make readers sympathise with the victims.
The author does an excellent job of detailing the case and presenting the facts in an appealing and straightforward manner. The specifics of the crimes, as well as the different hypotheses surrounding the case, are fascinating and will have readers on the edge of their seats. The book also sheds light on the difficulties that Indian police have in investigating such crimes, as well as the dearth of resources available to them. The book is well-researched and the author does not hold back in portraying the gritty and often gruesome details of the atrocities, making for an unsettling read. The book also addresses the toll that such cases may take on the victims' relatives and the investigators, which adds to the book's relevance.
Overall, this is an engaging and well-written book that takes an in-depth look at one of India's most known serial murderers and the police efforts to bring him to justice.
Sourabh Mukherjee's real crime novel The Highway Murders chronicles the horrible killings committed by serial murderer M Jaishankar, better known as "Psycho Shankar." Shankar was engaged in a number of rapes, murders, and robberies in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The narrative recounts a police officer's decade-long hunt for the killer and the several hurdles he confronted along the road. The book takes a comprehensive look at the investigation into serial murders and the challenges that police encounter in arresting the offender. A comprehensive explanation of past killings will make readers sympathise with the victims.
The author does an excellent job of detailing the case and presenting the facts in an appealing and straightforward manner. The specifics of the crimes, as well as the different hypotheses surrounding the case, are fascinating and will have readers on the edge of their seats. The book also sheds light on the difficulties that Indian police have in investigating such crimes, as well as the dearth of resources available to them. The book is well-researched and the author does not hold back in portraying the gritty and often gruesome details of the atrocities, making for an unsettling read. The book also addresses the toll that such cases may take on the victims' relatives and the investigators, which adds to the book's relevance.
Overall, this is an engaging and well-written book that takes an in-depth look at one of India's most known serial murderers and the police efforts to bring him to justice.
February 17, 2023
The Highway Murders is a dramatized account of a serial killer and rapist Psycho Shankar that terrorized the highways of Tamil Nadu, extending to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. If you have not been keeping up with the news, let me tell you that this book and the subsequent materials related to it contain a lot of trigger warnings. So I would advise sensitive readers (including victims of trauma) to stay away from reading the books and instead attempt to gather information on Psycho Shankar on the Wikipedia page, where the story is more or less described, without the gory details.
The book details the crimes of Jaishankar as he rides the highways committing inexplicable crimes, including the brutal rape and murder of a female police constable. There is also a film on the same. Although I am less inclined to watch it, reading about those horrific crimes doesn't make it any less easy. The Highway Murders presents both perspectives of the criminal and the police. Usually, there is some degree of sympathy for the criminal where his/her's POV has been shared. But there was none for Shankar. Not even when his childhood story was laid out. Even though he came from an abusive household, his mother had always tried to shield him. However, instead of nurturing love like his mother, he became a monster that took inspiration from his father. I didn't feel bad for his daughters, I was instead relieved that their father stayed away, because such a man could have turned his daughters into his victims without a doubt. His case reminds me of The Night Killer, Richard Ramirez, who was convicted of crimes of the same nature. And like Shankar, had also escaped punishment by law.
Well, the story of a killer aside, the author has done his utmost to keep the tone neutral instead of trying to create a narrative that arouses sympathy for one party or the other. He has started the facts as is (apart from changing some names and dramatizing a bit) which keeps it apart from a cheap crime thriller but stands out as a good true crime read.
As I had stated, the book does come with a lot of trigger warnings, so I would definitely recommend the book but read it as your own discretion.
The book details the crimes of Jaishankar as he rides the highways committing inexplicable crimes, including the brutal rape and murder of a female police constable. There is also a film on the same. Although I am less inclined to watch it, reading about those horrific crimes doesn't make it any less easy. The Highway Murders presents both perspectives of the criminal and the police. Usually, there is some degree of sympathy for the criminal where his/her's POV has been shared. But there was none for Shankar. Not even when his childhood story was laid out. Even though he came from an abusive household, his mother had always tried to shield him. However, instead of nurturing love like his mother, he became a monster that took inspiration from his father. I didn't feel bad for his daughters, I was instead relieved that their father stayed away, because such a man could have turned his daughters into his victims without a doubt. His case reminds me of The Night Killer, Richard Ramirez, who was convicted of crimes of the same nature. And like Shankar, had also escaped punishment by law.
Well, the story of a killer aside, the author has done his utmost to keep the tone neutral instead of trying to create a narrative that arouses sympathy for one party or the other. He has started the facts as is (apart from changing some names and dramatizing a bit) which keeps it apart from a cheap crime thriller but stands out as a good true crime read.
As I had stated, the book does come with a lot of trigger warnings, so I would definitely recommend the book but read it as your own discretion.
July 20, 2024
"Why did you take this turn?" Priyamani raised her voice above the wind.
The man had turned his motorcycle in the direction of Kalipalayam Road, instead of continuing towards Sengapalli. This part of the road was dark, with most of the streetlights not functioning. It was past 9 p.m. by now. The cold silence of the night was interrupted only by the occasional shrieks of hungry infants inside the few shacks by the road, or the prolonged mournful wails of street dogs. There was not a soul around, as far as Priyamani could see. While the woman inside Priyamani felt nervous, she sought comfort and confidence in the uniform she wore. It was unlikely that anyone would dare to mess with a policewoman."
