Mohan Menon turns to crime fiction with ‘The Ninja Never Knocks’
Mohan Menon is a Chennai-based writer who spent his entire professional life with Ogilvy & Mather
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Published: Apr 6, 2026 11:13 AM | 2 min read
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After a long career in advertising, Mohan Menon has turned to a different kind of storytelling—crime fiction. His latest novel, The Ninja Never Knocks, marks his first full-length foray into the genre.
Menon spent his entire professional life with Ogilvy & Mather, working in an environment where ideas, narratives, and sharp writing were part of everyday life. That background quietly informs his fiction, which leans on strong characters and layered plots rather than spectacle.
The new book follows Vikram “Bando” Banerji, an author who finds himself drawn into solving a strange and unfolding mystery alongside his partner, Sabina. At the centre of it all is an elusive “ninja” figure, around whom the story gradually builds.
While Menon has long been interested in crime and detective stories, this novel gave him the space to explore the genre more fully. Written during the pandemic, the process came with its own ups and downs—including the accidental loss of parts of the manuscript, which had to be rewritten.
His earlier work, Nail in the Pillow (2019), was a collection of darker short fiction. With The Ninja Never Knocks, he moves into a longer, more intricate form, bringing together suspense, humour, and a sense of unpredictability.
Mohan Menon is a Chennai-based writer who spent his entire career in advertising with Ogilvy & Mather. He writes fiction with a focus on crime, character, and narrative detail.
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