R.V. Raman Books In Order

Publication Order of Harith Athreya Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

About R.V. Raman

RV Raman is an Indian author known for writing cozy mystery novels. His books feature clever plots and likable characters that keep readers entertained. He has a talent for crafting stories that feel fresh and engaging. Many enjoy how his mysteries balance suspense with lighthearted moments and engaging insight.

His protagonists are often smart, relatable people who solve puzzles in interesting ways. Raman gives them distinct personalities that make his stories fun to follow. The way he builds his narratives keeps readers curious about what happens next. His writing style makes even complex mysteries easy to enjoy.

Readers appreciate how Raman’s books offer a mix of intrigue and charm. His stories move at a good pace without feeling rushed. The details he includes add depth without slowing things down. Fans of cozy mysteries find his work satisfying and well-crafted.

He writes mysteries that appeal to readers across different countries while staying authentic to his own style. His books blend universal storytelling with subtle cultural touches, making them enjoyable for a wide audience. He keeps his plots engaging without relying on clichés, ensuring each story feels fresh. Readers everywhere appreciate his ability to entertain while staying true to his voice.

His writing has a natural flow that makes complex mysteries easy to follow. He balances suspense with lighter moments, keeping the tone fun yet intriguing. The way he crafts characters and settings makes his stories feel real and immersive. This approach helps his books connect with people from various backgrounds.

Fans enjoy how Raman’s stories are both clever and comforting, a hallmark of great cozy mysteries. He doesn’t force trends but instead focuses on what makes his writing unique. His dedication to originality ensures his work stands out in the genre. Readers worldwide keep coming back for his signature mix of wit, warmth, and well-plotted puzzles.

RV Raman continues to write new mysteries, promising more clever puzzles and engaging characters ahead. Fans can look forward to fresh stories that stay true to his signature style. His upcoming books will likely bring the same charm and intrigue readers love. With each release, he keeps proving why his work stands out in the cozy mystery genre.

Early and Personal Life

RV Raman built a successful career in consulting, working with banks, companies, and stock exchanges across four continents. His decades of experience in strategy and operations gave him deep insights into complex systems and human behavior. After stepping away from full-time corporate roles, he shifted his focus to teaching and mentoring young entrepreneurs.

He spent several years teaching at IIM, sharing his expertise with the next generation of business leaders. Eventually, he retired from active teaching but continued contributing as an independent director on company boards. This transition allowed him to explore his long-standing passion for storytelling and writing.

Now, Raman channels his creativity into crafting engaging mysteries, trading the demands of corporate travel for the freedom of fiction. His well-rounded background brings depth and realism to his writing, making his stories both entertaining and grounded. Readers enjoy his ability to weave compelling narratives, proving that his shift from business to books was a natural and rewarding evolution.

Writing Career

RV Raman began his writing career with Fraudster in 2014, launching a series of financial thrillers that drew from his corporate expertise. Over the next few years, he continued this series with Insider, Saboteur, and Conspirator, establishing himself as a skilled mystery writer. His 2017 collection Amavas and the 2016 short story Unwitting Accomplice further showcased his versatility in crafting suspenseful tales.

In 2019, Raman introduced his Harith Athreya series with A Will to Kill, marking his entry into cozy mysteries. He expanded the series with A Dire Isle (2022), Praying Mantis (2022), and The Last Resort (2023), blending clever puzzles with engaging characters. With more books in the works, Raman continues to delight readers with his well-crafted mysteries and sharp storytelling.

Insider

Insider by RV Raman was published in 2016 by Hachette India as part of his financial thriller series. The novel explores corporate intrigue through Raman’s signature blend of suspense and real-world business insights. It remains a well-received entry in his catalog of gripping, professionally informed mysteries.

A software engineer vanishes in the Baltic while a stockbroker gets murdered in a busy bar. Meanwhile, successful CEO Shashi Kurva faces shocking insider trading accusations. Determined to clear his name, he uncovers a dangerous conspiracy linking corporate boardrooms and brokerage firms. This financial thriller exposes greed and deception within India’s stock market and data analytics world, where money drives every action.

Many have come to enjoy Insider for its smart blend of corporate drama and page-turning mystery. Raman’s financial expertise shines through the gripping plot about stock market intrigue. The multiple storylines weave together neatly, keeping the suspense high throughout. Fans of business thrillers appreciate how real-world insights make the fictional deception feel especially compelling.

Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis by R.V. Raman, published May 25, 2023 by Agora Books, is the third installment in the Harith Athreya cozy mystery series. Set in contemporary India, each of the books features the private investigator Harith Athreya solving another case.

Peter Dann Castle in the Himalayas hosts five suspicious guests pretending to be strangers, with all other bookings mysteriously canceled. Harith Athreya and his friend Javed investigate, uncovering fake reservations and odd occurrences—bloody handprints, secret paper-burning, and an attack on Javed’s daughter.

When one guest falls to their death, Athreya discovers all five knew a woman named Mrinal despite their denials. As lies unravel, Athreya races to expose the killer before another life is lost in this deceptive mountain retreat.

The Last Resort

The Last Resort by R.V. Raman, published December 7, 2023 by Pushkin Vertigo, is the fourth installment in the Harith Athreya cozy mystery series.

Detective Harith Athreya vacations in Kerala’s backwaters when a Bollywood family recruits him for a murder mystery film. Rumors swirl about their financial woes, crime ties, and internal rivalries. After a family member dies—mirroring a film victim—Athreya investigates. The killer could be a disgruntled actor or something darker lurking beneath the glamour.