Westland Books announces the release of Chikkamma Tours (Pvt.) Ltd, a debut novel by Unmana
City Air News
Sep 24, 2024 02:17
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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.
