Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Murdrum #1

The Probe Begins

Rate this book
A horrifying decapitated head.

A CBI intern on an assignment finds mysterious 'Two Dots' from a cold case.

Human DNA is extracted from a mosquito's stomach.

"Why had Harold Shipman killed 250 women?" A question of criminal psychology enters the picture.

Against the corrupt system, a CBI intern leaves no stone unturned to dig the rort of a cold-blooded serial killer.

Several incredible, high-tech forensic investigations are stacked against a tech-savvy killer who knows his job inside-out.

And, the sexual sadist killer releases another cipher with a rise of body count.

Forensic advancement has brought out a digital face from DNA. Will she able to get the killer's DNA?

How has he become a monster out of a man?

Are these efforts enough to catch the killer? Or is there something special in the store?

329 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2021

39 people are currently reading
293 people want to read

About the author

Sohil Makwana

6 books74 followers
Dr. Sohil Makwana (MBBS, MD) is as engaged in creative pursuits as he is in scientific ones. He is a man who dons many hats. When not spending time with his patients, he relishes his role as a fashion photographer, humorist, assistant director, screenwriter, fitness expert, and most recently a novelist.

He believes in the pursuit of knowledge and knows in his heart that one can never stop learning. His knowledge and expertise in the field of medicine, and his curiosity in world affairs enable him to craft fast-paced thrillers that reflect both his profession and passion.

Expert in medicine and textpert in creating mystery, Dr. Sohil Makwana believes learning never ends. His extreme enthusiasm to explore novel ideas steered him to become versatile. He enjoys clubbing the science of art and art of science in his stories. With a pinch of humor, he blends the actual life events and his medical knowledge to bring forth a powerful and intense thriller. Describing his unique patients’ struggles and sometimes uncanny gifts, Dr. Sohil Makwana wants to introduce bizarre diseases to the general audience with the help of humanized and demystified characters.

Further, he had donated all his author earnings to the youngest Covid warrior Apexa who has lost her parents while working in the pandemic.

Recently, he is given a reputed Heroes Behind The Heroes award by Sony Entertainment. And, being an inspirational icon, he is awarded the prestigious iconic gold awards.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
556 (67%)
4 stars
211 (25%)
3 stars
36 (4%)
2 stars
11 (1%)
1 star
8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 419 reviews
Profile Image for Avani ✨.
1,915 reviews448 followers
July 4, 2021
Murdrum : The Probe Begins by Dr. Sohil Makwana is a mystery thriller novel which was a complete page turner for me. A CBI intern, a decapitated head and two dots (evidence mark) that fits the case.

With a cast of very well written characters, a plot full of twists and turns along with full research packed medical science theories the book blew my mind. But at the same time, the beauty of this book holds in its ease for readers.

I absolutely am in awe with the character development of Komal's character. Always loved watching the old show - CID? This book is for you. This one being such a good debut novel for the author, I would definitely would be looking forward to seeing more of his work.

The plot reminded me of the famous book and now adapted as a series YOU, so if you like that too, you definitely would want to read this book too. The serial killer is murdering women and leaving his mark on every body, will the investigation team be able to catch the murderer?
Profile Image for Anjali Sharma.
968 reviews59 followers
June 12, 2021
MURDRUM : The Probe Begins is an interesting crime thriller so engaging that you will forget to blink while reading.

The book begins when a child finds the decapitated head of a female. Komal Rathod, an intern at CBI is assigned a project of collecting the database of cold murder cases in Maharashtra. She comes across the case of the decapitated female while working on her assignment at Thane police station. The case intrigues her and when she digs a little deeper, she finds out that this might be a work of a serial killer. Will she be able to hunt down this serial killer?

There are no dull moments in this crime thriller. The author has given a strong female protagonist who is curious, intelligent and brave in the form of Komal. Her interest of being an investigation officer despite being over qualified for the job stems from her childhood. The crime scenes are written in detail which makes them gruesome but the horrific details are justified as the crimes are done by a psychopath serial killer. The childhood history of the killer makes his character well developed and credible.

This is a very interesting crime thriller with the thrill of murders done by a serial killer by decapitating women after which he leaves his mark two dots around the navel on their bodies. All the characters and descriptions are very nicely penned down. I would definitely recommend this book to all the readers.
Profile Image for Ishan Agrawal.
946 reviews48 followers
April 9, 2022
It is essential for everyone in general to posess atleast some fundamental knowledge related to medical sciences so as to understand their own body better and being able to identify the cause if any minor ailment arises. But I never knew that it can be used in such a captivating and intriguing manner before I got the chance to read this book.

