The greatest sensation of achievement is in being the
“first” in accomplishing an extraordinary feat. Salil Desai, Pune based author of crime novels in the
English language, has achieved this incredible distinction in being the “first”
Indian author who has succeeded in putting Pune on the “Crime Fiction
Map.”
So what is Salil Desai’s secret formula? The participants at the Book Club discussion were
highly intrigued and curious to know.
Their enthusiasm grew when Salil Desai appeared in person and there
was a barrage of questions that he had
to face. To a query on why he chose to
write crime novels, he replied, “Crime happens all the time and everywhere in
the world. I did extensive research by
reading, studying and visiting the workings of the Pune Police. I discovered the policeman’s method of
investigation could be very gory, tedious and exhausting and stifle the “plot”. I have tried to avoid such pitfalls in my
writing and focus more on the absurd and
blundering police procedures.” This, he feels, adds humour to the plot and makes
it more readable.
Desai’s approach to crime is based on observation of
everyday crimes. He applies his mind, inspiration and imagination to gather
insights into criminal minds. There is plenty
of suspense and red herrings thrown in to stimulate and distract the minds of the readers
so that the criminal remains undetected to the end.
Salil Desi read excerpts from “Cul-De-Sac,” one of his short stories in “ Lost Libido.”
Deepak Morris and Chetan Shetty entertained everyone and amused the author by narrating 2 of the stories in the
collection, namely “Hunch On a Highway”
and “Who Strangled Sharma?”.
Desai’s latest release is the “Murder of Sonia Raikkonnen:
an Inspector Saralkar Mystery.”
Reported by: Shama Vijayan
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