BOOK: The Highway Murders
AUTHOR: @authorsourabhmukherjee
GENRE: #nonfiction #crime #crimethriller
RATING: 4.9
This book is an account of true events of serial rapes and murders of the highway killer , M jaishankar. He was a psychopath who terrorised women and their families, any woman who ended up alone late in the night would have to be lucky enough to reach home safe in the era when M jaishankar was freely roaming. I cannot contain my anger when I write this, the way it is described he would ogle his prey mercilessly, the way he would beat them and mutilate them to death; my heart cries out to those women and their family members. I think through his death, his wife and daughters were also freed of this terrible lust-monster. I also feel extremely happy for all the women who could get away from his firm grips of lust; I believe they would have to deal with the trauma longer than their captivity and insult. Such a useless beast doesn't deserve to live ; and my blood boils when I come to know that he had an easy way out ! He should have been tortured to death.
"But, if the society has the love and respect for life, it cannot be selective about how it honours that love and respect. You cannot have love for a two-year-old, but be okay with killing a foetus! You cannot have love for a puppy but be okay with feasting on a lamb! "
#thehighwaymurders
#sourabhmukherjee
#reader
The man had turned his motorcycle in the direction of Kalipalayam Road, instead of continuing towards Sengapalli. This part of the road was dark, with most of the streetlights not functioning. It was past 9 p.m. by now. The cold silence of the night was interrupted only by the occasional shrieks of hungry infants inside the few shacks by the road, or the prolonged mournful wails of street dogs. There was not a soul around, as far as Priyamani could see. While the woman inside Priyamani felt nervous, she sought comfort and confidence in the uniform she wore. It was unlikely that anyone would dare to mess with a policewoman."
BOOK: The Highway Murders
AUTHOR: @authorsourabhmukherjee
GENRE: #nonfiction #crime #crimethriller
RATING: 4.9
This book is an account of true events of serial rapes and murders of the highway killer , M jaishankar. He was a psychopath who terrorised women and their families, any woman who ended up alone late in the night would have to be lucky enough to reach home safe in the era when M jaishankar was freely roaming. I cannot contain my anger when I write this, the way it is described he would ogle his prey mercilessly, the way he would beat them and mutilate them to death; my heart cries out to those women and their family members. I think through his death, his wife and daughters were also freed of this terrible lust-monster. I also feel extremely happy for all the women who could get away from his firm grips of lust; I believe they would have to deal with the trauma longer than their captivity and insult. Such a useless beast doesn't deserve to live ; and my blood boils when I come to know that he had an easy way out ! He should have been tortured to death.
"But, if the society has the love and respect for life, it cannot be selective about how it honours that love and respect. You cannot have love for a two-year-old, but be okay with killing a foetus! You cannot have love for a puppy but be okay with feasting on a lamb! "
#thehighwaymurders
#sourabhmukherjee
#reader
February 14, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
Title - The Highway Murders
Author - Sourabh Mukherjee @authorsourabhmukherjee
Format - Paperback
Number Of Pages - 200
Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trigger Warning ⚠️
Description of Sexual Assault, Gruesome Murders
First of all I would like to thank the author for writing such an amazing book, I have two reasons for that, the first one is that it involves a case of a serial killer and honestly nobody talks about them that courageously, their background and anything that they have committed. Secondly, it is a gem for those who are into thrillers.
This book revolves around the protagonist, M Jaishankar also known as “Psycho Shankar”
He is one of the most prominent killers, known for committing the most heinous crimes. He was the one who used to target women at farms and prostitutes. He used to rape and murder them and dispose of their bodies ruthlessly. He was also known for robbery.
He covered all of the mentioned places- Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He escaped jail two times and was the most wanted, it was a cat mouse race between the police and him. For more information, do read the book, I don't want to give you the spoiler, so was he ever caught? You'll know.
I am very fond of crime and psychological thrillers, also the one who is a big fan of @desicrime
I loved the narration and the best part of the book was that the serial killer's name was already there. The author tried to weave the man's actions with the best choice of words! I completed the book in two sittings only and it was so intriguing to know about him because I've never heard of these many escapes. I could feel the intensity of the author's hard work. The author had also done a great research to give us an insight about what happened, it was crystal clear and moreover he made it easy to visualise and understand what the victims went through because it was so well written.
I'll recommend this if only you could read it without keeping your mental health at stake.
Have a good day :)
Title - The Highway Murders
Author - Sourabh Mukherjee @authorsourabhmukherjee
Format - Paperback
Number Of Pages - 200
Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trigger Warning ⚠️
Description of Sexual Assault, Gruesome Murders
First of all I would like to thank the author for writing such an amazing book, I have two reasons for that, the first one is that it involves a case of a serial killer and honestly nobody talks about them that courageously, their background and anything that they have committed. Secondly, it is a gem for those who are into thrillers.
This book revolves around the protagonist, M Jaishankar also known as “Psycho Shankar”
He is one of the most prominent killers, known for committing the most heinous crimes. He was the one who used to target women at farms and prostitutes. He used to rape and murder them and dispose of their bodies ruthlessly. He was also known for robbery.
He covered all of the mentioned places- Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He escaped jail two times and was the most wanted, it was a cat mouse race between the police and him. For more information, do read the book, I don't want to give you the spoiler, so was he ever caught? You'll know.
