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The Murder Suspect
The prime accused in a high-profile murder case—and for good reason. The murder weapon grows in her backyard.
Nalini Bose is single, independent, and making waves at a bustling technology start-up in the happening city of Pune. Only one man knows about her other life. And she wants to keep it that way.
He ends up dead.
She’s the murderer—screams the evidence, the circumstances, and Inspector Avinash Choudhary of the CBI.
Choudhary is coming dangerously close to unearthing the skeletons of her past that will seal her fate.
As Choudhary’s net tightens around Nalini, she is desperate to find a way out. Will she escape the clutches of the law or will her karma finally catch up with her?
Nalini Bose is guilty of many things—but is she a killer?
Nalini Bose is single, independent, and making waves at a bustling technology start-up in the happening city of Pune. Only one man knows about her other life. And she wants to keep it that way.
He ends up dead.
She’s the murderer—screams the evidence, the circumstances, and Inspector Avinash Choudhary of the CBI.
Choudhary is coming dangerously close to unearthing the skeletons of her past that will seal her fate.
As Choudhary’s net tightens around Nalini, she is desperate to find a way out. Will she escape the clutches of the law or will her karma finally catch up with her?
Nalini Bose is guilty of many things—but is she a killer?
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2019
22 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Rani Ramakrishnan
7 books25 followersRani Ramakrishnan writes contemporary thriller novels. In another lifetime, she was an entrepreneur, a management professional, a trainer, even an author of study materials for distance education. She is an occasional blogger and a regular bookworm. Two things influence her writing: people she met and the places she has visited.
She lives in Coimbatore, a picturesque city on the foothills of the Nilgiri Mountains, in South India. She loves the outdoors and of late, she has developed a healthy passion for marathons.
She lives in Coimbatore, a picturesque city on the foothills of the Nilgiri Mountains, in South India. She loves the outdoors and of late, she has developed a healthy passion for marathons.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 11, 2019
This is the second book of the author that I read, after 'Lethal Acoustics'. This is a murder mystery which moves fast. The writing is good but the book suffers from an average plot.
Nalini Bose is the HR head of an IT startup IndeGen, whose CEO is Piyush. There is an annual getaway the company has for high achievers. A group of people from the company including Piyush's brother in law Chirag (who is mentally challenged) head to Cumbojee islands (part of Lakshadweep). Piyush's wife Pakhi is the daughter of Bharat Desai who is rich and very well connected.
Piyush and Chirag go missing one night. While Chirag is found later, Piyush is found dead in a swamp. Nalini is the prime suspect as she is in a relationship with Piyush, and her aggressive behaviour arouses the suspicion of the chief investigator from the CBI Avinash Choudhary. As Avinash tries to piece together the evidence, it is clear that is a complex case.
The main issue is that this comes across a yet another murder mystery book. Also some aspects of Nalini's behaviour, and especially some incidents from her past are not well narrated, come across as silly and detract from the story.
It is however a good book to relax with as it moves smoothly.
My rating: 3.5 / 5.
I was provided a free ebook by the author for a review.
Nalini Bose is the HR head of an IT startup IndeGen, whose CEO is Piyush. There is an annual getaway the company has for high achievers. A group of people from the company including Piyush's brother in law Chirag (who is mentally challenged) head to Cumbojee islands (part of Lakshadweep). Piyush's wife Pakhi is the daughter of Bharat Desai who is rich and very well connected.
Piyush and Chirag go missing one night. While Chirag is found later, Piyush is found dead in a swamp. Nalini is the prime suspect as she is in a relationship with Piyush, and her aggressive behaviour arouses the suspicion of the chief investigator from the CBI Avinash Choudhary. As Avinash tries to piece together the evidence, it is clear that is a complex case.
The main issue is that this comes across a yet another murder mystery book. Also some aspects of Nalini's behaviour, and especially some incidents from her past are not well narrated, come across as silly and detract from the story.
It is however a good book to relax with as it moves smoothly.
My rating: 3.5 / 5.
I was provided a free ebook by the author for a review.
September 4, 2019
3.5 stars.
Thank you author , for this reviewer's copy.
I usually don't do ARCs as I have had bad experience in the past with the books ranging from mildly boring to downright loathsome . Somehow the title caught my eye, and against my better intentions I volunteered to review. And for once , I don't regret my decision .
