Play To Kill | An Unputdownable Gripping Crime Thriller | Enter the World of Psychological Manipulation and Digital Deception

by Puja Mukherjee Khattri

ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat and his Urban Crimes team are baffled by a string of cases where victims are drugged, and wake up with no memory of what happened. TV producer Anya Aulakh was living a normal life, until she wasn’t. She becomes the target of a sinister online game where college students are pawns in other people’s twisted schemes.
Behind it all lurks Mataji, a master manipulator who promises to solve people’s problems.
In Delhi, where digital footprints can be deadly and trust is a luxury no one can afford, Karan and Anya must navigate a web of deception that extends from the corridors of power to the darkest corners of the internet. And when the game targets them personally, they discover that some players are eager to kill.
Play to Kill is a pulse-pounding thriller that exposes the lengths people will go to in order to control the lives of those they claim to love.

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2025

Reviews

[Vani Kaushal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play To Kill grips you by the neck from the very first page and doesn’t let go. The story is fast-paced, full of twists, and built around a fascinating premise of internet crimes. At its center is an online game that seems innocent enough at first, centered on finding people and things. But the deeper you go, the more you realize nothing about this game is random.

What appears to be just another online challenge turns into something far more sinister. The gamers are not players at all but pawns, unknowingly aiding people with dark motives. Their “targets” are real, living people. ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat and his Urban Crimes team peel back layer after layer, uncovering a network of deceit that stretches from everyday digital spaces to the city’s most powerful corners.

Mataji, the mysterious figure who claims to solve people’s problems, looms large over the story. Who is she really, and how far does her influence reach? The suspense builds steadily as Karan and Anya, the TV producer caught in this dangerous web, try to make sense of the chaos. Both characters are flawed yet deeply human, which makes them relatable even as they are thrown into terrifying situations.

The book keeps you guessing till the end. Play To Kill is a true “don’t-put-me-down” read that keeps your pulse racing right up to the last page.

[Divyaroop Bhatnagar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gripping Thriller that Never Lets Up

Puja Mukherjee Khattri’s Play to Kill grips readers from the opening chapter and holds them captive until the very end. Set in contemporary Delhi, the novel follows ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat and his Urban Crimes team as they confront a chilling series of cases where victims are drugged and wake up with no memory of what happened. At the same time, television producer Anya Aulakh finds her life spiraling out of control after becoming entangled in a deadly online game that turns ordinary people into pawns.

The story unfolds in the present tense, giving every moment a sense of urgency and realism. The reader experiences events as they happen—feeling the tension rise with each revelation, the dread build as danger closes in, and the pulse quicken as the truth comes to light. The writing is taut and cinematic, the pacing relentless, and the atmosphere charged with menace.

Khattri excels at exploring the psychological depth of her characters. Karan’s stoic integrity contrasts sharply with Anya’s vulnerability and determination, making their journey both believable and compelling. Behind it all looms Mataji, a master manipulator whose shadow over the digital world feels terrifyingly plausible.

With its smart plot, sharp dialogue, and haunting exploration of technology’s dark side, Play to Kill stands out as a sophisticated and thought-provoking crime thriller. It is a brilliantly executed story that keeps readers emotionally invested and utterly absorbed from start to finish.

[Khushi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a truly gripping thriller that keeps you hooked from the very first chapter. It’s one of those stories where you constantly feel like you’re close to figuring things out, but the plot keeps shifting just enough to keep you guessing. The writing is layered in a way that slowly builds suspense, and just when you think you understand what’s happening, the story takes a turn you don’t see coming.

The story begins with Anya Aulakh, a TV producer who is living a normal life until one day she realizes she cannot remember how she got home. It is later revealed that she may have been drugged. Alongside her story, we follow ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat and his urban crime team as they investigate a series of cases where victims have been drugged and have no memory of what happened to them.

Early in the book, there’s also a couple whose child goes missing, adding another layer of mystery. There are multiple incidents, multiple victims, and seemingly no clear link between them, which keeps the reader constantly questioning how everything fits together.

One of the strongest aspects of this book is its pacing. It’s fast enough to keep you turning pages, but it also takes its time to build the mystery and develop the characters. The writing is engaging and easy to follow, yet detailed enough to pull you into the world of the story. The author does a great job of maintaining suspense throughout, without giving away too much too soon.

Another interesting layer in the story is how it touches upon the misuse of the internet. It shows how people can unknowingly become involved in something dangerous without even realizing it, which adds a modern and slightly unsettling edge to the narrative. It also creates a sense of realism, making the story feel more relevant and impactful.

What really stood out to me was the final reveal. It ties together all the seemingly unrelated threads in a way that feels both surprising and satisfying. It’s the kind of twist that makes you rethink everything you’ve read so far, which is always a highlight in a good thriller.

Overall, this is a highly engaging, fast-paced, and cleverly written thriller that delivers on both suspense and intrigue. It’s a perfect pick for readers who enjoy unpredictable plots, multiple perspectives, and strong, impactful twists. I genuinely enjoyed the reading experience, and it’s definitely a book that keeps you thinking even after you’ve finished it.

[Ajeet Pratap Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books take a few pages to get a hold of the reader but this one pulls one IN from the very first page. Normal people like you and me, minding their own business, suddenly lose consciousness and wake up after some time without any recollection of what happened, and with a sense of dread and loss. A young and brilliant police officer, ACP Karan starts his investigation and threads start to tangle but in the end all the dots connect masterfully.

In today’s digital age, the story feels real and relevant. The story is set in Delhi, the descriptions and people are so vivid that the city feels alive like a breathing character. The characters are real and relatable, there are no unnecessary characters, and each have their own moments and prominence. The character development is impeccable and sharp, writing is sophisticated, the twists and turns are brilliant, unexpected and believable. The suspense is top notch.

The story is about a dangerous online video game and its fatal consequences but is it? For me, the story was about human behaviors, internal conflicts, and the never ending thirst for power and control. The story puts the readers in difficult spots several times where right and wrong is not obvious. How brilliantly Ms Khattri has executed such scenes is a treat and a testament to her literary prowess. Read this masterpiece not just for a brilliant, suspenseful modern crime story but also for a thought provoking anatomy of human behaviors and the choices made in difficult and morally challenging times.

