Dr. Sohil Makwana is an expert in medicine and a textpert in creating mystery. Apart from being a doctor, he also dabbles in fashion photography and screenwriting, and he is also an assistant director and a fitness expert. He believes that learning never ends, and his extreme enthusiasm to explore novel ideas has steered him to become a versatile writer. He has recently come out with the crime fiction Murdrum: The Probe Begins, which is rich in forensic detail, and has exceptional character development and unpredictable terrifying situations.

I chat with him about his debut novel Murdrum: The Probe Begins, how the idea of writing this forensic crime thriller came to be, book recommendations, and much more.

Hello, Dr. Sohil! Tell us five things about yourself!

Determined. Hardworking. Intelligent. Lazy. And a good human being.

If you could only describe your thriller novel Murdrum: The Probe Begins in five words, what would they be?

Unpredictable. Intriguing. Unique. Mind-boggling. Best-seller.

Now tell us a little more about the book! What can readers expect?

The novel Murdrum: The Probe Begins portrays the life of Komal Rathod, an orphan, and a forensic expert who suffers from ‘congenital insensitivity of pain’. Her only purpose in life is to become a crime scene investigator in the CBI. However, after consistent failures, when she is not able to land the role of a crime scene investigator in the CBI, she gets an opportunity to work there as an intern, wherein she is assigned the task of mere data collection. Nevertheless, Komal strives to convince her egoistic officers about the presence of a wicked criminal in Mumbai. Her only aim is to grab the sinister serial killer who leaves no clues behind, and the intelligent and vigilant forensic expert leaves no stone unturned and digs her way to uncover the unknown identity of the wise and heartless serial killer. However, the tables then turn, and the cat and mouse game begins. Apart from DNA analysis, fingerprinting techniques, and even the analysis of the murder weapon; Komal utilizes a number of high-tech incredible forensic investigations. But, this tech-savvy killer knows his job forwards and backwards. So, it’s an adrenaline rush high-tech forensic crime thriller.

What was the moment when the idea of this book first came to be? What made you pursue it?

I have always been fond of thrillers and criminal psychology. Last year, I had come to know about serial killer Harold Shipman who had killed 251 old-aged women. I was stunned by his story. I started researching about him, and later on, I studied more than fifty real-life serial killers who had killed a minimum of one hundred people. I learned about their childhood, their psychology. Being a doctor and curious learner, I was aware of the advancement in forensic science, and had also been thinking about an outstanding climax in my mind for the last two years. Thus, I had an antagonist, I had a climax, I was aware of real-life events, and most importantly, I had a unique protagonist with a bizarre disease. I just clubbed all things together, and that’s how the journey of Murdrum began.

Is there a scene, element, or character from the book that you enjoyed creating and writing?

I enjoyed creating each scene and each character of this novel as each of them is marvelous and unique. In the book, you will find aerial shots, close-ups, intercuts like you are watching a movie. Each character has its own identity, and its own struggle. I never provide an easy task to any of my characters. Conflict is key.

As this is your debut novel, are there any authors or works in the crime thriller genre which inspired you with their plot and character development, or influenced your writing style?

No, my plots stay unique. I make them complex. I’m not an avid reader. But I’m a nice observer. I watch a lot of thriller movies. I know how to tell a story, how to engage the readers, how to reveal information to the readers keeping them captivated and amazed. I’m sure once you read Murdrum, you will be astonished at every page. I have developed my own writing style as I club the art of science and the science of art with a pinch of humor. 

How have you been coping with the current pandemic and what will be the new normal for you post it?

It was a difficult time as we were getting rotational postings in Covid Wards. The second wave was disastrous, and it was difficult to cope up. But, as I was staying inside the hospital campus, I used to write after duty hours. And, at the end of the year, I was able to finish my novel Murdrum. I have completed both parts of this novel in one year. The next part of the novel would be released soon. So, that’s the new normal for me. Work, workout, and writing.

Lastly, are you currently reading anything, and do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

Yes, currently I’m reading novels and books of veteran writer Oliver Sacks. He is my inspiration. He was a doctor, and he used to fantastically club knowledge of medicine with storytelling in his books. I would recommend readers to read his books.

The book ‘Murdrum: The Probe Begins’ is available online and at your nearest bookstore.