"Vyomakesh Bakshi mystery stories Part 1", a novel by Sharadindu Bandopadhyay, translated in Marathi by Ashok Jain.
1st story is called 'Prani Sangrahalay'. An ex judge runs a farm and employs a number of questionable characters. He assigns a work to Vyomkesh and removes him from job shortly after. Then he is murdered. Another person on the farm is also murdered. Who is the murderer? Who is the mysterious ex actress, now disappeared? Has the young widow of owner anything to do with it? Or is it his nephew? You will have to read the book for answers.
2nd story is called 'Chitra chor'. Vyomkesh is on recuperation leave in a small town on west border of Bengal. 3 copies and negative of a group photograph go missing. Is it serious? There is an interesting assembly of characters. An unhappy husband, a bossy wife, a young widow, a wealthy man, a young doctor, a banker, a beurocrat, a DSP, an addict sketch artist and so on.
There is a theft where nothing of value is stolen and the sketch artist is found dead by drowning. Is it murder? Is there any relation between the three incidents? Is there any other angle? Will Vyomkesh solve the mystery?
Setup of the stories is more than 50 yrs ago. Bengal of old times and Vyomkesh's methods of solving crimes is a novelty for todays reader. Things move slowly as was the pace of life in those days. Writer has shown Vyomkesh, his side kick Ajit & other characters smoking too many cigarettes.
It is amazing that widow remarriage and plastic surgery are used in the stories years ago by the author. Those who like murder mystries and those who liked the serial on Doordarshan can read this book. You can read it because it is different.
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