400 Days (novel)

Last updated

400 Days
400 days CB.jpg
First edition
Author Chetan Bhagat
Language Indian English
Genre Mystery, Thriller
Set inIndia
Publisher Westland Publications [1]
Publication date
8 October 2021
Publication place India
Media type Paperback
Pages352 [2]
ISBN 978-1542094085
Preceded by One Arranged Murder  

400 Days is a 2021 mystery novel by Indian author Chetan Bhagat. It is Bhagat's tenth novel and the third installment in the Keshav-Saurabh series, following The Girl in Room 105 (2018) [3] and One Arranged Murder (2020). [4] The novel blends elements of mystery and romance, focusing on a detective case involving a missing child.

Contents

Plot

After the events of One Arranged Murder, Keshav and Saurabh are living with Keshav's parents in a gated community called Icon. Keshav, preparing to become an IPS officer, is approached by Alia Arora, a neighbor seeking help to find her missing 12-year-old daughter, Siya, who disappeared nine months earlier. Initially reluctant, Keshav agrees due to his love for detective work and the promise of a substantial reward.

Alia recounts her troubled marriage to Manish, a wealthy businessman, and their strained family dynamics, including mistreatment by Manish's domineering mother. Siya went missing during a family gathering, and the only witness, Suhana, Alia's younger daughter, described the abductor as a man with bracelets, a tattoo, and glowing hair. Despite police efforts, the case went cold until Keshav and Saurabh reopened it.

While investigating, Keshav gains Suhana's trust and uncovers clues, including suspicious online messages between Siya and someone named "Roy." Attempting to trap Roy through a fake Instagram account, the plan fails when Roy escapes. Meanwhile, Keshav and Alia develop feelings for each other, though Alia remains married.

A breakthrough occurs when Keshav discovers that Shastriji, the family priest, matches Suhana's description of the abductor. Tracking Shastriji to an abandoned sugar factory, Keshav and his team rescue a traumatized Siya, who reveals she was kidnapped and abused under the guise of a religious ritual.

Grateful for Siya's return, Alia thanks Keshav but chooses to remain with her family for her children's sake. Keshav, letting go of their relationship, shifts focus to expanding Z Detective Agency with Saurabh, including plans for a child security unit.

Characters

Reception

References

  1. "Westland Publications announces the release of Chetan Bhagat's new book – 400 Days". 8 October 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  2. Bhagat, Chetan (8 October 2021). 400 Days. Amazon Publishing. ISBN   978-1-5420-9408-5.
  3. "Chetan Bhagat's latest book: Quiet release, cooler reception". The Week. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  4. Saha, Shreshta (25 August 2020). "One Arranged Murder: Chetan Bhagat opens up about his 9th book". The Telegraph . Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  5. "400 Days | Chetan Bhagat | Book Review | A Dramatic Thriller". bookGeeks. 16 October 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  6. Hegde, Sahana (13 November 2021). "'400 Days': Despite its clichéd ingredients, Chetan Bhagat's new novel is his most readable yet". Scroll.in. Retrieved 24 December 2021.