The book is a well crafted mystery thriller with something or the other event to grab your attention . It is fast paced and has all the elements to be converted into a spectacular web series. There are instances when the sheer horror nature of crime can make the readers uncomfortable but then villain getting the taste of his own medicine when KARMA hits back provides solace.

The characterisation is outstanding. Komal Rathod as the investigating officer helped me recall ACP Rathod of the popular flick 'Sarfarosh' with the similar courage and lazor sharp focus. The best part of book is it is entertaining to the core and there aren't any dull moments as such. There is a lot of information shared related to the working of crime departments which is quite fascinating to know. The story ends on a high note and leaves the readers excited about its probable sequel.

All in all , a highly engaging read.
Profile Image for Sankalpita (bookGeeks India).
478 reviews353 followers
September 22, 2021
** What to expect? **

Expect an entertaining read. Expect a thriller based on an intriguing mystery, one which revolves around a dangerous serial killer. Expect a gripping thriller that is based on true events. Expect a book that showcases the latest developments in forensic sciences. Expect a mystery with a strong female lead.

** What about the writing style? What did I like? **

The book makes use of generous research and does a good job of incorporating all that research into a storyline that is not just gripping but also informative. This sort of research, in addition to providing content for the book, also lends credibility to the characters and their backgrounds.

For example, without her thorough knowledge and expertise in forensic knowledge, Komal would only have been half-interesting. Even the hooded killer knows his job too well, and that adds a certain authority and enigma to his character.

The storyline is gripping, and the many subplots and twists make sure that the reader has enough motivation to keep turning pages after pages. There is something interesting happening after every few pages, and that speaks a lot about the writing. Given that this is the author’s debut book, the writing is bound to improve. Till then, kudos for a great first book!

** Trigger warning **

The book contains gory and spine-chilling descriptions of violence inflicted on the many victims of the serial killer. If you are put off or triggered by graphic descriptions of macabre scenes, you should probably avoid this one.

** In the end **

In the end, Murdrum: The Probe Begins is a gripping forensic thriller about a dangerous psycho sadist serial killer. The book, with its fast pace and many plot twists, makes for an engaging read.

** Pick the book if **

• You are looking for an entertaining read.
• You enjoy crime fiction.

** Skip the book if **

• You are triggered or put off by graphic descriptions of violence.

Read the detailed review here - https://www.bookgeeks.in/murdrum-the-...
Profile Image for Khyati Gautam.
890 reviews252 followers
July 23, 2021
Murdrum by Dr Sohil Makwana is a dark mystery thriller set around decapitated heads and a sexual sadist killer. It is a story that leaves you shaken with nasty details and makes you, probably, throw up visualising it inside your head. Yes, it is a gripping tale, full of gory incidents, but if you are in the right headspace to handle it, you'll most probably end up liking it.

Pageturner at 298 pages, Murdrum is about a detective intern, Komal, who helps CBI to uncover a brutal murder. Actually, a series of murders, done in a similar pattern, of similar victims. Full-term pregnant women. Komal is thoroughly invested in the case as she connects it with her past struggles. Parallelly, we come across a young boy's heartbreaking tale set in the past. As the book moves back and forth in the two timelines, we discover some fascinating facts about forensic science besides learning about how experiences can shape one's actions and identities.

Murdrum is a well-researched novel and coming from a debut author, fairs pretty well in terms of unique storyline and engaging writing style. I personally enjoy thrillers, a lot, and while reading them, I am pretty serious about discovering the culprits before the book unfolds it for me. And while I was trying to get to my answer in Murdrum, it ended with a cliffhanger. Yes, I can't wait to read the next book in the series because I genuinely want to know the face behind an extremely insensitive murderer.

The author has done a good job of building a wonderful narrative that keeps one at the edge. However, I'd have had a slightly higher opinion of the book if there were fewer cuss words (I can't stand the misogynistic derogatory terms!) and better editing. In a nutshell, Murdrum is a well-written tale of gory murders and the psyche that goes behind executing them.
Profile Image for Darshayita Thakur.
231 reviews25 followers
July 21, 2021
As must be evident from the name itself, Murdrum : The Probe Begins by Dr. Sohil Makwana is a murder mystery. Simplifying the book description to these two words would be a far fetch.

