Deja Karma by Vish Dhamija



This is my first novel by Vish Dhamija and I was pulled into the book from the beginning. As Jay Singh shares his story and things started moving so fast I realized I am going to enjoy an Indian thriller after a long time.

The beauty of the book is that there are not too many characters in the story but the interest quotient is so high! The story is all about Jay and how he is this hotshot lawyer. The humble beginnings to being the lawyer every one fears and looks up to. The story is very interesting and keeps the curiosity of the reader alive right till end. The plot is simple enough, how his past changes him and his whole life and success still feel inadequate to him because he is scared by the events of his youth.

Deja Karma reads like not just like a diary but also as that of a guy looking inward, trying to find meaning and purpose in his life. His life is plotted and as he describes his life and doings, we also get to read it from another point of view. Kudos to the author for not let it get confusing. If anything the dual narrative provides more clarity. It also reminded me of Sidney Sheldon, yes hints of some superb suspense. Half way through the book, during one of his sessions with his friends and Manavi, I realized the problem he was facing and even that did not put a damper on my reading.

The one issue I had with this book was the botchy editing, there were some very silly errors that could have been easily avoided, marring the reading experience. It is just that the story is so well written even though at some places the author uses big, big words that don’t really gel with the narrative or the character that is using them made me cringe, looking up a dictionary for them. (Check the pic.)



Everyone loves a good mystery and this one had not one but two murders, four if you count the one not proven and the one that was foretold! The suspense is build up and Vinay Kumar is no simpleton but then he won’t have asked Jay to defend him if he was. I found the women characters equally fleshed out as the men in the book. The only character I missed was the politician; Vinay’s father. There was not much said about him except that he is a very powerful big shot. Never is he shown, I found that odd, a glimpse would have been good. Rita, his wife comes across as a typical Indian wife but I found her character progressed very well. It is difficult for a wife not to support her husband even though he might be ‘glad eyed idiot’.

Bhima, the ever faithful, man Friday for  Jay was the real hero of the book for me, his support, strength and actions all make him an endearing character. All through the book I was searching for his thoughts and views so powerful was his character. Sam Cooper, and Akbar Ali and a couple of more people bring so much to the story. The characters of the opposition lawyer, Talwar and the lady physiatrist; Manavi’s boss made me want to know more about them, maybe another story with them?

I recommend this book to lovers of suspense, mystery and thrillers. Deja Karma is a very Indian tale; perverse and intriguing till the last page. Sadhus, politicians, murders, twisted minds and lots of second guessing leads to some surprising results.
(I received a copy of the book from the publisher Rumour Books, thoughts are my own,)


Deja Karma by Vish Dhamija

From the #1 Bestselling crime author of Bhendi Bazaar comes a legal thriller like no other. 


Jay Singh is the best defence lawyer in New Delhi that money can buy. But Jay Singh is a closet alcoholic; he has a dark and ominous past. His mother has been accused and convicted of killing his father…something he doesn’t accept even after twenty years. 

Flamboyant, wicket, lethal, Jay Singh never loses a case, though his methods might not always be within the law. If the law is after you – guilty or not – there is only one man who can save you. If Jay Singh takes your case, witnesses for the prosecution disappear or turn hostile, evidence evaporates, technology and science fail to provide any cogent support. What’s more – Jay Singh can even provide you with an ironclad alibi. 

And then he gets a case that can completely destroy him. 


If he loses the high-profile he can kiss his career goodbye ; if he wins the case he better keep his obituary ready.

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