"The girl in the glass case" by Devashish Sardana - Big twist !
This book is published by Penguin EBury Press in 2022 and has 344 pages.
Bhopal. Body of a girl dressed like Barbie doll is found in a glass case near Bhopal Gas memorial. Two more dolls turn up at the mall. ACP Simone, freshly back on duty after her suspension, investigates. Despite Simone being a loner, Superintendent Irshad thrusts DCP Zoya as her partner against her will. Irashad himself is a disturbed man because he is unable to solve the case of a serial killer called ' The Clipper' for 9 years. The Clipper kills transvestites and cuts their testicles and mails them to Irshad every quarter. Bodies are never found.
Who is The Clipper? Who is the Doll Maker? Why are they killing? Can Simone solve her case? Can Irshad get his redemption?
Simone was suspended for arresting CM's son. Simone has maintained a bald head in protest of the injustice of her suspension. She can't tolerate ineptitude and incompetence. She's short tempered and has anger issues. She isn't bothered with emotions, only facts matter. Karan, a reporter is the only one who has shown some interest in her but she always rebuffs him. Zoya is 10 years senior and a psychoanalyst. She's a divorcee and has lost custody of her son Sunny. Zoya and Simone don't like each other but are forced to work together.
Irshad has become a drunk due to the frustration of not being able to catch The Clipper. He is haunted and obsessed with the case. That's why he pressurizes Simone and Zoya to solve the case of The Doll Maker.
Readers come to know mid-way in the book that Ranveer is the clipper and Nalini is the Doll Maker. So their identities are not hidden.
What happens next? You will have to read the book.
I was able to guess the identity of one serial killer but the second one I didn't see coming. It's a fantastic twist. Full marks to the author.
Read a book with such a twist after a very long time.
Why did I read this book? Came recommended.
What did I like? The twist.
What I didn't like? Umm....
If you like thrillers or psycho thrillers, this book is for you. A must read.
