About the Book
- Title: Chikkamma Tours (Pvt) Ltd: A Bibliomystery
- Author: Unmana
- Publisher: Westland Books
- Published Date: 16th September, 2024
- Format Read: Paperback (ARC)
Blurb/Backcover Copy
When the owner of the bookshop above Chikkamma Tours gets stabbed to death in the building, grumpy, book-obsessed, wise-cracking, whisky-drinking Nilima jumps at the opportunity to play amateur detective. What’s more, it seems like the perfect excuse to get close to her alluring boss Shwetha. But to successfully investigate the murder, Nilima also needs to learn to work with her annoying colleague Poorna and with Inspector Sharmila Lamani, who is in a relationship with Nilima’s ex-girlfriend.
Braving the incessant rain, a local gangster and sundry other shady characters, as well as the police, who seem intent on charging an innocent man, Nilima, Shwetha and Poorna are soon hot on the trail of the murderer.
A deliciously bookish mystery set in Bengaluru, Chikkamma Tours (Pvt.) Ltd is the very best kind of cosy novel, featuring wry humour, keen observations of city life and a cast of colourful characters.
Review
Chikkamma Tours Pvt Ltd was a fast-paced, delightful read with a delectable combination of humour, intrigue and attention to detail. I intend to take inspiration of the humour tactics Unmana used here, with the element of surprise. I’ve recently moved out of Bangalore and was driven down the nostalgia lane through the pages.
I liked Shwetha’s sass and Nilima’s observation. But Poorna irked me a bit. Her overt enthusiasm and insistent mannerisms were messing up Shwetha and Nilima’s efforts.
Also, the chemistry between Shwetha and Nilima could be explored a little further. I was expecting a little steam.
What I loved the most was how the author played with the readers’ curiosity and guessing game. They made the other characters look more suspicious while hiding the culprit in plain sight. When the revelation occurred, though the culprit was pretty obvious, it came across as a plot twist. This itself deserves a standing ovation.
My Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Tandem Collective Global and Westland Books for the gifted copy.
