The best Indian crime fiction books

Why am I passionate about this?

Anurag Anand is a keen observer of humankind. He believes that the diversity of human emotions, motivations, and actions offer him a rich palette of tones to paint his stories with. He is the author of thirteen books across genres like self-help, historical fiction, crime thrillers, and contemporary fiction. Anurag’s works have been lauded for their realism, simplicity, and sharp characterization by readers across the spectrum. Of course, he is an avid reader and likes to remain abreast with the developments in the Indian writing space. He is a familiar face (and voice) in literature festivals, television debates and other related forums across the country.  


I wrote...

To Hell and Back: Not all Tragedies are Orchestrated by Fate

By Anurag Anand,

Book cover of To Hell and Back: Not all Tragedies are Orchestrated by Fate

What is my book about?

A mindless road-rage incident leaves a young and promising entrepreneur dead. Is it an accident, or a cold-blooded murder, planned to absolute perfection? Namrata, a young professional, is enveloped by all the quintessential elements of life in the fast lane a staling marriage, an extramarital affair, and eyes full of dreams until a fun evening turns into a chilling nightmare for her. Renu, a girl living in a world marred by regressive customs and dated practices, has resigned to the patriarchal ways of her world, until they begin to cast their malicious shadows on her unborn child.

Their worlds, although separate, intersect each other in a single strike of tragedy that none could have imagined. Will they be able to get back to their safe and secure lives?

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of If God was a Banker

Anurag Anand Why did I love this book?

If God was a Banker is Ravi Subramanian’s debut book and my personal favorite among all his works. The story centers around a multinational bank in India and an array of exciting characters that make up its management cadre. A heady mix of aspirations, passions, jealousy, and alliances result in the characters pushing boundaries of convention and sometimes even legality. The twists and turns that consequently emerge make the book a gripping page-turner.

By Ravi Subramanian,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked If God was a Banker as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In If God Was A Banker, the story revolves around two management graduates in the rat race for success. Sundeep is ambitious and selfish, which leads him to achieve his goals through unscrupulous means. Swami is the exact opposite as he sticks to his morals and ethics to ensure success in his career. Swami's ideal and ethics keeps him behind Sundeep in terms of performance at the New York International Bank where they both work. Sundeep's rapid rise up the corporate ladder and his popularity with colleagues disguises his real motives and cunning mind. The story also has a main…


Book cover of The Heist Artist

Anurag Anand Why did I love this book?

Vish’s writing provides true international flavours to Indian settings. The Heist Artist is a case in point that takes the readers from a plot to steal a Van Gogh painting, to the grimy underbelly of Uttar Pradesh politics. Vagh Pratap Singh, the protagonist, is a man with many shades and one can’t help but be intrigued by him as we slip into the story. The Heist Artist is a well-crafted story and a highly recommended read.

By Vish Dhamija,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Heist Artist as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

BRAND NEW, Exactly same ISBN as listed, Please double check ISBN carefully before ordering.


Book cover of The Secret of the Stolen Idols

Anurag Anand Why did I love this book?

The Secret of the Stolen Idols is Vivek’s debut novel, and it unravels as quite a surprise package. Lucid language, sharp characterization, and a pacy plot make it a story that lingers in your mind long after you are done reading the book. With his descriptions, Vivek brings to life a Goa that lies beyond the prying eyes of tourists, and one that is just as enchanting as its overt persona.

Book cover of Only the Good Die Young

Anurag Anand Why did I love this book?

There are times when we think that we have successfully buried something in our past and it suddenly resurfaces and shocks us. But what if this ‘thing’ wreaks havoc with our lives and turns it topsy turvy? Only the Good Die Young is a taut and gripping sequel to Akash Verma’s thriller, You Never Know. The book unravels beautifully, quite like a web series playing out between the craftily stitched words.

By Akash Verma,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Only the Good Die Young as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Sometimes when you're desperate to leave the past behind, the past is eager to catch up!
Anuradha leaves Gurgaon when Dhruv chooses his family over her. She thinks that chapter of her life has
ended, and starts afresh in Mumbai. But strangely, it seems her past is trying to catch up. Dhruv suddenly
comes back into her life. Even as they try to figure out their relationship, horrible things start happening
to people they know. Together, Anuradha and Dhruv need to find out who it is that cannot bear to see them together. Who is carrying out these shocking crimes?…


Book cover of 8 Hours (Numbers)

Anurag Anand Why did I love this book?

Born with a silver spoon, the protagonist of the story, Aratrika Reddy finds herself at the helm of affairs for a multi-million-dollar conglomerate at a very early age. The lack of experience is duly made up for by her enthusiasm and the zeal to leave a mark, until she finds herself at a crossroads where she has precisely eight hours to save her company from certain insolvency. With greed, treachery, and mistrust shaping the unexpected and exciting twists and turns in the plot, this one is a must-read. Especially for those looking for a glimpse into the winding corridors of power and the crafty and sly maneuvers that shape them. 

By Upendra Namburi,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 8 Hours (Numbers) as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Please Read Notes: Brand New, International Softcover Edition, Printed in black and white pages, minor self wear on the cover or pages, Sale restriction may be printed on the book, but Book name, contents, and author are exactly same as Hardcover Edition. Fast delivery through DHL/FedEx express.


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The Midnight Man

By Julie Anderson,

Book cover of The Midnight Man

Julie Anderson Author Of The Midnight Man

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I write historical crime fiction, and my latest novel is set in a hospital, a real place, now closed. The South London Hospital for Women and Children (1912–1985) was set up by pioneering suffragists and women surgeons Maud Chadburn and Eleanor Davies-Colley (the first woman admitted to the Royal College of Surgeons) and I recreate the now almost-forgotten hospital in my book. Events take place in 1946 when wartime trauma still impacts upon a society exhausted by conflict, and my book choices also reflect this.

Julie's book list on evocative stories set in a hospital

What is my book about?

A historical thriller set in south London just after World War II, as Britain returns to civilian life and the men return home from the fight, causing the women to leave their wartime roles. The South London Hospital for Women and Children is a hospital, (based on a real place) run by women for women and must make adjustments of its own. As austerity bites, the coldest Winter then on record makes life grim. Then a young nurse goes missing.

Days later, her body is found behind a locked door, and two women from the hospital, unimpressed by the police response, decide to investigate. Highly atmospheric and evocative of a distinct period and place.

The Midnight Man

By Julie Anderson,

What is this book about?

BEWARE THE DARKNESS BENEATH

Winter 1946

One cold dark night, as a devastated London shivers through the transition to post-war life, a young nurse goes missing from the South London Hospital for Women & Children. Her body is discovered hours later behind a locked door.

Two women from the hospital join forces to investigate the case. Determined not to return to the futures laid out for them before the war, the unlikely sleuths must face their own demons and dilemmas as they pursue - The Midnight Man.

‘A mystery that evokes the period – and a recovering London – in…


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