[Tasneem Anjum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine losing a few minutes of your life, and not knowing what happened in between.
That’s exactly how this story begins.
Three different people, Anya, Raina, and Mrs. Naugiyal, experienced sudden blackouts in completely unrelated situations, and when they wake up, something feels off. Missing time. Missing memories. And no explanation.
At first, it feels like coincidence… but as the investigation unfolds through ACP Karan and his team, these separate incidents start connecting in the most unexpected way.

What looks random slowly reveals a pattern and the link between them turns out to be something you’d never anticipate, an online game that begins as something simple, but hides a much darker purpose beneath it.
The pacing keeps you engaged throughout. Nothing feels rushed, nothing feels dragged, every detail lands at the right moment, slowly tightening the suspense. And honestly, you’ll keep turning pages just to figure out how everything fits together.
The characters feel real, grounded especially ACP Karan, who carries the investigation with clarity and determination. And beyond the mystery, the story also quietly reflects something very relevant, how easily our digital world can be misused if it falls into the wrong hands.
By the end, it’s not just about solving a case, it’s about how something as ordinary as a game can turn into something far more dangerous than you’d expect.

[Tanusree Biswas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puja M Khattri’s Play to Kill, pulls you into its complicated web right from the word 'go' . Don’t blame yourself if you fall in love with Anaya, the young TV producer who is always on guard or the dashing ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat. They are both beautifully flawed, human and lovable. The characters leap out of the pages as the plot grows thicker and you keep guessing the next turn! Puja is a master story teller and she impresses with her debut novel!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such an engrossing book right from the get go, making you visualize each scene and place so vividly you felt like you were right there with each character. The storyline is so well thought out that you can feel how much research was put into the background of the plot. Going through the chapters, I truly enjoyed as each piece of the puzzle was slowly put together by the author. Great fun!!

[Neetu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is up to it's expectation! Love the thrills and mystery of it, absolutely amazing book everyone should give it a read one of the best fiction I have read!

[Rahul Vishnoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

-A Thriller to Make Your January More Edgy-
Review of 'Play To Kill' by Puja Mukherjee Khattri

Quote Alert
"𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞... 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞. 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬- 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐒𝐨, 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬. 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠."

A good storyteller, particularly who writes a thriller, is known to carry a fistfull of magical dust. Something that can render the readers partially blind, while letting the writer do the job. Here Puja Mukherjee Khattri weaves a web of secrets around her characters, making them and the readers alike dance to her tune.

Play to Kill is a part police procedural drama, part thriller, part brewing romance between its two high profile leads: ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat who's investigating a slew of strange crimes in the city and TV producer Anya whose police file carries a strange directive: DNI (Do not investigate.) Who's behind these crimes and what's their motive? Will the ACP be able to crack the case before all hell breaks loose? Well, I'm not going to tell you everything here. Pick up the book and find out more.

The author exerts a tight control on the elements of the story, balancing pace with the emotions, walking a tight rope of keeping reader's interest in the story while helping the main characters evolve at a comfortable pace. She skillfully sets the characters up, pushing them into twists and turns slowly but surely. Some scenes make you jump out of your chair. Have a look:
"As she locks the van, she hears footsteps behind her. Someone bumps into her. She feels a prick on her arm. She thinks irritably that.it is a mosquito and tries to swipe it away. She takes a few steps and stumbles. One of the girls prevents her from falling. She wants to thank her but is unable to say the words."

While the others lead to the slow burn of the thrill, adding to the mystery of the story:
"The burn note is read within minutes of its arrival in the inbox of an obscure email ID. Within the next 20 seconds, it is burnt, leaving no virtual or physical trail. It starts a chain of actions, which will efficiently bear effect across the city and country."

Strong characters make for strong stories. If the characters are flaky or one dimensional, the joy of reading a book, even if the story is interesting, is rendered half. The characters of this story are unpredictable, impulsive, multi dimensional and drive the story forward. It's a delight to see a character-driven story because their actions are as interesting as the plot and the twists. This also makes up for layering of the characters, adding a touch of humanity to papery words and that's just delightful.
Have a look:
"She looks towards the conference room and sees a man standing by the door. He isn't wearing the official khaki uniform, yet there is something about his stance that leaves no doubt in her mind. She can't decide if it is confidence he exudes or arrogance. Either way, he is the kind of person she steers clear of."

As the story progresses, the author builds up emotion and drama, and throws the characters into the mix. The reader can't help build a bridge of empathy with the lives of these people. An emotional cord is immediately hooked and it continues until the last page is turned over.

The building romance and the sexual tension between the two leads adds a little respite and provides distraction from the heavy theme. I found this conversation quite like a round of conversational foreplay. Have a look:
"He picks up the helmet he'd left on the table. "What kind of holster do you prefer?" he asks.
She freezes.There it is-the brief, split second of indecision when the brain has to decide on whether to invent a lie or tell the truth. It isn't the eyes or the hands that first give away a lie but the sudden stillness of the body, as if all energy is directed to answering the question.
"Holster?"
"Yes, holster. You were at the fring range today, weren't you? So, I assume you have a weapon of your own; otherwise, what is the use of keeping your skills sharp?"
She nods. "How did you know?"
"When we met earlier in the evening, your hair had the slightest smell of gunpowder"
She replies, "It's a Walther PPK, and I have a licence. I prefer an ankle holster."

The storytelling is engaging and the writing style skilful. The characters feel real and full bodied, not lifeless and cardboardish. The reader feels helpless as there is only one goal in the present and now: to finish the book. Everything else comes later.

Pick it up this week.

[Aakash Mehrotra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I write this review as someone who doesn’t read a lot of crime thrillers. In fact, I was quite unsure of picking ‘Play to Kill’ for I feared it might not suit my tastes. It was like an unsaid challenge to the author to keep me engaged in the book. And the fact that not only did I complete the book, but also within two days, is a testimony to how engaging the book plot and the writing is.

Puja Khattri’s Play to Kill is a taut, fast-paced thriller that thrives on psychological tension and moral ambiguity. Set against a contemporary Indian urban backdrop, the novel pulls readers into a high-stakes game where power, deception, and buried motives collide, and where the line between hunter and hunted is constantly shifting.

