Author: Prasun Roy | Genre: Crime Thriller | Pages: 232
Durga Puja vibes are at an all-time high, but the city of Kolkata is in for more than just festive fervor. Meet a fugitive business tycoon Durgacharan Mahesh, making a dramatic entrance from Spain to face trial in the midst of Puja preparations. Lights are sparkling, the city’s decked out for the Goddess, and Commissioner Chauhan’s police force is on high alert! Despite all precautions and preparations, a string of murders and crimes unfolds. It kicks off with the mysterious demise of Durgacharan’s brother-in-law, Vasudev Patel, wielding a Devi astra and the word ‘Devi’ scrawled in blood.
Inspector Arun Palit is a top-notch detective with a tainted past, suspended for unethical behavior. Yet, he’s oddly linked to the murders, receiving cryptic warnings. His estranged police friend Jai is knee-deep in the investigation, and there’s Savitri, a reporter with an unrequited love for Arun, thrown into the mix As the days of Pujo unfold, the crimes escalate, and ‘Devi’ takes matters into her own hands, doling out a peculiar form of justice.
On Mahachaturthi, a precious jewel-studded conch belonging to a 260-year-old Durga idol gets stolen. On the subsequent days, more bodies emerge with a host of clues, prompting the police commissioner to launch an investigation along with his best men. The victims harbor dark secrets. What seems like random acts of violence gradually unravels into a sinister connection!
Sure, I had some predictions early on, but the way the story unfolds is nothing short of dramatic and thoroughly enthralling. The exploration of social issues and the revenge angle peels back the layers of society, exposing its true and sometimes ugly face. And the reminder that money is a potent catalyst is well-established. All in all, a great blend that would make for a run-away hit on the big screens.
The emotional rollercoaster, the closure, and the vivid depiction of city life during the festivities add an extra layer of fun to this mystery. Everything and everyone in this story is set out to jolt you out of your mundane reveries and give your a literary experience like no other. Long after the book is finished, you’ll find yourself grappling for sanity reeling from the events of Durga Puja and the notorious crimes engulfing the city of Kolkata.
P.S.: I received a review copy from the publisher, but the review remains unbiased.
Have you read ‘Devi’? What did you think?
