Chennai, 04 February (H.S.) : Roopa Unnikrishnan, a renowned Commonwealth Games gold medalist and Arjuna Awardee, has transitioned from the precision of rifle shooting to the world of literature with her debut fiction novel titled The Jasmine Murders. The international shooter, who was also a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, recently shared her journey during a book signing event in the city.

Her life took a pivotal turn at the age of 12 when a chance visit to a police shooting range in Chengalpattu revealed her natural talent for the sport. Supported by her parents and mentors, she rose through the ranks to become a national champion before embarking on a successful academic and professional career in New York as a business strategist.

Her new book, The Jasmine Murders, is a mystery set in rural Tamil Nadu during the 1960s. While the plot revolves around a series of murders, the author explained that the narrative delves deeper into the secrets held within families and the social pressures that disproportionately affect women.

Unnikrishnan spent four and a half years crafting the story, which was inspired by conversations with her parents during the COVID pandemic. The novel explores the emotional growth of a young couple against the backdrop of a formal investigation, blending human drama with a classic mystery structure.

This is not her first foray into writing, as she previously authored a successful non-fiction work titled The Career Catapult, which focused on innovation and career growth. However, she noted that writing fiction required a different kind of discipline, drawing parallels to the focus she once maintained on the shooting range.

By exploring themes of society and family dynamics, Unnikrishnan aims to offer readers a nuanced perspective on historical rural life. Her transition from a champion athlete to a novelist highlights a lifelong commitment to excellence and storytelling across various professional domains.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary