Private Delhi by Ashwin Sangh| James Patterson

Book Summary

Private Delhi (a.k.a Count to Ten: A Private Novel) is part of the Private series of thrillers, localized in India.

The story centers on Santosh Wagh, who had previously been the head of Private India but had stepped away after a traumatic incident in Mumbai.  Jack Morgan, the global head of the Private investigative agency, wants Santosh back to set up the Delhi branch. Despite his internal battles, Santosh accepts.

Soon the agency is faced with a dark and dangerous case: plastic barrels are discovered in the basement of a government-owned house in a posh area of South Delhi; inside them are dissolved human remains.  Information about the crime is being suppressed, authorities are intervening, and the scene is locked down. Santosh realizes that going deeper into the investigation might put him—and the agency—in direct danger. The plot weaves through political intrigue, corruption, moral ambiguity, and the dangerous underbelly of crime in Delhi, including illegal organ trade. The tension builds as Santosh must navigate not only solving the crime but also surviving its fallout while wrestling with his own scars from the past.

About the Authors

Ashwin Sanghi is one of India’s bestselling English fiction writers, especially known for thrillers that combine elements of history, mythology, conspiracy, and crime. He holds an MBA from Yale University and studied in Mumbai.  Before Private Delhi, he already had successful solo works like The Rozabal Line, Chanakya’s Chant, The Krishna Key, etc.  He collaborated with James Patterson on Private India and then Private Delhi, bringing his knowledge of Indian settings, culture, and thriller pacing together with Patterson’s global brand.

James Patterson is a prolific American thriller writer who has created many bestselling series (Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club, Private, etc.). He is known for fast‑paced plots and lots of suspense. Private Delhi is one of the entries in his Private series, which deals with investigative agency “Private” taking on high‑stakes global or local crime stories. Patterson’s name adds international visibility and some of the structural style (short chapters, high tension) that readers expect from his works.