About the Book
Keshav Rajpurohit hates his job, and four years after Zara left him, he still can’t move on. Then, on the eve of her birthday, Zara messages him out of nowhere and calls him to her hostel room — room 105. He shouldn’t have gone, but he did, and hours later Zara is found dead. What follows is Keshav’s own investigation into her murder, pulling him through police interrogation, campus politics, and long-buried secrets about who Zara really was. Chetan Bhagat frames The Girl in Room 105 as “not a love story — it’s an unlove story,” a fast, twisty thriller that also weaves in religious and political tension in contemporary India.
Why Readers Love This Book
- A genuine tonal shift for Chetan Bhagat — his first full murder-mystery thriller, from the author of Five Point Someone and 2 States
- Became a bestseller on pre-orders alone ahead of release
- Fast-paced, propulsive chapters designed to be devoured in a sitting or two
- Blends the murder mystery with real social commentary on religious identity and politics in India
Who Should Read The Girl in Room 105
For readers who enjoy Indian contemporary fiction with a fast-paced thriller hook — fans of Chetan Bhagat’s earlier campus-life novels who want to see him take on mystery and suspense, and anyone who wants a quick, unputdownable read with real emotional and social weight underneath the twists.
About the Author
Chetan Bhagat is one of India’s best-selling English-language authors, known for Five Point Someone, 2 States, and Half Girlfriend, several of which have been adapted into major Bollywood films.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Girl in Room 105 a murder mystery or a romance?
It’s primarily a murder mystery and thriller, though it’s built around Keshav’s unresolved feelings for his ex-girlfriend Zara — the author calls it “an unlove story.”
Is this book part of a series?
It’s followed by One Arranged Murder, a separate mystery novel by Chetan Bhagat featuring a different lead character.
Is this book appropriate for teen readers?
It deals with murder, obsession, and some political and religious tension, generally suited to older teens and adult readers.
How long is The Girl in Room 105?
This paperback edition is 356 pages.
Specifications
| Title | The Girl in Room 105 |
| Author | Chetan Bhagat |
| Publisher | HarperCollins India |
| Publication Date | 20 July 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Binding | Paperback |
| Pages | 356 |
| ISBN-10 | 9356290962 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-9356290969 |
| Reading Age | 16 years and up |
| Weight | 294 g |
| Dimensions | 20.3 x 25.4 x 4.7 cm |
| Genre | Mystery / Thriller |
People Also Ask
Is The Girl in Room 105 based on a true story?
No — it’s a work of fiction, though it engages with real social and political themes relevant to contemporary India.
What other books are similar to The Girl in Room 105?
Fans of this book often enjoy other Indian thriller-mysteries, or Chetan Bhagat’s own follow-up mystery, One Arranged Murder.
Is there a movie adaptation of The Girl in Room 105?
A Hindi film adaptation of the same name was released, based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel.
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