I am very fond of crime and psychological thrillers, also the one who is a big fan of @desicrime
I loved the narration and the best part of the book was that the serial killer's name was already there. The author tried to weave the man's actions with the best choice of words! I completed the book in two sittings only and it was so intriguing to know about him because I've never heard of these many escapes. I could feel the intensity of the author's hard work. The author had also done a great research to give us an insight about what happened, it was crystal clear and moreover he made it easy to visualise and understand what the victims went through because it was so well written.
I'll recommend this if only you could read it without keeping your mental health at stake.
Have a good day :)
March 1, 2023
This book is based on a true account of a notorious serial killer responsible for murder and brutal violation of over dozen women written in a amazing manner which narrates the extremely brutal crimes and the autocracy the psychopathic killers subjected to the women. The whole information along with the line of fiction keeping the pace of the story hooked me till the end while both horrifying and nauseating me with those sicken deeds of the criminal. A horrifying tale depicted through binding of fiction that absolutely sync with someone's reality and throws the direct reflection of fear that every woman live with everyday
Psycho killer Shankar in 2009, brutally violated and killed a police constable Priyamani and left her mutilated body in a drainage near a graveyard for decomposition. Now, with this case the upsurge of finding the killer rose and the police department start their investigation. Inspector Swaminathan was one who was put incharge of this case and it was a ten long years of struggle which included Shankar's arrest, elopement, more brutality, corruption, arrest, trail, running from jail and long courtroom and conviction process and thereafter ended up lastly with Shankar's suicide in jail on which Swaminathan felt destiny gave the monster a short cut on his way out of life of ignominy, humiliation and misery in prison which was anything but fair. That was indeed not fair to the dozens of women who had been devoured brutally on the roads and left to rot far away from their homes. That was not fair to their families and loved ones for whom the last and the lasting memories of their daughters, sisters, wives were the leftovers of flesh and bones ravaged by animals, insects weather.
The whole true account of the killer that was accounted in this book was exceptional written with lines coming with it's own underlying rage, fear, hopelessness, loss accordingly and effectively setting it apart from a ordinary written crime documentary. a great read recommend to everyone interested (check tws)
Rating- 5/5
Psycho killer Shankar in 2009, brutally violated and killed a police constable Priyamani and left her mutilated body in a drainage near a graveyard for decomposition. Now, with this case the upsurge of finding the killer rose and the police department start their investigation. Inspector Swaminathan was one who was put incharge of this case and it was a ten long years of struggle which included Shankar's arrest, elopement, more brutality, corruption, arrest, trail, running from jail and long courtroom and conviction process and thereafter ended up lastly with Shankar's suicide in jail on which Swaminathan felt destiny gave the monster a short cut on his way out of life of ignominy, humiliation and misery in prison which was anything but fair. That was indeed not fair to the dozens of women who had been devoured brutally on the roads and left to rot far away from their homes. That was not fair to their families and loved ones for whom the last and the lasting memories of their daughters, sisters, wives were the leftovers of flesh and bones ravaged by animals, insects weather.
The whole true account of the killer that was accounted in this book was exceptional written with lines coming with it's own underlying rage, fear, hopelessness, loss accordingly and effectively setting it apart from a ordinary written crime documentary. a great read recommend to everyone interested (check tws)
Rating- 5/5
February 25, 2023
🩸 "The Highway Murders" authored by @authorsourabhmukherjee is an account of a real life incident, with an amalgamation of genres like murder-mystery, crime-thriller, suspense novel. The story commences with an underlying disquiet and sense of an impending terrifying occurrence, in Tamil Nadu, when a 39-year-old cop Priyamani vanished in August 2009. Her severely decayed corpse was discovered in a culvert outside a cemetery a month later. She had already been slain and horribly assaulted. So when an inquiry got underway, the authorities noticed a commonality in far more than a dozen unresolved sexual assault and homicide cases, where mutilated female remains were showing up in cemeteries, sewers, even barren areas next to roads. The authorities quickly ascertained that perhaps the offender was a truck driver by the name of M Jaishankar, also called as 'Psycho Shankar'.
What came next was a cross-state cat-and-mouse chase, several further grisly murders, one of the most famous jailbreaks in American history, and a contentious suicide in a high security bar.
.
🩸 Over the course of the novel, the author has kept up this strange feeling of astonishment and dread, which can make oneself engrossed in the story's action. The depiction and conversation were very well balanced and the inclusion of all sorts of twists and turns made the plot captivating. The novel features several points of view, including that of the perpetrator and police officer Swaminathan, which increased the suspense more and provided information on how criminals think. It's a nonstop scoop up type of storyline. It occasionally reveals the inner thoughts of a prolific murderer as well. The vocabulary is simple, lucid and easy to understand.
.
🩸 For readers who enjoy reading suspense and intrigue novels as well as spy thriller podcasts, this book is an ideal type for you. Nonetheless, be prepared to experience some bloodshed!
What came next was a cross-state cat-and-mouse chase, several further grisly murders, one of the most famous jailbreaks in American history, and a contentious suicide in a high security bar.
.
