Black River

By: Nilanjana Roy

Narrated by: Sharmila Devar

A searing debut set in a modern India simmering with the tension of growing religious intolerance

Teetapur, an unassuming village just a few hours outside of bustling Delhi, is famous for nothing—until one of its children, eight-year-old Munia, is found dead, hanging from the branch of a Jamun tree.

In the largely Hindu village, suspicion quickly falls on an itinerant Muslim man, Mansoor. Suspicion ignites like wildfire, fueled by religious tensions that simmer beneath the surface.

The responsibility of uncovering the elusive truth—and prevent the lynching of the prime suspect—now rests on the weary shoulders of Sub-Inspector Ombir Singh. With only one other officer beneath him, and just a single working revolver between them, can he bring justice to a grieving father and an angry village—or will Teetapur demand vengeance instead?

Offering listeners a gripping mystery and a sweeping state-of-the-nation saga, Black River stands as a searing critique of modern India, weaving an intricate narrative that captures the essence of a nation grappling with its own complexities and contradictions.

©2022 Nilanjana Roy (P)2024 Tantor

Critic reviews

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE GUARDIAN, THE SUNDAY TIMES, AND THE FINANCIAL TIMES

Story

Not now, may come back to this later when not hiking in the hills. But very enjoyable listen

Good but not a mystery

It was fine, but if something is labeled a mystery then there should be some mystery .