#52BookClub
Prompt: Cover font is in a primary colour
Serial: 11/52
Book: Razor Sharp
Author: Ashwin Sanghi
Pages: 310
Publication: HarperCollins
Genre: Crime
I picked up this book with high expectations and a modicum of apprehension. Ashwin Sanghi’s Bharat series, like The Rozabel Line and Chanakya’s Chant, were immensely enjoyable, but I observed a slack in the latest series. The tagline, A Kutta Kadam Thriller, intrigued me.
Plot
A spate of murders with a similar modus operandi rocks Mumbai. Prakash Kadam, while battling the demons from his past, enters the arena. His daughter, Ketul, joins him to unravel the mystery. Will the duo succeed?
Review
Razor Sharp ticks every box in the list of tried-and-tested tropes accompanying an investigation thriller.
A disgraced police officer under suspension. The mandatory sessions with the psychologist. Lack of a fruitful family life. Failing physical health juxtaposed with a razor-sharp brain. Nexus between corrupt policemen and greedy politicians. An unnecessary LGBTQIA+ angle. A godman with names taken from every religion who has a penchant for, well, stuff such men fantasise about.
To be honest, I would say that the novel is more noise and less substance.
I couldn’t empathise with any character. Kutta Kadam comes across as a brilliant investigator, but there is nothing redemptive about him. The supporting characters are so predictable that I rolled my eyes.
A lot of Marathi words temper the narrative. However, the lack of a glossary and the italicisation of the vernacular phrases proved to be a headache.
The premise surrounding the murders was innovative, but the execution faltered. Quite a few red herrings in the form of Dr Desai were quite impressive; however, the motives felt a bit bland and too commonplace. Too many characters spoilt the broth that could have been a delicious cauldron of stewing mysteries.
My advice to fellow readers – If you like thrillers, you will read it in one sitting. But you’ll be left wanting. I finished the novel in 3 hours. Not because it was a page-turner, but I wanted to be done with it.
Coming from an author I admire a lot, it was disappointing.
Link in Amazon here: Razor Sharp
