The Literature Times: Congratulations on your debut novel, The Red Devil Murders! What inspired you to write a psychological thriller set in the misty hills of Bengal?
Kankana Roy Chowdhury: I have always been deeply drawn to thrillers. So, when I finally decided to write a book, it was only natural for me to venture into that genre. The atmosphere of Bengal’s hills provided the perfect setting for the story I wanted to tell.
The Literature Times: The book beautifully balances suspense and emotion. How did you manage to weave psychological depth into a crime-driven plot?
Kankana Roy Chowdhury: Emotions are what truly connect with readers. Without them, even the most thrilling plot can feel hollow. As I wrote, the balance between suspense and emotional depth evolved organically, the psychological elements flowed naturally with the progression of the story.
The Literature Times: Your story alternates between a secluded hill cottage and the bustling city of Kolkata. What made you choose these contrasting settings?
Kankana Roy Chowdhury: The contrast between the places and the personalities inhabiting them was very deliberate. I wanted the backdrop itself to mirror the duality of the story. The calm isolation of the hills with the growing intensity of sinister thoughts versus the chaos and intensity of the city paired with urgency.
The Literature Times: The novel explores the thin line between justice and obsession. What message did you hope readers would take away from this theme?
Kankana Roy Chowdhury: I didn’t intend to deliver a specific message but I do believe our emotions play a profound role in shaping our decisions and the consequences that follow when we act from the heart. However, in the face of injustice, as in the story, it’s hard to remain detached, and that struggle lies at the core of the story.
The Literature Times: Your protagonist, the fearless officer, is one of the most intriguing characters in the story. Was she inspired by anyone you know in real life?
Kankana Roy Chowdhury: No, I made a conscious effort not to base my characters on real people. It can get quite complicated when fiction begins to overlap with reality, so I preferred to keep the inspiration purely imaginative.
The Literature Times: You mentioned that your background in management shaped your understanding of human decisions. How did that influence your writing process for this book?
Kankana Roy Chowdhury: It definitely helped me bring structure and clarity to my writing. My management background allowed me to organize my ideas better and develop the characters with a sense of purpose and realism.
The Literature Times: The title The Red Devil Murders is quite striking. How did you arrive at this title, and what does “The Red Devil” symbolize for you?
Kankana Roy Chowdhury: I would rather let readers discover the full meaning through the story as it is explained there quite clearly. But on a lighter note, red happens to be my favorite color, and that certainly played a part in shaping the title’s identity.
The Literature Times: Many readers have praised your ability to create tension through subtle emotions rather than graphic violence. Was this a deliberate stylistic choice?
Kankana Roy Chowdhury: To some extent, yes. I was mindful of the Indian audience’s appetite for graphic content and wanted to focus more on psychological tension than explicit violence. Sometimes, what’s left unsaid can be far more unsettling.
The Literature Times: As a debut author, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced while writing and publishing The Red Devil Murders?
Kankana Roy Chowdhury: Writing is a long and demanding journey, and overcoming self-doubt was perhaps the greatest challenge I faced. The publishing process, thankfully, went quite smoothly, but getting past that inner voice of uncertainty took real effort.
The Literature Times: Finally, can readers look forward to a sequel or perhaps another thriller from you in the near future?
Kankana Roy Chowdhury: There won’t be a sequel to The Red Devil Murders, but yes, another thriller is definitely on the horizon.
