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PUNE MURDER CHRONICLES

A Novel by Manasi Sapre

Genre: Murder Mystery.

Keywords: Investigative Journalism, serial murders, Pune, Corporate politics, Sexual harassment.

Synopsis

In the last few years, there has been about mass level awareness about and outrage against crimes against women in India. A lot has been discussed about how even in the upper echelons of society, women are routinely harassed and abused, be it in public places, workplace or home.

This novel focuses on the crimes against women that have been swept under the carpet of hypocritical notions of professionalism and respectability.

On the foggy morning of January 1st, a man is found murdered on the outskirts of Pune City. Senior Inspector Davare calls his friend – Pune’s leading investigative journalist Chakradhar on the crime scene. After all- it’s not every day that police come across such a gory and puzzling crime. The dead man is found with a multiple stab wounds in the shape of a hideous smile that is carved on his face. Post mortem results show that the wounds were inflicted when the victim was alive.

Chakradhar is a thirty five year old crusading investigative journalist- his stories cost politicians their job and racketeers their freedom. He is an attractive man, who when not running after his stories, is fond of Kishorekumar songs, countless cups of tea, trekking in Himalayas, and last but not the least- roaming around in his beloved city of Pune.

Chakradhar isassisted by his spunky protégé and sister-in-law Mukta who is following his footsteps being a daredevil bright reporter, Aatif- an anti-social but genius hacker, and Chakradhar’s best friend Dr. Poonawala- an eccentric bumbling GP with weird hobbies. They are drawn in the investigation which spirals out of control when bodies start piling up with signature smile carved on victim’s faces. As they move on with determination to get to the bottom of this mystery-skeletons start tumbling out of well maintained white collar facades. Chakradhar uncovers corporate frauds, domestic abuse,and sexual harassment at workplace. But even when he solves one clue after another- the architect of this puzzle- the murderer is still at large.

But the complex and grisly murder investigation is not the only problem he is facing. He is still recovering from his wife’s untimely death four years ago and the loneliness engulfing him ever since.

After the loss of his love- his only passion is his job. But there is trouble brewing on professional front for Chakradhar. The newspaper he works for is about to get a management change. The new focus of the paper will be making profits, notethical news reporting. As an opinionated journalist with little care for corporate jargon or business plans, he finds himself increasingly marginalized in the new system. It gets complicated when he is attracted to Divya- the very person he holds responsible forthis unwelcome change. Things start getting complicated when she alsodevelops feelings for him.

Set in the changing landscape and social fabric of Urban India- this crime thriller moves at a brisk pace to uncover a mysterious serial killer, while also unraveling the hypocrisy and double standards hidden within modern Indian society.