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This so-called “defective” novel is set in the fictional town of Kamalapuram, where intense political rivalry leads to the supposed death of Bheemareddy, one of the town’s most influential figures. The young and sharp police officer Vasant Rao leads the investigation alongside the veteran officer Suraya Rao and their team. The case appears to conclude successfully with evidence pointing to three accused, who are eventually sentenced to death.

Time passes, and after Vasant Rao receives a promotion, a discovery in his own compound unexpectedly reopens the case—offering an entirely new perspective on what was believed to be the truth.

I couldn’t fully comprehend the narrative at first or bring myself to a satisfying climax, but just as Beechi intended, the ending truly made me scratch my head.

Though it’s a short book, it compelled me to revisit several pages after finishing it. It’s a very unconventional novel—just as Beechi describes it, not a detective novel, but a defective one. Overall, it’s a unique and light-hearted read.

>!SPOILERS: *There was actually no murder and no real death at all. Everything was part of a political plot. Bheemareddy had faked his death and fled to another town, secretly supported by funds sent by his wife. To frame their political rivals, the veteran officer and his brother-in-law had accepted bribes and manipulated the case.*!<

Merunata by Sharanu Hullur delves into the cinematic odyssey of Kannada film industry's remarkably handsome actor, Sahasa Simha Dr. Vishnuvardhan.

Despite its brevity, this book provides intriguing insights into his career's tragic trajectory. It explores his accidental entry into the world of cinema, overnight fame, and the enduring curse of super stardom that haunted him.

A devoted fan of Dr. Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan's decision to play a villainous role during the early days of his success led to a lifelong struggle that persisted even 13 years after his passing.

While some parts of the writing may be repetitive, it remains a valuable discovery for enthusiasts.

I really enjoyed the book, it’s a gripping suspense thriller that kicks off with the shocking public murder of criminal lawyer Santhosh. The story spirals into a chilling series of killings by a serial killer with a hidden motive, all unraveled by the quirky investigator Vikarna. What starts as a mystery unfolds into a dark tale of a 17-year-old grudge and brutal revenge.

I’m genuinely impressed by the author’s debut effort; crafting a 600-page novel with a sprawling cast of interconnected characters and a cinematic, high-stakes climax is no small feat.

The storytelling feels almost visual like watching a movie, with a seamless blend of linear and non-linear narrative. The depth of research and the way each new character is introduced is truly commendable.

However, there’s one aspect that left me deeply uncomfortable. I met the author, Divakar Azad, at a book exhibition. He was standing alone, and I bought his book purely to support Kannada literature, without any thought to his background or identity. But the book itself takes a troubling turn by singling out and targeting a specific community and color, much like how politics exploits divisions for votes. The author seems fixated on the idea that all wealthy individuals are entitled brats perpetuating caste hierarchies, while the poor are eternally oppressed victims of historical injustice. This reductionist perspective feels lazy and one-sided.

*There’s a particular scene where a noble but poor teacher, witnessing injustice, strikes a student, only for the narrative to frame this as symbolic of "centuries of oppression by Savarnas." It’s an oversimplification that rings hollow and feels forced.*

Despite these reservations, I genuinely loved the book and believe in encouraging new authors without judging their backgrounds.

That said, I hope the author’s success isn’t overshadowed by such divisive ideologies. It’s possible to tell powerful stories without resorting to hatred or stereotyping, here’s hoping his future works reflect that growth.

"A Good Idea, But Could Have Been Better"

This book is about Santhosh, an IT guy with a respectable salary and position, but he is always lonely and worried. A total introvert, made no friends, and he even stays away from his family. One day, he gets so fed up with life & decides to end it by hiring a killer from the dark web. But when the killer starts coming after him, Santhosh panics and tries to escape his own death trap. This leads to many unexpected and messy situations.

The writer, Vivekanandan Kamath, tries to mix social issues, suspense, and some philosophy into the story. The idea is interesting, but the book feels slow and boring at times. Even though there are twists, you can guess what will happen next. A 240-page book shouldn't feel this long!

Overall, it's an okay read, nothing great, nothing too bad. The story had potential, but it didn't turn out as exciting as it could have been. A missed chance!

I wanted to love this book, but the Kannada translation, unfortunately, let it down — something that seems to happen far too often. Neelashaila is set against the backdrop of Islamic invasions in parts of Odisha and explores the threats faced by the Jagannath Temple, its devotees, and the difficult choices made to protect its sanctity. The story follows the king of Khordha, who converts to Islam in an attempt to save Puri and preserve the holiness of the temple.

The narration is non-linear, but I personally didn’t mind that structure. My biggest issue was with the translation itself — the sentence construction and word choices felt awkward and grammatically confusing throughout. The glossary at the end could have been far more useful if the meanings had been provided as footnotes instead. Many words and passages became difficult to comprehend because of the poor translation quality.

Despite these shortcomings, the book still offered some insight into Odisha’s struggle to preserve its faith and traditions during invasions. I’d definitely recommend giving this book a try in English, but I would suggest skipping the Kannada translation.