VIKRAM RANA INVESTIGATES
BY
SHARMISHTHA SHENOY
BLURB
Vikram Rana Murder Mysteries set in Hyderabad……
The Mysterious Affair of the Lohia Mansion
When the glamourous socialite Richa Lohia is poisoned in her mansion in Jubilee Hills, her brother-in-law hires his mate, ex-cop Vikram Rana, to solve this murder. This is Vikram’s first case and he, along with Inspector Gopi Reddy, must solve the case even if they face opposition from the richest and powerful family in Hyderabad, who would stop at nothing to defend themselves.
The Sonia Sinha Case
When property developer Krishna Dhavala is stabbed to death in Necklace Road, everyone suspects Mrs. Dhavala to be the murderer of her alcoholic and abusive husband. But is that really the case? Vikram Rana and Inspector Reddy have a tough time uncovering the murderer and Vikram himself almost dies trying to solve this case. Experience the mystery along with the duo as they fight their way through the maze of lies, deceit and greed.
Read an excerpt...
From "The Mysterious Affair of the Lohia Mansion"
"Kinshuk sprang out of bed and followed his uncle, Rohan along the passage to his mother Richa’s bedroom.
Rohan’s wife, Kiara joined them along with Richa’s personal maid Lakshmi and two more servants. Everyone seemed to be in a state of awestricken fear.
Kinshuk turned to his uncle, ‘What should we do? Father is not here.’
Never had Kinshuk’s weak nature been more apparent, Rohan thought in distaste. Rohan rattled the handle of his sister-in-law Richa’s door violently, but with no effect. The whole household was aroused by now. The most alarming sounds were audible from the interior of the locked bedroom. Clearly something must be done."
What could have been going on the room? What triggered it?
Mrs Lohia was lying in her bed having seizures. In her agony she must have overturned the bedside table. As they entered, her limbs relaxed and she fell back on her pillow.
"I cannot see properly" she complained. Rohan and Kinshuk looked at each other helplessly. A strangled cry from the bed startled them. A fresh bout of pain had seized Richa. The seizures were terrible to behold. At that moment dr Agnihotri pushed his way into the room authoritatively. At the same instant, Richa cried "Rohan.... Rohan" then she fell back on the pillows motionless.
Why was Richa killed? Why did she take Rohan's name?
From the Sonia Sinha case:
"He reached the meeting place at 8 pm sharp. The headlights of his car revealed a woman in a burqa waiting by the roadside. She waved her hand. Krishna stopped the car and she got in. As she removed her veil, Krishna started in surprise. At the same time another man got into the back of his car. Confused, Krishna looked at the man. Then his eyes widened in fear."
Whom did Krishna see? Who was the woman in burqa?
"Kinshuk sprang out of bed and followed his uncle, Rohan along the passage to his mother Richa’s bedroom.
Rohan’s wife, Kiara joined them along with Richa’s personal maid Lakshmi and two more servants. Everyone seemed to be in a state of awestricken fear.
Kinshuk turned to his uncle, ‘What should we do? Father is not here.’
Never had Kinshuk’s weak nature been more apparent, Rohan thought in distaste. Rohan rattled the handle of his sister-in-law Richa’s door violently, but with no effect. The whole household was aroused by now. The most alarming sounds were audible from the interior of the locked bedroom. Clearly something must be done."
What could have been going on the room? What triggered it?
Mrs Lohia was lying in her bed having seizures. In her agony she must have overturned the bedside table. As they entered, her limbs relaxed and she fell back on her pillow.
"I cannot see properly" she complained. Rohan and Kinshuk looked at each other helplessly. A strangled cry from the bed startled them. A fresh bout of pain had seized Richa. The seizures were terrible to behold. At that moment dr Agnihotri pushed his way into the room authoritatively. At the same instant, Richa cried "Rohan.... Rohan" then she fell back on the pillows motionless.
Why was Richa killed? Why did she take Rohan's name?
From the Sonia Sinha case:
"He reached the meeting place at 8 pm sharp. The headlights of his car revealed a woman in a burqa waiting by the roadside. She waved her hand. Krishna stopped the car and she got in. As she removed her veil, Krishna started in surprise. At the same time another man got into the back of his car. Confused, Krishna looked at the man. Then his eyes widened in fear."
Whom did Krishna see? Who was the woman in burqa?
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About the author
Sharmishtha Shenoy
Sharmishtha Shenoy loves writing murder mysteries, the kind of books that she herself likes to read. Her favorite authors are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. She also likes the work of Satyajit Ray – especially the Feluda Series. She was born in Calcutta and has done her post-graduation from University of Reading, Great Britain. She lives in Hyderabad.
My honest review
Vikram Rana Investigates is a novella of two stories in which the main lead is played by Vikram Rana who is an ex-cop and has started a detective agency and these are two of his cases. .
If you like to read crime, suspense and mystery, this is one book you must read, as it has all the above three with a touch of humor.
The first story The Mysterious Affair Of Lohia Mansion starts with a bang; not a gunshot bang but like the way a suspense movie starts with its first scene. The opening chapter itself holds the reader’s attention in captive. The story begins with the murder of Richa Lohia, who is found poisoned in her spacious bungalow in Jubilee hills.
The manner in which the author has created the web of suspense is commendable. Too many characters are introduced, each having a motive of their own in murdering Richa, but none of characters look out of place or have no role to play.
Vikram and his wife Veena’s banter add a humorous flavor to the suspense story, there by lightening the mood. Vikram’s manner of investigating and reaching for conclusions is commendable.
The pace of this story is fast and holds on reader’s attention, but found the climax too abrupt. Wished the ending was as suspenseful as the whole story was, but otherwise loved this story.
The Sonia Sinha Case is the second story in the book. This story is about the murder mystery of Krishna Dhavala, who is found murdered inside his car. He is a land developer and is hated by many for many reasons. In this story too there are too many characters, too many suspects who have their own intentions for conducting the deed.
This story too starts with a bang but after couple of chapters loses it steam. Though an interesting story and after reading first story one wish for more suspense, more drama, and more mystery in this one.
My take on this book is, fast paced, readable if you ignore some of the editing mistakes, and also if you want your brain cells to work while you read the story trying to guess who the main culprit is.
Since Sharmishtha is from Hyderabad loved the way author has used the local hangouts and places in the story. Also depicting Vikram and Inspector Reddy as foodies brings a smile on a foodie reader’s face like me.
In all, giving minor errors a miss, this book is definitely worth a read, which can be finished in one sitting.
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Disclaimer : I received a free copy of this book from the author in return of my honest review
