Press 9 for a CrimeA gripping thriller where family loyalty meets digital deception
THE FIRST NOVEL TO EXPOSE DIGITAL ARREST SCAMS
By Shailendra Jha - Award-winning Creator, Journalist & Storyteller
"Two lives. Two kilometres apart. Neither knew the other existed, yet unseen forces were drawing them into the same dark web."
REALITY CHECK
This isn't just fiction - Indians lose ₹1000 crore monthly to digital scams
Based on real events that could happen to anyone
Creator of Disney + Hotstar Series Grahan
Press 9 for a CrimeAn Emotional Thriller
In a world where online scams destroy lives, one family's loyalty is tested to its limits. "Press 9 for a Crime" is an emotionally charged thriller that pits love and sacrifice against the ruthless machinery of digital crime - part family drama, part international crime thriller.
What Sets This Book Apart
First-of-its-kind focus: On "digital arrest" and modern slavery scam compounds
Emotional core: Rooted in family dynamics-readers are invested in Anand family's fate
Dual worlds: East Delhi's bustling streets collide with Cambodian scam compounds
Headline urgency: With page-turning suspense-both warning and rescue mission
Get Your Copy
Book Synopsis
In bustling East Delhi, Aseem dreams of opening his own gym but struggles with family pressures and money troubles. His elder brother Atul's new job promises hope just as Delhi emerges from its annual deadly smog. Then Atul vanishes, and the family discovers he's trapped in a Cambodian scam compound, forced into cyber fraud under brutal captivity.
With Atul's captors demanding $20,000 for his release and the family only able to gather a fraction, Aseem claims he'll negotiate the ransom down - then disappears with the money. Branded a betrayer by his family, Aseem is actually executing a desperately dangerous plan. To survive, he must outwit a powerful syndicate with nothing but his wits and willpower.
"Press 9 for a Crime" is a tense, emotionally charged thriller of family bonds and sacrifice, set against the unseen perils of our digital world - and one brother's ultimate gamble to save another.
Powerful Excerpts
"He stood rooted to the spot, watching his firstborn navigate through the crowd and go inside the station. Until he could no longer see him. A cold knot formed in his stomach as he questioned himself: Was he doing the right thing, letting his son venture so far into unknown lands?"
"What blinded him was fear. A deep, buried dread of the police, of government officials, of being caught in something he couldn't control. And they had preyed on that. Expertly."
"He was like someone put in a prison without committing a crime and with no idea when the trial would start."
Praise &Reviews
What notable figures in film, literature, and journalism are saying about "Press 9 for a Crime"
Imtiaz Ali
Filmmaker
"Fast, fierce and frighteningly believable. This is the kind of thriller that keeps you turning pages-and then keeps you up at night thinking about the world we live in."
Divya Prakash Dubey
Author and Screenwriter
"Some books entertain and some scare you. This one does both - and leaves you checking if your camera is still on."
Satya Vyas
Author
"Tense, timely and terrifying, Shailendra Jha delivers a modern crime classic with a beating human heart. This is a fearless, fast-paced story that grips you from page one."
Anu Singh Choudhary
Writer and Film-maker
"Not just an unputdownable racy crime novel… It's a book you will share with friends and family."
Reader Reviews
What verified readers are saying about "Press 9 for a Crime"
Pankaj Dubey
Amazon Verified Purchaser
"Shailendra Jha's debut novel Press 9 for a Crime (Penguin Random House India) is a refreshing addition to Indian crime fiction. Built on a quirky yet compelling premise, the book blends suspense, wit, and social commentary into a fast-paced narrative."
Karan Joshi
Amazon Verified Purchaser
"Built on a quirky yet compelling premise - the book blends suspense, wit, and social commentary into a fast-paced narrative. Press 9 for a Crime is both entertaining and thought-provoking, marking a promising debut for a writer to watch."
Vatsalya Rai
Amazon Verified Purchaser
"BEST NOVEL OF 2025 SO FAR! Some stories just stay with you forever. You can't stop thinking about them! Going through the book, line by line, you become so involved, it feels like you're watching everything happen live."
Anand Sharan
Amazon Verified Purchaser
"One is spellbound as the plot unfolds at a fast pace leading to new denouement and leaving the reader gasping for "what next?". It has the thrill of James Hadley Chase and the suspense of Agatha Christie. Shailendra Jha is an author to watch."
