– AN E-COMMERCE FIRM finds itself targeted by corporate espionage – A PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR vanishes without a trace – A KEY EMPLOYEE is murdered in cold blood
MyMagicHat, a high-value, supercharged Bangalore-based e-tailer is on the verge of an unprecedented gamble when suddenly, things start going awry. The company unexpectedly runs out of cash and, to make matters worse, a massive data theft follows. A critical funding round is stalled.
Is someone trying to kill MyMagicHat?
When Inspector Dhruvi Kishore is brought in to investigate, she finds that in the dog-eat-dog world of e-tailing, crime too, is driven by technology. Hidden in the mountains of data and unverified claims lie clues to a massive fraud – one that justifies anything. Even murder.
Saboteur is the third novel in RV Raman’s corporate thriller series that explores white-collar crime in India.
After a corporate career spanning four decades and as many continents, I’ve moved away from full time roles to pursue other interests. I now serve as an independent director on company boards and write. In my earlier avatar, I had advised companies, banks, regulators, governments, etc. on various matters.
Tired of extensive physical travel, I now prefer less punishing mental excursions into fictional worlds of my own creation.
ABOUT MY CORPORATE THRILLERS
Surely, there must be men like Professor Moriarty in corporate India. They may not be such intellectual colossuses or consummate masters, but they would share some key traits with him – wile, ingenuity, drive and utter ruthlessness. And they would understand the psychology of temptation.
What kind of schemes would such men device? That is the question I seek to answer through these novels.
Apart from bringing in truckloads of money, these schemes would have to satisfy the fabled professor’s taste for elegant, water-tight designs; designs that ride on the motivations and vulnerabilities of intelligent but weak-minded men. My antagonists may not have Moriarty’s guile or panache, and my detectives may be intellectual pygmies before Holmes. Nevertheless, I have taken a shot (four shots, actually) at crafting credible stories of intelligent crimes in corporate India. Each of my four novels is set in a different industry.
ABOUT MY WHODUNITS
After four corporate thrillers, I turned to writing a series of murder mysteries (whodunits) with a new protagonist (Harith Athreya). I’ve tried to model these on the Golden Age Mysteries, while keeping them current with modern technology like mobile phones. And, as is the case with all my writing, I eschew vulgarity and profanity so that my stories are appropriate for readers of all ages. The only exception is the rare cuss-word that is used as an intensifier for emphasis.
SCIENCE FICTION
And most lately, I am trying my hand at science fiction. 2080: The Lattice is my first foray into this genre and is set in a world where mankind is addicted to AI. Unfortunately, the AI has become deeply biased, even prejudiced. Additionally, the internet has evolved to an extent where it carries all five senses perfectly, making virtual presence undistinguishable from physical reality.
Meanwhile, I continue experimenting with short stories set in contemporary India. Some of them are available on Amazon.
The list of my full-length novels so far:
Fraudster Insider Saboteur Conspirator A Will to Kill A Dire Isle / Grave Intentions Praying Mantis The Last Resort 2080: The Lattice
Saboteur is the third novel by the author RV Raman. It is nicely constructed with plots .A murder, thriller book.One has to flow down with the book till end to know the solution , keeping Ur brain busy.. Thanks to the author for giving me the book as giveaway..
A cracker of a novel. Can see it as a Hollywood movie (but not Bollywood!). Learnt a lot about the risky online retailing business. The novel goes to the heart of it. What makes it a good thriller is the steadily mounting suspense and intrigue, as espionage (in Bangalore, no less!), data theft, dissapearence and murder strike in quick succession. Dispite all these thrills, there is no sleaze or vulgarity and no Bollywood-type masala.
Good, top-drawer stuff delivered in a crisp, succinct writing style. But the sad part is, I am not sure how much of a readership such a cerebral novel (sans romance, sleaze and masala) will attract in India .
Fast pacing but if u are a keen observer you will surely guestimate who can be the culprit. Goes at length on the ebiz terminology and their inner working but many of these has no direct impact on the story. Become so boring in between that u ate not even bothered about what will happen next. A d no crime branch in indian police knows this much about insider trading and what not. This is work of ed wig of cbi so even that is falsely narrated and shown. Will recommend the boom as a refresher course for e marketing inner working not for the thriller part.
And that is third masterpiece in a row. Once again Mr. Raman has extensively used his professional experience to plot inconceivable financial fraud. The deadly combination of data theft and financial fraud continues till the last page. Amazing book with thrilling plots of data theft, corporate espionage, murder mystery and financial fraud.!
E-commerce and venture funding, bots and data thieves, and to top it off, murder. Saboteur is a pretty topical novel, what with Snapdeal trying sell itself to Flipkart and past rumours of Flipkart trying to sell itself to Amazon.
