Westland Books announces the release of Chikkamma Tours (Pvt.) Ltd, a debut novel by Unmana
Westland Books has announced the release of Chikkamma Tours (Pvt.) Ltd, by debut writer Unmana, and published by Westland Books’ literary imprint, Tranquebar. The murder mystery is set in a book shop and traces the story of 29-year-old Nilima, a book-obsessed lesbian who has recently joined Chikkamma Tours Pvt. Ltd, a boutique tour agency in Bengaluru. One morning, while on her smoke break, she discovers the dead body of the owner of a bookshop in the same building. A devoted bibliophile and detective fiction enthusiast, she decides to try her hand at amateur sleuthing and solve the senseless crime. Helping her along are her boss Shwetha, who she secretly nurses a crush on, and her slightly overenthusiastic colleague Poorna. But does she solve the case, or is she led on a wild goose chase?
Talking about their debut book, author Unmana said, ‘Chikkamma Tours (Pvt.) Ltd is a murder mystery in the tradition of Agatha Christie. But the characters are ones I’ve never met in Indian fiction. The protagonist is a lesbian who works with other women, most of them queer, to solve a murder, forging friendships along the way.’
Sanghamitra Biswas, Executive Editor, Westland Books, added, ‘Chikkamma Tours (Pvt.) Ltd, is a cosy crime novel and a bibliomystery to boot. Nilima Deka is our unique and individualistic protagonist who is queer, outspoken and always unabashedly herself. I have longed to read a mystery like this one, set in India, and I’m so glad we get to publish it in Tranquebar.’
The book released on September 16, and is available on bookstands and online.
About the Book
When the owner of the bookshop above Chikkamma Tours gets stabbed to death in the building, grumpy, book-obsessed, wise-cracking, whisky-drinking Nilima jumps at the opportunity to play amateur detective. What’s more, it seems like the perfect excuse to get close to her alluring boss Shwetha. But to successfully investigate the murder, Nilima also needs to learn to work with her annoying colleague Poorna and with Inspector Sharmila Lamani, who is in a relationship with Nilima’s ex-girlfriend.
Braving the incessant rain, a local gangster and sundry other shady characters, as well as the police, who seem intent on charging an innocent man, Nilima, Shwetha and Poorna are soon hot on the trail of the murderer.
A deliciously bookish mystery set in Bengaluru, Chikkamma Tours (Pvt.) Ltd is the very best kind of cosy novel, featuring wry humour, keen observations of city life and a cast of colourful characters.
About the Author
Unmana lives in Mumbai with their husband. Their short stories have been nominated for the Best of the Net and the Deodar Prize. Chikkamma Tours (Pvt.) Ltd is their first full-length novel.