Book Review: ‘The Hachette Book of Indian Detective Fiction’ by Tarun K. Saint

Book Title: The Hachette Book of Indian Detective Fiction
Editor: Tarun K. Saint
Publisher: Hachette India
Number of Pages: 304
ISBN: 978-9357319065
Date Published: Sept. 19, 2025
Price: INR 512

Book Review

Tarun K. Saint’s “The Hachette Book of Indian Detective Fiction” is a wonderful collection that brings together India’s best mystery stories. While Western detective fiction often focuses on clever puzzles and brilliant detectives, this anthology shows how Indian writers add deeper layers — touching on society, justice, gender, and class. With stories by big names like Satyajit Ray, Rabindranath Tagore, Vikram Chandra, and Vaseem Khan, this book offers a mix of old and new voices that capture the richness of Indian storytelling.

The stories are divided into five groups — classic whodunits, police procedurals, experimental stories, fantasy-based mysteries, and historical tales. In the classics, we meet Ray’s famous detective Feluda, while Vikram Chandra’s Sartaj Singh brings the world of police work to life. The experimental stories play with humour and style — like Tagore’s “Detective,” which pokes fun at the overconfident sleuth. The speculative stories mix mystery with imagination — using elements like time travel, technology, and the supernatural.

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The historical mysteries are some of the most fascinating. Madhulika Liddle’s ‘A Convenient Corpse’ takes us back to Mughal-era Delhi, weaving crime, politics, and atmosphere beautifully. Together, these stories show that Indian detective fiction is not just about solving a case — it’s about exploring who we are as a society. Saint’s anthology is both entertaining and thoughtful, making it a great pick for anyone who enjoys mysteries with heart and depth.

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