Author : Anuja Chauhan
Genre : Cozy Mystery & Drama
My rating : ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Brief :
All of Habba Galli in Shivajinagar goes into a frenzy when the eccentric Dondi Pais fires her double barrel shotgun into the night sky to chase away a bunch of noisy street dogs on Karwa Chauth. But the next morning, chaos turns into horror when it is discovered that one stray bullet has found its way into the head of a bitter old jeweller, leaving him very much dead. This tangled caper comes from author Anuja Chauhan.
The gossip mill does not waste a second, and people are quick to claim divine punishment. After all, had the jeweller’s wife not broken her fast before the moonrise just the evening before? “Aiyyo,” they whisper, “the Goddess is angry.” But superstition aside, there is no shortage of suspects. From Bollywood’s rising heartthrob Haider Sait, home for a visit and still hung up on his old flame, the stunning vet Jhoomar Rao, to a handful of other residents with secrets and grudges, everyone in Shivajinagar seems to have something to hide.
Luckily, ACP Bhavani Singh just happens to be around, sharp eyed and suspicious as ever. As bodies start turning up in the crowded bazaar, his instincts tell him this is no accident and definitely not divine wrath. The question is, can Bhavani piece together the trail of lies and prove that what is happening in Habba Galli is a web of cold blooded, cleverly planned murders, the very definition of murders most meticulous?
My opinion :
This book is a full on Bollywood style drama set in the heart of Bangalore’s Habba Galli, and it has all the masala one could ask for, murder, romance, gossip, and social satire. It starts with eccentric Dondi Pais accidentally firing her gun, leading to chaos and a string of suspicious deaths in a bustling neighborhood. Enter ACP Bhavani Singh, who tries to untangle the mystery. But more than the murders, it’s the world Anuja Chauhan builds, the chatter, the humour, the people, that makes this story shine. From nosy aunties and dog haters to a rebellious daughter in law and a filmi hero, every character adds life and chaos to the street.
This book is an absolute entertainer. It’s witty, full of desi flair, and the language is a treat with its delightful use of Kanglish and local slang. I giggled through so many parts; few books have made me laugh this much. The characters are wonderfully written, each brimming with quirks and energy. The dialogues sparkle, and the observations about Indian society, patriarchy, marriage, class, caste, religion, are slipped in with humour and ease. Anuja Chauhan’s writing captures the chaos of Indian streets and people so perfectly that you can almost hear the noise and smell the chai. There’s also a soft, slow burn romance tucked into all the drama that adds warmth to the story.
While it’s fun and chaotic in the best ways, the suspense part fell a little flat. Bhavani Singh’s endless teasing of clues made the story feel slow in the beginning. The whodunnit angle wasn’t as gripping as I’d hoped, the clues and motives were too plain, and I didn’t find myself guessing or theorizing much. Even when the big reveal came, it didn’t have that heart pounding shock of a great thriller. It felt more like an Agatha Christie style ending, but without the gasp moment. The pacing dipped here and there, and while I adored the humour, it did sometimes overshadow the mystery.
Despite its flaws, this book was such a fun ride. I flew through its 400 plus pages, smiling and snickering most of the way. It’s not the kind of crime novel that keeps you awake at night trying to figure out the killer, but it’s definitely one that makes you feel like you’ve been dropped right into the heart of an Indian neighborhood full of life, gossip, and drama. If you’re looking for a serious thriller, this isn’t it, but if you want a book bursting with personality, humour, and heart, this one absolutely delivers.
Anuja Chauhan once again proves that she knows how to blend social commentary with sharp wit and lovable chaos. The title itself is genius, and everything that follows lives up to it. This is a story that celebrates the noise, the mess, and the warmth of everyday India. It may not have blown my mind as a mystery, but it absolutely stole my heart as a story.
Ekaurbook 