Blurb
When tall, suave, handsome Kaustav Kapoor walks into her office, ditzy private investigator Katie Kumar has anything but detection on her mind. He is, after all, a scion of Bollywood’s first family—perhaps he has a role for her? Perhaps she will, at last, get to sashay down the red carpet in a designer gown, with flash bulbs following her every move?
But Kapoor’s intentions are much more prosaic: he wishes Katie to trace the heroine of his new blockbuster (and, if Katie’s read the glossies correctly, his life) who is mysteriously AWOL. Despite her misgivings, Katie finds herself unable to refuse the task entrusted to her, and thereon follows a bewildering hunt for the film star across a trail of corpses.
And if that isn’t excitement enough, she has to contend with the maddening and mysterious, but, oh so hot, Tejas Deshpande.
The first novel in a brand new detective series.
Preface
My name is Kasthuri Kumar and I am twenty-eight years old—or thereabouts anyway. For reasons that many Thirumalas, Tilotammas and Bisheshwaris will understand, I like to be addressed either by my surname or my self-shortened moniker, Katie.
Contrary to what my first name might suggest, my ancestry is north Indian. My parents were both sensible, middle-class bureaucrats, the choice of my name being their one rash act. When they were posted in Kerala, my mother had patronised a local eponymous artist and recklessly promised her that she would name her daughter after her. And she did.
I recently (voluntarily) resigned my commission from the Indian Police Service (IPS) following some (minor) medical problems. After my retirement I came to Bombay with a vague but strong desire to do something creative, exciting even. Not as in adrenaline pumping-dodging-Maoists’-bullets exciting, but something stimulating. And if it involved a bit of fame and glamour, well, so much the better.
In Bombay, I camped out with my best friend, Marie Banerjee, while I figured out what to do with my life. It was Marie who inadvertently got me started on my present career. While I was shacked up with her, one of her uncles had some procedural problems renewing his arms licence. I, having wielded a weapon all my professional life, and having routinely dealt with such issues, was able to help him out.
Which gave Marie the idea that that’s what I could do with my life—and incidentally put my experience in the police to good use—private detecting. Now, that’s not exactly what I had in mind, but it would have to do till I figured out what it was that I actually wanted to do.
Actually, I think I wanted to be a famous doctor, or a scientist. Although it is probably too late for either, I still have fantasies about receiving the Nobel Prize. I’m not sure what the breakthrough discovery is, other than the hazy notion that it might be in the field of astrophysics. Perhaps some advanced work on string theory? What I am pretty sure about, is that I’m wearing a shimmering red gown by Valentino with black Fendi peep toes.
PIGGIES IS NOW RETAILING!
Check the sidebar for a list of places you can order your copy from.
Pictures of the Book Launch at the Park Hotel, Parliament Street, New Delhi
Seems interesting. She can win Nobel for peace 😀
So she gets dragged into the glamor world huh?
BTW, when is this coming out?
@Sookie, well, what she really wants is celebrity status. And if it is accompanied by erudite celebrity status so much the better. But if not, just fame will do. 🙂
Ordered Piggies today 🙂
Sookie
@Sookie, really? From where?
http://www.indiaplaza.in/piggies-on-railway-smita-jain/books/9789380283746.htm
This is where I have ordered from.
Sookie
@Sookie, thanks for the thumbs up!:-)
You are welcome 🙂
I was under the impression that you had already posted these links on this blog.
Maybe you can now? It’s useful!
S
Loved the book. Can’t wait for the next in the series. It was just what i needed after my board exams – to unwind. Thanks and please come out with your next soon.
@Shweta, thank you or your kind words. If you enjoyed Piggies, perhaps you might enjoy on my first book, Kkrishnaa’s Konfessions as well 🙂
Hi Smita, I am friend of your cousin Kuhu. She gave me your book as a going away present as I was relocating from Mumbai to Singapore. It took me less than 24 hours to read your book Piggies. Totally loved it. Waiting and really looking forward to more in the Kasthuri series. its awesome. Will recommend it to friends.
@Rupanjit, thanks you so much:-) I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I had high expectations after KKrishna’s Konfessions and was not disappointed one bit. Totally in love with your writing style. The sarcasm, the well etched characters, the intricacies of the plot, I might have given a lot mental standing ovations to you while reading it. 😀 Looking forward to a lot more.
@trishnanta, thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Oh my gosh, I loved your book! I have exams coming up and I could NOT put your book down! Don’t want to get Kkrishnaa’s Konfessions because it’s a definite hazard to my exams. After math gets over and I can totally breathe a sigh of relief I’ll totally get it 🙂 Can’t wait to hit the bookstore. When’s the Kasturi Kumar coming out?
Oops I meant, when’s the next Kasturi Kumar coming out?*
@Piggy, thank you so much for your kind words. And I’m sure you’ll enjoy Kkrishnaa’s Konfessions too :-). As for the next Kasthuri, you’ll have to wait a bit as the next Kkrishnaa will be out first 🙂
hey, I loved both your books! both of them were too good…I got Piggies first.only yest did I lay my hands on Kkrishnaa’s Konfessions. & I stayed up at night to finish it….Cannot wait for he third installment!!!
@Menaka, thank you. I’m so glad you liked them 🙂