Author: Vish Dhamija
Publisher: Pan Macmillan India
I was provided a Media Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
If you had to choose, what would you choose- a win or the truth?
Jay Singh is the best defence lawyer money can buy. Flamboyant, wicked, lethal, he is yet to lose a case. No matter the prosecutor, he will arm you with an ironclad alibi and deliver a sure-shot win – so what if his methods are unconventional. But Jay has a dark and ominous past. His father’s murder from twenty years ago is the one case he cannot solve, his mother’s conviction the one truth he cannot accept. When a high-profile murder-accused comes knocking on his door, Jay finds himself embroiled in a case that can destroy him completely. If he loses, he must kiss his career goodbye. If he wins, he better keep his obituary ready. As his past threatens to catch up with him, what will the undefeated lawyer choose to defend: his sterling reputation or the vicious truth?
Vish’s writing of legal thrillers is always par excellence and the same shines through in Deja Karma. The story is fast paced and he explores the legal system through an intricate murder case through the eyes of the protagonist. Another interesting aspect was Jay’s backstory and certain parallels with his current case and his past. What I loved about the book was the fact that it kept me engaged throughout and as a reader, I was truly invested in the murder case, the evidence and the investigation. Referencing the Nanavati case and the abolition of the Jury system in India was an interesting touch, specially with the case Jay was handling. And as we talk about Vish’s mastery of writing legal thrillers, there is a surprise element in the book that plays a crucial role and emerges almost like a last-minute eyewitness to tell the story of the day. While talking about it in this review would be a major spoiler, my advice to anyone picking up the book would be to read the book carefully and not skim at all. Incorporating these undertones and messaging between the lines makes this book a superb read. Coming to the climax, be prepared for the twist of your life as Vish’s pulls out something that hurts you, specially with the way it is executed, and for me, that is the mark of a master storyteller who keeps you feeling exhilarated with the story and then suddenly pulls the rug under your feet.
Coming to the characters, Vish has created Jay Singh as a wonderful and
enigmatic character who has everything one could hope for and yet he is missing
something in life. The man who never loses a case is yet to come to terms with his
past and that has been wonderfully painted in this book. Another character I loved
in the book was that of Bhima and how loyalty and friendship has been portrayed
through his character. Cooper and Akbar are characters that impressed me quite
as well and specially how they represented two sides of Jay’s life.
Overall, Deja Karma is a wonderfully written story of how one’s past can not
only haunt their present, but might also become the reason for their salvation.
The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.
Get a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore.
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