Let’s start with basics – for this book dares to defy many rules set by writers of crime. The plot of the book starts with the urban crimes team investigating a series of crime where the victims had been drugged and left – without an actual crime incident. With a series of incidents following the same modus operandi, the mind directly goes to finding a pattern. Or that’s something we have learnt seeing the umpteen stories of serial criminals – all the crimes follow a pattern, and the victims are connected in some way. And this is where Puja Khattri starts to break all the said and unsaid rules of crime writing. The crimes in ‘Play to Kill’ follow no such pattern or connections – except that every victim was drugged – and surprise, surprise, left there with no actual crime.

And if this doesn’t get you twitch your muscles, and get thinking, then one victim Anya, a producer in a media channel, has some unspoken of dark past, and a tag of ‘Do Not Investigate’. Puja Khattri constructs her narrative like a chessboard: every move appears deliberate, every character carries a hidden agenda, and no action is without consequence. The best part is she keeps dropping enough hints for readers to join the dots, but the cases are so unique, that it’s impossible to join the dots – and as a good reader you wait for the mystery, or say mysteries, to unfold.

And in midst, of this, there’s a slow romance blossoming between the protagonists. Oh my! Who doesn’t love a good romance – while your mind is engaged in whys and hows of the deeper mystery that the book is. And midway you realize that the author had picked a niche of cybercrimes, and that it is a much higher stake game than you had imagined. The urban crimes team finds out that this is a part of a real-life game ‘Play to Kill’ – the crimes are committed as a part of it, but why, how, and by who – remains a mystery. And this is the point where the author shows her mettle - Just when the reader believes they have grasped the rules of the game, the author changes them.

The book picks pace midway – the characters are well fleshed, plot well laid, mystery set before the reader. Now the plot unfolds with cinematic urgency, driven by short chapters and sharp scene transitions that keep the suspense simmering.

And the author, takes her time, lets the readers become a part of the game, and then reveals the layers of the mystery one by one. But she ensures that the reader is hung till the last page. One of the novel’s strengths lies in its characterisation. The protagonists are not neatly heroes and flawless, instead, Khattri presents flawed, psychologically layered individuals shaped by ambition, fear, and past wounds. Their inner conflicts are as gripping as the external danger they face, lending emotional depth to what could otherwise have been a straightforward crime thriller.

The writing is crisp and economical, well-suited to the genre. The writer avoids unnecessary exposition, allowing tension to build through dialogue and action. The themes of manipulation, trust, and the cost of survival in a competitive world resonate strongly, giving the novel a relevance beyond its central mystery. And with the segment of cybercrime, there will always be more to the characters than just victims and criminals.

Puja Khattri does justice to every character, giving enough time and space for the character to grow, and readers to know them. The best part for me was that I could form a bond with these characters, and with every paragraph and dialogue, I wanted to know them more. Achieving this while laying out a crime scene, is splendid.

While Play to Kill is unmistakably a page-turner, it also invites reflection on how far individuals are willing to go to win. In Play to Kill, Puja Khattri proves herself adept at crafting a smart, unsettling thriller: one that plays fair, plays sharp, and plays to linger in the reader’s mind long after the game is over.

[Neeti Bhatia · Rating 5 out of 5]

🍀Book - Play To Kill
🍀 Author- Puja Mukherjee Khattri
🍀Between the pages-
“Play to Kill— that's an interesting name."
Ipshita sits up. "It's just a name. It's like saying play to succeed.
The 'Kill' part of the name is more like how you say you killed something, like you smashed through a challenge or a target. We aren’t shooting people or killing them. It's just a game!"
Karan nods slowly. "I was wondering if the game has a reward system,”he asks .
Ipshita remains silent for a while. "Yes, it does, but players earn it;
it's not something that is just given away. We had to find this woman,
and believe me, it wasn't easy with the most basic information they
had given us, and that, too, was IRL."
"So, did you get the reward?" Karan asks.
"No," she shakes her head in dismay, "we didn't finish the game."


🍀Plot - Anya was at a bar when she suddenly opened her eyes and felt as if she had lost a few moments of her life.

Raina had gone to a store with her son. All of a sudden, she lost consciousness, and when she came to her senses, her son was missing.

Mrs. Naugiyal was about to board a flight, but she missed it after suddenly fainting at the airport.

All three of them lost consciousness for a brief moment and were unable to remember what had happened during that time.

When ACP Karan from the Urban Crimes Unit learns about these three cases, he feels there is a strange connection between them. He and his team begins the investigation, and what they uncover is shocking and completely unbelievable.

➡️What exactly happened to all three of them ?
➡️ Was there any connection between these three incidents?

🍀Review-
The book starts with a bang from the very first page. The story mainly revolves around Anya, Mrs. Naugiyal, and Raina, and it moves at a smooth pace with a neatly woven plot full of sharp twists and turns.

The characters are well developed, and their backgrounds add depth to the story and keep it moving forward. I was truly shocked when the author revealed the connection between the characters through a video game. It was unexpected and very interesting.

ACP Karan and his team play an important role in the story, and their investigation feels focused and well written, without any unnecessary details. The story unfolds smoothly, revealing secrets step by step.

The author smartly blends the concept of online video gaming and shows how it can be misused, in a very realistic way. While reading, you never stop to question the logic of the story.

The fast-paced narrative keeps the reader engaged and makes you believe in the story. The best part is the curiosity built from the first page and maintained till the end.

For a thriller, suspense is the most important element, and the author handles it perfectly by keeping the secrets hidden for just the right amount of time. I enjoyed the book so much that I finished it in one sitting.

It’s a brilliantly written thriller which will keep you glued till the end .

[Bookswithavinish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play to Kill by Puja Mukherjee Khattri positions itself firmly within the contemporary Indian crime-thriller landscape, but it distinguishes itself by fusing cybercrime, psychological manipulation, and urban vulnerability into a tightly wound narrative.

Set against the restless, digitally saturated backdrop of Delhi, the novel interrogates a chilling premise: what happens when trust, memory, and agency are systematically stripped away in the name of “help”?

ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat, a familiar yet compelling police protagonist whose authority is repeatedly tested by crimes that leave no clear trail. Victims are drugged, wake up disoriented, and remember nothing—an investigative nightmare that cleverly mirrors the larger theme of erased consent.

