Author: Saradindu Bandyopadhyay
Translator: Monimala Dhar
Genre: Short Stories, Crime Fiction
Pages: 227
Publisher: Rupa Publications

Crime fiction is one of my favorite genres since childhood. Many a nights were spent covered under the blanket reading Nancy Drew mysteries. It is only for this hunger that was cultivated in childhood to only grow with time as there are so many amazing authors and books to read under the crime thriller genre. Growing up, I met Poirot and Sherlock and Miss Marple, and I knew the kid inside me was always going to be happy and satisfied. And then I came across Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries. My thrill knew no bounds. Our very own Indian Mr. Holmes and even better, because the settings were relatable and familiar!

In this volume of Byomkesh Bakshi, readers find 7 thrilling mysteries from the casebook of Byomkesh Bakshi, arguably the most famous Indian fictional detective ever created. Saradindu Bandopadhyay’s iconic Bengali detective, brought to life through the superb translation skills of Monimala Dhar, takes center stage alongside his indomitable partner, Ajit. The book is narrated through this sidekick’s perspective. The volumes are independent of each other since these are short stories. Readers can easily pick any of them first and still enjoy the stories.

Real life issues married with tragedies and often ending in crime come to the fore in this collection. From the enigmatic encounter with Satyabati in the opening tale to the relentless pursuit of a murderer hidden behind two seemingly natural deaths, and finally to the perplexing investigation into a series of gramophone pin murders, the collection is a treat for every crime fiction lover.

These clever, intriguing, and suspenseful narratives pay homage to the great mastermind with a great show of some unparalleled powers of analyzation and his detective prowess. They will keep readers glued to the edge of their seat of the thrilling ride that each of these tales are. The fantastic world of Byomkesh Bakshi comes alive again in this book, and how!

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The translator, Monimala Dhar, has done a splendid job and the narratives, flow, and dialogues are all on the point and thoroughly engaging. The chilling settings in some of these stories just blow your mind. The inevitable factors of sinister and danger that lurks around the corners of every story makes them worth remembering long after the book is over. Truly, Byomkesh Bakshi teaches readers a thing or two about caution and observation, and how through sheer mindfulness the most twisted crimes can be solved efficiently. The stories that remain with me are ‘The Dart of Death’ and ‘The Thorn in the Flesh’.

‘Byomkesh Bakshi’ is more than a mere collection of crime fiction tales; it’s a peek into the creative and imaginative prowess that the author was. It’s a must-have on your shelf if you love books with unpredictable stories, sinister crime settings, eccentric crime elements, all through the lens of the Indian landscape and culture; especially Bengal.

Who is your favorite crime fiction writer?

P.S.: I received a review copy from the publisher but the review remains unbiased.