An incredible story about the Neeraj Grover murder. Uncovered brilliantly and written lucidly by a first-time author 

HUMANS, ESPECIALLY writers, have always been intrigued by the topic of death. It is partly due to this fascination, and partly due to the larger-than-life, cinematic quality to the turn of events which led to the murder, that makes Meenal Baghel’s debut novel—Death in Mumbai—the next best thing. Death in Mumbai indepthly explores events, circumstances that occurred before and after the murder of Neeraj Grover. The book’s strength lies in the honest eye it casts on the lives of the three protagonists—Neeraj Grover (the victim), Emile Jerome Mathew (the convict) and Maria Monica Susairaj (the mutual lover). Though it may read like a potboiler, the 2008 murder was as real as they get. Baghel, who is the editor of Mumbai Mirror, does what every good journalist should do—her homework. As a result she does not abandon the story midway. Where most murder stories end, Death in Mumbai begins and goes beyond the regular grid of murder mysteries to tell the stories of the shaken families of the three protagonists, trying to come to terms with their realities. Baghel also offers readers a candid glimpse into the three lives; that of Grover’s—the dynamic TV producer’s womanising ways—to glamdoll Monica’s efforts to get a foothold in the glittering world of Bollywood and her tumultuous relationship with naval officer Emile. India’s prime time queen Ekta Kapoor, small-time actress Moon Das and maverick movie maker Ram Gopal Verma (RGV) also find a place in the book. Neeraj had worked a brief stint with Ekta Kapoor, while RGV made a film (Not a Love Story) based on the murder and Das played Maria in a lesser known B-grade film. But a keen reader will understand that these are not just passing references, and that the writer takes a dig at the glamorous, dark matinee world where no story, however unpleasant, is left unexploited. The 231-pages well-researched book keeps the readers hooked till the end. It is written with finesse and is deliciously-paced. Though Baghel tries to stay fair—the mutual exploitation of Maria and Grover of each other for physical pleasure and opportunities is not skimmed over—Maria and Emile come across as malicious, brutal killers (as they probably were). It is the police that gets the fairest deal in the book. After bad raps, it is refreshing to read how the Indian Police Force get things done.