🩸 Over the course of the novel, the author has kept up this strange feeling of astonishment and dread, which can make oneself engrossed in the story's action. The depiction and conversation were very well balanced and the inclusion of all sorts of twists and turns made the plot captivating. The novel features several points of view, including that of the perpetrator and police officer Swaminathan, which increased the suspense more and provided information on how criminals think. It's a nonstop scoop up type of storyline. It occasionally reveals the inner thoughts of a prolific murderer as well. The vocabulary is simple, lucid and easy to understand.
.
🩸 For readers who enjoy reading suspense and intrigue novels as well as spy thriller podcasts, this book is an ideal type for you. Nonetheless, be prepared to experience some bloodshed!
March 28, 2025
My next TBR of 2024!
This is my first book from this author, and to be honest, the author nailed it. I have completed the book in a single sitting. Moreover, the story is based on the true event, and the author made sure to bring every detail to the readers.
The book begins with a policewoman, Priyamani, who was returning from her protection duty and on the way to Sengapalli bus stop. She got down at the Adhiyur road junction and was waiting for a commute to reach her destination. She found a bike passing her direction and asked for a lift. The men on the bike accepted her request. On her way, the bike took an opposite turn from her destination, so she started checking with the rider and got panicked.
Without giving her choice, he murdered her brutally and raped her. Also, he dumped her body in the nearest sewage drainage waste and left the spot.
This created a huge mess, and a lot of pressure was imposed on the police department to find the murderer as soon as possible. Because of this incident, people started worrying that there was no safety, even for the police officers. What would happen to the normal citizen? After this incident, similar methods of murder continued in the isolated areas, bushes, highways, and so on. Also, so many missing cases were filed. The case was handled by Swaminathan. He made sure to solve the case and find the person behind it.
He indeed succeeded in tracking down the murderer Jaishankar (Psycho), and he was sentenced to prison. But his cruelty never ended; he escaped from the prison and continued to kill and rape the woman as usual. Who was Shankar? What was his background and reason behind killing the helpless victim? Did Swaminathan succeed in imprisoning him again? Is the rest of the story?
Every detail about the murderer, his weapon, and background was clearly explained. The crime happened between 2008 and 2011. It gave me chills when I completed the book.
This is my first book from this author, and to be honest, the author nailed it. I have completed the book in a single sitting. Moreover, the story is based on the true event, and the author made sure to bring every detail to the readers.
The book begins with a policewoman, Priyamani, who was returning from her protection duty and on the way to Sengapalli bus stop. She got down at the Adhiyur road junction and was waiting for a commute to reach her destination. She found a bike passing her direction and asked for a lift. The men on the bike accepted her request. On her way, the bike took an opposite turn from her destination, so she started checking with the rider and got panicked.
Without giving her choice, he murdered her brutally and raped her. Also, he dumped her body in the nearest sewage drainage waste and left the spot.
This created a huge mess, and a lot of pressure was imposed on the police department to find the murderer as soon as possible. Because of this incident, people started worrying that there was no safety, even for the police officers. What would happen to the normal citizen? After this incident, similar methods of murder continued in the isolated areas, bushes, highways, and so on. Also, so many missing cases were filed. The case was handled by Swaminathan. He made sure to solve the case and find the person behind it.
He indeed succeeded in tracking down the murderer Jaishankar (Psycho), and he was sentenced to prison. But his cruelty never ended; he escaped from the prison and continued to kill and rape the woman as usual. Who was Shankar? What was his background and reason behind killing the helpless victim? Did Swaminathan succeed in imprisoning him again? Is the rest of the story?
Every detail about the murderer, his weapon, and background was clearly explained. The crime happened between 2008 and 2011. It gave me chills when I completed the book.
February 27, 2023
Highway Murders by Sourabh Mukherjee is a gripping thriller that takes readers on a journey through the dark underbelly of Indian highways. The story revolves around the murder of a young woman on a deserted highway, and the investigation that follows. The protagonist of the story is a young and ambitious police officer, who is determined to solve the case, even if it means going against the corrupt system.
The plot of the book is well-crafted, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged throughout. The author has done a commendable job of building the tension and suspense, while also exploring the complexities of the Indian police system. The characterisations are also well-done, with each character having a distinct personality and backstory.
One of the strengths of Highway Murders is its portrayal of the darker side of Indian society. The book delves into issues such as corruption, casteism, and gender violence, and provides a nuanced and thought-provoking commentary on these issues. The author has also done a good job of incorporating the cultural and linguistic diversity of India into the narrative, making the book feel authentic and grounded.
However, there are a few weaknesses in the book as well. The pacing of the story is uneven in places, with some parts feeling slow and others rushed. The writing style can also be a bit clunky at times, with awkward phrasing and repetition of certain words and phrases.
Overall, Highway Murders is a compelling and thought-provoking thriller that is worth a read. The book is a testament to the talent of the author, and showcases his ability to create a story that is both entertaining and socially relevant. If you are a fan of crime fiction, or simply looking for a good read, then Highway Murders is definitely worth checking out.
The plot of the book is well-crafted, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged throughout. The author has done a commendable job of building the tension and suspense, while also exploring the complexities of the Indian police system. The characterisations are also well-done, with each character having a distinct personality and backstory.
One of the strengths of Highway Murders is its portrayal of the darker side of Indian society. The book delves into issues such as corruption, casteism, and gender violence, and provides a nuanced and thought-provoking commentary on these issues. The author has also done a good job of incorporating the cultural and linguistic diversity of India into the narrative, making the book feel authentic and grounded.