Saboteur is a nicely constructed novel that has most of the core ingredients of a good thriller: intrigue, pace, murder, a complex crime and authenticity. Unlike some thrillers that careen from one crisis to another, this one exercises your brain cells. It asks you to follow a data trail, and invites you to solve a puzzle. Alongside is an unrelenting stream of intrigue and rapid developments. All in all, this is a substantial novel that must have taken a fair bit of time an effort to write. It lives up to the tag of a corporate thriller.
Those who follow start-ups, venture funding and the e-commerce industry will find quite a few interesting nuggets, and an unvarnished glimpse into what happens there. I liked the crisp, non-nonsense style of narration that doesn’t waste a page. Every chapter moves the story along.
This is the third novel in this series, and the mould is clear: an intriguing blend of a whodunit, a thriller and an intelligent financial crime. Serious crime fiction readers and students/executives of corporate India are likely to enjoy this novel the most.
The author moves from Mumbai to Bangalore for his third novel, a city close to my heart. The two things I like about his stories are that they always have significant women characters, and they have plots with substance. No silly, barely-believable, bizarre murders we find dime-a-dozen in so many crime novels.
I am by no means a business person, but for some reason, I like his portrayal of corporate India and the machinations there. At the end of the day, it’s all about human nature and our frailties. Much like a Christie story in some ways, although faster paced. The author builds up intrigue, and maintains it at a high level that makes you keep reading.
I really liked the lady police inspector who goes around on a ‘muscular’ motorcycle. Inspector Dhruvi is a refreshing change. Not far behind is Alex, her morose, lamenting assistant, and Vibha, the cherubic, bubbly brain of a girl.
All in all, it’s a great read which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Bangalore, e-commerce and a lady inspector riding a Royal Enfield Thunderbird -- a combination that hit my sweet spot and kept me up for the better part of the night. A nice, intricate plot with good characterisation and a rapid pace. Really enjoyed this third book. Look forward to more.
Set in post-independence India, RV Raman's *Saboteur* is a compelling mystery that skillfully combines corporate competition, human drama, and political intrigue. The plot revolves around an inquiry into a manufacturing plant sabotage, which takes investigator Harith—who has a talent for solving mysteries—through a maze of deceit. With its gripping story and exploration of the intricate relationships between politicians, labor unions, and businessmen, the book has a decidedly historical feel. Sharp writing that keeps a constant tempo and exciting turns is what Raman does best. Fans of historical fiction and thrillers will like this novel because of its atmosphere and well-developed characters, which give the mystery depth.
https://itchingtoread.blogspot.in/201... The book is an excellent read and keeps the pace consistent. With a series of complicated twists and turns the racy and pacey narrative keeps one guessing. The corporate jargon and intricacies are easy to understand and the plot is watertight. The setting is familiar with e commerce and bots and easy to follow. The twist in the end is unexpected and that adds to the brilliance of the tale. The plot is cerebral and therefore entails a good exercise to the brain and I recommend one takes it slowly, however unputdownable it may be. I found myself deeply engrossed and it was hard to tear myself away from it but to get the full gist of the book and to be able to anticipate and work with the author as he narrates, it needs to be taken slowly. Makes for a good challenge.
Remember Arthur Hailey? The guy who set each of his novels in a different commercial environment - Airport, Hotel, Wheels, Strong Medicine, etc? Raman reminds me of him. He sets each story in a different industry.
I’ve read three of his books, and from each of them, I’ve learnt something about the corporate world and something about technology. I like the simplicity with which complex loopholes and frauds are explained. All this is in addition to the murder mysteries and thrilling plots he weaves deftly. Good, down-to-earth writing with a dexterously built narrative. Excellent book.
As a seasoned Indian book critic with a penchant for gripping narratives, I had the pleasure of diving into "Saboteur" by R.V. Raman, the third installment in his corporate thriller series. Known for unraveling white-collar crime in the Indian context, Raman has once again summoned his literary prowess to craft a tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
"Saboteur" takes us deep into the labyrinthine world of corporate espionage within the confines of a high-value e-commerce firm, MyMagicHat. As financial woes and data theft cast a shadow over the company, Inspector Dhruvi Kishore enters the scene to untangle a web of deception and murder. In the digital age, where technology drives not only business but also crime, Raman presents a narrative that delves into the darkest corners of ambition, deceit, and desperation.
Raman's writing is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling. He effortlessly weaves intricate plots, multifaceted characters, and a fast-paced narrative that keeps the pages turning. His ability to demystify complex corporate scenarios for readers from various backgrounds is commendable.
Inspector Dhruvi Kishore is a standout character, embodying intelligence and resilience. She is a beacon of determination in a world where money and power often overshadow justice. Raman's exploration of technology-driven crimes mirrors the stark realities of today's interconnected world.
