- Book: Anti-Social Network - an Inspector Virkar Crime Thriller.
- Author: Piyush Jha.
- Publication House: Rupa Publications
- Category: Fiction.
- Rating: 4.85/5
Story-in-Short:
When college students across Mumbai are murdered one after
another in gruesome ways, Inspector Virkar from the Crime Branch is called in.
As Virkar investigates, he stumbles upon a ruthless gang of young, tech-savy
miscreants who use social networking sites and the Internet for blackmail and
sextortion. But how are these two cases linked? And who is the mastermind
behind these killings?
As the case grows murkier, the computer-challenged Virkar
finds himself greatly out of his depth, chasing a killer who always seems to be
one step ahead, and a group that soon trains its sights on him. He must race
against time to unmask the gang and to find the murderer before his reputation
is ruined forever.
Thick with suspense and layered with grit, Anti-Social
Network brings to you Inspector Virkar’s toughest case yet.
In My View:
Here’s my review on author Piyush Jha’s third novel. Looking
at the cover page itself, a reader can explicitly guess that it is a crime
thriller. The story begins with Inspector Virkar who gets a tip for Usman, a
teacher-turned-police informer-turned-extortionist who is out of arrest.
Immediately after getting information about him, Inspector Virkar lays a trap
to catch hold of him but he somehow evades arrest due to miscommunication
between the police officials.
At the same time, murders are reported from different
locations of Mumbai. Bodies of students with missing body parts are found.
These victims have links with one another and Inspector Virkar tries to
establish that link. While investigating the case, he spots Usman and follows
to arrest him. Following Usman, takes Virkar to a college in South Mumbai where
he had to actually go for an inquiry. Usman is finally arrested but this brings
Inspector Virkar in touch with Counsellor Naina and one of her patient Richard.
Both of them play a major role in the story till the end.
In the course of the whole investigation of the murder
spree, Inspector Virkar comes across several shocking facts, tips, learns about
a network and after a lot of hard work finally cracks the case by bursting the
whole anti-social network. A reader assumes something else till the time they reach
second last chapter. But the last chapter brings the actual mastermind into
limelight and that really leaves a reader surprised and shocked.
A readers interest multiples as the story develops. In the
course of reading it, the story creates a quest in reader’s minds to know what
finally happens. And this quest makes a reader stick to the book till the end! The
book is one of the best crime thrillers, I have read so-far.
Over-all: The
cover of the book is fabulous and attractive enough to catch a reader’s
attention. Title of the book is undoubtedly good. The story has an interesting
beginning and ending. Even the narration of the story is perfect so it doesn’t
fall loose anywhere. None of the part is exaggerated or lengthened. So, boredom
never generates while reading the book.
Speaking about the drawbacks, I found
none.
Thus, I would love to rate the book with 4.85/5. You write
really well Piyush sir. Waiting to read more books from you!
NOTE: A reviewers
copy of the book was sent by the author and the publication house. I would like
to thank Piyush sir and Rupa Publication House for the book.
- The book is available in all the leading bookstores.
- You can also get it online: Amazon, Flipkart, Homeshop 18, Uread, Infibeam, Bookadda, Rediff Books.
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