Gripping plot, absolute page-turner, and the right amount of gore and medical science. Could it get any better? I don’t think so. We follow investigating officer Komal Rathod, who as an intern, is working on collecting data and information regarding the cold murder cases in the state. While doing so she comes across one particular case of a decapitated female body, which catches her attention. It is with this case that the story kicks off. Komal suspects that it is the work of a serial killer. Will she succeed in proving her doubts?

The story is fast paced, with no dull moments for me to complain about. I like my thrillers that way. The author does go into gruesome details about the handiwork of the killer. Therefore, readers who are queasy about that sort of stuff - you have been warned. This book is perfect for a quick palate cleanse when you are in a reading slump.
Profile Image for Ruchi Patel.
1,151 reviews94 followers
June 10, 2021
I picked up this book due to suspense thriller plot but I didn’t expected it to be a five star read. I will briefly summarise the plot trying to avoid spoilers. The story starts with current scenario in 2021. The protagonist of the story is Komal. The story starts with Komal getting an internship in CBI headquarters. In between the story has few flashbacks from 1990s. Komal overcome a terrible childhood and joined forensic department. Initially story started on low note but from third chapter when they visit crime scene, it takes it pace. There are murders and probably a serial killer. She examined number of cases for the “Two dots”. I liked the part where human DNA is extracted from the mosquito’s stomach. I liked all the forensic procedure ms and techniques to solved the case. They are described properly and in interesting manner too. I liked the plot. It has all the components for the perfect plot such as mystery, drama, thrill, emotions, etc. I liked how author has focused psychological aspects too. Like in crime author has portrayed enough psychological impact on both Komal and criminal psychology too. The narration style of the author is captivating. Author has imagined and studied all the content properly before writing this because in this, slightest mistake can go wrong. So author has done indeed great job in it. Interesting read for me. Strongly recommended from my side.
71 reviews2 followers
July 23, 2021
Trigger warnings:
Violence
Sexual abuse
Abusive language and many more.

I finished this book a couple of days ago, and I honestly I was blown away by how gripping it was. This was the first time I tried a murder mystery written by an India author and I must say.. Dr. Sohil did a great job !

The book revolves around Komal who is a CBI intern, and while trying to complete an assignment, finds herself in the middle of a pregnant woman murder case. Being a forensic scientist, on investigation, she realises that the murder is very cleverly plotted and is related to many other cases about murdered pregnant ladies. With a back story of her own, she tries to solve who the killer is, which btw you will not be able to guess until the very end. 

If you have a knack for forensics and crime, try out this book.. it's got good details and that makes it a page turner.
Profile Image for Simran.
45 reviews12 followers
January 14, 2022
"People are either weak or strong, strong rule and the weak die"~ Murdrum-The probe begins

🔪The story Murdrum revolves around Komal Rathore, a bright woman with a sharp IQ, a CBI intern who came across an assignment where the pregnant woman was brutally killed with her head off from her body and leaving a matk on her navel. When the investigation started, she came to know that this was not the first killing like this, there were many other brutal killings of specially pregnant women and leaving the same mark on their navels. And in the CBI office, she was not considered as one of the best. So this is like a challenge for her find this killer.

🔪Will she able to find the serial killer? What are the reasons behind this kind of killing?
Read by yourself and find out.

🔪The plots and twists in this book are really intriguing and gripping. The character buildup, abusive childhood and most importantly forensic science which held me to the edge of the bed (when the DNA was extracted from the mosquito's stomach, it's really mind-blowing, I can't even think of that).

🔪Over-all I loved the plot of the book because of it's different kind of crime mystery. Beginners can opt for this if they are looking for the thriller books, highly recommended, langauge is simple and fast paced.
3 reviews
July 26, 2023
The novel is well-written and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. The characters are well-developed and believable, and the plot is fast-paced and exciting. The author's knowledge of forensic science is evident throughout the novel, and he does a good job of incorporating this knowledge into the story.

One of the things I liked most about Murdrum is the way it explores the psychological motivations of the killer. The author does a good job of showing how the killer's childhood trauma has shaped his adult personality and behavior. This makes the killer a more complex and sympathetic character, even though his actions are ultimately horrific.
Profile Image for Asha Seth.
Author 3 books349 followers
February 22, 2022
Murdrum is book one in a possible anthology of crime thrillers. This is a relatively fast-paced novel with a gripping plot that takes the reader deep into medical science and forensics. While the plot is a compelling, rather engaging one, the characters felt loosing the touch with the story; except the lead intern who had her claws hooked deep into the crime case at hand, determined at solving it. The story goes on smoothly, at an easy pace, with scenes and dialogues unfolding in tandem, in perfect harmony complementing the plot in an organized pattern. However, the lengthy detailed narrative will put off the most dedicated reader.