The plot unfolds like a well-crafted puzzle, each piece fitting snugly into place as Inspector Kishore navigates a landscape riddled with hidden motives and deceptions. Raman's keen eye for detail and careful pacing ensure that readers are always on the brink of a revelation.
"Saboteur" peels back the layers of corporate machinations, shedding light on the consequences of unchecked ambition and the blurred lines between right and wrong. It's a stark reminder that in the digital age, even the most sophisticated crimes leave a trail.
Raman's narrative has a gripping emotional impact, fueled by the suspense of solving a complex case. Readers are drawn into the investigation, compelled to theorize and speculate alongside the characters.
The strength of "Saboteur" lies in Raman's ability to create a relatable yet thrilling corporate thriller set in India. The intricacies of the plot and the depth of character development are impressive. While the narrative keeps you engaged, some readers might find certain twists predictable. Additionally, a deeper exploration of the emotional toll on characters could have added more depth.
As a connoisseur of suspenseful fiction, "Saboteur" did not disappoint. R.V. Raman's knack for transforming everyday corporate scenarios into thrilling mysteries is truly remarkable. While it maintains the essence of a classic whodunit, it's a contemporary tale that speaks to the realities of modern business and crime.
"Saboteur" is a compelling addition to R.V. Raman's corporate thriller series. It's a thought-provoking journey through the tangled web of ambition and deceit in the digital age. This book is a testament to Raman's ability to unravel complex stories while keeping readers engaged and craving more. A must-read for fans of crime fiction and those intrigued by the darker side of corporate India.
After reading R.V. Raman's Insider I became fan of his books and this book also does not disappoint. It keeps you on your toe till the last page of the book. Till climax you will not understand who is the culprit. This book is the first book in the series of inspector Dhruvi who solves this case.
Story is about a e-retail commerce site company called MyMagicHat which is a front end of Puraria Retail Limited company. Puraria Retail is a traditional super market company owned by Shashikant Puraria and is handled by his two sons Raj And Dilip Puraria, whereas MyMagicHat is handled by Gautam Puraria the youngest sibling. MyMagicHat sees a new future with the investment of a Singaporean company named Kantoff. While preparing DD for the investment it faces few challenges or a threat to the company. Puneet the person from Kantoff creating the DD is kidnapped and at the same time the office is bugged and it also faces money crunch to run the company. How Nilay the CEO of the company, Gautam try to save the company with the help of inspector Dhruvi is the story about the book. Overall I would Say A superbly orchestrated thrilling story. i would say a must read and it's a very very good Goodreads...🙂
This is a very niche story revolving around a very specific problem. People from the technology background will find it more interesting, but that's not to say it will be completely off the charts for the regular Joe. It is like watching a group of nerds solve a very complex problem, you don't get it but it's exciting anyways. It starts off as a something minor, and then it becomes thicker and thicker as you read on. It demands the reader to stop and access what just happened for a second, it's more like a brainstorming session than people running around rooftops doing parkour. The head does the parkour here. You feel it straightaway it has been written by an expert in the field, but it also doesn't try to over explain every little thing, the reader is expected to deduce a bit on his own too. Not many stories keep you attentive like this one.
PS: It says "Inspector Dhruvi" series but the real MVP is someone else in the story.
A thriller based on white collar crime in the e-commerce industry. Very topical. Gives detailed insight into the working of the online sales companies, how the industry offers discounts, it's valuation, the funding. One learns about the levels of PE funding too. In fact at times the information is very technical. An audit before the funding of a major online company reveals some evidence of corporate fraud. Someone is trying to sabotage the firm. Someone takes drastic steps to prevent revelation of the information. So there is an abduction, followed by a murder leading to the involvement of the police and white collar crime agencies. The investigation itself is very interesting. An absorbing book well written.
I've read all of R.V. Raman's books and I have to say this is arguably the best. Exciting plot which is entirely relevant to the e-commerce environment in India. An excellent read for those who are associated with the e-commerce industry and others who simply enjoy a thrilling plot. What attracts me to this author is that his books engage me cerebrally. Original intellectual content.
I returned to India after three years and picked up all the books Raman has written in my absence. This is the first of them I read. "Saboteur" is a typical RV Raman thriller -- pacy, complex and topical. This one is about data theft and e-tailing fraud -- a complex topic that Raman expertly simplifies so that a lay reader can follow it. And, of course, there is murder. Great book!
An excellent story of corporate espionage, murder and finance. Well-written with lots of accounting datail but well explained and understandable. The setting is India, showing that big-league crime is not solely a North American industry.
Fast paced action thriller and a management case study rolled into one! I got a pretty good overview of the state of the booming Indian ecommerce industry. Wish more textbooks were written like this!
Indian e-commerce, Bengaluru and a Lady chulbul Pandey inspector. Corporate thriller at its finest. This was my first RV Raman book, looking forward to enjoy the rest of his books in future.