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Assassins
From his plush hideaway in Bangkok, underworld don Shakti Pillai is wreaking havoc amongst India’s wealthy.
He wields modern technology to extract information and extort money from billionaires while continuing to take on contract killings for anyone who can afford his price. Fed up with the police force’s inability to stop the don, some of India’s biggest business magnates pool in their crores and hire a mercenary to get rid of him. They recruit the best in the game, an assassin known only as Venus.
She is not the only one on this job, though. Pillai has made a number of powerful enemies, and there are other plans in motion to nab India’s most-wanted mobster—a ruthless police inspector who is an encounter specialist, Pillai’s former mentor in the gangland, and others who look at Pillai as their big ticket to success. All are out to capture the don. Each one of them has something to prove. As all the players converge in Bangkok, a thrilling cat-and-mouse game ensues.
Who will win? Will Pillai slip away as he always has?
An unputdownable page-turner from the master of the underworld novel.
He wields modern technology to extract information and extort money from billionaires while continuing to take on contract killings for anyone who can afford his price. Fed up with the police force’s inability to stop the don, some of India’s biggest business magnates pool in their crores and hire a mercenary to get rid of him. They recruit the best in the game, an assassin known only as Venus.
She is not the only one on this job, though. Pillai has made a number of powerful enemies, and there are other plans in motion to nab India’s most-wanted mobster—a ruthless police inspector who is an encounter specialist, Pillai’s former mentor in the gangland, and others who look at Pillai as their big ticket to success. All are out to capture the don. Each one of them has something to prove. As all the players converge in Bangkok, a thrilling cat-and-mouse game ensues.
Who will win? Will Pillai slip away as he always has?
An unputdownable page-turner from the master of the underworld novel.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2025
3 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
S. Hussain Zaidi
24 books572 followersS. Hussain Zaidi is a prominent Indian author, journalist, and screenwriter celebrated for his invaluable contributions to the world of crime reporting, investigative journalism, and storytelling. Born on February 28, 1962, in Mumbai, India, Zaidi has left an indelible mark on the literary and cinematic landscapes of India, particularly in the realm of crime and the Mumbai underworld.
S. Hussain Zaidi embarked on his career as a crime reporter, where he honed his skills in uncovering hidden truths and delving into the intricacies of organized crime in Mumbai. His early experiences as a journalist provided him with a deep understanding of the criminal world and its dynamics.
Over the years, Zaidi transitioned from journalism to writing and screenwriting, bringing his unparalleled insights and storytelling prowess to a wider audience. His unique ability to humanize the characters in his narratives, whether they are criminals or law enforcement officers, sets his work apart.
"Black Friday: The True Story of the Bombay Bomb Blasts" - Zaidi's book "Black Friday" is a compelling account of the 1993 Bombay bombings. It presents a factual and thorough examination of the events leading up to the blasts and their aftermath.
"Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia" - This critically acclaimed book stands as one of Zaidi's most notable works. It meticulously traces the evolution of organized crime in Mumbai over six decades. The book offers a comprehensive and gripping account of the city's criminal history.
"Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands" - In this compelling book, Zaidi sheds light on the powerful and enigmatic women who played significant roles in Mumbai's underworld. He tells their stories with empathy and detail, providing a fresh perspective on the world of crime.
S. Hussain Zaidi's influential literary works have transcended the confines of the written word and made a powerful impact on the silver screen. Some noteworthy adaptations of his books include:
"Black Friday" (2007) - Directed by Anurag Kashyap.
"Shootout at Wadala" (2013) - Directed by Sanjay Gupta.
"Class of '83" (2020) - Directed by Atul Sabharwal.
"Gangubai Kathiawadi" (2022) - Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, among many others.
In addition to his contributions to the film industry, S. Hussain Zaidi has harnessed his creative prowess in the realm of film and web series production. His noteworthy productions encompass projects like "Bard of Blood" and "Scoop" on Netflix, as well as the recent addition "Bambai Meri Jaan," available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
S. Hussain Zaidi has played a pivotal role in nurturing emerging literary talents within the authorship realm. Notably, individuals such as Bilal Siddique, Neeraj Kumar (Commissioner of Delhi Police), Kashif Mashaikh, and many more have found their path to success as authors under his guidance. This mentoring initiative is facilitated through "Blue Salt Media," an imprint in collaboration with Penguin India.