The protagonist, Komal Rathod does a brilliant job in leading the plot and leaving no gaping holes, and the supporting characters blend well in the narrative. While the story held a bit too many police officers than essential, toward the end, the flow narrows down on just the really crucial ones central to the story. The antagonist is portrayed as a formidable figure – he is a serial killer with a troubled childhood and more on his character and story to be revealed in the sequel. The story is set in the lesser-known locales of Mumbai, city in India.

The flow of the story is seamless with acute precision of details but running it through an editor’s eye could’ve made it crisp and yet more impactful. The language which is simple but too local could also be neutralized a bit, which could lend it more authenticity, and thus, more relatable to the masses. The vivid description of the crime scenes were credible and outstanding, but could be disturbing for some. Toward the end, the cliffhanger totally justified the suspense.

'Murdrum' is a fantastic first attempt at a crime thriller in Indian literature paradigm. A definite recommendation to everyone who loves thrillers and don't mind gory graphic details. Also recommended to lovers of Hannibal Lecter and Thomas Harris novels.
Profile Image for The Bibliophile Doctor.
833 reviews285 followers
October 18, 2021
What's that one genre you look upto when you are bored of reading? Okay don't kill me when I'm saying you are bored of reading, but admit it that once in a while everyone feels like not reading. Reading slump or whatever fancy name you want to give it.

But as a reader when I'm bored of reading, I read even then. I pick up thriller mystery crime genre as it feels exciting.

Murdrum : the probe begins is one of those thriller mystery crime that I will recommend if you are into this genre.

Murdrum is about a CBI intern "Komal Rathod" and there's a killer on the loose. After an initial crime (won't be giving any spoilers) Komal starts digging into cold cases that took place and starts to wonder if there's a connecting link between them. The mystery was intriguing, and I being an admirer of crime series enjoyed it thoroughly. It kind of reminded me of silence of the lambs except for the Hannibal part.

I love when a protagonist is an intelligent strong woman so I will like to thank author for creating such a good character.

Writing is good and has a flow. Overall it was a good read and helped me come out of my reading slump. I'm 11 books behind the schedule and I really can not believe it but I'm going to make up for it.

So what's your go to genre?

Profile Image for Lea Queen.
282 reviews5 followers
June 6, 2022
Sorting things isn’t easy when there’s a series of mysteries ahead of one waiting to be unfolded.

This is an amazing book. It turned out to be quite an awesome thriller and I kept on turning pages, anticipating what would happen next. A brilliant concept and a novel idea. Kudos to Author Sohil for coming up with such a wonderful, exciting thriller with plenty of twists and turns and a climax that would completely knock you off.
Profile Image for Abhigyan Sanyal.
47 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2021
Komal Rathore in pursuit of joining the Central Bureau of Investigation fumbles upon a case, presumably serial killings of multiple women. The premise begins with the discovery of a severed head of a Jane Doe, dumped somewhere in a garbage disposal unit lying out in the suburbs. Weeks later the disembodied torso is found someplace else and that is when Komal gets initiated into the gruesome ordeal. The misogyny of the system and the pride of fat Indian policemen is over-inflated to even consider the ideas and the solutions given by Komal. On the other hand, framing unwary victims out of seemingly common places is something they can easily do. So it is up to Komal and the few trusted individuals who can pull the curtains off the case.

Shifting through the pages and gathering intel across multiple police stations, Komal gets the whiff that similar cases might have been committed before. Bingo and right on point she finds two other cases similar and related to the current gruesome crime which lets all suspicions loose. Running through case files with Inspector Vishwas and Komal's acquaintances she seeks the truth, because somewhere in her past lies a hidden red door of tumult so large that it keeps popping over in real-time. What anxiety brings the suffering to Komal's way, is it the trauma from the past? or is it something else entirely, shall we see the stories merge to give a better reason or shall Komal's dark past remain in the shadows forever.
The story has been coupled in such a way to narrate the life of one such boy, who is maligned and abused on such a frequent note that he becomes numb to his pains and disgruntled at his life. We see the making of the demon at hand or so the author wants us to think. Is this boy the reason for all those gory murders? Time shall say once you go through the book. In the book, there are moments of flashback that pops up without any particular notice, carry on for a short paragraph and we come back to the present reality. I feel that if this stunt was pulled in form of individual chapters arranged in such a way to one depict the present reality and the other as flashbacks, it would have been more engaging. The texts are clean and readable for everyone although errors can be spotted along in the text quite frequently. I don't know if the author is using poetic licence to change the spelling of Okay transforming it to okey? Whatever it is, that activity is quite unnerving. And even if the use of "facade" has been to an extreme, the story is written without any more discrepancies.
Profile Image for Dipak  Pal.
449 reviews3 followers
July 13, 2022