This is a fast paced murder mystery taking place in a small island belonging to Lakshadweep .
The disappearance and death occurs when a startup company's best workers are on a weekend trip to an exotic location , accompanied by their founder and his secret girl friend. What would have been a golden vacation, turns into a nightmare , and Nalini Bose , the HR head cum secret lover finds herself in trouble , especially with the creep Avinash Chowdhari , the CBI officer.
She , as well as a few of her colleagues , have a dark past and everything is revealed to the public , whose sympathy is surely to lie with Pakhi, the wronged wife of Piyush Gokhale, the CEO.
The positive attributes are a taut storyline , the witty repartee between Nalini Bose and the Creep, the description of the holiday isle which makes one feel like leaving everything asidw and catching the first flight / ship/ train/ bus to some exotic location and the fast pace.
The negatives of this book were the exotic occurrences in the life of Nalini Bose. I couldn't take it even with a pinch of salt. Even though I am naive to the workings of the business world , I feel everything is simplified and cosied up in this book .
All said and done , a quick one time read.
Thank you author , for this reviewer's copy.
I usually don't do ARCs as I have had bad experience in the past with the books ranging from mildly boring to downright loathsome . Somehow the title caught my eye, and against my better intentions I volunteered to review. And for once , I don't regret my decision .
This is a fast paced murder mystery taking place in a small island belonging to Lakshadweep .
The disappearance and death occurs when a startup company's best workers are on a weekend trip to an exotic location , accompanied by their founder and his secret girl friend. What would have been a golden vacation, turns into a nightmare , and Nalini Bose , the HR head cum secret lover finds herself in trouble , especially with the creep Avinash Chowdhari , the CBI officer.
She , as well as a few of her colleagues , have a dark past and everything is revealed to the public , whose sympathy is surely to lie with Pakhi, the wronged wife of Piyush Gokhale, the CEO.
The positive attributes are a taut storyline , the witty repartee between Nalini Bose and the Creep, the description of the holiday isle which makes one feel like leaving everything asidw and catching the first flight / ship/ train/ bus to some exotic location and the fast pace.
The negatives of this book were the exotic occurrences in the life of Nalini Bose. I couldn't take it even with a pinch of salt. Even though I am naive to the workings of the business world , I feel everything is simplified and cosied up in this book .
All said and done , a quick one time read.
June 11, 2020
A fast paced thriller that will keep you hooked
Got hooked instantly. Have read thrillers but this one was very neatly written. The cover could have been better. The plot and narrative are good, some portions are a bit lax. The research is good and one keeps reading, wanting more.
Got hooked instantly. Have read thrillers but this one was very neatly written. The cover could have been better. The plot and narrative are good, some portions are a bit lax. The research is good and one keeps reading, wanting more.
September 19, 2019
Firstly thanks to Rani for giving me an oppurtunity to read and review the book. I did like the way this book is written and would sure try read your other books too.
Coming to the story, the story starts good and ends good, but there was a bit of time when I did felt a but bored. However except that few pages I really found the book/story interesting enough to keep me reading. Many aspects of the book are more realistic making it not too far from reality fiction.
The main character in the book Nalini Bose is a self made women, HR manager of Indigene, which has its own stand in the market. She becomes a prime suspect of murder of the CEO of the company and son i law of a popular politician. A sequence of incidents and evidence point her out to be the prime suspect and murderer. The CBI officer dealing the case cracks through the case and finds the cause and motive of the murder.
The little twists in the story are actually interesting and make the story a little side lined than a usual or typical killer story. There are a few misses in the book, which does not justify the blood strains on the crime place, properly. However I still like the way the book is written, and presented.
Though this is not a super murder thriller with a lot of suspense and twists I rate the book 3.5 for the simplicity of the story and at to the same time appreciate the work of the author, she sure can write better and more. I hope her coming writings will take her to that steps and give us much thrilling stories.
Coming to the story, the story starts good and ends good, but there was a bit of time when I did felt a but bored. However except that few pages I really found the book/story interesting enough to keep me reading. Many aspects of the book are more realistic making it not too far from reality fiction.
The main character in the book Nalini Bose is a self made women, HR manager of Indigene, which has its own stand in the market. She becomes a prime suspect of murder of the CEO of the company and son i law of a popular politician. A sequence of incidents and evidence point her out to be the prime suspect and murderer. The CBI officer dealing the case cracks through the case and finds the cause and motive of the murder.
