What happens when mythology meets murder and the city becomes a character in the crime?
In this episode, Mohua sits down with author Prasun Roy to explore Devi: Mystery of the Kolkata Murders, a genre-blurring novel that unfolds during the chaos and colour of Durga Puja. Part thriller, part social satire, and part love letter to Kolkata, Devi is more than just a murder mystery. It’s a meditation on justice, identity, and the quiet rage of the ordinary citizen.
Prasun reflects on his journey as a writer: from short stories and young adult fiction to biographies, mythology, translations, and now a crime novel rich with cultural symbolism. He unpacks how real-world extraditions, political power plays, and collective trauma seeped into the novel’s spine, and why the goddess Durga, and her weapons, became central to the book’s plot and philosophy.
With layered storytelling, unexpected deaths, and a killer who chooses Devi’s arsenal, Devi asks the haunting question: Who, or what, is Devi? And can justice ever be genderless?
If you love cityscapes, morally tangled thrillers, or books that refuse to sit in one genre, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.
Key Topics Covered:
00:10 – Introduction
03:21 – Mystery of Devi, a tapestry of crime, love, and exploring cultural heritage
05:55 – Weaving crime into festivity and the extradition plot in Devi
09:18 – Uniqueness of Devi, in the world of OTTs and crime thrillers, exploring the concept of universal love
12:10 – A non-psychological, non-violent event in the heart of Kolkata
13:55 – Unveiling the Complexities of Power and Struggle
17:27 – Devi symbolizes modern woman and mythical strength
19:19 – Excerpts from the book
23:21 – Advice to young writers
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Connect with Us
Mohua Chinappa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohua-chinappa/
The Literature Lounge: https://www.themohuashow.com/the-literature-lounge/
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Connect with the Guest
Prasun Roy: linkedin.com/in/prasun-roy1981
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/litlounge_pod/
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Disclaimer
The views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any views expressed by our guests on our podcast and its associated platforms.
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