Book- Murdrum:The Probe Begins
Author-Dr. Sohil Makwana
Genre- “Crime Fiction”

Congratulations to the author for writing a ablaze thriller that stuck me from the first page to the last page. The story of terrified behead corpses found in different parts of the country for more than a decade.......

This book is truly a modern thriller with forensic crunches and cracks about suspense and fun. Each chapter ( 10 ), each line and each word itself creates a suspenseful and ultimately the same fragrance. The combination package of Thriller and Serial Killing has always created a curiosity and interest because the fiction itself is stunning. In addition to these things, the simplicity and interactivity of the language and a box full of new terminology that I found also seemed valuable and interesting. Murdrum: The Probe Begins the life of Komal Rathore, a forensic specialist who suffers from innate sensitivity to pain. This is a forensic crime thriller. The only goal in Komal's life is to join the CBI as a criminal investigator. However, after one failure after another, he was offered a position as an intern in the CBI. There, he was given a little more work than data collection. Still, Komal tries to convince his arrogant officers about the presence of a rogue criminal in Mumbai. Komal was involved in a variety of high-tech forensic investigations, including DNA, fingerprints, and even lethal weapons.

This riveting Thriller book is so intriguing that I can't help myself put it down. And it is extremely intensive (because it involves pregnant women and cruel psychopaths or psychopaths) whether you are a thriller fan or not. You must read this book. I am sure you will like this book Overall, I liked the book .The title is quite appropriate. The writing style of the book is interesting. Of course I would recommend this book to all readers.

My Ratings-

Overall - 4/5(⭐)
Title - 4.5/5(⭐)
Cover - 4.5/5(⭐)
Language - 4.5/5(⭐)
Profile Image for Anamika Digra.
3 reviews
July 12, 2021
The book written by Dr. Sohil Makwana is a crime thriler. Well I started reading the book with the intention of just reading it but it turns out that the book has the power to connect with the reader and give the thriller feeling with every turning page.

It is about an intern, Komal who wanted to be CBI investigator but turns out that after three years of chasing CBI investigating officer post she receives the designation of an intern.The book describes the murder of a pregnant lady. In the very starting of the book there is an introduction of psychological killers which really intrigued me to read it further, otherwise there is no chance I would have read! The concept of psychological killers are something that keeps the head of the readers glued to the book.

The book has very simple and subtle English language it is not very difficult to understand and yet holds the attention of the reader. The author being a doctor has a good knowledge of forensic medicine, and it turns out that he has used best of his knowledge to bring out the set methods at apt places.

One thing about the book is that, if Indians are reading it, they it is very easy for them to visualise each and everything, because there is use of tiny bits like ''halwa hai kya" kind of phrases which really entertained me and kept me bounded to the book at the same time and it's more like a movie going on in the head; so yeah I really liked it, and I do really recommend it to read.

"No killer is born a criminal. Sometimes, society’s contempt, hatred, and rancour can transform an innocent victim into a malevolent demon".
Profile Image for Shreya Mehta.
272 reviews18 followers
July 21, 2021
Crime thriller is my most favourite genre because mostly it never disappoints.🤩 And I love serial killer stories and this one is a great one of them by an indian author.😊

So the protagonist of the story is a CBI intern, Komal👩🏻‍🔬 and she is given the task to collect all cold cases (old and unsolved) from police stations.🙄 And during this procedure, she came across some murders which she doubts of serial killings.😯 And she also proves them via her genius and intellectual evidences.💁🏻‍♀️ The story puts weight on forensic processes like extraction of DNA, crime scene soil test, etc.🧐 Komal is very knowledgeable girl. I got to know many new things in this story like we can collect killer's DNA from a mosquito's stomach having killer's blood🧪 and extraction of DNA from stool or vomit, Yuck!🤢 But these people carry out these procedures and I am so proud of this profession.👏 With the help of her foreign professor, Komal also brought foreign technology to India of drawing the person's face from his/her DNA. I mean, wow!😮 The criminals will be arrested so easily from this technique.✔️

While reading climax, I got to know that it has a sequel and I need to wait for it to know actual end.😔 I am eagerly waiting for the sequel book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The cover is perfectly designed.👌 I admit I am having partiality towards female main characters but what can I do!🤷🏻‍♀️ I just loved Komal's character.😍 All characters are reasonably developed. The language is lucid. And it's recommended to all crime thriller and serial killer stories readers.😊
Profile Image for Olivadivu Pazhanirajan.
61 reviews4 followers
September 22, 2021
A scary serial killer.

