I Am on the Hit List

A gripping true crime narrative of the mysterious assassination of a journalist in South India and the investigation that followed, uncovering a world of political extremists, fearless writers, and shadowy religious groups. When Gauri Lankesh, a prominent journalist in the South Indian city of Bangalore, was assassinated in September 2017 outside her home, it wasn’t just a loss to her close-knit community of journalists, activists, and local leaders--the shock reverberated nationwide, making headlines and sparking protests. Why was she targeted, and who was behind it? In investigating these questions, Rollo Romig unpeels the complex layers of South India, a place of incredible religious diversity, a strong literary tradition, myriad languages, and a fascinating history stretching back millennia. To provide even broader cultural and historical context to the region, Romig explores two other murder investigations alongside Gauri’s, introducing themes of martyrdom, mythmaking, and the legacy of colonial rule. <Two or Three Murders in South India< reveals a country that, just like the United States, has been in recent years deeply affected by dogma, dissent, and the decline of democracy. The people speaking up--like Gauri Lankesh--are uniquely vulnerable. In an epic narrative that moves between a historic booksellers'' district and brand-new high rises funded by IT companies, to a mysterious ashram in Goa and the kitchens of an international vegetarian restaurant chain, Rollo Romig interrogates whether we can break the cycle of polarization and bloodshed inspiring political murder across the entire globe.

Autorentext

Rollo Romig

Klappentext

**FINALIST FOR THE PULITZER PRIZE

"A murder mystery, travelogue, and deeply felt homage to Romig's adopted country. Reading it will inform and outrage you. (It will also make you crave a dosa)."—Suketu Mehta, author of Maximum City

“Romig makes for a powerful, effective chronicler of this bleak moment in Indian politics.”—The New York Times

A gripping investigation into the mysterious assassination of a journalist in India, revealing the courage and vulnerability of those who are fighting the decline of democracy around the world

When Gauri Lankesh, an outspoken journalist in the South Indian city of Bangalore, was assassinated in September 2017 outside her home, it wasn’t just a loss to her close-knit community of writers and activists—the shock reverberated nationwide, making headlines and sparking mass protests. Why was she targeted, and who was behind it? Following the case to its stunning, unsettling conclusion, Rollo Romig uncovers a world of political extremists, fearless writers, organized crime, and shadowy religious groups. I Am on the Hit List is an epic narrative that moves between a historic booksellers' district and brand-new high rises funded by IT wealth, to a secretive ashram in Goa and the kitchens of an international vegetarian restaurant chain, boldly interrogating whether we can break the cycle of polarization and bloodshed inspiring political murder across the globe.

Zusammenfassung
**PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST

"A murder mystery, travelogue, and deeply felt homage to Romig's adopted country. Reading it will inform and outrage you. (It will also make you crave a dosa)."—Suketu Mehta, author of Maximum City

“Romig makes for a powerful, effective chronicler of this bleak moment in Indian politics.”—The New York Times

A gripping investigation into the mysterious assassination of a journalist in India, revealing the courage and vulnerability of those who are fighting the decline of democracy around the world**

When Gauri Lankesh, an outspoken journalist in the South Indian city of Bangalore, was assassinated in September 2017 outside her home, it wasn’t just a loss to her close-knit community of writers and activists—the shock reverberated nationwide, making headlines and sparking mass protests. Why was she targeted, and who was behind it? Following the case to its stunning, unsettling conclusion, Rollo Romig uncovers a world of political extremists, fearless writers, organized crime, and shadowy religious groups. I Am on the Hit List is an epic narrative that moves between a historic booksellers' district and brand-new high rises funded by IT wealth, to a secretive ashram in Goa and the kitchens of an international vegetarian restaurant chain, boldly interrogating whether we can break the cycle of polarization and bloodshed inspiring political murder across the globe.