However, there are a few weaknesses in the book as well. The pacing of the story is uneven in places, with some parts feeling slow and others rushed. The writing style can also be a bit clunky at times, with awkward phrasing and repetition of certain words and phrases.
Overall, Highway Murders is a compelling and thought-provoking thriller that is worth a read. The book is a testament to the talent of the author, and showcases his ability to create a story that is both entertaining and socially relevant. If you are a fan of crime fiction, or simply looking for a good read, then Highway Murders is definitely worth checking out.
February 23, 2023
𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 :
•• TITLE : The Highway Murders
•• AUTHOR : Sourabh Mukharjee
•• PUBLISHER : Srishti Publication
•• FORMAT : Paperback
•• LANGUAGE : English
𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒 :
It's the story of a policewoman of Tamil Nadu who was missing in 2009. Her decomposed body was found in a drain after a month.
..
From last few months these pattern of murders are happening repeatedly like serial killing & police immediately relate the murder of the lady police officer with it.
..
It's took very less time for police to figure out the real culprit who is M Jaishankar , a truck driver.
..
But after knowing everything it's very hard for the police to catch him as he is quite smart & smartly changing his location & due to his multi language commands he easily deceived everyone.
..
To know more about it grab the book and give it a try.
𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 :
✓ The cover is nice intriguing & thought provoking.
✓ The writing style of the book is just superb. The author sequenced all the incidents in a crispy manner
✓ Language used in the book is simple & easily connected.
✓ All the characters are developed perfectly with a depth characterization.
✓ The way the author executed this story is good with a perfect bridge of thrill & suspense with a jail break escape & many events.
✓ The story is quite eye opening & it always gives you an edge of the seat experience.
✓ The book will surely make you feel thrilling while reading it as the book has so many ups n downs highs n lows.
✓ The small small detailing author focused in the book makes the book more connecting to read.
✓ This is a true story & the author did a great research before penning it down.
✓ The book is crisp & rapidly paced which you can easily finish in one go.
𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
•• TITLE : The Highway Murders
•• AUTHOR : Sourabh Mukharjee
•• PUBLISHER : Srishti Publication
•• FORMAT : Paperback
•• LANGUAGE : English
𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒 :
It's the story of a policewoman of Tamil Nadu who was missing in 2009. Her decomposed body was found in a drain after a month.
..
From last few months these pattern of murders are happening repeatedly like serial killing & police immediately relate the murder of the lady police officer with it.
..
It's took very less time for police to figure out the real culprit who is M Jaishankar , a truck driver.
..
But after knowing everything it's very hard for the police to catch him as he is quite smart & smartly changing his location & due to his multi language commands he easily deceived everyone.
..
To know more about it grab the book and give it a try.
𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 :
✓ The cover is nice intriguing & thought provoking.
✓ The writing style of the book is just superb. The author sequenced all the incidents in a crispy manner
✓ Language used in the book is simple & easily connected.
✓ All the characters are developed perfectly with a depth characterization.
✓ The way the author executed this story is good with a perfect bridge of thrill & suspense with a jail break escape & many events.
✓ The story is quite eye opening & it always gives you an edge of the seat experience.
✓ The book will surely make you feel thrilling while reading it as the book has so many ups n downs highs n lows.
✓ The small small detailing author focused in the book makes the book more connecting to read.
✓ This is a true story & the author did a great research before penning it down.
✓ The book is crisp & rapidly paced which you can easily finish in one go.
𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
February 23, 2023
Title: The Highway Murders
Author: Sourabh Mukherjee
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Sourabh Mukherjee's "The Highway Murders" is a gripping mystery-thriller set in India that will keep readers on edge until the very end. The book follows the story of a young couple, who embark on a road trip to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. However, their trip takes a dark turn when they become witnesses to a murder, and find themselves in the middle of a serial killer's spree.
Mukherjee's writing style is fluid and engaging, making it easy for readers to get swept up in the story. The characters are well-crafted and relatable, which makes it all the more terrifying to watch them face danger at every turn. The plot is intricately woven, with multiple twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
One of the strengths of this book is its portrayal of the Indian highway system and the dangers that come with travelling on it. Mukherjee does an excellent job of highlighting the issues of road safety in India, such as reckless driving and inadequate policing, which often lead to tragic accidents and incidents.
However, the book is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the pacing to be a bit slow in the first few chapters. Additionally, some of the character's actions and decisions may seem unrealistic or contrived, particularly towards the end of the book.
Overall, "The Highway Murders" is a well-crafted mystery thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. Mukherjee's writing is strong and his storytelling is engaging, making for a gripping read. While the book is perfect, it is also a solid addition to the genre and a great choice for anyone looking for a fast-paced and suspenseful thriller.
My Ratings 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Author: Sourabh Mukherjee
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Sourabh Mukherjee's "The Highway Murders" is a gripping mystery-thriller set in India that will keep readers on edge until the very end. The book follows the story of a young couple, who embark on a road trip to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. However, their trip takes a dark turn when they become witnesses to a murder, and find themselves in the middle of a serial killer's spree.
