Samyukta Bhowmick’s murder mystery ‘A Fatal Distraction’ is a simplistic whodunit
The blurb of Samyukta Bhowmick’s book promises a complex, fast-paced, high-society murder mystery. The story begins promisingly at a Chattarpur guest house, where a crime novel by first-time author Kajal Puri is being launched. The theme of the event is murder, which is depicted by people dressed as corpses and decorations featuring knives, guns and nooses, creating an ominous atmosphere. In the party that follows, alcohol flows, gossip is exchanged, a fight ensues between two guests and a man is murdered.
Most unexpectedly, Dhritiman Bhattacharya (DB), the mild-mannered editor of the tabloid Delhi Daily, chokes to death in full public view after drinking a toast of champagne to the new author.
The media goes into a frenzy, with wannabe online detectives cropping up overnight like “earthworms after rains”. DB’s seemingly motiveless murder gives them the licence to shamelessly invade the privacy of all the people at the book launch.
Two journalists from Delhi Times — Mridula, cynical and middle-aged, and Monami, ambitious and a passionate reader of detective fiction — join forces to investigate the murder. As they delve into the lives of the suspects, conducting interviews and examining evidence, a series of twists and turns unfolds. As the bodies pile up, the motives behind the crimes get obfuscated, and everyone is a suspect. However, even as the elements of a juicy whodunit are in place, the author fails to create a sense of intrigue and shock.
The narrative becomes convoluted as numerous characters are introduced. Many of them are one-dimensional and do not evoke any empathy or interest. For example, Anika, the owner’s socialite daughter and a columnist for Delhi Daily, is portrayed as disdainful and nasty, with no redeeming features. The fashion designer, stereotypically, is portrayed as gay. Additionally, the narrative includes familiar tropes like a clumsy and bumbling police force and wealthy businesspeople depicted as tough and ruthless.
The investigation of the two journalists is primarily based on interviews with the suspects rather than forensic reports or scrutiny of the suspects’ records, or histories that could have potentially revealed motives. The suspects include Jemim Sequiera, a fashion designer; Samar Chishti from Sea Lion, a publishing company; Vasudha, a young mover and shaker; and a few young journalists from Delhi Daily. Naturally, everyone has different perspectives, and the detectives must distinguish the truth from the distractions.
Bhowmick captures the essence of Delhi, including the sprawling Chhatarpur farms, barsatis atop old homes in Nizamuddin East, with stunning views of the tomb. Casual mentions of The Turtle Cafe, Khan Market and the busy fleet street of Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, where journalists take cigarette breaks throughout the day, add to the breezy familiarity with the city.
An avid fan of murder mysteries might find ‘A Fatal Distraction’ somewhat disappointing. It is entertaining, albeit simplistic. The plot isn’t complex enough to challenge the readers, and the intricacies of human nature, which go into making a memorable murder mystery, are not fully explored.
— The writer is a Chandigarh-based contributor
