RV Raman’s unputdownable third book, Saboteur, is set in the world of e-commerce

If you loved author RV Raman’s Fraudster and Insider, you will definitely enjoy reading his latest, Saboteur, in which the action moves to Bangalore and goes into the cut-throat world of e-retail.

Author RV Raman knows how to take the simplest of subjects (which are relevant, too) and turn them into novels that you wouldn’t want to put down. Fraudster and Insider were impressive, and his latest, Saboteur, takes it to a higher level. So, what makes it a crackerjack plot? Take e-commerce, venture funding, data theft and bots, and blend all that with a female cop on a Royal Enfield out to solve a murder.

Cover of the novel Saboteur, by RV Raman.

Raman stays true to his reputation of delivering an intricate plot with characters of substance, the right dose of suspense and bind it all together by keeping the narrative pacy. The corporate setup is easy to understand even for those with no business background. The crime doesn’t have any loopholes on the face of it, and everything about the narrative keeps you engrossed. Inspector Dhruvi Kishore isn’t the cliched choice for a woman character, and throughout the narrative, she doesn’t fail to stand true to her bold character. Another change we loved was the shift of city, from Mumbai (which was central in the first two books) to Bangalore. It makes for a completely believable backdrop for the dog-eat-dog world of e-retail and all its little tricks.

The cover of RV Raman’s third book, Saboteur.

Every reader will be compelled to treat the case at hand as if they are the person solving it, because Raman’s narrative (which at times will remind you of Agatha Christie’s work) allows you to speculate and theorise quite often. The end, too, is delivered perfectly. All in all, the third novel by Raman is probably the best of the lot.

There are many points in the book that I would like to talk about, but doing so would only take away from the experience of reading this. You are, however, welcome to share your experience of the book and maybe indulge in building some fan theories with us.