A review by stories_of_the_soul27
The Fast and the Dead by Anuja Chauhan

funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

This book tries to do a lot of things and in my opinion manages to do it almost perfectly. It is a murder mystery set in the backdrop of Bangalore and current socio-political situation of India. The author has taken a liberal approach in voicing her opinions and I for one is onboard with it. We have feminists but flawed women, a woman treated unequally by her peers and unable to rise above it, she had sunk into it, a woman subdued by the men of her family and recently finding her voice, a typical orthodox obnoxious sexist man (the villain), a feminist man who dotes his mother and harbours a childhood crush for years (every girls’ dream man), a meek man with no ambition and under the thumb of his wife, an unmarried man selflessly taking care of his aged mother, a man who is almost feminist and a spoilt boy of a wealthy family. Including such eccentric  characters have given voices to many issues we can see in each and every Indian household and I think the author has been able to incorporate social commentary in a very witty, entertaining and engaging way. It was quite fun seeing the characters engage in conversations that opened discussions on independence of women, divorce, love, faith and stereotypes against caste and religion. 

Coming to the mystery, it was quite nicely done. There was enough suspense, blood, hatred, motives, twist and turns to keep the readers hooked. The romance sub plot was also like heart skipping beats. It was a breezing no brainer read, really good for unwinding after a long hectic week.