DEADLY CLUES

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀
𝗕𝘆 𝗔𝗺𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂 𝗠𝘂𝗸𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗷𝗲𝗲
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗦𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝘁𝗶 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿
𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: 𝟏𝟗𝟐
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱: 𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿, 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓








The story revolves around two brothers—Victor (Vic) and Ritwik (Rik)—a dynamic sibling duo with a compelling bond. Vic, the elder brother, is portrayed as a gifted chemistry student with a sharp intellect and extraordinary detective skills. Rik, his younger brother, plays the role of a loyal companion, eager to support and learn from his elder sibling. Together, they form an intriguing detective team, solving mysteries that come their way.
Deadly Clues presents five standalone cases, each centred on a unique modus operandi:
The first story introduces Rik’s friend Kiran and his troubled family, who find themselves in a frightening situation with bloodstains appearing mysteriously. Rather than involving the police, they seek help from Vic. His ability to piece together subtle clues and unravel the mystery is impressive.

The second case deals with the brutal murder of Harinath. A new inspector, Avay, requests Vic's assistance. The twist at the end is unexpected, and Vic’s analytical approach shines through here.

In the third story, what starts as a celebratory housewarming party with games among friends ends in tragedy when one of them, Bhaskar, is found dead. The investigation led by Vic is cleverly executed, showcasing his brilliance once again.

The fourth tale involves Atul Mitra, who is suddenly attacked and left blind. There are many clues in this story, such as the sound of a whistle and buried gold coins in a garden. Vic’s solution to the mystery will surprise the readers.

The final case introduces a series of murders mimicking an unsolved string of killings from 15 years ago. While the police are left baffled, Vic gradually connects the dots, leading to a satisfying resolution.

The writing style is engaging, and the narration flows effortlessly, making it a fast-paced and enjoyable read. The simple language is especially suitable for beginners, and the storytelling is compelling. The author’s debut effort shows promise—his storytelling is engaging and likely to hold readers' attention throughout.

Now, coming to the rating, I would give this book three stars. Why?
While the writing is easy to follow and the pace is brisk, making it ideal for new readers or those just beginning to explore thrillers, as an avid reader of the genre, I found the suspense too predictable. In most stories, I could identify the culprit quite early on. It is not necessarily a flaw for all readers, but for someone familiar with complex thrillers, it does take away some of the intrigue.
Another point I’d like to share—while Vic is undeniably a gifted character, at times his capabilities felt a bit exaggerated, especially in the earlier stories. For instance, portraying a 23-year-old college student solving complex cases with his 14-year-old brother without any parental involvement felt a bit implausible. In contrast, in the final story where Vic is portrayed as a professor, his actions felt more age-appropriate and believable. It might have added to the realism had Vic been portrayed as older from the start, with a brief background on his younger years.
Additionally, to highlight Vic’s brilliance, other characters—particularly the police and older adults—were sometimes portrayed as lacking basic reasoning, which made parts of the narrative feel less balanced.

That said, I still found the stories engaging and enjoyed the book overall. It held my interest, and even though I anticipated some twists, the journey remained entertaining.
I would gladly recommend Deadly Clues to new readers or anyone beginning their journey into mystery and detective fiction—it’s accessible, entertaining, and doesn’t overwhelm with complexity. More seasoned readers may notice a few loopholes, but there’s still plenty to appreciate. A commendable debut effort that shows promise for the author’s future works.

My Rating:

3/5

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