Book Review
The Girl in Room 105 by Chetan Bhagat marks a departure from his usual romance-driven stories, venturing into the realm of thrillers and murder mysteries. The novel blends emotional depth with suspense, resulting in a gripping, fast-paced read.
The story follows Keshav Rajpurohit, an IIT graduate stuck in a monotonous teaching job at a coaching center. Still heartbroken over his breakup with Zara Lone—a brilliant and beautiful Kashmiri Muslim woman—he struggles to move on. Even years after their separation, she continues to occupy his thoughts.
On Zara’s birthday, four years after their split, Keshav unexpectedly receives a message from her, inviting him to her hostel room. Hoping to rekindle their relationship, he sneaks into the girls’ hostel, only to find Zara murdered in her room. Shocked and devastated, Keshav is pulled into a mission to uncover the truth behind her death and bring the real killer to justice.
As he digs deeper, Keshav becomes entangled in a complex web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives. The narrative unfolds with layers of intrigue—murder, terrorism, infidelity, political unrest in Kashmir, and corruption—resembling the twists and turns of a Bollywood thriller.
Bhagat also uses the story to explore significant social issues: interfaith relationships, mental health stigma, political tension, and the personal struggles of India’s youth. These themes give the novel depth beyond its central mystery.
What I don’t like about this book?
- There seems to be a discrepancy in character portrayal; Zara is depicted as a strong character, yet she fails to stand up for her love when her father demands Keshav to convert. However, later on, she becomes engaged to another Hindu boy.
- Shallow characters, Cliché storyline, Predictable mystery.
About Author
Chetan Bhagat is a renowned Indian author, columnist, screenwriter, and YouTuber. He was featured in Time magazine’s list of the World’s 100 Most Influential People in 2010. Five of his novels have been adapted into successful films. His works primarily target the youth and urban India, which has made him popular among the Indian youth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Girl in Room 105 goes beyond a typical murder mystery—blending themes of love, loss, and redemption with a gripping plot and thought-provoking reflections on modern Indian society.
Loved the brief summary of the novel. It gave enough for the reader to be captivated yet didn’t give away as to put him/her off. It left me intrigued and wanting to know more.
I loved the fact that it not only spoke about the storyline but also what perhaps wouldn’t/couldn’t work for the reader. This kind of book review is far and few so kudos to Ankita Rana for writing such unbiased review. Looking forward to more.
thank you please keep an eye for more reviews.