Vishakh Rathi
Amazon Verified Purchaser
"I picked it up at 10 at night, and although I had office early the next morning, I couldn't put it down till I finished it. It's a pacy read with lots of nuances that make the story relatable and rooted in the Indian milieu. It keeps you hooked with its fast changing storyline."
Join the Readers
Get your copy of "Press 9 for a Crime" and join the growing community of readers who can't put this digital thriller down. Leave your own review on Amazon!
About theAuthor
"A storyteller who wants his work to entertain as well as spark reflection"
Shailendra Jha – Creator, Journalist & Storyteller
Shailendra Jha - architect of gripping worlds on screen and now in print - is the award-winning creator and writer of Disney+ Hotstar's acclaimed "Grahan," which earned 10 Filmfare OTT nominations and redefined Indian web storytelling.
As Executive Editor of TV Today Network, he set the pace of India's breaking news with AajTak and launched Tez, the country's first speed news channel. His transformative chapter at Star India saw him develop hit shows as Programming Head and mastermind high-impact branded events like Mahadev Ganga Mahotsav.
Earlier, he directed landmark BBC shows like HardTalk India and worked with pioneering networks during India's satellite TV boom. Winner of the Screenwriters Association Award (2022) and nominated for Filmfare OTT and SWA Awards, Shailendra brings his cinematic imagination and narrative precision to literature with his Penguin Random House novel "Press 9 for a Crime."
Awards & Recognition
- Screenwriters Association Award (SWA) 2022
- Filmfare OTT nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay
- SWA nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Dialogue
- Creator and writer of Disney+ Hotstar's acclaimed series 'Grahan'
- Executive Editor of TV Today Network (AajTak, Tez)
- Programming and Commissioning Head at Star India
Media & Press Coverage
Find the latest interviews, articles, and media coverage about "Press 9 for a Crime" and author Shailendra Jha. Press kit and high-resolution materials available for download.
Press Coverage
Press Coverage Coming Soon
As "Press 9 for a Crime" launches, this section will be updated with links to newspaper interviews, magazine features, book reviews, and podcast appearances.
Author Interviews
Various Publications
Author Spotlight: Shailendra Jha
BookTube Interview
Book Reviews
Literary Publications
Press Kit & Media Assets
Download Press Materials
High-Resolution Author Photo
JPG • High Quality • Professional headshot for media use
Book Cover High-Res
PNG • High Quality • Book cover with transparent background
Author Bio & Book Synopsis
PDF • Complete • Complete press information packet
Press Inquiries
Media Contact
For interviews, review copies, and media inquiries
Please allow 24-48 hours for response to media inquiries. High-resolution photos and additional materials available upon request.
UpcomingEvents
Join Shailendra Jha for book signings, readings, and discussions about "Press 9 for a Crime"
Confirmed Events
Book Launch & Discussion
Press 9 For A Crime
Date
16th November 2025
Time
7:00 PM
Venue
Gulmohar, India Habitat Centre
New Delhi
An emotionally charged thriller inspired by real-world headlines about cybercrime, human trafficking, and the vulnerabilities of our digital lives. Set between East Delhi and the scam compounds of Cambodia, the novel combines the urgency of a rescue mission with the emotional depth of a family drama. Given the scale of online scams including the menace of fraudulent 'digital arrests' impacting Indian citizens today, the book addresses issues of critical contemporary relevance.
More Events to be Announced
We're currently planning additional author readings and panel discussions across major cities. Event details will be posted here as they are confirmed.
Let'sConnect
Get in touch for media inquiries, speaking engagements, or just to discuss screenwriting and adaptation of books to screen.
Get a Free Chapter
Press 9 for a Crime
Preview Chapter
Experience the gripping opening of "Press 9 for a Crime" with a free chapter download. Get a taste of the emotional thriller that explores family loyalty, sacrifice, and the dark world of digital crime.
No signup required • Instant download
Contact Information
shaajha26@gmail.com
Response Time
24-48 hours for all inquiries
Get in Touch
For media inquiries, speaking engagements, screenwriting discussions, or book adaptation opportunities, feel free to reach out directly.
Media
Press & Interviews
Speaking
Events & Panels
Adaptation
Screen & Rights