S. Hussain Zaidi's work, both in literature and cinema, continues to captivate audiences with its gritty realism, engaging storytelling, and insights into the complex world of crime and law enforcement in India. His contributions have not only enriched the true crime genre but have also served as a source of inspiration for aspiring writers, journalists, and filmmakers.
S. Hussain Zaidi embarked on his career as a crime reporter, where he honed his skills in uncovering hidden truths and delving into the intricacies of organized crime in Mumbai. His early experiences as a journalist provided him with a deep understanding of the criminal world and its dynamics.
Over the years, Zaidi transitioned from journalism to writing and screenwriting, bringing his unparalleled insights and storytelling prowess to a wider audience. His unique ability to humanize the characters in his narratives, whether they are criminals or law enforcement officers, sets his work apart.
"Black Friday: The True Story of the Bombay Bomb Blasts" - Zaidi's book "Black Friday" is a compelling account of the 1993 Bombay bombings. It presents a factual and thorough examination of the events leading up to the blasts and their aftermath.
"Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia" - This critically acclaimed book stands as one of Zaidi's most notable works. It meticulously traces the evolution of organized crime in Mumbai over six decades. The book offers a comprehensive and gripping account of the city's criminal history.
"Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands" - In this compelling book, Zaidi sheds light on the powerful and enigmatic women who played significant roles in Mumbai's underworld. He tells their stories with empathy and detail, providing a fresh perspective on the world of crime.
S. Hussain Zaidi's influential literary works have transcended the confines of the written word and made a powerful impact on the silver screen. Some noteworthy adaptations of his books include:
"Black Friday" (2007) - Directed by Anurag Kashyap.
"Shootout at Wadala" (2013) - Directed by Sanjay Gupta.
"Class of '83" (2020) - Directed by Atul Sabharwal.
"Gangubai Kathiawadi" (2022) - Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, among many others.
In addition to his contributions to the film industry, S. Hussain Zaidi has harnessed his creative prowess in the realm of film and web series production. His noteworthy productions encompass projects like "Bard of Blood" and "Scoop" on Netflix, as well as the recent addition "Bambai Meri Jaan," available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
S. Hussain Zaidi has played a pivotal role in nurturing emerging literary talents within the authorship realm. Notably, individuals such as Bilal Siddique, Neeraj Kumar (Commissioner of Delhi Police), Kashif Mashaikh, and many more have found their path to success as authors under his guidance. This mentoring initiative is facilitated through "Blue Salt Media," an imprint in collaboration with Penguin India.
S. Hussain Zaidi's work, both in literature and cinema, continues to captivate audiences with its gritty realism, engaging storytelling, and insights into the complex world of crime and law enforcement in India. His contributions have not only enriched the true crime genre but have also served as a source of inspiration for aspiring writers, journalists, and filmmakers.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 2, 2025
𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓.
#qotd - what's your favourite crime fiction book/movie? Drop down in the comments 🫶
I finished 𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒔 by @shussain.zaidi last day and I am just spellbound! What a book!!! It gave me chills all over as I was coming close to the end of the book! S. Hussain Zaidi did a brilliant job in blending different timelines so expertly. I have to admit that I was struggling a bit at the beginning of the book in the first three chapters about understanding what's actually happening but that confusion swept away the more I read into it - it was like I was watching a crime fiction movie altogether.
Zaidi introduced a fierce, bold and powerful female character here who actually goes by the alias of Venus - she was a survivor, a fighter, a person hungry for revenge. She was a strong - willed woman who had been exposed to the cruelty of this world until she took justice upon her own hands.
I absolutely loved the crazy plot twist at the end and I have to admit that this book being my first ever crime fiction read, it actually made me now a fan of this genre and Zaidi's writing style just made him my auto - buy author. He wrote so flawlessly and actually made the book so realistic.
The story revolves around the underground leader Shakti Pillai - a notorious don, who made a good amount of enemies and had been wrecking havoc overseas in Bangkok after settling there and as well as remotely in his own country - India. People all over want their revenge against him and while there are many parties seeking revenge and plotting against him - question is who actually will succeed? And at what cost?
Dive into this powerful yet beautiful story of revenge, betrayal and power to know more about the downfall of Shakti Pillai or did he slip away even before it could happen?
