Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line: 2020's most 'heartrending' debut and a BBC Radio 2 book club pick

Discover the “extraordinary” (The Washington Post) debut novel that “announces the arrival of a literary supernova” (The New York Times Book Review), “a drama of childhood that is as wild as it is intimate” (Chigozie Obioma). "[Deepa] Anappara creates an endearing and highly engaging narrator to navigate us through the dark underbelly of modern India." - The Observer We children are not just stories. We live. Come and see.Nine-year-old Jai watches too many reality cop shows, thinks he's smarter than his friend Pari (even though she always gets top marks) and considers himself to be a better boss than Faiz (even though Faiz is the one with a job). When a boy at school goes missing, Jai decides to use the crime-solving skills he has picked up from episodes of Police Patrol to find him. With Pari and Faiz by his side, Jai ventures into some of the most dangerous parts of the sprawling Indian city; the bazaar at night, and even the railway station at the end of the Purple Line. But kids continue to vanish, and the trio must confront terrified parents, an indifferent police force and soul-snatching djinns in order to uncover the truth."It's not hard to see why Djinn Patrol is one of the most eagerly awaited debut novels this spring. It feels like a reckoning with modern India and its many complex problems... Anappara cleverly filters a uniquely Indian horror story through a chirpy, Famous Five-esque narrative and the voice of a witty, young, have-a-go hero." - Johanna Thomas-Corr, The Times"Djinn Patrol is storytelling at its best. The prose is not just sympathetic, vivid, and beautifully detailed, but also completely assured and deft. We care about these characters from the first page and our concern for them is richly repaid." - Anne Enright, author of The Gathering 'A moving and confident novel about the preciousness of life' Nikesh Shukla 'A brilliant debut' (Ian McEwan) picked as one to watch by the Guardian, Vogue and Stylist**One of the Observers 10 best debut novelists of 2020** Three weeks ago I was only a schoolkid but now Im a detective and also a tea-shop boy Nine-year-old Jai watches too many reality cop shows, thinks hes smarter than his friend Pari (even though she always gets top marks) and considers himself to be a better boss than Faiz (even though Faiz is the one with a job). When a boy at school goes missing, Jai decides to use the crime-solving skills he has picked up from episodes of Police Patrol to find him. With Pari and Faiz by his side, Jai ventures into some of the most dangerous parts of the sprawling Indian city; the bazaar at night, and even the railway station at the end of the Purple Line. But kids continue to vanish, and the trio must confront terrified parents, an indifferent police force and soul-snatching djinns in order to uncover the truth.A heartrending tale The Times 'Djinn Patrol is storytelling at its best Anne Enright, Booker-prize winning author of The Gathering Irresistibly brimming with character and personality...Wonderful Diana EvansAnappara doesnt pull her punches as events build to a desperately tense final act Daily Mail `Djinns aren't real, but if they were, they would only steal children because we have the most delicious souls' Nine-year-old Jai watches too many reality police shows, thinks he's smarter than his friend Pari (even though she always gets top marks) and considers himself to be a better boss than Faiz (even though Faiz is the one with a job). When a boy at school goes missing, Jai decides to use the crime-solving skills he has picked up from episodes of Police Patrol to find him. With Pari and Faiz by his side, Jai ventures into some of the most dangerous parts of the city; the bazaar at night, and even the railway station at the end of the Purple Line. But kids continue to vanish, and the trio must confront terrified parents, an indifferent police force and soul-snatching djinns in order to uncover the truth. When the fog of rumour rolls back, the detective game is no longer child's play. And as the disappearances edge ever closer to home, the lives of Jai and his friends will never be the same again. 'This story is a talisman. Hold it close to your hearts.' "Based on a true story--Nine-year-old Jai watches too many reality police shows, thinks he's smarter than his friend Pari (even though she gets the best grades), and considers himself to be a better boss than Faiz (even though Faiz is the one with a job). When a classmate goes missing, Jai decides to use the crime-solving skills he has picked up from TV to find him. He asks Pari and Faiz to be his assistants and together they draw up lists of people to interview and places to visit. But what begins as a game turns sinister as other children start disappearing from their neighborhood. Jai, Pari, and Faiz have to confront terrified parents, an indifferent police force, and their fears of soul-snatching djinns. As the disappearances edge ever closer to home, the lives of Jai and his friends will never be the same again. At times exuberant, at times heartbreaking, Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line traces the unfolding of a tragedy while capturing the fierce warmth and resilience of a community forged in times of trouble"-- Provided by publisher 'djinns Aren't Real, But If They Were, They Would Only Steal Children Because We Have The Most Delicious Souls' Nine-year-old Jai Watches Too Many Reality Cop Shows, Thinks He's Smarter Than His Friend Pari (even Though She Always Gets Top Marks) And Considers Himself To Be A Better Boss Than Faiz (even Though Faiz Is The One With A Job). When A Boy At School Goes Missing, Jai Decides To Use The Crime-solving Skills He Has Picked Up From Episodes Of Police Patrol To Find Him. With Pari And Faiz By His Side, Jai Ventures Into Some Of The Most Dangerous Parts Of The City; The Bazaar At Night, And Even The Railway Station At The End Of The Purple Line. But Kids Continue To Vanish, And The Trio Must Confront Terrified Parents, An Indifferent Police Force And Soul-snatching Djinns In Order To Uncover The Truth. Playing Detective Is No Longer Child's Play. As The Disappearances Edge Ever Closer To Home, The Lives Of Jai And His Friends Will Never Be The Same Again. 'this Story Is A Talisman. Hold It Close To Your Hearts.'