Khattri uses this investigative frustration effectively, allowing the procedural elements to unfold with realism rather than convenience. The Urban Crimes team’s confusion is not a weakness in plotting; it is the point.

Running parallel to the police narrative is Anya Aulakh, a television producer whose life unravels when she becomes a target in a sinister online game. Anya’s arc is one of the novel’s strongest elements. She is not portrayed as reckless or naïve; instead, she represents the modern professional who believes she understands digital spaces—until she doesn’t.

The novel’s most unsettling presence is Mataji, the shadowy mastermind who promises solutions while orchestrating devastation. Khattri avoids caricature here. Mataji is not evil for spectacle’s sake; she is frightening precisely because her logic is disturbingly persuasive. Her manipulation is rooted in emotional dependency, moral coercion, and the illusion of protection.

Play to Kill is brisk and purposeful. The pacing rarely falters, and chapters are structured to maintain tension without relying on excessive cliffhangers. The language is accessible and direct, favoring clarity over flourish, which suits the genre well.

Play To Kill is a pulse-pounding, socially aware thriller that succeeds in being both entertaining and unsettling. It raises urgent questions about consent, control and digital manipulation without sacrificing narrative momentum. Puja Mukherjee Khattri demonstrates a keen understanding of modern anxieties and channels them into a story that lingers beyond the final page.

For readers who appreciate crime fiction that reflects contemporary realities - and who are willing to confront how easily "games" can become instruments of harm - Play to kill is a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Must read♥️♥️

[Sharmila Sengupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play To Kill is a story that pulls you into a world where things are not always what they seem. It’s about ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat and his team, who are trying to solve a strange series of cases. Victims are being drugged and losing their memories, and it feels like someone is playing a dangerous game with them.

What really stands out is how the story shows how easy it is to feel vulnerable in today’s digital world. The main character, Anya Aulakh, is just an ordinary TV producer. She’s living her life when suddenly she finds herself caught up in something much bigger—an online game where college students are being used as pawns. It’s scary to think how quickly trust can disappear when everything is linked to the internet.

The writing style is fast-paced and keeps you hooked, but it also takes time to show the feelings of the characters. You get to understand their fears and hopes, making the story feel real. The plot is built carefully, with surprises around every corner, but it all makes sense in the end. Every twist feels natural, not forced.

One of the strongest themes in the book is trust. In Delhi, a busy city full of life, the story shows how dangerous it can be to believe too easily. The internet and social media can hide many secrets, and sometimes people aren’t who they say they are. The city itself becomes part of the story—bright and lively but also full of hidden dangers.

The tone is kind and respectful. The author doesn’t judge the characters but shows their struggles with understanding and care. It’s clear they put a lot of effort into writing a story that feels believable and real. The book makes you think about how much control we really have over our lives and how easily someone can manipulate us without us knowing.

Reading Play To Kill is exciting, but it also makes you pause and think. It’s a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, but it also reminds us to be careful and aware of what’s happening around us, especially online. The characters feel like real people—scared, brave, and trying to do the right thing in a dangerous situation.

Overall, this book is a gripping look at how dark and tricky the digital world can be. It’s a story that stays with you long after you finish reading, making you wonder about the unseen battles happening all around us. It’s a mix of suspense and thoughtfulness, showing that sometimes, the biggest threats are hidden in the shadows we don’t see.

[Garima Bhatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Play to Kill thinking it would be a regular crime thriller. Something engaging, something fast. I was not ready for how addictive it turned out to be. This is one of those books where you tell yourself you will stop after a chapter and then suddenly it is much later and you are still reading. At some point, it stops being casual reading and turns into pure compulsion.
What stayed with me the most was how uncomfortably relevant the story feels. The way it deals with digital spaces, online behaviour and manipulation made me pause more than once. It does not shout its message, but it makes you think about how exposed we all are, how easily trust can be shaped and how control does not always look dangerous. Sometimes it looks harmless. That idea sat with me long after I put the book down.
I really enjoyed how the investigation unfolds. It is not flashy or dramatic for the sake of it. It feels smart and layered and that made it far more gripping. The police procedural aspects feel believable, which helped the story feel grounded. ACP Karan is not written like a typical larger than life hero. He feels observant, restrained and human and that made me trust the story. Anya kept me curious throughout. There is always a sense that there is more going on beneath the surface and watching things slowly come to light was genuinely satisfying.
The pacing deserves a mention because it is handled really well. There are moments that make your heart race and then there are quieter moments that make you stop and think. I liked that the book does not rely only on shock. The suspense builds gradually and keeps tightening without rushing.
What I appreciated most was how the story made me more aware of digital footprints and manipulation. It made me think about how stories are created and controlled, often without us realising it. The book is entertaining, but it stays with you. And I always value thrillers that stay with you beyond the last page.
Overall, this was a very satisfying read for me. Gripping, thoughtful and hard to put down. If you enjoy thrillers that explore psychology, power and perception alongside crime, this one is definitely worth picking up. I genuinely enjoyed reading it and it is one of those stories that quietly follows you even after you finish.
Sometimes you are reading a book and sometimes the book is quietly reading you. This one definitely did the latter.

[Partha Pratim · Rating 5 out of 5]

📕Play To Kill | An Unputdownable Gripping Crime Thriller | Enter the World of Psychological Manipulation and Digital Deception by Puja Mukherjee Khattri

Some thrillers entertain you. A few unsettle you. “Play To Kill” does both, and then quietly messes with your sense of control in a world ruled by screens and secrets.

Puja Mukherjee Khattri delivers a sharp, contemporary crime thriller that taps into one of our deepest modern fears: what if the digital games we casually engage with aren’t games at all, but carefully designed traps?

At the heart of the story is ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat, a grounded and intelligent investigator leading an Urban Crimes team caught in a chilling pattern, victims drugged, memories erased, and lives disrupted without a trace. Parallel to this investigation runs the story of Anya Aulakh, a television producer whose ordinary life spirals into paranoia when she becomes the target of a sinister online game. What begins as digital manipulation soon bleeds dangerously into the real world.

