Review of Raakshas by Piyush Jha

Book Name         -  Raakshas

Author                  - Piyush Jha

Publisher              - Westland

Number of Pages - 242

Publishing Year   - 2015

Edition                  - Paperback

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Rating : 3.5/b>

Blurb

What made him a serial killer?
Was he born with homicidal tendencies?
Did a harrowing childhood render him criminally insane?

The questions haunt, Additional Commissioner of Police, Maithili Prasad as she discovers the horrific murders across Mumbai. As she spearheads the greatest manhunt in Mumbai’s history, she’s determined to contain the reign of terror unleashed by the ruthless serial killer. But before that she must grapple with her personal demons that surface to plague her with self-doubt.
Just as it seems that Maithili has begun to understand the deep-rooted resentment that drives the serial killer, he turns around and makes her the object of his revenge. Will she emerge unscathed from this ordeal? 
This thrilling narrative of a serial killer’s life and the unusual and challenging investigation to catch him, uncovers a chilling trail of unspeakable torment and cruelty—the tale of… Raakshas.

My Review

A cold blooded, savage murderer with a woeful past and a righteous police officer who treads upon the heels of the culprit- The plot is quite familiar through books as well as movies. Yet author succeeded in maintaining the novelty of the topic through a different narrative style. Initially the narration seems like a switch between third person and first person but later while drawn into the grotesque plot, the reader discerns that the story is in fact the first person narration of the police officer in charge of the investigation.

The story starts with the childhood of the serial killer. Yet, the suspense element has been maintained till the end. The climax was more or less predictable but there is a swiftness in narration that let you go on with the story till the end. 

Author seemed to lose the grip of the story time and again but manages to smoothly land into place. Needless to say that the author is a born writer. His book is a born movie material. Each instance of the story was evidently and apparently written with a movie scene in mind. I could visualize Siddharth Malhothra or Arjun Kapoor running around as the serial killer and Priyanka Chopra or Ranu Mukherjee as the Police officer. Overall the book is an easy read with good language but the plot lacked novelty.

As a footnote I would like to mention the list of least known serial killers in the end. The list and the method of their murder was priceless information especially in today's scenario. It is a message for the human race to look out for the wolves in lamb's disguise. It earned a half star.

Reviewed for WritersMelon

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the author

Piyush Jha is an acclaimed film director, ad filmmaker and the author of the bestselling novel, Mumbaistan and Compass Box Killer.
A student political leader at university, he pursued a career in advertising management after acquiring an MBA degree. Later, he switched tracks, first to make commercials for some of the country’s largest brands, and then to write and direct feature films. His films include Chalo America, King of Bollywood and Sikandar.
He lives in his beloved Mumbai, where he can often be found walking the streets that inspire his stories.