Sameer Gudhate presents the Book Review of Ninety Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassins by Anirudhya Mitra

You know that feeling when history suddenly stops being a chapter in your textbook and becomes something real — alive, pulsating, almost terrifying in its truth? That’s exactly what happened to me while reading Ninety Days. I was born in the late ’70s, and the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi is a moment etched in national memory. But Anirudhya Mitra doesn’t just retell it — he takes you behind the yellow police tape and into the messy, adrenaline-fueled heart of a 90-day manhunt that rocked the nation.

Mitra, a journalist who lived through every twist of this story, isn’t your average storyteller. He reported on this case for India Today and worked closely with the CBI during their investigation. So, when he writes, it’s not from hearsay. It’s lived, felt, and deeply personal.

Set against the political and emotional chaos that followed Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination in May 1991, Ninety Days reads like a political thriller, only — brace yourself — it’s all real. A young woman approaches the former Prime Minister during a rally, bows…and then there’s a deafening explosion. From that moment, India is thrown into a vortex of grief, speculation, and a desperate search for answers.

The book follows the CBI’s Special Investigation Team as they piece together the puzzle, chase leads across states, and try to get ahead of the mastermind — Sivarasan. It’s a relentless story of cyanide capsules, secret hideouts, and haunting questions that still linger.

Mitra’s writing is like sitting across from someone who’s seen too much — and finally decides to talk. His style is crisp but deeply immersive. He doesn’t embellish unnecessarily, yet there’s drama in every page. And somehow, he strikes that tricky balance between journalistic objectivity and emotional depth.

What I appreciated most was how he explained complex investigative procedures without overwhelming the reader. Even if you’re not into politics or law, you’ll find yourself hooked.

In most crime stories, the “villains” remain distant, almost inhuman. But here, Mitra takes a bold step — he humanizes the assassins. He doesn’t justify their actions, but he tries to understand them. Why would a girl agree to become a human bomb? What twisted ideology makes someone think this is right?

This exploration of motives makes you think beyond headlines. It’s about ideology, manipulation, and tragic conviction. The book also touches on power, vulnerability, and how far institutions will go to protect or hide the truth.

The pacing? Spot-on. The chapters are tightly woven, and the transitions between courtroom drama, field chases, and journalistic observations are seamless. There are no unnecessary detours — every page moves the story forward. And even if you know the outcome, you’ll keep reading, breath caught, heart thudding.

Beyond the investigation, Ninety Days is about truth — how elusive it is, how dangerous it can be, and how costly it is to uncover. It also explores media ethics, political corruption, and the uneasy dance between national security and public trust.

It makes you wonder — what’s hidden from us? How many “official versions” of history are just smoke and mirrors?

I didn’t expect a non-fiction book to give me goosebumps, but this one did — especially the chapters about Haribabu, the freelance photographer whose camera ultimately cracked the case. The idea that a single roll of film could be the difference between justice and silence? Chilling.
I also felt a deep respect for the author. Imagine being accused of yellow journalism, being called anti-Tamil, yet still pushing through because you know the truth matters.

Ninety Days is a real-life thriller that reads like fiction, pulling you into a gripping narrative shaped by Anirudhya Mitra’s deep insider access — he was there, lived it, and breathed every detail of the case. What makes the book truly stand out is its powerful storytelling, woven with deeply human angles that add emotional depth to the investigation. Mitra also strikes a commendable balance in portraying highly controversial themes, offering a narrative that is as thoughtful as it is compelling.

If there’s one area where I wished for more, it would be the aftermath — how the nation coped with the shock, and what ripple effects the assassination had on India’s political landscape. Also, the middle section can feel a bit overwhelming with the sheer number of names and details thrown in, but to Mitra’s credit, he provides just enough background to keep readers from getting completely lost.

This was my first real dip into investigative journalism through a book, and I’m so glad I picked this one. It reminded me of why journalists matter — why truth-telling, especially when it’s dangerous, is the purest form of courage. It’s not just about the crime; it’s about the cost of chasing justice.

Ninety Days is gripping, emotional, and painfully relevant. Whether you’re a history buff, crime thriller enthusiast, or someone trying to make sense of India’s turbulent political past — this one deserves a spot on your shelf. Anirudhya Mitra’s courage and clarity shine through every page.

Must-read for: True crime lovers, political history enthusiasts, and fans of journalistic deep-dives.

TrueCrimeIndia #RajivGandhiAssassination #InvestigativeJournalism #PoliticalThriller #MustReadNonFiction #thebookreviewman #sameergudhate