The true brilliance of Play To Kill lies in its antagonist; Mataji, a character as fascinating as she is terrifying. Charismatic, mysterious, and deeply manipulative, she represents a twisted form of control disguised as help. Through her, the novel explores how vulnerability, blind faith, and emotional desperation can be weaponised with devastating precision.

Set against the backdrop of Delhi, the plot moves seamlessly between power corridors and shadowy digital spaces. The pacing is tight, the stakes are personal, and the tension escalates steadily; especially when the “game” starts targeting the investigators themselves. The psychological depth, combined with cybercrime elements, gives the story a disturbing realism that lingers long after the final page.

What elevates Play To Kill beyond a standard crime thriller is its commentary on control, consent, and manipulation in the digital age. It forces readers to question how much of their autonomy they truly possess, and how easily trust can be exploited.

Gripping, relevant, and unapologetically dark, Play To Kill is perfect for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with strong characters, modern themes, and a plot that refuses to let go. This is not just a story about crime, it’s about the dangerous games people play when power is just a click away.

[Rupesh Verma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puja Mukherjee Khattri’s Play to Kill is not your typical fast-food thriller—it’s a carefully constructed procedural that rewards patient readers with layered tension and psychological depth.
From the pages shared, what impressed me most is how the novel balances three different engines at once: a missing-child investigation, the disturbing mechanics of the PTK online game, and the quiet but dangerous influence network built around Mataji. The story steadily evolves from a contained case into something far more systemic and unsettling.
ACP Karan Shekhawat is written with admirable restraint. He is competent but not invincible, emotionally guarded yet deeply affected by his past. His Interpol trauma is one of the most powerful character beats in the book—it adds credibility to his obsession with protecting victims and gives his decisions moral weight. Anya, meanwhile, grows beautifully into the narrative. She is observant, emotionally controlled, and never reduced to a passive presence. Their relationship develops slowly and organically, which feels earned rather than inserted.
What makes Play to Kill particularly compelling is its realism. The PTK infrastructure—with masked links, rotating landing pages, and offshore servers—feels frighteningly believable in today’s digital landscape. Even more chilling is the way ordinary young people become pawns in the IRL games. The novel smartly explores how manipulation doesn’t always look like coercion; sometimes it looks like participation.
The Mataji/Kamaal Karna thread adds an important psychological layer. Instead of a stereotypical villain, we get someone who weaponizes belief, family pressure, and social stigma. That angle elevates the book from a simple crime story to a commentary on control, vulnerability, and moral blindness.
If there is one minor drawback, it’s that the pacing occasionally leans heavily on conversations and investigative detail, which may feel slow for readers expecting constant action. However, for readers who enjoy intelligent procedurals, this methodical build is actually a strength.
Overall, Play to Kill is a thoughtful, modern Indian thriller that combines cybercrime realism with emotional depth and social insight. I’m especially curious to see how the remaining threads converge in the later part of the book.

[Pankaj Giri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Play to Kill is a thriller set in Delhi, primarily revolving around two protagonists—Anya, a TV producer who finds herself mysteriously drugged after a party and brought to her home, and ACP Karan, who is investigating the case, along with a few other similar cases. ACP Karan and his team, Urban Crimes, immerse themselves in the investigation, discovering distressing facts as they delve deeper into the cases.

The story is gripping from the get-go, and the suspense escalates beautifully throughout. Many twists and turns ensue, resulting in a captivating reading experience. Despite handling three cases, the story never gets convoluted, which speaks volumes about the author's storytelling expertise. Ms. Khattri has extensively researched online games, the dark web, and other technicalities, which are essential for this story. Although, admittedly, it went a bit over my head sometimes.

Both protagonists are relatable, and you feel like rooting for them till the very end. Even the side characters, especially the members of the Urban Crimes team, are likable and amiable, and it is a pleasure to keep them company as they strive to solve the case and help Anya achieve a sense of stability in her perilous life.

The language is simple and lucid, and the short paragraphs make the prose eminently readable. The descriptions are also excellent, painting a vivid picture of the landscapes, residences, roads, and offices, among other things. Moreover, notably, Ms. Khattri is one of the rare Indian authors—including many critically acclaimed and award-winning authors—who understand the difference between dialogue and action tags. She ensures that the punctuation is near-perfect, which is admirable.

The ending is also well done, but I feel Ms. Khattri could have done a better job there. Almost all loose ends are tied up, but I feel the resolution occurred a bit too easily. I had expected a bit more action, danger, and higher stakes in the climax and ending, aligning with the intriguing sense of foreboding and suspense in the rest of the story.

Nevertheless, Play to Kill remains a well-executed thriller and is definitely worth reading for fans of this genre.

4 stars from my side.

[Rutuja Ramteke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play to Kill by Puja Mukherjee Khattri is a gripping crime thriller that draws the reader into a dark world of psychological manipulation and digital deception. Set in Delhi, the novel begins with a disturbing pattern of cases in which victims are drugged and later wake up with no memory of what happened to them. ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat and his Urban Crimes team lead the investigation, and their methodical pursuit of the truth gives the story a strong procedural backbone.

Running alongside the police narrative is the story of Anya Aulakh, a successful TV producer whose life unravels when she becomes the target of a sinister online game. College students are used as pawns in twisted schemes, and Anya’s descent into this hidden world is both frightening and emotionally engaging. Her journey captures the terror of realizing that one’s life is being controlled by invisible forces operating through digital platforms.

One of the novel’s most chilling elements is Mataji, a master manipulator who promises people solutions to their problems while quietly turning them into instruments of destruction. She operates through emotional leverage rather than brute force, making her a disturbingly realistic antagonist. Through her, the novel explores how easily trust, love, and authority can be weaponized.

Delhi is used effectively as more than just a backdrop. From corridors of power to the darkest corners of the internet, the city becomes part of the story’s menace, reinforcing the idea that in a hyper-connected world, digital footprints can be deadly. The pacing remains tight, with each revelation adding to the tension and pushing the story toward a high-stakes climax.

Beyond its fast-paced plot, Play to Kill raises unsettling questions about consent, control, and the dangers of surrendering personal agency to someone who claims to “know what’s best.”

Dark, intelligent, and highly engaging, Play to Kill delivers exactly what it promises—an unputdownable, pulse-pounding thriller rooted in psychological manipulation and digital deception. It is a compelling read for anyone who enjoys contemporary crime fiction with real-world relevance.

