BOOK DETAILS :
- Publisher : Srishti Publishers & Distributors; First Edition (9 May 2025); Srishti Publishers & Distributors, a unit of AJR Publishing LLP, 212-A, Peacock Lane, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi-110049, India, Contact No-011-41751981, sales@srishtipublishers.com
- Language : English
- Paperback : 192 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9364118685
- ISBN-13 : 978-9364118682
- Reading age : 16 years and up
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :
Dr. Amritendu Mukherjee is a Senior Consultant Neuroradiologist with a Doctorate in Interventional Neuroradiology and a martial artist holding a 2nd Dan Blackbelt in Karate and advanced training in Krav Maga. Inspired by literary icons like Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, he began writing detective stories during school and earned consecutive awards. His Bengali novels, Crypto Rahasya and Death in Coorg, have done well. Based in Kolkata, he balances medicine with a passion for storytelling.
BOOK REVIEW :
Deadly Clues: Detective Victor Rises by Amritendu Mukherjee is a refreshing addition to the growing genre of Indian detective fiction. At its heart is a compelling protagonist, Victor Chatterjee, whose calm logic and nuanced perception cut through layers of lies, confusion, and fear to uncover the truth. The novel brings with it not just the thrill of murder mysteries but a welcome psychological realism that roots the narrative in human behavior rather than over-dramatized spectacle.
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Representation: A Grounded Indian Detective Who Breaks Stereotypes
One of the book’s standout elements is its representation of a contemporary Indian detective who isn’t modeled after the archetypes of Western fiction or even traditional Indian crime solvers. Victor Chatterjee is not a troubled genius with a tragic past, nor a caricature of eccentricity. Instead, he is calm, rational, and quietly intense—traits that make his investigative process feel natural and authentic.
Set in modern India, the book never relies on exaggerated cultural tropes or forced exoticism. Everyday Indian urban life, familial dynamics, and interpersonal relationships are presented with subtle realism, making the story feel grounded. Rik, Victor’s younger brother and partner-in-detection, adds a layer of relatability and lightness without ever becoming comic relief. Their brotherly chemistry provides an emotional undercurrent that doesn’t overpower the plot, but complements it.
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Psychological Depth: Clues Within the Mind
The book excels in its psychological layering. Rather than flashy twists or gore, it relies on motive, memory, and perception. Each case—from an archer-style killer to inexplicable blindness—asks the reader to think why rather than how. The approach feels more cerebral than procedural, and this psychological angle is what sets Deadly Clues apart from formulaic thrillers.
Victor’s investigative style is marked by emotional intelligence as much as logic. His ability to read people, infer patterns, and remain detached without being cold is thoughtfully portrayed. The author avoids info-dumps or pseudo-science, instead grounding Victor’s brilliance in observation and deduction.
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Structure, Pacing, and Style
The novel unfolds across several loosely connected cases, each with its own puzzle. This episodic structure keeps the narrative dynamic, although at times it sacrifices depth for pace. Each case is engaging and well-constructed, but occasionally one wishes for more exploration of the aftermath—how the cases affect the people involved and even Victor himself.
Mukherjee’s writing style is clean, visual, and dialogue-driven. His background in screenwriting is evident, and it works to the book’s advantage. Scenes play out cinematically, and the pacing rarely drags. However, readers who enjoy lingering philosophical reflections or deep dives into backstory may find the prose too brisk in parts.
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What Could Be Better
While Deadly Clues is thoroughly enjoyable and smartly written, there are areas where the narrative could have deepened its impact:
• Character Background: Victor remains somewhat enigmatic. We see his brilliance, but a glimpse into his personal history or emotional world might have added layers to his character.
• Case Closure: Some cases wrap up neatly, perhaps too neatly. The consequences or social implications of the crimes are not always explored, which could have elevated the realism.
• Rik’s Role: Though Rik is likable, his voice could have been sharper. At times, he risks being overshadowed by Victor’s intellect.
That said, these are not flaws as much as opportunities for expansion in future books, and they do not take away from the enjoyment of this volume.
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Final Verdict
Deadly Clues: Detective Victor Rises is a smart, stylish, and satisfying thriller that celebrates intellect over theatrics and depth over shock value. In Victor Chatterjee, Amritendu Mukherjee gives us a new-age Indian detective who belongs neither to colonial legacies nor television tropes—he is refreshingly modern, emotionally balanced, and psychologically astute.
For readers looking for a mystery that respects their intelligence while offering entertainment, this is a book worth picking up. It also signals the rise of a potential new series that could shape the future of Indian detective fiction in exciting ways.
What a wonderful and in-depth book review. Thank you so much for sharing.
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