The little twists in the story are actually interesting and make the story a little side lined than a usual or typical killer story. There are a few misses in the book, which does not justify the blood strains on the crime place, properly. However I still like the way the book is written, and presented.
Though this is not a super murder thriller with a lot of suspense and twists I rate the book 3.5 for the simplicity of the story and at to the same time appreciate the work of the author, she sure can write better and more. I hope her coming writings will take her to that steps and give us much thrilling stories.
September 5, 2019
'The Murder Suspect' is different from and better than Rani Ramakrishnan's earlier works. Set in a corporate milieu in Pune, it is the tale of a software startup which has made it big in ten years. The narrator Nalini Bose, HR Head of the company, is among the founders.
The founder Piyush is the CEO, married to the daughter of a moneybags minister, the moneybags who is the angel investor.
Piyush takes a handful of the company's top performers on a mystery holiday at the beginning of every year. This year, they go to a resort in a remote island, and Piyush is killed. Any person or persons of the team could be the killer, and many of them have flawed and hidden pasts.
Yes, it does remind one of Agatha Christie's ' And Then There Were None', the Hindi film 'Gumnaam' based on it and its various Indian language versions.
A gripping story, it also underlines how companies are forced to overlook minus points to hire and retain candidates with exceptional skills.
Errors of fact, punctuation, logic and sentence construction are hard to find.
The founder Piyush is the CEO, married to the daughter of a moneybags minister, the moneybags who is the angel investor.
Piyush takes a handful of the company's top performers on a mystery holiday at the beginning of every year. This year, they go to a resort in a remote island, and Piyush is killed. Any person or persons of the team could be the killer, and many of them have flawed and hidden pasts.
Yes, it does remind one of Agatha Christie's ' And Then There Were None', the Hindi film 'Gumnaam' based on it and its various Indian language versions.
A gripping story, it also underlines how companies are forced to overlook minus points to hire and retain candidates with exceptional skills.
Errors of fact, punctuation, logic and sentence construction are hard to find.
November 14, 2019
First of all thanks to the author for sending me a free copy of ebook for a honest review. This book is about nalini bose who is a Hr head in organisation called indigen. She becomes a suspect for the murder of piyush gokhale the CEO of indigen and also her lover. She becomes a lover because of the way she behaves with the police. This book is written in the perspective of Nalini. What she thinks what she does. Sometime i felt that Nalini is little dumb from her thought process. May be the situation she is in may have made her act like that. From her statements i get that she has a lot of attitude and she does not even care if piyush her lover is alive or not plus she gives inappropriate answers to the Cid officer. May be her character is like that for this book. Author has given out a message that when you are a murder suspect these all can happen. Overall i would say it's a good Goodread...🙂
Read
October 9, 20193.5
The book started on a very promising note, a corporate background, a love affair, and an exotic location. On the top, the murder of an executive who is son in law of a big politician, it has all the ingredients. The first few pages for me were complete page-turner but in the middle, it felt kinda slow and sometimes predictable.
The character of Nalini Bose is well defined but still seems very confusing sometimes, she is very hot-headed and impulsive, also I found her very stereotypical at times. Nevertheless, her character was nicely depicted.
Apart from her, no other character came out strong in the narrative.
The writing is strong and is fast-paced.
I enjoyed reading this and will recommend this, it's a nice cozy suspense writing which you will for sure enjoy.
Happy Reading!!
The book started on a very promising note, a corporate background, a love affair, and an exotic location. On the top, the murder of an executive who is son in law of a big politician, it has all the ingredients. The first few pages for me were complete page-turner but in the middle, it felt kinda slow and sometimes predictable.
The character of Nalini Bose is well defined but still seems very confusing sometimes, she is very hot-headed and impulsive, also I found her very stereotypical at times. Nevertheless, her character was nicely depicted.
Apart from her, no other character came out strong in the narrative.
The writing is strong and is fast-paced.
I enjoyed reading this and will recommend this, it's a nice cozy suspense writing which you will for sure enjoy.
Happy Reading!!
