The profession of a reporter involves real risks. According to the international organization Committee to Protect Journalism, nearly 1,600 journalists were killed worldwide between 1992 and 2024 - this is only referring to cases in which individuals were confirmed to have died in connection with their profession. There are, unfortunately, areas of the world where murders of journalists are a grim daily occurrence. The best known example is Mexico, while fewer people may be aware that a similar situation exists in the “world's largest democracy” – India.

The author of this book, trying to discover the truth about the murder of local, brave activist journalist Gauri Lankesh, paints an extremely grim picture of contemporary India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I was aware of this situation from reading the news, but for me it is the first publication that dives deeper and delivers a nuanced story about this very complicated country.

Thanks to the publisher, Penguin Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I Am On The Hit List by Rollo Romig is about the beautiful nation of India the many different cultures, religions, languages and opinions. The book starts with a murder of a newspaper owner and a believer in freedom of speech who was gunned down at her front door on her way home from work. We also learn about their version of John Brown the abolitionist and they also have a monk who could be our Trump if Trump has his way there’s also India’s vegetarian version of McDonald’s in the man who started it who was also found guilty for murder and OMG if that story isn’t crazy and much much more. From the history of Banglor from the colonial days until now. There’s so much in the book and most of it is also interesting. I did find myself wishing I could skip some chapters but the book was so good I was afraid I would miss something. It talks about religious cults in India how Muslims and Hindus and Christians live together along with agnostics an atheist just a great great read. I think the author did an awesome job writing the multifaceted story and it’s definitely something any history fan would love. I am always fascinated when I find out those I thought were different aren’t that much different at all. In the end we’re all just people who basically want for us and our families to be happy and safe.#NetGalley, #PenguinBooks, #RaloRomig, #IAmOnTheHitList,

This is more than a true crime novel- although it is an exploration of the case of Gauri Lankesh, the proprietor of a small weekly magazine in Bangalore, who was shot to death in 2017. This is very much about how the political situation in India has evolved in the last 20 years. Lankesh was a muck raker to be sure and she poked at corruption and abuse of power. Romig does a good job at bringing her to life but an even better one at explaining the landscape. This is complicated and at times the reader might feel lost (especially if not versed in India) but it's fascinating. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A thoughtful, informative and intriguing portrait of a woman and a nation.