The novel "Vikram Rana Investigates " is a package deal of two murder mysteries in one book.As the title says, the detective is Vikram Rana who is probing the mysteries.
The tales are from Hyderabad.Vikram Rana is an ex-cop turned private detective. He gets involved in the case of Richa Lohia's death as Richa's brother in law Rohan is a childhood friend of Vikram Rana. This is Vikram's first case.There are many suspects in the case. Vikram & cop Reddy assist each other in trying to unravel the identity of the killer. Richa's eldest son ,Kinshuk is a drug addict & is the first suspect. Rohan is suspected to have had an affair with Richa. Rohan vehemently denies it though others are unsure . Rohan's wife Kiara cannot control her jealousy as she starts talking .Is she the killer ? Gaurav, Richa's hubby had hired a pretty governess ,Juhi. And Richa had terminated her services. Did she suspect that hubby & governess were having an affair ? Juhi's Uncle is an actor.Is he involved ? There are many twists & turns in the story.This makes it very intriguing.
The second case is another murder mystery of a rogue builder, Krishna Dhavala. He had got his partner Raju killed some time before. Late Raju's son Pavel is the suspect .His mother approaches Rana to save her son. Rana accepts the case .He & Reddy start working on different angles to trace the murderer. Krishna was wanted dead by many including the minister with whom he was too close .Krishna's wife is suspected of murdering Krishna as he was a womaniser & she stayed away from him. And she has returned home after his death . Krishna' driver cum bodyguard has a expensive lifestyle. Is he the killer ? Vikram Rana & Reddy are able to catch the killer after a few more bodies are discovered.
Vikram Rana is a foodie & irritates his health conscious wife Veena no end. He dislikes health food & loves junk food .This makes for a lot of humour. Vikram Rana's character is nicely etched.He is someone who has a keen eye for beauty though he is always careful that it does not interfere in the discharge of his duties as an investigator.
Loved the book as it gives a desi perspective to murder investigations. The location is Indian, the characters are Indian & the mannerisms, the problems , the chaos in the city ...all are desi. That is such a much needed change !
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?
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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.
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