Feluda returns to the place from where he started on his first investigation but this time accompanied by Jatayu and on the invitation of the famed Bollywood director Pulak Ghoshal on his venture of picturisation of one of Jatayu's adventure novels. But as it always happens that adventure seems to chase the trio even on a supposed pleasant vacation to the hill station. This time it was homicide of the aged Birupakhya Majumdar on whose grounds several of the film shots were being taken. The motive seems to be many that includes the theft of a priceless idol of BalGopal, an unsolved crime of the past and a hushed up incident that Mr. Majumdar wants to keep to himself in a veil of secrecy. One of the servants, Lokenath also goes missing after the murder and the police suspects him to be the culprit. But soon Jatayu and Topshe stumble upon the servant's deadbody that again gives a complex turn to the mystery and the event also coincides with an attempt on Feluda's life. As the film company laments on the catastrophe that withholds their shooting and also limits their movements, Feluda, Topshe and Jatayu sets on the mission to solve the crimes amidst the picturesque backdrop of Darjeeling that has been so fascinatingly painted in words and sketches by Satyajit Ray. The final chapters are as expected, full of thrill and drama but certain points (that I now seem to observe, going through it after several long years) defies logic and puts question marks on the detection system. First of all though their was a hint of poisoning during the murder that never seemed to be clarified by the police and Feluda too doesn't seem to suggest forensics to clear the doubt. Also the second deadbody was found by sheer coincidence that is too much for an avid mystery reader. Thirdly the identity of a mysterious trespasser remains unsolved. Thus though the writing is freshening and the novel a classic one but as a mystery story this doesn't satisfy all.