Murdrum - The Probe Begins by Dr. Sohil Makwana

Even in this modern technology era, with all the enormous growth of medical science, we are still not as much aware of our mental health as our physical health.
Our mental health is as important as our physical. The same goes for others too. Any form of abuse is a crime and also it affects the victim's entire life and turns their life upside down even if it was of a minor degree.
By this time, you may be got the idea of this book.
Yes. It's about Serial killers and the murders.
Even if you are not interested in reading about murders and killings, just give it a shot. It was super interesting to the core.
Komal, a CBI intern, who has an unsolved past, stumbled upon a case of a pregnant woman, whose head was brutally severed. That leads to a chain of murder investigations in the past. Will she be able to track the killer and solve all the murders? The answer to that question is the story of this book.
This book is the first part. Because it ended with an interesting cliffhanger.
What impressed me here was the perfect execution of the story and the use of technical knowledge.
The story never lagged anywhere. It was super-fast-pacing. Kudos to the author. He did a great job and research.
I even googled some of the terms. It turns out to be true.
Overall it was a different kind of experience to read this book. if you don't get scary dreams after reading about murders, then read this book for sure.
34 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2021
"IN DARKNESS THERE IS DEATH"
The story plot spins around a CBI assistant whom no one considers. CBI intern on an assignment finds mysterious 'Two Dots' from a cold case. Human DNA is extracted from a mosquito's stomach. Several incredible, high-tech forensic investigations are stacked against a tech-savvy killer who knows his job inside-out. Forensic advancement has brought out a digital face from DNA. Will she able to get the killer's DNA?How has he become a monster out of a man?Are these efforts enough to catch the killer? Or is there something special in the store?To know the answers of these questions give this excellent book a read. The author has penned all the characters and scenes very well. The book is narrated and written very amazingly. The cover and the title of the book is very captivating and catchy which holds the attention of the readers towards it and because of which the emotions and actions flows lively. It is an amazing and spine thriller and nail bitting read I must say. It is a page turner and gripping Book .The narration was smooth, and it captivates readers throughout making curious about what may happen next. This book is a roller coaster of heart wrenching thriller and suspense .Overall its an excellent book and I would recommend it to everyone especially those who love to read thriller books to give this book a read .
Profile Image for Neelanjali । booksmakemewhole.
129 reviews100 followers
July 25, 2021
Komal is a brilliant intern in a forensic lab at the CBI. She misses no opportunity in proving her worth when a serial killer is out killing pregnant women. She remembers her past bit by bit as she proceeds through the case. Komal had a terrible childhood and she has made tremendous effort to build her career since then. She has a strong hunch regarding the killer but her seniors at the CBI choose to ignore her as she is just an intern.

The story picks up pace as it proceeds. Many secondary characters help make the plot more intriguing. The story stresses on the fact that the kind of childhood a person has reflects on their life later on, one way or another. This book offers a good peek into the world of Indian crime scenes and their day to day dynamics. There's also a lot to learn from it about the field of forensics and as the author himself is a doctor, the details are much more authentic.

Will Komal be able to chase and capture this ruthless killer? Will her deep knowledge of forensics help her in the process? Read to know!

This book is a captivating, eye-opening and immensely interesting mystery thriller! The plot is well-researched and what makes it even more alluring is that it is backed by experience. I wish to read the second part of it soon!
518 reviews13 followers
July 24, 2021
‘Murdrum: The Probe Begins’ by Dr. Sohil Makwana is a crime mystery thriller with a serial killer on loose. So the story begins with a person who is brutally murdered and was found by a child. Komal has recently joined as an intern at the CBI headquarters and she has been assigned the responsibility of this case. Komal is trying her best to get to the root of these murders and wants to know who it is that’s causing these murder. There is a certain pattern that the murderer follows which makes these cases interlinked to each other. Will Komal be able to solve the case? To know read ‘Murdrum: The Probe Begins’.

