A Murder in Dehradun Review: A Pretentious Attempt at a Christie-Esque Murder Mystery

A Murder in Dehradun by Siddharth Maheshwari aims to emulate the charm of an Agatha Christie mystery. The affluent Dinshaw family forms the heart of the story, with their tangled lives spanning three generations. However, even with a well-crafted setting, it fails to deliver an engaging murder mystery.

It struggles to strike the right balance between elegance and show-off. And it comes off as a pretentious attempt at a Christie-esque mystery.

My Rating:

❤️❤️❤️🤍🤍

"A pretentious attempt at a Christie-esque mystery."

Check A Murder in Dehradun on Goodreads

What the Book is About

The story revolves around the Dinshaw family in Dehradun, whose lives take a dark turn when a murder disrupts their seemingly perfect world. With a crime reporter stepping in to uncover the truth, the narrative follows an elaborate investigation filled with secrets and hidden motives.

What Works?

The world-building is impressive, capturing the luxurious lives of the Dinshaw family. Siddharth meticulously outlines each character’s quirks, adding depth to their personalities. The setting is plush, detailed and reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s atmospheric setups.

What Falls Short?

The dialogue often feels stilted and unnatural, with monologues that fail to add intrigue. The narrative is often bogged down by unnecessary filler content. The pacing suffers significantly, especially in the latter half, with long, dull passages that could have been condensed.

The pretentious tone, coupled with typos and inconsistent spellings, adds to the frustration. The illustrations, while an interesting addition, also feel unnecessary. The ending, thankfully, ties things together well and redeems some of the narrative’s shortcomings.

Who Should Read It?

This book might appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn mysteries and intricate character studies. Fans of Agatha Christie-inspired plots may find the detailed world-building intriguing, provided they can overlook the verbosity.

Final Thoughts

A Murder in Dehradun has moments of brilliance but is weighed down by its pretentious tone, unnecessary filler, and inconsistent execution. While it’s not a bad read, it lacks the polish and wit that make a mystery truly engaging. It’s an okayish attempt at recreating Christie’s magic. Actually, the ending manages to save it from being forgettable.

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