Mukherjee's writing style is fluid and engaging, making it easy for readers to get swept up in the story. The characters are well-crafted and relatable, which makes it all the more terrifying to watch them face danger at every turn. The plot is intricately woven, with multiple twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
One of the strengths of this book is its portrayal of the Indian highway system and the dangers that come with travelling on it. Mukherjee does an excellent job of highlighting the issues of road safety in India, such as reckless driving and inadequate policing, which often lead to tragic accidents and incidents.
However, the book is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the pacing to be a bit slow in the first few chapters. Additionally, some of the character's actions and decisions may seem unrealistic or contrived, particularly towards the end of the book.
Overall, "The Highway Murders" is a well-crafted mystery thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. Mukherjee's writing is strong and his storytelling is engaging, making for a gripping read. While the book is perfect, it is also a solid addition to the genre and a great choice for anyone looking for a fast-paced and suspenseful thriller.
My Ratings 🌟🌟🌟🌟
February 17, 2023
Crime and thrills are my favorite genres, which is why I chose this book to read, and it's a must-read for me. The book is written in an easy-to-read manner that is ideal for novices. I enjoyed the way the tension thriller is intertwined with the characters. All of the twists added to the suspense. I suggest it to everyone.
First and foremost, I must address the elephant in the room: the gore and rape detailed in the novel, which made my skin crawl. I am a silent reader, but these facts compelled me to read aloud since I didn't want the situation to get ingrained in my mind. And when I did, my mother inquired if I didn't have a better book to read instead of that abomination. When I told her about the plot, she stated it takes nerves of steel to write and read the book. I was terrified at times and discouraged as well. Sourabh Mukherjee illustrates the fate of innocent women. This book has profoundly affected my thoughts, and I will remember it for a long time. I was afraid to read reading beyond the first two pages because I was terrified. But then I became engrossed in the story and found myself drawn to it. That was the impression it left on me. It would be best if you gave it a go, dear readers.
This book is filled with precise information that is simple to grasp. He rapes any random female and then murders her immediately, leaving no trace of his guilt. When you start reading this book, you won't be able to stop until you've finished it. I appreciate the author's efforts in producing this book. A thoroughly researched book. Readers who appreciate mysteries and thrillers will enjoy this novel.
First and foremost, I must address the elephant in the room: the gore and rape detailed in the novel, which made my skin crawl. I am a silent reader, but these facts compelled me to read aloud since I didn't want the situation to get ingrained in my mind. And when I did, my mother inquired if I didn't have a better book to read instead of that abomination. When I told her about the plot, she stated it takes nerves of steel to write and read the book. I was terrified at times and discouraged as well. Sourabh Mukherjee illustrates the fate of innocent women. This book has profoundly affected my thoughts, and I will remember it for a long time. I was afraid to read reading beyond the first two pages because I was terrified. But then I became engrossed in the story and found myself drawn to it. That was the impression it left on me. It would be best if you gave it a go, dear readers.
This book is filled with precise information that is simple to grasp. He rapes any random female and then murders her immediately, leaving no trace of his guilt. When you start reading this book, you won't be able to stop until you've finished it. I appreciate the author's efforts in producing this book. A thoroughly researched book. Readers who appreciate mysteries and thrillers will enjoy this novel.
February 19, 2023
The Highway Murders by Sourabh Mukherjee is a gripping true crime story that chronicles the hunt for one of India's most notorious serial killers, M Jaishankar, also known as 'Psycho Shankar'. This book tells the story of a decade-long battle by one policeman against the 'terror of the highways', who was responsible for over a dozen gruesome rape-and-murder cases. In August 2009, a thirty-nine-year-old policewoman went missing in Tamil Nadu, and her decomposed body was later discovered in a drain by a graveyard. The police soon discovered a pattern in the murders, with the bodies of women turning up in similar locations. It didn't take them long to identify the perpetrator as a trucker named M Jaishankar.
The author takes readers on a thrilling journey across states, as the police track down M Jaishankar, who continued his killing spree despite being on the run. Along the way, the reader learns about the lives of the victims and their families, and the impact that these brutal crimes had on their communities. The author also provides insights into the mind of the killer, offering a chilling portrayal of his psyche and modus operandi.
Sourabh Mukherjee's writing is crisp, clear, and engaging. He brings his considerable storytelling skills to bear in telling this gripping tale of a serial killer and the policeman who relentlessly pursued him. The Highway Murders is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts, as well as anyone interested in the workings of the criminal mind. Overall, this is an excellent book that is well-researched and well-written, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the dark world of serial killers in India
The author takes readers on a thrilling journey across states, as the police track down M Jaishankar, who continued his killing spree despite being on the run. Along the way, the reader learns about the lives of the victims and their families, and the impact that these brutal crimes had on their communities. The author also provides insights into the mind of the killer, offering a chilling portrayal of his psyche and modus operandi.
Sourabh Mukherjee's writing is crisp, clear, and engaging. He brings his considerable storytelling skills to bear in telling this gripping tale of a serial killer and the policeman who relentlessly pursued him. The Highway Murders is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts, as well as anyone interested in the workings of the criminal mind. Overall, this is an excellent book that is well-researched and well-written, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the dark world of serial killers in India
January 15, 2023
Book Title: The Highway Murders
Author: Sourabh Mukherjee
Publisher: Srishti Publishers & Distributors
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Genre: Crime
Pages: 200
Book Rating: 4.5/5
If you are looking for a perfect crime fiction then Saurabh Mukherjee is one of those writers who can give you the best story on the same. I read one of his crime novels called 'Death Served Cold'. I became a fan of his writing style. This makes me pick up this book of his.