[Booklover_rimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Play to Kill by Puja Mukherjee Khattri is an engaging, intense crime thriller. The book starts with intriguing lines:

"Sometimes a pawn, sometimes a player.
We are all a part of the game.
The question to ask is: Are you playing or being played?"

These lines immediately hooked me into the story. But the main reason I stayed was the mystery that surrounds one of our main characters, TV producer Anya Aulakh.

Basically, in the story, we follow ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat and his Urban Crimes team as they try to solve a bizarre case that ties them to Anya Aulakh, who appears to be living a normal life but is hiding a lot beneath the surface. When they meet, the way they solve the mysteries and become part of each other’s lives is interesting to witness.

The mystery around Anya's character is the most intriguing part, and her yearning to be free of her past is going to touch your heart too: "Off and on, for years, she'd yearned to get away from it all. To stop rushing, to stop moving. To just stop." But the author cleverly keeps it hidden until the very end.

Apart from this, the author beautifully weaves so many mysteries together so intricately that not once do you question the plot or feel bored. This thriller focuses more on the investigative side than being action-packed, but the author's writing makes the discovery, solving one problem at a time, feel even more intense. And I have to say, the whole thing feels more real than those works of fiction where the hero always comes to the rescue.

After finishing the book, I had only one thought in my mind: please write another book with these characters. The characters and their dynamics are so good that I don’t want to part with them so soon. Also, there’s still so much we don’t know about Anya, and I’m even more invested in Karan and Anya’s relationship, even though there’s very little romance in the story.

Overall, the story is good, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would happily recommend it to every crime and investigative thriller lover who enjoys a good team, great chemistry, and extensive research on technology and human psychology.

[Imee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a thriller that doesn’t just keep you hooked but also leaves you thinking long after you’ve finished it, Play to Kill by Puja Mukherjee Khattri is definitely a must-read.

From the very first page, the book pulls you in with an intensity that is hard to ignore. It opens with the haunting lines: “Sometimes a pawn, sometimes a player, we are all a part of the game. The question to ask is are you playing or being played?” And honestly, once you read that, you already know you’re stepping into something dark, layered, and psychologically gripping.

The story begins on a chilling note with a mother being dragged away, separated from her child and that single scene sets the tone for the entire book. It creates an immediate sense of urgency and mystery that makes you want to uncover the truth as quickly as possible. The suspense is so well-built that you’ll find yourself wanting to finish the book in one sitting.

What makes this book stand out is not just the fast-paced plot, but also the way it blends crime with psychological depth. The narrative revolves around a crime inspector and a film producer, Anya whose lives intersect through a series of disturbing incidents involving people being drugged and sedated. At first, it feels like a typical gang-related crime, but as the story unfolds, a much darker and more complex reality emerges one that is deeply rooted in an online game.

As someone with a background in anesthesia, I particularly appreciated the detailing in the book. Even the way benzodiazepines and sedatives are described adds a layer of realism and depth to the narrative, making the story feel unsettlingly plausible.
Beyond the thriller aspect, the book delivers an important message about the digital world we live in. It highlights how easily we can be manipulated, how harmless things can slowly turn dangerous, and how psychological control often hides behind something that initially feels entertaining or insignificant. It reminds us that not everything that feels good or exciting is harmless in fact, some of it can quietly take control over us.

[Guruguhan Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play to Kill is a fantastic read. I took my own sweet time savouring and devouring the story. I read it twice because once was not enough. I’ll read it again because twice wasn’t enough.

Puja Mukerjee Khattri’s craft is so evocative, you will be one with all the characters.

The hustler in you is a mother. A hardworking woman with a good husband, cute baby and big dreams. Your life gets ripped apart when your baby gets kidnapped while you’re shopping in a supermarket.

Your heroic side is ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat of the Delhi Urban Crimes Division. You’ll be confronted with an impossible task; the kind officers seldom face in their career.

The innocent side of you is a victim of a strange crime. You’re drugged with Rohypnol, infamously known as the date-rape drug. But thankfully you’re neither be raped nor robbed. The only thing you know is that you’ve woken up with no memory of the crime.

Your naivety is pulled into an online game. You can’t tell if you’re playing the game or if the game is playing you.

What’s even scarier? The drug and amnesia are the only common link between all the cases.

The shady side of you is Anya Aulakh, a TV producer leading an ordinary life for the outside world. But when your house is broken into, shivers run down your spine. You don’t want the outside world to know the secrets of your dark past.

Your scary side will be Mataji, a spiritual guru. You light up people’s lives with your enchanting presence, but you also carry an eerie aura of darkness.

Will you escape this maze or stay entangled?

Will Karan Singh Shekhawat unravel the mysteries surrounding this strange crime or will the case stay unresolved?

If you’re an avid reader, you can’t wait to pick this book up.

If you’re on a reading slump, Play to Kill will kill the slump.

If you’re a wannabe reader, this book is a great way to erase the wannabe tag.

If you’re not a reader, well, here’s Mark Twain’s quote for you, “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”

[Books All · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Play to Kill” by Puja Mukherjee Khattri is a fast-paced, unsettling, and engaging psychological thriller that dives deep into the dark intersections of crime, technology, and human manipulation. Set in Delhi, the story immediately establishes a tense atmosphere where digital footprints are dangerous and trust becomes a rare commodity. From the very first pages, the narrative pulls readers into a disturbing world where an innocent-looking online game hides deadly intentions.

At the center of the investigation is ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat and his Urban Crimes team, who are confronted with a baffling pattern of victims waking up with no memory of violent encounters after being drugged. As the case deepens, the focus shifts to Anya Aulakh, a TV producer who becomes unwillingly entangled in a sinister game that uses young people as pawns in a larger, more manipulative design. The mysterious figure of ‘Mataji,’ a psychological puppeteer promising solutions to personal problems, adds an eerie layer of control and deception to the unfolding chaos.

What makes the novel particularly gripping is its exploration of psychological manipulation in the digital age. The story is not just about solving crimes but about understanding how easily people can be influenced, controlled, and exploited through emotional vulnerabilities and online platforms. The characters feel layered and real—flawed, complex, and emotionally driven—which makes their fear, confusion, and determination all the more compelling. The pacing remains sharp throughout, with each twist intensifying the sense of unease.