Order your copy now online. 🫶
Thank you @simonandschusterin for sending me a copy of this awesome book. I enjoyed reading it a lot. 🫶
#qotd - what's your favourite crime fiction book/movie? Drop down in the comments 🫶
I finished 𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒔 by @shussain.zaidi last day and I am just spellbound! What a book!!! It gave me chills all over as I was coming close to the end of the book! S. Hussain Zaidi did a brilliant job in blending different timelines so expertly. I have to admit that I was struggling a bit at the beginning of the book in the first three chapters about understanding what's actually happening but that confusion swept away the more I read into it - it was like I was watching a crime fiction movie altogether.
Zaidi introduced a fierce, bold and powerful female character here who actually goes by the alias of Venus - she was a survivor, a fighter, a person hungry for revenge. She was a strong - willed woman who had been exposed to the cruelty of this world until she took justice upon her own hands.
I absolutely loved the crazy plot twist at the end and I have to admit that this book being my first ever crime fiction read, it actually made me now a fan of this genre and Zaidi's writing style just made him my auto - buy author. He wrote so flawlessly and actually made the book so realistic.
The story revolves around the underground leader Shakti Pillai - a notorious don, who made a good amount of enemies and had been wrecking havoc overseas in Bangkok after settling there and as well as remotely in his own country - India. People all over want their revenge against him and while there are many parties seeking revenge and plotting against him - question is who actually will succeed? And at what cost?
Dive into this powerful yet beautiful story of revenge, betrayal and power to know more about the downfall of Shakti Pillai or did he slip away even before it could happen?
Order your copy now online. 🫶
Thank you @simonandschusterin for sending me a copy of this awesome book. I enjoyed reading it a lot. 🫶
October 18, 2025
”Instead of the usual armed men shooting at our storefronts to force money out of us, he is actually using modern methods to his advantage.”
- S. Hussain Zaidi, Assassins
Underworld Don Shakti Pillai operating from Bangkok is on the prowl. Having a unique modus operandi, he managed to evade the law for a long time. Dayanand Agarkar from the Mumbai Police and Captain Kaewnan from Metropolitan Police team up to close in on Shakti Pillai's hideout. Parallely, alliances are formed with rival crime syndicates to finish off Pillai.
”We do whatever we need to do so that we can survive. If we don't, others will, and all that will remain of us is a handful of dust.”
Who doesn't like a lethal female spy well-versed in hand-to-hand combat and adept with the latest technologies? From the moment Saba Mansoor is introduced, I knew that I was in for a thrilling ride. The flashbacks were slowly introduced to establish her as a powerful entity.
Having read Zaidi's work — Black Orphan wherein the assassin was a woman, I was curious to know where this book will lead me.
I usually start turning the pages of the book without looking at the blurb. But in case of this read, I had to study the blurb keenly to make sense of things that were changing in the blink of an eye.
The crisp and concise chapters manage to hold the reader's attention, immersing them in a cat and mouse chase. The story takes place in the infamous galis of Mumbai and the red light districts of Bangkok. New individuals are introduced in each of the chapters and their stories are tied together neatly to the main plot
The action scenes are written with cinematic precision, making it easy to visualize every punch, chase, and explosion as though you’re watching a high-stakes thriller unfold on screen.
S. Hussain Zaidi masterfully weaves a compelling narrative that plunges readers into the shadowy world of crime lords operating between India and Bangkok.
- S. Hussain Zaidi, Assassins
Underworld Don Shakti Pillai operating from Bangkok is on the prowl. Having a unique modus operandi, he managed to evade the law for a long time. Dayanand Agarkar from the Mumbai Police and Captain Kaewnan from Metropolitan Police team up to close in on Shakti Pillai's hideout. Parallely, alliances are formed with rival crime syndicates to finish off Pillai.
”We do whatever we need to do so that we can survive. If we don't, others will, and all that will remain of us is a handful of dust.”
Who doesn't like a lethal female spy well-versed in hand-to-hand combat and adept with the latest technologies? From the moment Saba Mansoor is introduced, I knew that I was in for a thrilling ride. The flashbacks were slowly introduced to establish her as a powerful entity.
Having read Zaidi's work — Black Orphan wherein the assassin was a woman, I was curious to know where this book will lead me.
I usually start turning the pages of the book without looking at the blurb. But in case of this read, I had to study the blurb keenly to make sense of things that were changing in the blink of an eye.
