Vijay Medtia’s latest novel, Ring Twice for Mrs. Naren, published in 2025 by Rampart Books, is a sultry murder mystery that deftly blends elements of romance, crime, and psychological intrigue. Set against the vibrant yet chaotic backdrop of 1998 Delhi—a city on the cusp of economic liberalization, where colonial-era mansions rub shoulders with emerging high-rises—this book immerses readers in a world of forbidden desires, moral ambiguity, and deadly consequences.

As a British-Indian author with a knack for exploring human folly through crime fiction, Medtia crafting a tale that feels both timeless and distinctly rooted in Indian urban life. With its slow-burn pacing and unexpected twists, the novel stands out as an engaging read for fans of domestic thrillers and romantic suspense, though it occasionally stumbles in character depth.

Plot Overview:

The story centers on Anand Sinha, a 36-year-old struggling lawyer whose career and personal life are stagnating in the wrong direction. His mundane existence takes a dramatic turn when he visits the opulent home of wealthy businessman Kapil Naren to discuss legal matters. There, he encounters Leela Naren, Kapil’s beautiful and enigmatic wife, trapped in a loveless, abusive marriage. What begins as a professional interaction quickly spirals into a passionate affair fuelled by lust, desperation, and shared secrets—particularly when Anand reveals that Kapil plans to alter his will, potentially leaving Leela destitute.

Medtia masterfully builds tension through the era’s technological limitations: no smartphones mean clandestine meetings arranged via landline phones, with the titular “ring twice” serving as a coded signal for discretion. The plot evolves into a conspiracy involving greed, betrayal, and murder, as the lovers hatch a scheme to eliminate Kapil and secure his 50-crore fortune. However, success brings unforeseen complications, including blackmail and unravelling alliances, leading to a labyrinth of twists that keep the narrative unpredictable.

The Delhi setting enhances the suspense, with its congested lanes, humid summers, and social divides providing an atmospheric stage for covert operations and quiet rendezvous. Without spoiling key reveals, the story explores how a seemingly perfect crime exposes the fragility of human motives, echoing classic noir tropes while infusing them with cultural nuances like the clash between tradition and modernity in post-liberalization India.

Many readers may feel that it as a slow-burn web series filled with seduction, greed, and secrets, where the plan to make the murder look like a simple divorce settlement gone awry. The pacing starts deliberately, allowing the romance to simmer, before accelerating into a rapid-fire sequence of betrayals and suspenseful confrontations.

Characters and Development:

At the heart of the novel are morally ambiguous protagonists who drive the emotional core. Anand Sinha is a relatable everyman—frustrated, ambitious, and vulnerable to temptation—whose descent into criminality feels both inevitable and tragic. Leela Naren emerges as a classic femme fatale: stunning, manipulative, and desperate to escape her gilded cage. Medtia captures her complexity well, portraying her fear of losing her luxurious lifestyle and her calculated seduction as products of a stifling marriage. Their chemistry is palpable, with passionate scenes that heighten the stakes, juxtaposing romance against sinister undertones.

Supporting characters add layers, such as Megha, Leela’s 25-year-old stepdaughter, who introduces themes of family loyalty and suspicion. Kapil Naren, the abusive husband, is a formidable antagonist, his wealth and control making him a symbol of patriarchal oppression. However, some secondary figures feel underdeveloped, serving more as plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. This is a minor flaw, but it occasionally dilutes the emotional impact, especially in a story so reliant on interpersonal dynamics.

Medtia’s inspiration from real-life observations of dual lives in India—where outward appearances mask inner turmoil—shines through in these portrayals, making the characters’ moral dilemmas feel authentic.

Writing Style and Themes:

Medtia’s prose is crisp and evocative, painting Delhi’s sensory details with vivid strokes: the scent of monsoon rains, the buzz of markets, and the isolation of affluent estates. The narrative voice maintains a noir edge—detached yet intimate—allowing readers to delve into the characters’ psyches without overt judgment. The dialogues are sharp, reflecting class and cultural tensions, and the twists are expertly timed, rewarding attentive readers.

Thematically, the book probes the dark side of human nature: how lust and greed erode morality, and the guilt that follows ambition unchecked. It questions the lengths people go for wealth and freedom, blending romance with crime to explore betrayal ripple effects. Medtia narrates with an Indian context, highlighting societal shifts in the late ’90s. That said, the slow initial pacing might test impatient readers, though it pays off in building suspense. The romantic elements, while steamy, sometimes verge on cliché, but Medtia elevates them through cultural specificity.