A CAPTIVATING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER

Book Review: "Based on Lies – The Whole Story" by Debarshi Kanjilal

The genre of Psychological thrillers is certainly having its moment. Many contemporary bestseller books are from this genre, and readers like books from this genre for their riveting intensity and unnerving plot twists. A lot of books of this genre have also been adapted into films and web series. However, not much Indian writing has occurred in this genre. The author Debarshi Kanjilal comes out with a book from this genre titled “Based on Lies – The Whole Story”, which has a suspense-filled and character-driven narrative.

The book is divided into two parts, which feature an interconnected story. The protagonist is Anurag Sanyal, who has been described as ‘a psychopath, an infidel, a child abuser, a murderer, a lover, an insomniac, a disturbed man, and a victim of his own mind’ in the blurb. This is known because he confessed it all in his diary. He has described in the diary every crime and malfeasance in vivid, nauseating detail. But there is only one problem - everything he has narrated is based on lies. For readers, this book’s narrative presents the eternal search for the truth, when the story progresses and we get to know more about Anurag Sanyal’s twisted life.

The plot of the book is unique, and the plot twists also manage to keep you at the edge-of-your-seat. All the characters in this book are grey, and the narratives also dives into the brain of the various characters, with the readers getting to know the reasons for their intriguing behaviour. Simple and elegant language has been used in the book, but the editing could have been better.

However, the climax is somewhat bland, compared to the pacy first part of the book. The execution of some of the plot twists in the book’s second part could also be better. Also, some of the sub-plots are quite complex, and there are some loopholes in the story.

This book shouldn’t be picked up by beginners, for the plot involves a lot of complexities. However, seasoned readers of thriller-suspense are in for a delight, for this book has a seriously chilling and pacy narrative.

This is a short read, and with the compelling narrative packing surprising punches at every twist and turn, should be read by psychological thriller fans and those wanting to read a book from this genre written by an Indian author. Readers, pick up this book for a good, twisty psychological thriller read.