Contact Salil - salil.des@gmail.com

Bestsellers in Brand New Avatar

New Release - November 2024

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Inspector Saralkar Series

Bestsellers in Brand New Avatar

My Inspector Saralkar Series Bestsellers are now available at book stores across India and online stores in a brand-new avatar published by Westland Books!

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Bestsellers in Brand New Avatar

Just Released

The Kid Killer

'Layered plot that moves between the past and the present.….
a case that keeps getting murkier.' -
The Hindu

'Fast-paced, intriguing and unsettling thriller. Tight writing and ingeniously crafted plot. Desai’s mastery of his craft is on full display here, with a crime so comprehensively thought out, you’ll forget it’s fictitious.'-
Pune Mirror

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MURDER MILESTONE
Coming Soon as a Web-Series

3 AND A HALF MURDERS is now a

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

TWISTED THRILLER, QUIRKY CHARACTERS

- SRIRAM RAGHAVAN, Director - Andhadhun, Badlapur

About Salil

Salil Desai is an author, columnist and film-maker based in Pune. The Kid Killer is the 5th book of his much-acclaimed Inspector Saralkar Mystery Series, on the heels of Murder Milestone (2020), 3 and a Half Murders (2017), The Murder of Sonia Raikkonen (2015) and Killing Ashish Karve (2014). The Inspector Saralkar Mystery series is currently being adapted into a web series by Jio Studios...

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Salil's Books

Salil - Gullkistan Residency, Iceland, 2023

Salil was delighted to be invited to Gullkistan Centre for Creativity, Iceland for a four week residency and spent June 2023 at this tranquil retreat, writing and meeting authors from Iceland and other parts of the world.


Salil - Hald Fellowship, Denmark, 2016

Salil was also one of the 4 international authors worldwide selected for the HALD International Writers’ Residency in Denmark, hosted by the Danish Centre for Writers & Translators in June 2016.

Reviews of Books

‘Twisted Thriller, Quirky Characters’ – Sriram Raghavan, Director – Badlapur

‘Desai’s writing is energetic and contemporary
Shobhaa De, Author

‘Intriguing, ingeniously plotted and wickedly contrived.’
Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Author and MP

‘Realism is never too far in author Salil Desai’s latest book, 3 and A Half Murders. A non-regulation twist turns the saga on its head.’
- Bangalore Mirror

‘The unpredictability and the backdrop of the criminal make the climax unbelievable and astonishing. The book surely impresses the reader with the final revelation.’
- The New Indian Express, Sunday Magazine

‘The suspense is not allowed to slacken at any stage……. The author transfers his own excitement to the characters as well as the reader. …….It is difficult to put down the book till the mystery is solved.’
- Sunday Tribune

‘This is one of the finest thrillers I have read in recent times by an Indian author. There was not a single loose end in the book which would have left a reader high and dry.’
Privy Trifles

‘The murder mystery itself was nicely crafted and layered. The book is very fast-paced and there is not a chapter that is out-of-place or not required.’
The Whimsy Book Worm

‘The book is a real page turner…..an original Indian police procedural.’
DNA

‘This is the best murder mystery by an Indian author so far.’
Sunday Tribune

‘Enthralling…..It’s a quick, nail-biting finish and a must for those who love detective series’.
Sakal Times

‘Flawlessly well-written and is a completely gripping story. I have rarely read an Indian author who made me smile as much as Mr. Desai did.’
Christine’s Book Reviews

‘Once the main protagonist Inspector Saralkar and his assistant PSI Motkar starts their investigation one can’t put the book down.’
Spectral Hues

‘Lies, deception, suspense, amazing twists and high drama; the book guarantees you a roller-coaster ride which will leave you with an amazing spine chilling experience.’
Between the lines

‘The language is flawless, and all the stories have rather surprising and uncanny twists, which make for absorbing reading.’
Afternoon Despatch& Courier

‘The literary equivalent of a mouthful of flavour to be savoured and easily consumed.’
Sunday Tribune

‘It’s fun to read a thriller set in an Indian city with people who speak normally, and spot identifiable reference points. Inspector Saralkar seems set for a long innings.’
Afternoon Despatch& Courier

‘A strong plot backed by a sound concept and delivered fantastically.’
Book Geeks

‘Apart from the murder itself, the relationship between Saralkar and his wife is brought out very nicely. I love how well their personal life meshed nicely with the main murder mystery.’
Nishita’s Rants and Raves

‘The last two chapters where he dissects and discusses the entire motive behind the murder of Sonia Raikkonen are a delicious dessert after a good meal.’
Readers Cosmos

‘The book starts with a thrilling, chilling prologue and it only gets better from there! The story is brilliant. The pace is good, with no slack.’
Readers Muse

‘The novel’s main features which hold the reader’s attention are strong characterization, an idiosyncratic story line and the way the mystery is solved.’
Delhi Reader’s Club

Terrific plot, a horrific crime!
A disturbing story, narrated superbly.
Sujoy Ghosh, Director – Kahaani

Salil Desai Newspaper Columns

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Workshops by Salil

Writer's Mantra

Salil Desai September 2020

National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad

Penning Popular Fiction

Salil Desai August 2020

National Institute of Design (NID), Bangalore

Murder Mystery Mantras

Salil Desai November 2019

SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai.

Writer's Mantra

Salil Desai August 2019

National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

The Sane Psychopath, Salil Desai