SUBJECT: 4/5
WRITING: 3/5
OVERALL: 3/5

Anuj Tikku, the actor-turned-author, does it yet again with his latest offering, Ab Tera Kya Hoga Palande. The Yes Sir I Killed My Dad true crime series, which had started as a trilogy, has now been expanded into an octology. The latest book takes the story forward by adding a sizeable plot twist—albeit a fictional one—wherein the author, disappointed with the slow pace of the judicial process, decides to take matters into his own hands.

Seeking justice for his slain father, Anuj decides that he has had enough and is now willing to go to any extent to get justice delivered. He thus hatches a sinister plan to bump off the very man who had mercilessly killed his father in cold blood.

I like the fact that the author is keeping this much-hyped series alive by now adding fictional twists and turns to the story. That the series is based on real events is very much the core, but the fictional elements added in the present-day setting enhance the mystery and thrill quotient.

The opening scene takes us to Varanasi, where the author wakes up one day to a mail from a documentary producer who wishes to shoot a documentary about the infamous Arun Tikku murder case. Reflecting on this, Anuj ponders over the painfully slow process of the trial, and this triggers something deep in his heart. Thus, the seeds of a diabolical plan are sown in our protagonist’s mind.

When it comes to the writing, I love the tone and language of the book. While the book could surely benefit from a better editor and some finesse in the overall writing, the language used is a mix of Hindi and English. The text in English is generously infused with vernacular slang and Bambaiyya Hindi, lending the storytelling a much more relatable and desi vibe.

There are many pictures—both real-life images and generic illustrations—that complement the storytelling and add value to the overall reading experience.

As far as characters are concerned, we see many old ones like Palande, Tiwari, and Kadam, but we are also introduced to those who played very superficial parts in the previous books. Shyam Yadav, aka Chhotu, features as a main character in addition to Anuj and Palande. Another interesting and surprising addition to the story is Mickey, the rat, who manages to break the monotony further.

Overall, the book is a short read and a natural extension to the Yes Sir I Killed My Dad universe. The storytelling, though mediocre, deals with a true crime event of major magnitude, which in some way compensates for the lack of imaginative storytelling.

Nonetheless, I am eager to know what happens next in the story and am looking forward to the author’s next book in the series.

Can’t wait to read it? You can buy your copy using the link below.