Book Review: Lipstick by Vish Dhamija

Book: Lipstick

Author: Vish Dhamija

Pages: 312

Read: Review copy kindly sent by HarperCollins; all opinions are honest and unbiased

Read in: 3 hours

Plot: DCP Rita Ferreira is called into the investigation after a third corpse is discovered in Mumbai, which confirms it is the work of the same killer who paints his victims' lips with dark red lipstick. 

The Lipstick Killer, like all serial killers, is fast decompensating - the time interval between the murders shortening, the victims shifting from street-side hookers to high-heeled wives. 

And he watches everything and everyone - the news of his exploits, Rita, the investigation - and talks. However, he only talks to you: 'When I'm gone, some people may tell you that I was evil, perhaps even call me a psychopath. Don't believe them. I am not. I am anything but irrational and impractical; perhaps only slightly more detached than your average guy on the street.'

Things I Liked:

1. This is my third DCP Rita Ferreira book and she is a strong female lead, who is unapologetic about who she is and is also a smart investigator. So, I was quite chuffed to read the next book in her series featuring a serial killer! 

2. The book's premise is very interesting. A serial killer starts off by killing low risk victims- sex workers, who look alike (sort of, not identical). He brutalises them and applies a shade of red lipstick, which earns him the moniker of 'The Lipstick Killer'. After two low risk victims, he murders a wealthy entrepreneur in her own home in a posh area. He is also killing the same girl over and over again- petite with brown-is hair. So, the cops are racing against time to stop him from killing another woman. 

3. The investigation has also been shown quite well. The cops make logical deductions and nothing is too out-there in terms of investigative leaps. 

4. The book is told to us via two perspectives- Rita's and the killer's. The killer tells us about his childhood, his first murder and why he thinks the way he does. So, we do get to see the inner workings of a debauched person's mind. 

Things I Didn't Like: 

1. The killer was super easy to guess. The author gives one oblique, not-very-direct hint and that's enough to guess the killer even though he doesn't make a single appearance in the book. I wish it were not that easy to guess the killer, it took the thrill out of the book. 

2. The killer had no deeper motive behind the murders. His motive is really very basic. I wish the killer's motive was more layered. 

3. There were no serious red herrings in this book. There was one, but it was obvious that that character was not the killer. I would've liked at least another red herring to make things interesting. 

4. The chapters from the killer's perspective were annoying after a point in time! He was just making weird sinister statements and airing out his h*rny desires. 

Rating: 3/5