
This book had me on the edge. I was constantly turning pages to know how the mystery would unravel. When I picked up Mumbai Mayhem by @devayanwrites I expected a gritty crime thriller. What I didn’t expect was to be led down the serpentine lanes of Mumbai’s underbelly, where each turn hides not just a clue but a reflection of the city’s soul. The book opens with a dead body dropped outside Kamala Mills, face painted violet—a scene so cinematic, I could almost hear the traffic honks and the distant hum of a city that never sleeps. From there, Dev pulls you into a chase that’s as much about solving a murder as it is about unmasking the facades people—and cities—wear. Detective Billy Tavde and ACP Gaitonde are classic foils: one driven by instinct, the other by the book. Their friction adds crackling energy to the narrative, and their reluctant partnership reflects a deeper commentary on the tussle between individuality and bureaucracy. But where Ayan truly shines is in his choice of antagonist. Revealing the killer early is risky, yet here it works. Knowing who the murderer is doesn’t lessen the suspense; it heightens it. Watching the cat-and-mouse game unfold, I found myself questioning how easily evil hides in plain sight. That said, the book isn’t flawless. The multitude of characters, while enriching, occasionally left me flipping back to remember who was who. Yet even these hiccups didn’t take away from the story’s relentless pace and thought-provoking plot development. Beneath its thriller exterior, Mumbai Mayhem also meditates on urban alienation, moral decay, and the thin line between justice and vengeance. By the end, I wasn’t just turning pages for answers—I was reflecting on the city I thought I knew. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. For those who are awed by Mumbai’s chaotic charm, this book is more than a mystery—it’s an experience.
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