The crisp and concise chapters manage to hold the reader's attention, immersing them in a cat and mouse chase. The story takes place in the infamous galis of Mumbai and the red light districts of Bangkok. New individuals are introduced in each of the chapters and their stories are tied together neatly to the main plot
The action scenes are written with cinematic precision, making it easy to visualize every punch, chase, and explosion as though you’re watching a high-stakes thriller unfold on screen.
S. Hussain Zaidi masterfully weaves a compelling narrative that plunges readers into the shadowy world of crime lords operating between India and Bangkok.
October 5, 2025
"Assassins: Power | Betrayal | Revenge" by S. Hussain Zaidi is a gripping tale that takes you deep into the ruthless world of crime, power, and broken loyalties. The story of Shakti Pillai, a don who rules from the shadows of Bangkok, feels larger than life yet painfully real. His hunger for control, his battles with betrayal, and the constant threats to his throne make every page throb with tension.
Venus, the assassin hired to end him, adds a mysterious edge to the story ~ sharp, fearless, and unforgettable. And then there is the ex-mentor turned enemy, proving how the past has a way of returning, no matter how far you run. Each character carries layers of emotions ~ ambition, revenge, greed, and fear , making the book not just a thriller, but a journey into the darkest corners of human nature.
Author 's writing is powerful, fast-paced, and alive. Every twist hits like a storm, every betrayal leaves a sting. It’s a story where power comes at a heavy cost and revenge burns brighter than loyalty.
If you want a thriller that doesn’t just entertain but makes you feel the weight of power and betrayal, "Assassins" is one you will never forget. I am a huge fan of his work. You won't believe I just start collecting his work and have 5-6 books. For me , his work, is always at priority.
Venus, the assassin hired to end him, adds a mysterious edge to the story ~ sharp, fearless, and unforgettable. And then there is the ex-mentor turned enemy, proving how the past has a way of returning, no matter how far you run. Each character carries layers of emotions ~ ambition, revenge, greed, and fear , making the book not just a thriller, but a journey into the darkest corners of human nature.
Author 's writing is powerful, fast-paced, and alive. Every twist hits like a storm, every betrayal leaves a sting. It’s a story where power comes at a heavy cost and revenge burns brighter than loyalty.
If you want a thriller that doesn’t just entertain but makes you feel the weight of power and betrayal, "Assassins" is one you will never forget. I am a huge fan of his work. You won't believe I just start collecting his work and have 5-6 books. For me , his work, is always at priority.
September 25, 2025
This book felt like a "three-dimensional chess game",each player moves with meticulous precision, where their shadows can't define their own shape.
It’s a crime thriller that grips your breath with its fast pace, immersive world, and tumultuous scenes. The characters are enigmatic, layered, and dangerous circling around the elusive Don Shakti Pillai, hidden in Bangkok yet orchestrating money extortions and contract killings. A throne that bleeds more than it serves its master always attracts enemies.
Each character carries a strong personality, intertwining and colliding in ways that keep you hooked. Venus had me from the very beginning with her unyielding strength, heartbreaking backstory, and the aura of a queen in the making. Amongst the chaos, there is small bling of romance flickering it's flames between Agarkar and Sukchai that holds your heart rooting for them.
The writing is flamboyant, guiding you through the hidden whispers of betrayal and the echo of gunshots. You find yourself wanting to duck behind the pages, watching the chaos unfold with a bird’s-eye view.
If you’re craving a thriller that feels like a theatrical experience brimming with political conspiracies, espionage, and mind games that leave you shaken, "Assassin’s" will pull you right into its shadows.
It’s a crime thriller that grips your breath with its fast pace, immersive world, and tumultuous scenes. The characters are enigmatic, layered, and dangerous circling around the elusive Don Shakti Pillai, hidden in Bangkok yet orchestrating money extortions and contract killings. A throne that bleeds more than it serves its master always attracts enemies.
Each character carries a strong personality, intertwining and colliding in ways that keep you hooked. Venus had me from the very beginning with her unyielding strength, heartbreaking backstory, and the aura of a queen in the making. Amongst the chaos, there is small bling of romance flickering it's flames between Agarkar and Sukchai that holds your heart rooting for them.
The writing is flamboyant, guiding you through the hidden whispers of betrayal and the echo of gunshots. You find yourself wanting to duck behind the pages, watching the chaos unfold with a bird’s-eye view.
If you’re craving a thriller that feels like a theatrical experience brimming with political conspiracies, espionage, and mind games that leave you shaken, "Assassin’s" will pull you right into its shadows.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews