Set the mood for Halloween with these crime thriller books chronicling India’s vilest true crimes
If you’re a fan of crime thriller books that grip you from the first page, Indian true crime stories offer an engrossing look into real-life cases that continue to haunt our country’s history. This article is part of our Halloween Book List series, where we spotlight chilling reads spanning true crime, mystery, ghostly tales, and paranormal stories throughout October. In this one, we explore India’s true crime genre and present you with some must-read books that bring real crimes to life in a way fiction never could.
True crime is a genre that details real-life criminal cases, presenting facts, testimonies, investigations, along with detailed narratives. The writing often draws on court documents, police records, interviews, and media reports. Readers are not only entertained but educated on the workings of justice and the psychology of criminals. With true crime, you don’t just wonder “who done it?”—you grapple with the fact that it did happen.
In India, this genre is gaining popularity for its ability to uncover the dark underbelly of society and unravel mysterious cases.
Here’s our curated list of the best true crime books that delve into India’s darkest cases, blending gripping storytelling with a factual base:
This book features stories of women who have committed some of India’s most notorious crimes. From cold-blooded killers to masterminds of elaborate heists, Queens of Crime provides an intriguing look at how women have played a role in India’s criminal history. Written by Sushant Singh and Kulpreet Yadav, it dives into the psychology behind these women, making it a fascinating read for anyone curious about the rarely-explored narratives of female criminals.
Set in 1925, the book dives deep into the murder of Abdul Kader Bawla, a wealthy mill owner in Bombay, whose assassination led to a storm of political intrigue and scandal. What began as a plan to abduct his glamorous companion, Mumtaz Begum, spiraled into a murder investigation that uncovered sordid secrets of the elite. Dhaval Kulkarni’s meticulous research transports readers back to colonial India, where power, corruption, and social status played significant roles in shaping the outcome of the case. If you love true crime wrapped in historical context, this one is unmissable.
The Highway Murders by Sourabh Mukherjee recounts the chilling true-crime saga of “Psycho Shankar” (M. Jaishankar), a trucker responsible for a series of brutal rapes and murders across India’s highways. In 2009, the discovery of a policewoman’s heavily decomposed body triggered an investigation revealing over a dozen unsolved cases of mutilated women. Jaishankar’s crimes led to a massive manhunt across states, a sensational jailbreak, and a controversial suicide in high-security custody. This gripping narrative highlights the relentless pursuit of a killer and the dark side of India’s highways.
Author Chandrachud Chintan revives forgotten criminal cases that have had a significant impact on India’s judicial and political landscape. Through a combination of thorough research and engaging narrative, Chintan presents a collection of stories ranging from strange disappearances to political murders that were once headline news but have since faded from public memory. Each case offers a window into a different era of Indian history, providing insights into the country’s evolving legal system and social structure. This book is not just about shocking crimes but also about how these events shaped Indian society.
Red Handed by lawyers Souvik Bhadra and Pingal Khan provides detailed narratives of 20 significant criminal cases that have shocked India. The book highlights cases that span various types of crime, from white-collar fraud to brutal murders, showcasing how these cases shaped India’s legal and social landscape. Some notable cases covered include the high-profile shooting of Jessica Lal, the Harshad Mehta scam, the horrific Nithari killings, and the Auto Shankar case, besides others.
Nirupama Subramanian explores the sensational murder case of Prince Santhakumar, orchestrated by P. Rajagopal, the founder of the famed Saravana Bhavan restaurant chain. Obsessed with marrying a former employee’s daughter, despite already being married, Rajagopal’s actions led to a chilling murder plot that shocked the nation. The book traces the ‘Dosa King’s’ rise as a successful restaurateur and his eventual downfall, covering the courtroom battles and the macabre details of his crime, making it a riveting true-crime thriller.
Death in Mumbai by Meenal Baghel explores the shocking murder of Neeraj Grover, a rising TV executive, by Emile Jerome Mathew, spurred by jealousy over Maria Susairaj, a small-time actress. Baghel dives deep into the personal lives of the trio, exposing the dark side of ambition, desire, and betrayal in Mumbai’s entertainment industry. The book vividly recounts the investigation, courtroom drama, and media frenzy surrounding this brutal crime. Baghel’s narrative offers gripping insights into the human emotions that culminated in the tragedy.
Shehla Masood: The Murder That Shook The Nation tells the heartbreaking story of the assassination of environmentalist and RTI activist Shehla Masood, a case that shook India’s political circles. Hemender Sharma delves deep into the motives behind Masood’s murder, exploring the murky world of power, corruption, and the fight for transparency in India. Masood’s murder was not just another political killing; it highlighted the dangers faced by whistleblowers in India, making this more than just a true crime book—it’s a tribute to her life and work.
If you’re looking for more crime recommendations or simply want to explore gripping narratives, check out our selection on Bookscape.
