The Rossogolla Murders-Debeshi Gooptu

Book: The Rossogolla Murders
Author: Debeshi Gooptu
Publisher: Amazon Kindle

What is the weirdest murder weapon you have come across?

The Rossogolla Murders by Debeshi Gooptu explores what happens when a retired judge drops dead at a swish party in Kolkata. The needle of suspicion points to Punjabi mirchi Dolly Luthra. Now it’s up to her friend, the strait-laced Mrinalini Sen, to don the detective’s hat and clear Dolly’s name. Easier said than done when bodies start piling up and there’s a crafty killer on the loose. Will the two be able to put their differences aside and solve the murders?

This story is a finely crafted murder mystery and Debeshi takes us through the lanes of Kolkata as she attempts to solve the mystery and clear her friend’s name. The storytelling is powerful, and the descriptions are vivid, creating a clear visual imagery of the events as they occur. She has taken some authentic items that are an integral part of the City of Joy and woven them into this murder mystery that would enthrall the fans of the genre. Using an unusual murder weapon, she creates a story that has an ending that no one could have expected. Another thing I liked about the book is how subtly she uses a social evil to be incorporated into the plot and how she does a social commentary on it. The climax is nicely crafted and brings a worthwhile end to the story.

Coming to the characters, I loved the diverse set of characters that make up the world in which the story takes place. Be it Dolly Luthra, or Mrinalini Sen, each of the character gets their 15 minutes of fame. The characters have been given certain quirks that make them memorable, be it Mrs. Luthra’s spelling errors or Mrinalini’s steadfastness, I loved how their mannerisms have been depicted and made a part of the story.

A special mention to her for exploring the nook and crannies of Kolkata, and to bring to us the various cuisines that find themselves at home in Kolkata. From the Chinese food at Chinatown and Tangra, to the small sweet shops dotting across the city, I loved how Debeshi brings them to the fore.

Overall, a wonderful story that I would recommend for it is a delight for anyone who loves a good whodunnit. The book gets a 4.69/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book on Amazon here.