Delhi Vice : Book Review

Delhi Vice by Balraj Juttla is a gripping crime thriller exposing power, corruption, and deceit in Delhi, blending suspense with sharp social commentary.

on Feb 27, 2025

Delhi Vice is a riveting crime thriller by Balraj Juttla that thrusts the reader head-on into the pulsating heart of Delhi, exposing the seedy underbelly of the city where power, corruption, and deceit reign supreme. Crafted by Juttla with a gripping narrative and compelling characters, this tale will keep you on the edge of your seat, but in the process also offer stark commentary on the complexities of urban life in modern India.

It begins with the cold discovery of a young woman's body along the Yamuna River. While the police hastily frame her boyfriend, a dogged journalist refuses to accept the easy narrative and embarks on a perilous journey with his sharp-witted colleague, Jaskiran, to uncover the truth. What unfolds is a labyrinth of lies, cover-ups, and power plays that take the readers deep into Delhi’s contrasting worlds—its glittering elite circles and its shadowy outskirts.

The main reason why Delhi Vice is so appealing is the protagonist, Rajesh. His relentless pursuit of justice and an unwavering moral compass make him a character you can root for even as he faces insurmountable odds. His spirited and resourceful ally, Jaskiran, is equally engaging, bringing depth and balance to their partnership. Together, they form a believable and inspiring team, and their camaraderie adds a layer of warmth to the otherwise dark narrative.

Well-designed as an antagonist, Rahul Yadav is very well the evil representation of unrestrained power gone awry. He is self-made and not above showing his sinister aspects while amassing a fortune or wielding his vast influence to exploit the system arch-villain. What strikes about Juttla's character of Yadav is how intricately he places the backstories that give insights into how one came from absolute poverty to gain immense power with each step taking them further away into malevolence.

Juttla's prose is exact and evocative. It vividly captures the chaos and contradictions of Delhi- from its bustling streets and posh high-rises to forgotten slums and desolate riverbanks, the city sits like a character, all dross and gloom of the alive but not quite well city infusing each page. The level of attention to detail while writing emphasizes the work of art that the publisher has encouraged to come alive, drenching this reality in the gritty grit of the capital.

At its core, Delhi Vice is much more than a murder mystery-it's a stinging critique of the nexus between wealth, power, and corruption. Juttla does not hold back in laying bare the deficiencies of the justice system, police complicity, and the honest souls who are trying to battle against an odds-on rigged system. The story's twists and turns keep suspense alive till the very end and ensure that the reader remains hooked throughout.

In conclusion, Delhi Vice is a strongly thought-provoking novel that masterfully weaves together suspense and social commentary. Balraj Juttla has a great tale to tell; his insights into the human psyche allow this book to be a necessity for crime fiction fans and any reader looking into the darker recesses of society. It is indeed a gripping narrative that lingers long after turning the final page, leaving a reader to muse over the price of truth in a world that is ruled by vice.