A powerful literary novel by Deepa Anappara. Set in a poor settlement on the outskirts of an Indian city, the story is narrated by nine-year-old Jai, who dreams of becoming a detective after watching crime shows on television. When children from his neighborhood begin disappearing, Jai and his friends launch their own investigation. As their search unfolds, the novel exposes harsh realities of poverty, inequality, corruption, and the vulnerability of marginalized communities, while preserving the innocence and resilience of childhood.