April 29, 2020
2 days to finish this one speaks volume about the interest level the book maintained
The book is about a corporate with a love affair between the ceo and the he, Nalini bose, the narrator of the story. It revolves around his the CEO's murder and how Nalini is accused. This can't be labeled as a thriller in it's true sense as the book majorly revolves around Nalini and her ordeal as a head strong other woman. Interesting read for sure ! #themurdersuspect #raniramakrishnan
The book is about a corporate with a love affair between the ceo and the he, Nalini bose, the narrator of the story. It revolves around his the CEO's murder and how Nalini is accused. This can't be labeled as a thriller in it's true sense as the book majorly revolves around Nalini and her ordeal as a head strong other woman. Interesting read for sure ! #themurdersuspect #raniramakrishnan
June 5, 2020
I read the first 10 chapters. Then I skipped to the last 3 chapters. Didn't feel like I missed anything. I picked this book after reading Agatha Christie's And then there were None, Murder of Roger Ackroyd & Vish Dhamija's Unlawful justice. You can understand my disappointment. Average plotting, unnecessary lines. Writing feels dragged.
October 4, 2020
I really liked this story. It was different from anything I've read before. It started out as a love story then turned into a murder mystery. There was more than enough detail to both to make it exciting. And the best part came in at the end. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 8, 2019
Full review on my blog:
https://blog.medhaapps.com/2019/09/bo...
Piyush, CEO of Indegen company takes his best team on a pleasure trip to an island resort as part of the yearly tradition at their organization, to reward and motivate high performing employees. By the end of the first day, in the middle of the night, Chirag, Piyush’s brother-in-law is found missing from his room. What is more shocking is the amount of blood found in his room with a long blood trial, and adding to the shock, Piyush is also missing from his room. By the next day, one of them is declared dead and Nalini Bose, the HR head of the organization, who was also on the trip and one of the first to be alerted about the mishap, turns the prime suspect under shocking circumstances.
The case is soon handed to CBI for further investigation and Ashish Choudhary from CBI finds evidence from Nalini’s house to prove she is the culprit. Is Nalini the real culprit or just a victim of circumstances? Does Nalini has more past skeletons ready to tumble out of her closet forms the rest of the story.
The story starts with two men gone missing from their respective rooms from a remote island resort and soon finding one of them dead in mysterious circumstances. The first day on the island with description of its beautiful landscape, the mystery that follows, the unique traits and backstories of each of the employees who were part of the trip are very interesting. Even the reason for the sudden death and the circumstances that lead to it are designed smartly by the author. The narration and details around all the complications involved in running an independent startup and the ambition to grow business and its implications are well handled. The highlight however are the conversations between Nalini and the CBI officer, for the sarcasm and forthrightness they bright about.
What looks like a murder mystery in the first few pages turns out to be more of Nalini’s life and her past as the story progresses. While Nalini has a very interesting past story, the story steering more towards her without much spotlight on other characters can be disappointing to the reader, especially in the second half. The characters are mostly grey and come across as cold and insensible and their like-ability depends on the reader’s taste.
Pick this one for a story with elements of suspense, unique character traits, set against a corporate backdrop. A more tighter second half could have elevated the story further.
https://blog.medhaapps.com/2019/09/bo...
Piyush, CEO of Indegen company takes his best team on a pleasure trip to an island resort as part of the yearly tradition at their organization, to reward and motivate high performing employees. By the end of the first day, in the middle of the night, Chirag, Piyush’s brother-in-law is found missing from his room. What is more shocking is the amount of blood found in his room with a long blood trial, and adding to the shock, Piyush is also missing from his room. By the next day, one of them is declared dead and Nalini Bose, the HR head of the organization, who was also on the trip and one of the first to be alerted about the mishap, turns the prime suspect under shocking circumstances.
The case is soon handed to CBI for further investigation and Ashish Choudhary from CBI finds evidence from Nalini’s house to prove she is the culprit. Is Nalini the real culprit or just a victim of circumstances? Does Nalini has more past skeletons ready to tumble out of her closet forms the rest of the story.
The story starts with two men gone missing from their respective rooms from a remote island resort and soon finding one of them dead in mysterious circumstances. The first day on the island with description of its beautiful landscape, the mystery that follows, the unique traits and backstories of each of the employees who were part of the trip are very interesting. Even the reason for the sudden death and the circumstances that lead to it are designed smartly by the author. The narration and details around all the complications involved in running an independent startup and the ambition to grow business and its implications are well handled. The highlight however are the conversations between Nalini and the CBI officer, for the sarcasm and forthrightness they bright about.
