Broken Dreams: A Callipur Murder Mystery

Set in the town of Callipur, India, in 1978 shortly after the restoration of democracy, Banerjee’s gripping series launch introduces recent police academy graduate Shankar Sen. With distrust of the authorities still an issue following a lengthy suspension of civil liberties, Sen must overcome that sentiment to solve the murder of Karan Lal, an auto shop apprentice whose battered corpse was found on the floor by one of the shop’s owners, Pramod Bhaskar, after Bhaskar visited his business after midnight. Sen’s first suspicion is that the death was the consequence of a botched robbery, committed by a gang of burglars responsible for a string of crimes targeting shops, stores, and factories. Lal’s murder is consistent with the violence of that gang, whose members sometimes beat security guards and business owners they encounter during their break-ins. A promising lead is compromised by possible police misconduct, and Sen must look into alternate theories before finding the truth. Assured plotting matches strong characterization, and Banerjee vividly recreates the life of the town. Readers are sure to welcome the sequel. (Self-published)