In other murder mystery novels, we get to know the identity of the murderer later but in this book, the identity of the murderer has already been made clear. This is the true story of serial killer Shankar who was involved in many rapes, murders, and robbery cases across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Interestingly, a chase was on between the killer and the police. It will keep the readers hooked till the last page of the novel. A detailed description of the murders that once took place will make readers sympathize with the victims. Those murders are really heartbreaking in the way it was recounted by the author. Even the background story of Shankar becoming so maligned was told faultlessly.
In the book, we learn about the different types of serial killers. There is no doubt of narrative within the story. It's superb all the time. The title of the book is very catchy. The cover photo is not suitable. This book is not at all for faint-hearted people. I finished this six-part novel in two sittings out of curiosity. Although a web series was made about the killer, yet the novel is still outstanding.
Author: Sourabh Mukherjee
Publisher: Srishti Publishers & Distributors
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Genre: Crime
Pages: 200
Book Rating: 4.5/5
If you are looking for a perfect crime fiction then Saurabh Mukherjee is one of those writers who can give you the best story on the same. I read one of his crime novels called 'Death Served Cold'. I became a fan of his writing style. This makes me pick up this book of his.
In other murder mystery novels, we get to know the identity of the murderer later but in this book, the identity of the murderer has already been made clear. This is the true story of serial killer Shankar who was involved in many rapes, murders, and robbery cases across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Interestingly, a chase was on between the killer and the police. It will keep the readers hooked till the last page of the novel. A detailed description of the murders that once took place will make readers sympathize with the victims. Those murders are really heartbreaking in the way it was recounted by the author. Even the background story of Shankar becoming so maligned was told faultlessly.
In the book, we learn about the different types of serial killers. There is no doubt of narrative within the story. It's superb all the time. The title of the book is very catchy. The cover photo is not suitable. This book is not at all for faint-hearted people. I finished this six-part novel in two sittings out of curiosity. Although a web series was made about the killer, yet the novel is still outstanding.
February 3, 2023
⚔️ The Highway Murders: The True Account of the Killer Who Terrorized the Highway | A true crime investigation ⚔️
By Sourabh Mukherjee
✒️One of my favourite things to read is true stories. Similarly, I have seen a video of this real murder case where some Youtubers explain it.
✒️This book is just beyond terrifying. Thankfully, the perpetrator was convicted not too long ago; this monster is just horrifying. He was just hiding in plain sight the whole time.
✒️It gives me shivers just thinking about it! Sourabh Mukherjee truly is the king of true crime writing; he just has the perfect way of balancing the horrifying crime facts with the tidbits about the victim and how her own life led up to her killings. I enjoyed that he introduced us to the victim, but I did find he elaborated way too much on some of them; a single paragraph would have sufficed and given us the background we needed on them.
✒️As I am from Tamil Nadu, I knew about this incident when it happened, but I liked reading it as a book. It takes a lot of work to write books like this. Reading this book, you can understand how much research the author must have done before writing this book and how many people he must have asked around about it.
✒️This incident is a true one, which definitely makes our read a worthwhile one, and this book is wonderfully written by this author.
✒️Genius writing," but I do like his focus on the victim and the perpetrator, especially given the circumstances of the crimes, in which they were viewed by their murderer as merely trash to be discarded.
✒️My favourite part of the book by far was the ending, where it was leading up to his capture and arrest; my eyes were glued to the page, and I was on the edge of my seat! This is one hell of a true crime story—definitely a must read for any true crime fan!
By Sourabh Mukherjee
✒️One of my favourite things to read is true stories. Similarly, I have seen a video of this real murder case where some Youtubers explain it.
✒️This book is just beyond terrifying. Thankfully, the perpetrator was convicted not too long ago; this monster is just horrifying. He was just hiding in plain sight the whole time.
✒️It gives me shivers just thinking about it! Sourabh Mukherjee truly is the king of true crime writing; he just has the perfect way of balancing the horrifying crime facts with the tidbits about the victim and how her own life led up to her killings. I enjoyed that he introduced us to the victim, but I did find he elaborated way too much on some of them; a single paragraph would have sufficed and given us the background we needed on them.
✒️As I am from Tamil Nadu, I knew about this incident when it happened, but I liked reading it as a book. It takes a lot of work to write books like this. Reading this book, you can understand how much research the author must have done before writing this book and how many people he must have asked around about it.
✒️This incident is a true one, which definitely makes our read a worthwhile one, and this book is wonderfully written by this author.
✒️Genius writing," but I do like his focus on the victim and the perpetrator, especially given the circumstances of the crimes, in which they were viewed by their murderer as merely trash to be discarded.
✒️My favourite part of the book by far was the ending, where it was leading up to his capture and arrest; my eyes were glued to the page, and I was on the edge of my seat! This is one hell of a true crime story—definitely a must read for any true crime fan!
February 16, 2023
"That is how we deal with the scum of the society. We just move it around a bit here and a bit there. And when we discover that the house is stinking, it is already too late and the house is infested by the rats."
