June 11, 2017

Who were the real people who inspired the world of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot? Join me as I bridge the gap between Berkeley classroom theory and the grit of historical detection.

May 14, 2017

I lived in India for thirty years and was unaware that we had our own Sherlock Holmes. Discover the linguistic disconnect that hid a world of Indian mystery from me—and why I’m finally hunting them down.

Apr 23, 2017

"New Delhi is known as the Rape Capital." Explore the harrowing reality of India's female detectives, where the fear of the street is often greater than the fear of the suspect.

Apr 9, 2017

They are the "invisible assets" of Mumbai and Delhi. Discover why India’s private eye industry prefers women in saris over men in suits—and the exploitation hidden behind the disguise.

Mar 26, 2017

From unmasking fake NRI grooms to "youth monitoring," India’s private detectives are solving the crises that families are too ashamed to discuss. Discover the secrets behind the Rs. 500 crore industry.

Mar 12, 2017

No license, no limits, and no laws. While California requires a permit to change a lightbulb, India allows anyone with a scooter and a phone to be a detective. Explore the legal void of the Indian private eye.

Feb 26, 2017

From temple corridors to a 50-woman task force. Discover the mysterious beginnings of A.M. Malathy, the engineering graduate who redefined South Indian sleuthing.

Feb 12, 2017

Is she India’s “Lady Durga” or just a brilliant strategist? Explore how Rajani Pandit turned societal misogyny into her greatest investigative weapon.

Jan 22, 2017

“Detectives are born, not made.” Discover how Rajani Pandit’s 25-year career inspired a wave of female-led agencies and why she refuses to trade her mission for money.

Jan 8, 2017

Can a Bollywood comedy change the fate of a profession? Discover how the 2014 film Bobby Jasoos turned a spotlight on Rajani Pandit and broke the “damsel in distress” mold of Indian cinema.

Dec 25, 2016

“I love what I do.” Discover why Rajani Pandit, the “Lady James Bond” of Mumbai, chose a 24/7 career over a traditional marriage and how she views the complexities of love.

Dec 11, 2016

“The tracking of live people was frightening and tense.” Go behind the scenes of the elusive documentary Lady James Bond with an exclusive interview with director Dinkar Rao.

Nov 27, 2016

Two books, fifty-seven awards, and one missing documentary. Sifting through Rajani Pandit's accolades reveals a legacy as prolific as it is difficult to pin down.

Nov 13, 2016

No laws, no licenses, and no limits? Explore the ethical tightrope of India’s private detectives, where the line between “social service” and “spycraft” is written by the agents themselves.

Oct 23, 2016

Fictional detectives have sidekicks; real detectives have networks. Explore Rajani Pandit’s sharp-eyed advice on disguises, the necessity of “good lying,” and why she tells her clients to trust no one.

Oct 9, 2016

Missing persons, corporate spies, and the “love detective.” Explore the staggering variety of cases handled by Rajani Pandit’s Mumbai agency and the mystery of her 75,000-case record.

Sept 25, 2016

Six months in disguise. A mechanical beep that nearly cost Rajani Pandit everything. A self-inflicted wound to escape a killer. This is the case that made Rajani Pandit a legend in Mumbai’s underworld.

Sept 11, 2016

From the lack of restrooms in male-dominated offices to the dangers of undercover work, the path for Indian women is rarely paved. Discover how Rajani Pandit’s unique philosophy on life and death made her an unstoppable force in investigation.

Aug 28, 2016

“This is not a woman’s job.” From her own father’s doubts to being blacklisted by local newspapers, Rajani Pandit faced a society designed to keep her out. Discover how she turned a “no” into a national legacy.

Aug 14, 2016

A daughter-in-law accused. A son caught in the act. A web of lies that only a detective’s eye could untangle. This is the case that convinced Rajani Pandit to turn her intuition into a profession.