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Love, Lies and Lust: Death in the Darkness by R Radhakrishnan

 Love, Lies and Lust: Death in the Darkness by R Radhakrishnan | Book Review

Love, Lies and Lust: Death in the Darkness by R Radhakrishnan

"Love, Lies and Lust: Death in the Darkness" by R. Radhakrishnan is a gripping crime thriller set in the heart of Mumbai. The story begins with the mysterious death of Ranjit Desai, a respected corporate professional and a mentor to slum children.

This story revolves around Ranjit Desai, a simple quadragenarian—a poet and an interior designer. His loving wife, Sushma Desai, and their children are settled in Pune. Sushma is more successful in her career, which led her to stay back in Pune when Ranjit moved to Mumbai. He visits his family every weekend, but on weekdays, he leads a solitary life.

In the same residential community lives Alka Shinde—a painter, a mother, an independent corporate professional, and a widow. Alka lost the love of her life to cancer three years ago. To the world, she appears strong, but within, she carries an unspoken loneliness. Loneliness is life’s cruellest irony, and it is this irony, combined with their shared creative spirits, that brings Ranjit and Alka closer. What begins as friendship soon deepens into love. And as Rumi says, one cannot hide love. Eventually, their bond becomes known to everyone.

Sushma travels to Mumbai to confront the situation and decide the course of her life. That very night, after dinner, Ranjit goes for a walk and mysteriously disappears into the night.

Inspector Joshi, a once-brilliant cop now struggling with his own demons, takes on the case. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a dangerous conspiracy involving powerful people who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. Joshi’s journey is not just about solving the case—it’s about finding redemption for himself. The suspense builds with every chapter, and the twists keep you guessing till the very end.

What touched me most was how the story highlights Ranjit’s quiet efforts to help the city’s underprivileged children. Despite his flaws, his heart was in the right place, and that made his disappearance even more heartbreaking. Alka and Sushma, despite being caught in a difficult situation, show remarkable strength and grace, making their characters feel real and relatable.

The novel beautifully contrasts Mumbai’s glittering high-rises with its dark underbelly, showing the harsh reality behind the city’s glamour. Radhakrishnan's writing is sharp yet descriptive, and he has a keen sense of pacing that heightens the suspense. As the story unfolds, readers find themselves entangled in a complex web of deception, love, lust, and deadly secrets.

R. Radhakrishnan’s writing is detailed and immersive, making you feel the tension in every chapter. The way he describes the investigation, the power struggles, and the hidden crimes feels real and intense.

Overall, the story isn’t just about solving a murder—it also sheds light on the lives of street children and how they become victims of a cruel system. This added layer makes the book more than just a thriller; it’s a reflection of society.

Purchase Love, Lies and Dust here.

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