I have always been afraid to dive into true crime novels since they felt too real and intrigued me simultaneously. But, when I laid my hands on 'The Highway Murders' by Sourabh Mukherjee, I knew I had to read it. The blurb itself made me extremely curious since this is quite a recent case, as it culminated only in 2018.
Besides the blurb, the author's style and pace of capturing the incidents without overwhelming the readers with too many gory details is applause-worthy. The author also captured the timeline accurately and developed a narrative that justified the insights of the entire case. Reading the novel centrally from the point of view of the serial killer opened the doors to a new experience. It was like hating him throughout and pitying him towards the end but also being happy that he ended up the way he did. Add that to me catching my breath every time he was on the hunt for new victims; it was quite a rollercoaster of emotions. I'm afraid I might spill some spoilers if I continue writing about the book.
So, I will end it by saying that the narration intrigued me so much that I ended up googling about the case. So, for my first true crime read, I had no complaints.
For more such detailed reviews, check out my bookstagram: www.instagram.com/mystic_tales_tintin
I have always been afraid to dive into true crime novels since they felt too real and intrigued me simultaneously. But, when I laid my hands on 'The Highway Murders' by Sourabh Mukherjee, I knew I had to read it. The blurb itself made me extremely curious since this is quite a recent case, as it culminated only in 2018.
Besides the blurb, the author's style and pace of capturing the incidents without overwhelming the readers with too many gory details is applause-worthy. The author also captured the timeline accurately and developed a narrative that justified the insights of the entire case. Reading the novel centrally from the point of view of the serial killer opened the doors to a new experience. It was like hating him throughout and pitying him towards the end but also being happy that he ended up the way he did. Add that to me catching my breath every time he was on the hunt for new victims; it was quite a rollercoaster of emotions. I'm afraid I might spill some spoilers if I continue writing about the book.
So, I will end it by saying that the narration intrigued me so much that I ended up googling about the case. So, for my first true crime read, I had no complaints.
For more such detailed reviews, check out my bookstagram: www.instagram.com/mystic_tales_tintin
January 23, 2023
In August 2009, a thirty-nine-year-old policewoman went missing in Tamil Nadu. A month later, her heavily decomposed body was discovered in a drain by a graveyard. She had been brutally violated and killed.
As the investigation started, the police detected a pattern in more than a dozen unsolved rape-and-murder cases with mutilated bodies of women turning up in graveyards, drains and empty fields along the highways.
It didn’t take the police too long to find out that the perpetrator was a trucker named M Jaishankar.
What followed was a cat-and-mouse game across states, many more gruesome killings, one of the most sensational jailbreaks in the history of the country, and a controversial suicide in a high security cell.
The plot of the book is full of twists of turns and engaging till the end. The story is narrated well in lucid language. The book can be completed in 1-2 go as the story is engaging. The story is fast-paced. I like the way the author narrated the events. Recommended to the murderer mystery lover.The story is based on true story, it's a story of a psycho killer and the gruesome crime.
The Highway Murders is the breathtaking true story of 'Psycho Shankar', one of India's most notorious serial killers, and one policeman's relentless decade-long battle against the 'terror of the highways'.
The title is just perfect.The cover is eye-catching.Overall, a must read.
As the investigation started, the police detected a pattern in more than a dozen unsolved rape-and-murder cases with mutilated bodies of women turning up in graveyards, drains and empty fields along the highways.
It didn’t take the police too long to find out that the perpetrator was a trucker named M Jaishankar.
What followed was a cat-and-mouse game across states, many more gruesome killings, one of the most sensational jailbreaks in the history of the country, and a controversial suicide in a high security cell.
The plot of the book is full of twists of turns and engaging till the end. The story is narrated well in lucid language. The book can be completed in 1-2 go as the story is engaging. The story is fast-paced. I like the way the author narrated the events. Recommended to the murderer mystery lover.The story is based on true story, it's a story of a psycho killer and the gruesome crime.
The Highway Murders is the breathtaking true story of 'Psycho Shankar', one of India's most notorious serial killers, and one policeman's relentless decade-long battle against the 'terror of the highways'.
The title is just perfect.The cover is eye-catching.Overall, a must read.
January 25, 2023
"The Highway Murders" By the author Sourabh Mukherjee. Firstly I want to say what a fantastic read it was. It's a murder mystery story book. This book starts with a murder of a policewoman who was returning to her home after her work schedule, she was raped and eventually killed. The case was investigated by the officer named Swaminathan. And here the protagonist is the killer who is a psycho murderer, a serial killer, he used to follow women, rape them for pleasure and kill them ultimately, so that the cops could not catch him, His name is Shanker. Even his background story was told flawlessly.The way the author narrated the cat and mouse game across the states was mind blowing.If you are thinking of reading crime fiction then Sourabh Mukherjee is perfect for you. Previously I read one of his crime fictional novels called " Death Served Cold". Since then I have become a fan of him, his plots and writing style. In this book you will get to learn about different types of serial killers. This book is based on a true story, the author has done well research for writing this book. The thrill was present in every chapter. The narration is the most attractive thing for this book. The title is catchy. The cover goes perfectly with the plot. The readers will definitely feel hooked till the last page. The language was lucid and simple. Overall a must read book for all. I highly recommend this to everyone out there
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