Title : The Seventh Swar – A Satyadarshi Mystery

Author : Natasha Sharma

Publisher : Pan

Genre : Mystery

The Seventh Swar – A Satyadarshi Mystery, the name and the cover page of the silhouette of a girl searching for something, with a musical note on her phone piques the reader’s interest about the genre and yes, something related to music. And, yes, you wouldn’t be disappointed.

The prologue talks about Ashoka and makes us wonder what Ashoka has to do with a modern mystery. But keep your interests piqued till the end where Ashoka’s prologue blends well with the story.

Satyadarshi, our protagonist, an ex-cop, is a private detective who lives in Mumbai with her mother, who is a singer. Born to a Maharashtrian mother and a Tamilian father, Satyadarshi loved music just like her maternal grandparents, mother and uncle, but refrained from singing.

She embarks on a new case where an octogenarian lady Laxmi Pancham is murdered. Soon Satya realises that there were many more to come. A painting is what she finds common to all the murders. At one murder, she almost brushes against the killer, and notices something unique and prominent. Was he the killer?? The question remains.

As she solves each case, Satya takes help from Twarita, her assistant and Jai, who apparently is a history student, who enjoys listening to Satya’s uncle Nishad.

With a well crafted plot and names that are well thought of, Natasha weaves a masterpiece of a thriller with excitement building at every juncture.

A must read for all mystery enthusiasts.