My Thoughts:

The plot is really interesting and will keep the readers on edge throughout the book. I must say that the author has kept the suspense going throughout the book which will make the readers curious. Author has done a lot of research while writing this book and this can surely felt while reading it.

Characters are well developed and I must say that Komal is a very sharp investigator who is very determined to get her hands on this murderer.

Language is simple and lucid and the narration of the book is done in such a manner that the readers will be intrigued throughout the book.

Overall, I really liked reading this book and must say that it is a perfect blend of suspense, crime and thriller.
Profile Image for Arun Tankasali.
206 reviews16 followers
November 24, 2021
Murdrum by Dr. Sohil Makwana is a fascinating crime thriller with blending of murder mystery, bio punk, forensic thriller and a few more subgenres into one. The novel is written by a doctor, thus, he has leveraged his medical knowledge and other expertise to make the novel really captivating and moving.

Murdrum is a intriguing crime novel by Dr. Sohil Makwana, which is a fascinating blend of murder mystery, bio punk, forensic thriller and other various subgenres into one. Since Sohil is a doctor by profession, he has used his extensive knowledge and experience in the field medicine to make the book truly moving and compelling.

The main protagonist in the story is Komal who tries to get into CBI but lands up as an intern in a forensic lab. She has a hunch about a killer who is killing pregnant women. How will she chase the killer? Would her studies in forensic and DNA reporting help her catch the murderer? I’ll leave it to the readers to find out through the way of the interesting journey in the book.

The author has carefully chosen not to make any lose point or leak point in the novel. Each chapter opens to a new mystery and more twists and turns in the plot which in turn makes the reader hooked to the story till the end.

The language is simple and easy, the chapters are structured well. I really appreciate Dr. Sohil’s idea of bringing in the medicine side of his experience into the novel which makes the reader to get more grip to the story and better understand the plot, He has also put in many efforts to make this a compelling read. I would rate this with 4 out of 5 stars.
Profile Image for Saloni Gupta.
276 reviews8 followers
April 23, 2022
What a story....
Murdrum: the probe begins was such a fantastic first book in this psychological mystery thriller series.
I have read very few thrillers and only one by an Indian author and I am so glad I got to know about this book series and give it a try and I must admit this book doesn't disappoint. I was completely hooked from the very first page and just couldn't stop reading it (I would have finished this book in just a day or two but I have to concentrate on my studies and not a serial killer)
Some of the scenes in the book gave chills down my spine, especially those torture scene; my God they were brutal. Thankfully the second book is already out and I do not have to wait for it, the book ends with a huge cliffhanger and I would be in a reading slump if I do not read it soon (starting with the second book ASAP)
There are many of medical terms used and google was my buddy reader for this book, one needs at least a little knowledge of these medical terms if not then as mentioned google will be your constant for this one.
Also the characters were so damn strong and amazing so happy to read more of them in the next book.
Profile Image for Sangeeta Sharma.
Author 1 book11 followers
July 20, 2021
The mystery thriller is one of my favourite genres. This book checks all the ticks in the checklist for a good mystery thriller with a bunch of suspense. The medical technology was well-researched that looked real. It had all the elements that would make a great murder mystery. I loved the part where the forensic elements were mentioned that were so well-researched. It was a page-turner. The beginning was very apprehensive. It started with a finding of a decapitated head by a child. Komal, who is merely an intern at CBI delves into the case only to find shocking details of a serial killer. It surely held my attention from there. The plot was entertaining and interesting. The characters were well-developed and well-described. The whole mystery was unpredictable. The narration is comprehensive and beginner's friendly even though a lot of medical science is discussed. It is a recommended book for all mystery lovers.
Profile Image for Tanisha Rahman.
99 reviews1 follower
July 6, 2021
I picked up the book hoping to enjoy a murder mystery, as least that's what I thought of it by the title but surprisingly it's so much more than that. Through the character of Komal, a CBI intern, the author exposes a thrilling world of crime and it's investigation. On one hand the author propels the plot with linking Komal's past with present and on the other, he uses it as a tool to display this broad array of a cataclysmic world.

It's uniqueness lies in it's use of real-life events and characters in the construction of the plot. Moreover, the minute detailings of each event adds authenticity to the plot and the author's implementation of his medical dexterity that invigorate the richness of the novel.

At times, it becomes too intense with it's description of ghastly crimes but that's also what makes up for a good thriller. The inhumanity that can reside in a person is well-brought out. It almost plays with our imagination, creating a dark world of trepidation and violence but at the same time keeps us grounded, and makes us realise the realness of such horrific outcomes.

