#Review: Dial 100 by Kulpreet Yadav

Reading Dial 100 was a mixed yet engaging experience for me. On the one hand, the book delivers exactly what it promises—an inside look into some of the most unusual and high-stakes criminal cases in India. The variety of cases, from cyber fraud to cold-blooded murders, kept me hooked, and I found myself genuinely impressed by the patience and resourcefulness of the officers involved. The pacing is brisk, almost cinematic at times, which makes the book accessible even for readers who don’t usually pick up non-fiction.

At the same time, I felt the writing occasionally leaned too heavily on dramatization. While the storytelling approach works well to hold attention, certain sections felt more like a screenplay than a detailed investigation. For me, that diluted the weight of the real-life grit behind the cases. I also wished there had been a little more exploration of the social and systemic challenges the police face, beyond just the technical aspects of forensics and chase sequences.

That being said, the book succeeds in opening a window into a world most of us only glimpse in headlines. It reminded me that crime-solving isn’t about sudden flashes of brilliance but about perseverance, teamwork, and piecing together seemingly insignificant details. Dial 100 is not flawless, but it is certainly gripping, and for readers who enjoy true-crime narratives with a fast-moving plot, it will be a rewarding pick.

Find this book here.