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Blasphear

Blasphear

Sohail Rauf
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When Sub-inspector Waqas Mahmood is assigned the case of a suicide of a seventeen-year-old boy, he is tempted to do the bare minimum and close it. Waqas has been disenchanted with the police force and wants to quit anyway. And the ominous presence of a religious outfit around the boy’s house is another reason to stay away. It’s also just too hot in Shantinagar, a dusty town in Punjab in Pakistan.

But Waqas realizes there’s more to the case when the boy’s friend reaches out claiming that it was not a suicide. In fact, the case might be linked to another terrifying case in Shantinagar when a Hindu art teacher was lynched on the accusation of blasphemy against Islam.

Waqas is intrigued; a horror story from his childhood returns to haunt him. From witnesses’ statements, he pieces together accounts of friendships that transcended religions before they were ruined by betrayal, conspiracy and religious fanaticism. Will Waqas succumb to the terror of religious bigots, or will he uphold justice in a society that badly needs it?

Imprint: India Penguin

Published: May/2024

ISBN: 9780143466833

Length : 320 Pages

MRP : ₹399.00

Blasphear

Sohail Rauf

When Sub-inspector Waqas Mahmood is assigned the case of a suicide of a seventeen-year-old boy, he is tempted to do the bare minimum and close it. Waqas has been disenchanted with the police force and wants to quit anyway. And the ominous presence of a religious outfit around the boy’s house is another reason to stay away. It’s also just too hot in Shantinagar, a dusty town in Punjab in Pakistan.

But Waqas realizes there’s more to the case when the boy’s friend reaches out claiming that it was not a suicide. In fact, the case might be linked to another terrifying case in Shantinagar when a Hindu art teacher was lynched on the accusation of blasphemy against Islam.

Waqas is intrigued; a horror story from his childhood returns to haunt him. From witnesses’ statements, he pieces together accounts of friendships that transcended religions before they were ruined by betrayal, conspiracy and religious fanaticism. Will Waqas succumb to the terror of religious bigots, or will he uphold justice in a society that badly needs it?

Buying Options
Paperback / Hardback

Sohail Rauf

Sohail Ahmed, who writes with the pen name of Sohail Rauf, is a PhD in electrical engineering and works for an engineering firm. Originally from Pakistan, he lives near Houston, Texas with his wife and two children. 'Blasphear' is his first novel. Find out more at www.sohailrauf.com

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