What looks like a murder mystery in the first few pages turns out to be more of Nalini’s life and her past as the story progresses. While Nalini has a very interesting past story, the story steering more towards her without much spotlight on other characters can be disappointing to the reader, especially in the second half. The characters are mostly grey and come across as cold and insensible and their like-ability depends on the reader’s taste.
Pick this one for a story with elements of suspense, unique character traits, set against a corporate backdrop. A more tighter second half could have elevated the story further.
September 2, 2020
Great read, twisted tale for sure.
Loved the characters and their many interactions.
No loose ends.
Kept me engaged from the beginning.
Loved the characters and their many interactions.
No loose ends.
Kept me engaged from the beginning.
October 3, 2019
Thanks Rani for this reviewers copy. It’s my first book of hers but I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Murder Suspect. It kept me hooked from the minute go and I liked how the characters were introduced gradually. It reminded me a little bit of Agatha Christie’s and there were none, but it quickly wore off.
Being a thriller fan, who gets spooked way too soon for my own good, I loved the chills I got, when the protagonist explains the state of the room where the victim seems to be hurt.
The way the characters were written was charming, almost sneaking up the reader and allowing them to discover the characters as they proceed with the story. All the characters in the book have secrets of their own, making each one of them possible suspects. The CBI officer who investigates the murder too is intriguing and though he comes off as a focused no nonsense guy, his character arc grows as the story proceeds.
I however thought that the ending was abrupt and it happened too soon. I would have loved to know more about the reasons that drove the killer to want to murder the victim. It would have added more flavour to the story and cement my impression of the killer.
However it was a good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Being a thriller fan, who gets spooked way too soon for my own good, I loved the chills I got, when the protagonist explains the state of the room where the victim seems to be hurt.
The way the characters were written was charming, almost sneaking up the reader and allowing them to discover the characters as they proceed with the story. All the characters in the book have secrets of their own, making each one of them possible suspects. The CBI officer who investigates the murder too is intriguing and though he comes off as a focused no nonsense guy, his character arc grows as the story proceeds.
I however thought that the ending was abrupt and it happened too soon. I would have loved to know more about the reasons that drove the killer to want to murder the victim. It would have added more flavour to the story and cement my impression of the killer.
However it was a good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 2, 2019
Nalini is a high ranking HR executive in a tech firm founded by Piyush. At an executive retreat for high performers at IndeGen devastating events take place.
The ensuing action reveals that many members of the team might be tech innovators, but they cannot claim flawless pasts.
In many cases, the secrets of more than one player are revealed in unflattering ways, and someone has made a habit of leaking damaging information to the media. Others who present innocent or friendly faces to the company and each other prove to be mercenary, even to their own detriment.
If you enjoyed tangled mysteries that keep you guessing, much in the vein of Agatha Christie, this colorful adventure should be your next great Kindle Unlimited Mystery read!
The ensuing action reveals that many members of the team might be tech innovators, but they cannot claim flawless pasts.
In many cases, the secrets of more than one player are revealed in unflattering ways, and someone has made a habit of leaking damaging information to the media. Others who present innocent or friendly faces to the company and each other prove to be mercenary, even to their own detriment.
If you enjoyed tangled mysteries that keep you guessing, much in the vein of Agatha Christie, this colorful adventure should be your next great Kindle Unlimited Mystery read!
September 15, 2019
This is a story centred around Nandini; HR head of a start-up, IndeGen. The CEO of IndeGen and Nandini were in a relationship. Piyush's wife Pakhi; the daughter of Bharat Desai, who is a politician and very well connected. Piyush had to also employed Chirag, his brother in law (also mentally challenged) in the organisation, as a lot of the funding for his organisation came from his father-in-law.
Read the complete review on my blog - http://blushesandsparkle.com/the-murd...
Read the complete review on my blog - http://blushesandsparkle.com/the-murd...
August 31, 2019
Moderately engaging read
I didn't get bored while reading, and completed in two seatings. It does get repititive at places with corporate cliches and perfection of a CEOs life. Some lose ends but overall decent plot and an okay climax.
Worth a read.
I didn't get bored while reading, and completed in two seatings. It does get repititive at places with corporate cliches and perfection of a CEOs life. Some lose ends but overall decent plot and an okay climax.
Worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews