Classics are timeless. Even if the genre is murder mystery these can be read again and again. One such Bengali novel is Shajarur Kantaa (Porcupine’s Quille) written by Sharadindu Bandopadhyay. The book was first published in 1967 featuring Byomkesh Bakshi who prefers to call himself not a detective but a sattanweshi or a truth seeker.
South Calcutta is rocked by a series of random killings – first a roadside beggar, then a labourer followed by a shopkeeper and lastly a rich businessman. The unknown assailant employs a novel way of exterminating his targets by injecting a porcupine’s thorn into the hearts of the unsuspecting victims from behind.
His fourth victim, Debashish Bhatta, is the owner of Prajapati Prashadhon, a cosmetic factory. His employees respect him. He has got married just two months back. His wife, Deepa, hails from an aristocratic but conservative family. Debashish falls in love with Deepa at first sight. But Deepa confesses to Debashish on the night of their marriage that she loves someone else. She requests him to allow her to stay with him under the same roof but not as husband and wife. Debashish, a perfect gentleman, agrees.
Debashish leads a quiet life. In the same neighbourhood stays Nripoti Laha, a widower, in whose house, every evening a few bachelors meet for adda (friendly chit chat, games and music). Deepa’s brother is also part of the group. In fact, it is on Deepa’s brother’s request that Nripoti does the matchmaking between Debashish and Deepa. Nobody knows that Deepa and Debashish are not happily married because they pretend to be so in front of their family and friends.
One fateful evening Debashish receives a call from one of the boys in the group who wants to borrrow some money from him. Debashish accedes to his request. But while returning home he is attacked by the serial killer. However, Debashish is miraculously saved. While he is recuperating in the hospital the police come to interrogate him because it is an attempt to murder. The police inspector, who is a friend of Byomkesh Bakshi, brings the detective along to help him with the case.
Who is this serial killer? Anybody known to Debashish? Why does he want to remove him ? Byomkesh interrogates Debashish’s friends at Nripoti’s residence – the ecclectic group consists of a lonely widower, a well known film actor, an amateure star gazer, a rising singer and a famous footballer. All of them have their Achille’s Heels. All of them have secrets. Is the killer one of them?
Shajarur Kantaa reminds me of another classic – Agatha Christie’s The A B C Murders first published in 1936 wherein a serial killer murders his victims in alphabetical order and leaves an ABC Railway Guide at the crime scene. While the serial killing is merely to hoodwink the ace detective Hercure Poirot who is investigating the case, the actual target of the killer is someone else. Sharadindu’s “porcupine killer” has a similar modus operandi but with a difference.
I read this very popular novel when I was in high school. A few years back I watched its televized version. A few days back I heard its audio adaptation. And everytime the thrill and suspense of the narrative kept me hooked. That speaks of the mastery with which the author has penned the story. The book has been translated in English. It is available in papaerback as well as on kindle.
Sounds like a good read. 👍🏻
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Yes, it is very engrossing.
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Feels like a great read, especially if it’s reminiscent of Agatha Christie!
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Yes, it is. The book has a social context too. Sheltered lives of girls, Marrying them off young, not letting them do higher studies even if they are capable, not considering their wishes in finalizing their marriage and expecting them to suppress their desires.
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A sharp, engaging reflection. You capture exactly why Shajarur Kantaa endures — not just as a Byomkesh mystery, but as a study of human frailty wrapped in suspense. The parallels you draw with Christie’s ABC Murders deepen the appreciation of Sharadindu’s craft without overstating it. Your nostalgia — reading it in school, then revisiting it through TV and audio — beautifully reinforces the timelessness of a well‑told mystery. A crisp, compelling tribute to a true classic.
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Thank you very much Indrajit. You know how compelling the stories of Sharadindu are.
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लगता तौ हे यह किताब पढ़ने लायक हे और उस पे आप के बोलने का अंदाज किसी भी किताब को चार चांद लगा दे.
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बहुत शुक्रिया नुसरत
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में ने एक बार highway पर travel करते हुवे देखा था Porcupine पर इतने सारे लोग जमा हो गये थे कि इस ने खुद को रोल कर के एक ball की तरह बनाया था .
कश्मीरी में इससे Trenz कहते हे,यह endangered जीव हे,इसको नुकसान पहुंचाना अपराध हे.
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वो बॉल बनना उसकी डिफेंस मैकेनिज्म है। एक porcupine को देखना भी एक रेयर एक्सपीरियंस है।
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This is full of thrill and suspense, and I feel like the characters are lifelike.
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Yes, it is, Hazel but at the same time the crimes are done and described subtly and there is no over the top violence.
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So, i might manage to read this
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Try it 😉
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Hopefully soon
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I like the word and concept sattanweshi
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Yes, it is a unique word. Thank you Derrrick 🙏
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Very interesting story Geeta. Who is the murderer? I’ve started watching your other recommendation- the final problem! Have seen 2 episodes yet.
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Are you finding it interesting?
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Yes I am. Today I had my eye injection so I didn’t blog much and watched the tv.
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Take care dear
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Thank you so much dear friend
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I also love the classics and can watch or read them over and over. Good post, Geeta.
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Thank you Mary. Same here.
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