Thriller lovers, this nail-biting read full of suspense and insights is waiting for you. Pick up the book to hunt down a "Mysterious Hoodie", a serial killer.
Profile Image for Sai Amirapu.
Author 4 books14 followers
April 17, 2022
Interesting read

There are a lot of murder mysteries that I have read but this one felt different. The main factor that Murdrum: the probe begins stands out from the rest is because of the maintenance of the flow, it is constant throughout the book.
I loved the part where every character had a back story and nobody was left behind. Also, being on the side of the world which takes pride in women empowerment, I liked that the protagonist was a female. Many times, female protagonists are present with a male one behind them but it's different in this one. Usually in these types of books, there are some strange characters who are left behind to explore but not in this one. Very happy to have read it.
Profile Image for Harshikaa Ramesh.
22 reviews5 followers
July 22, 2022
Never have i read such violent, gruesome story. I'm a big fan of Lars Kepler's books , it has good amount of violence and blood... But this one, OMG.. It was a different experience altogether. It was a fast paced read , kept me hooked throughout and gave me a spine chilling journey.
I loved the way the author has detailed every single thing.
This is a CBI + Police investigative story. You'll get to know about
🔪some real life cases ,
🔪Forensic procedures ,
🔪DNA analysis
🔪new scientific terms and so on..

Except a few minor typos here and there , this book is AMAZING!

If you love suspense thriller with good amount of violence and police procedures then do give this one a try!
Desperate to read the next part!

PS: Contains mature themes.
*Child sexual abuse
*Serial killings
*Pregnant women killings
*Premature forceful deliveries
Profile Image for Dipa.
738 reviews15 followers
June 28, 2021
The MURDRUM is a suspense - thriller novel with great scientific and logical explanation. The suspense will compel you to complete the book in one go. The story revolves around a serial killer and a CBI intern turned officer komal. The struggle, hard working , efforts , intelligence , dedication and dutifulness of a CBI officer has been written very sincerely.
Not only the concept but detail analysis of evidence from mosquito to stool analysis will keep you amazed . The smallest thing have been analyzed very closely by the autor . I absolutely enjoyed reading this part and eagerly waiting for next part.
184 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2021
The story plot spins around a CBI assistant whom nobody considers. From beginning, you get a idea that the tale spins round criminal brain studies and prison technology. What's greater, the malicious persistent executioner is virtually egregious. During the excursion, I came to reflect onconsideration on a few authentic events and I become in a actual feel paralyzed. I checked google and while it became proper I was infatuated with the creator. He is an notable narrator. It's a excellent excessive speed adrenalin surge. Astounding composition. Extraordinary discoursed and fantastic characters.
Profile Image for Bibliomane.
295 reviews2 followers
July 7, 2021
Book Name: Murdrum: The Probe Begins.

Author: Dr Sohil Makwana

Genre: Crime, Thriller, and Mystery

"Murdrum: The Probe Begins" by Dr Sohil is an amazing, mind-blowing Crime-thriller. The protagonist of the book, Komal Rathod, a forensic expert and a CBI Intern, is assigned for collecting data on all the cold cases of murder in Mumbai. While doing this she encounters a Murder case of a pregnant lady, and later on, she realises that there were many other murder cases also with the same modus operandi. She started digging the matter further to find out the heinous serial Killer. 

"Murdrum: The Probe Begins" has an intriguing plot that will keep you intact throughout the plot. This book is full of twists and turns. If you will try to guess anything regarding the plot that this going to happen or anything, then you are definitely gonna be wrong as you go on with the further chapters. This book is a page-turner that you won't desire to keep down until you know the end. In the end, the author has given a twist which is something like "Bahubali: The Beginning" end (Kattapa ne Bahubali ko kyun mara?) 

"Murdrum: The Probe Begins" is a beginner-friendly book. If you have just started to read then you must go for this as the language is so lucid and the plot is intriguing. This book will definitely blow the mind of the readers. I am eagerly waiting for the next part of this book. While reading I was like after this chap I will keep this book down, but then a twist will come up, and I was like one more chap. 

Whether Komal was able to find that psycho serial killer?? How is she going to find this serial killer without knowing anything about him/her? Whether is she is going to catch the right killer?? To know the answers to these questions, you have to read the book first. Do read this book and don't forget to share your views in the comment section.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 419 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.