New← The Complete Adventures of Byomkesh Bakshi
Where There's a Will
A Sudden Call, A Sinister Secret Awaits
by Sharadindu BandyopadhyayDetective FictionMystery
Arthamanartham (অর্থমনর্থম)
Originally in Bengali1933
3 chapters55 pages1h read
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About This Book
When an unexpected phone call from the Deputy Commissioner interrupts Byomkesh Bakshi’s morning, he’s thrust into a case of murder laced with official intrigue. The police need Byomkesh’s keen mind, but hidden motives and egos threaten to complicate the investigation. Dive into a world where every word could conceal a clue, and nothing is as straightforward as it seems.
Chapters
Characters
View all 11 charactersAbout the Author
Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay
1899–1970
Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay (1899–1970) was a celebrated Bengali author, best known for his enduring contribution to Indian detective fiction. Born in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, Bandyopadhyay was educated at Vidyasagar College and later at Patna University. He initially worked as a teacher and a scriptwriter for the Bombay film industry, but his literary pursuits remained central throughout his life. His prolific career spanned several genres including historical fiction, short stories, and plays, but he achieved lasting fame for his creation of the detective Byomkesh Bakshi. Bandyopadhyay’s works reflect a deep engagement with the social and cultural life of early- to mid-20th-century Bengal.
Places and Terms in this Book
Gray’s Anatomy— A famous medical textbook, found in Sukumar's room and relevant to the murder method.
Chitra— A cinema hall in Calcutta where Sukumar claims to have watched a film the night of the murder.
CID— Criminal Investigation Department, a specialized branch of the police in India.
Calcutta— The city (now Kolkata) where the story is set, reflecting the urban Bengali milieu.
Christian calendar— Refers to the Gregorian calendar, used to date the will in the story.
Cornwallis Street— A street in Calcutta, used as a landmark in the narrative.
Vocabulary
kurta— A traditional Indian long shirt worn by men.
sari— A traditional Indian garment worn by women, consisting of a long piece of cloth draped around the body.
chawl— A type of low-cost, communal housing found in Indian cities, typically consisting of small rooms along a corridor.
dhoti— A traditional Indian garment for men, consisting of a long piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and legs.
lakhs— An Indian unit equal to one hundred thousand (100,000), often used to denote sums of money.
probate— The legal process of validating a will and administering the estate of the deceased.