Overall, “Play to Kill” is a tightly written, emotionally charged thriller that blends suspense with social relevance. It highlights the fragility of identity and safety in a hyper-connected world while delivering a story full of twists, tension, and psychological depth. With its strong narrative drive and thought-provoking themes, the book stands out as a compelling read for fans of crime fiction and digital-age thrillers.

[Vidhika Yadav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review : " Play To Kill " by Puja Mukherjee Khattri
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Play to Kill by Puja Mukherjee Khattri is a smartly rendered crime thriller that incorporates elements from the digital age and has a psychological component, while also incorporating suspense through investigation. This story opens with disconcerting events whereby individuals faint and wake up with no recollection of what happened to them, which creates an immediate atmosphere of intrigue and suspense.
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This story is anchored by the investigating officer, ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat, who does an efficient methodical and rational investigation that serves as the structural foundation for an otherwise convoluted and continually evolving mystery. Intertwined with his investigation is Anya Aulakh's story, which adds an emotional element to the case since Anya becomes of victim of a dark online game that manipulates unsuspecting participants.
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The exploration of psychological control in the digital age takes centre stage in this book. The story's antagonist, Mataji, is fascinatingly portrayed: her method of manipulation is understated and relies on emotional leverage thus making her a more frightening character than the traditional "bad guys." The author uses Mataji to demonstrate how the interplay between trust, vulnerability, technology can become dangerous if one or more components are present.
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The pacing of this novel is equal to the amount of time a reader will spend on it. The number and placement of plot twists throughout the story will continue to shock and captivate readers without imprudent or incoherent writing. The author has also done an excellent job portraying the harsh reality of how easily individuals can become subjects to others through living in a hyper-connected society.
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Ultimately, Play to Kill is not only an engaging thriller but also a thought-provoking commentary on control, consent, and the hidden risks of digital dependence.

[Shubham Lakhina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some thrillers entertain you. Others disturb you. Play To Kill does both—and that’s exactly what makes it hard to put down.

Set against the dark, fast-paced backdrop of Delhi, this story dives into a chilling world where technology, manipulation, and power collide. What really hooked me was the concept of a sinister online game—where people aren’t just participants, but pawns in something far more dangerous than they realize.

ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat is a compelling lead—sharp, determined, and constantly racing against a system that feels just as complex as the crimes he’s solving. But what adds emotional weight to the story is Anya Aulakh. Her journey from an ordinary life into a terrifying, uncontrollable situation makes the stakes feel real and personal.

The real standout, though, is the psychological tension. The idea of victims losing memory after being drugged adds a haunting layer to the narrative—it’s not just about what happened, but the fear of not knowing. And then there’s Mataji, a character that feels unsettlingly powerful, blurring the lines between savior and manipulator.

What I appreciated most is how the book reflects modern fears—privacy, digital vulnerability, and how easily control can shift in a hyper-connected world. It doesn’t just rely on action; it builds unease through its themes.

That said, at times the plot can feel a bit intense with multiple threads running together, and you need to stay attentive to keep up. But honestly, that complexity also adds to the realism of the investigation.

Overall, Play To Kill is a gripping, thought-provoking thriller that keeps you guessing while making you slightly uncomfortable—in a good way.

If you enjoy fast-paced crime thrillers with psychological depth and a modern digital twist, this one deserves a spot on your reading list.

Would you play a game if you didn’t know the rules—or the consequences? Let me know your thoughts below, and drop your favorite thriller recommendations!

[Anu · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW: Play To Kill | An Unputdownable Gripping Crime Thriller | Enter the World of Psychological Manipulation and Digital Deception by Puja Mukherjee Khattri

What if you woke up one day…
with no memory of the night before —
but your life was already ruined?
That’s the terrifying question at the heart of Play To Kill — and trust me, once you enter this world, there’s no putting the book down.
This isn’t just a crime thriller.

It’s a chilling dive into psychological manipulation, digital traps, and how dangerous the internet can really be.
ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat and his Urban Crimes team are investigating victims who are drugged and left with erased memories. No clues. No timelines. No proof. Just fear.
And then there’s Anya — a normal woman suddenly pulled into a sinister online “game” where people become pawns in someone else’s twisted plan.
But the most haunting part?
The mastermind called Mataji — a figure who promises help… but controls lives like chess pieces.

The story brilliantly captures modern-day paranoia:
⚠️ digital footprints
⚠️ online manipulation
⚠️ trust issues
⚠️ and the scary idea that someone could be watching, planning, playing you
The pacing is razor-sharp, the chapters end on mini cliffhangers, and the tension keeps building. Every time you think you’ve figured it out — the plot flips.
What I loved most is how real it feels. This isn’t fantasy danger. This feels like something that could happen in today’s Delhi, today’s world, with today’s technology.

It makes you question:
How safe are we online, really?
If you enjoy dark, fast-paced, edge-of-the-seat crime thrillers with mind games and psychological twists — this one is absolutely binge-worthy.
Because in this game…
you’re either the player —
or the target. 🎯

[Daphny Aqua · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Play to Kill" by Puja Mukherjee Khattri is one amazing thrill to read, one which involves how dangerous online gaming can be, if you think gaming is safe this book is about to change your mind. What happens when in the Capital of India is an ongoing crime where people wake up after being sedated with no recollection of what they did before that? What happens when being tested, a certain drug is found on them? How long will it take for Delhi Police to connect the dots? Or would it be too late by that time? What makes the plot on this book next level was the mixture of technology and crime, the perfect blend. A game so notorious that the actual culprits are almost impossible to trace, while the players are made to believe it was a harmless fun. Will the ACP and his team be able to get hold of how dangerous this could be? Can they bring the whole thing down and may be win a little trust of Anya's? What dark conspiracy looms over Delhi, only time will tell.

The book is a wholesome ride of mystery, adventure and a little mix of a love story yet to bloom, which is a perfect combination for a Super Hit Bollywood Movie no doubt once the Directors and Producers stop wasting their money on reakes. The author's words bring out all the actions out of the book and let your imagination get the best experience, at some point I felt like I was part of the team.

I do not want to give too many details of the book nor spoilers as I think it is best read and experienced, but thriller lovers this is a book you must pick up and read. It is a fast paced thriller, makes you hold your breath, makes you want to scream at the book, makes you want to go inside the book and if by chance you put it down to finish it the next day, it makes you pick it right up until you are done reading the whole thing.

[Leena Walawalkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel grabs hold from the first page and doesn’t ease up. The pacing is relentless, the twists land hard, and the premise feels unsettlingly plausible. What begins as an online game built around locating people and objects quickly spirals into something far darker.

The brilliance lies in how ordinary it all seems at first. A harmless digital challenge. A clever concept. But the deeper the story digs, the clearer it becomes that the game isn’t random, and neither are its consequences. Every move feels engineered. Every reveal tightens the net.

As the ACP and his Urban Crimes unit press forward, the investigation unravels thread after thread of deception. What starts as digital mischief soon reveals connections that stretch into the city’s elite circles, proving that the real game operates far beyond the screen.

The author handles the story with measured restraint, harmonising momentum with emotional nuance. She sustains tension without sacrificing character development, ensuring the protagonists mature naturally as the plot advances. What stands out most is how she scatters subtle clues throughout the narrative, inviting readers to piece things together. Yet the cases are so inventive and unpredictable that any attempt to solve them feels premature. You find yourself suspended in anticipation, trusting the story to unravel its secrets in its own time — and often discovering that there is more than one mystery at play.

The book is a gripping read that keeps you hooked throughout, while also serving as a timely reminder to stay vigilant — particularly in the digital spaces we navigate every day. Puja Mukherjee Khattri’s passion for storytelling shines through. Her writing style is lucid and quietly powerful, making the book a treat for crime genre aficionados. So go grab your copy now!

[Sweety Grover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puja Mukherjee Khattri's Play to Kill is a gripping, unputdownable thriller that masterfully weaves a tale of psychological manipulation, digital deception, and the darkest corners of human nature. The story follows ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat and his Urban Crimes team as they unravel a baffling series of cases where victims are drugged, exploited, and left with no memory of their ordeal.

TV producer Anya Aulakh's life takes a sinister turn when she becomes entangled in a twisted online game where college students are mere pawns. Behind the game is Mataji, a master manipulator who preys on vulnerabilities, promising to solve problems while leaving a trail of destruction. As Karan and Anya navigate Delhi's treacherous underbelly, they realize the game is just a facade for something far more sinister.

The novel explores the dark allure of control, where individuals exploit others for power.

- Trust in the Digital Age: In a world where digital footprints are deadly, trust is a luxury few can afford.
- The Facade of Normalcy: Characters hide behind masks, mirroring the curated lives seen on social media.

Khattri’s writing is fast-paced, with short, punchy chapters that mirror the urgency of the plot. The Delhi setting adds gritty realism, making the thriller feel all too plausible.

Play to Kill isn’t just a thriller it’s a mirror to society’s darkest fears about privacy, power, and the lengths people go to for control. If you enjoy psychological thrists like Sharp Objects or The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you’ll be hooked.

A must read for fans of edge of the seat thrillers. Khattri’s debut is a rollercoaster ride through a world where nothing is as it seems, and everyone is a potential target.

Rating 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

#PlayToKill
#ThrillerVibes #MatajisGame #KaranAnya #PsychologicalThriller #BookLovers #CrimeFiction #MustRead

[Anusuya Sarkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Name- “Play To Kill”
Author- @puja_mkhattri
Publisher- @srishtipub
Genre- Thriller Fiction
.
Play to Kill by Puja Mukherjee Khattri is a riveting psychological thriller that delivers a uniquely twisted and suspense-laden narrative centered around an online game that exposes the darkest facets of human nature. The novel masterfully navigates the moral grey zones of its characters, particularly Karan and Anya—flawed, imperfect, yet profoundly human. Even amid their most harrowing circumstances, the story delves deep into their inner consciousness, making their emotional and psychological struggles both compelling and disturbingly real.

From the very first page, the novel grips the reader with its chilling intensity and refuses to let go until the final revelation. The plot unfolds with taut suspense, unexpected twists, and an unsettling realism that heightens its psychological impact. What truly distinguishes this thriller is the author’s remarkable ability to inhabit the minds of her characters. Anya and Karan are driven by fear, desire, and vulnerability, making them dangerously relatable.

As the game turns personal and both protagonists find themselves caught in its deadly crosshairs, the narrative evolves into a powerful exploration of fear, power, control, and obsession. Khattri poignantly illustrates how love, when distorted, can transform into the most lethal weapon of all.

Puja Mukherjee Khattri’s writing is crisp, fluid, and effortlessly engaging. Her cinematic storytelling style makes the reading experience feel like watching a high-stakes psychological thriller unfold on screen. A must-read for lovers of suspenseful thrillers that offer psychological depth, moral complexity, and edge-of-the-seat storytelling.
Review- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Shahreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

‎“Raina like works in the middle of the night when the whole ‎world is asleep, and for a very short span, it seems possible ‎to have some control over her life. When the morning comes, the
‎course of her day will be decided by others.”

I picked up Play to Kill expecting a regular crime thriller, but it turned out to be much darker and more intense than I imagined. From the very beginning, the story creates an uneasy feeling, pulling you into a world where technology and crime collide in disturbing ways. The story follows ACP Karan Shekhawat as he investigates cases where people are drugged and wake up with no memory of what happened. The case deepens when a baby is kidnapped and a TV producer, Anya, becomes involved, hinting that something far more dangerous is at play. The pace is steady, and the tension slowly creeps in rather than exploding all at once.

What really stood out to me was the concept of an online game being used as a tool for manipulation. The game quietly pulls people in and turns them into pawns without them even realizing it. As the investigation moves forward, Karan uncovers how this seemingly harmless game connects all the crimes. It feels frighteningly real and makes you think about how vulnerable people can be in the digital age.

The characters feel grounded and believable, especially the investigator who is trying to connect scattered clues while racing against time. Their struggles, doubts, and small discoveries make the story more engaging and human.
Overall, this book kept me hooked and uneasy till the end. If you enjoy crime thrillers that mix psychology, technology, and dark secrets, Play to Kill is a gripping read worth your time.