Meet C. V. Chauhan: The Leicester Author Behind the Inspector Sharma Thrillers

Leicester has long been known as a city rich in culture and diversity, and local author C. V. Chauhan is ensuring that its stories also find their way into gripping crime fiction. A former teacher and schools’ inspector, Chauhan has swapped the classroom for the page, creating a detective series that blends gritty realism with cultural depth.

From Kenya to Leicester

Born in Kenya’s Rift Valley, Chauhan moved to Leicester with his family at the age of 11. He went on to study at the University of York before building a career in education, teaching history in secondary schools and later working for local councils. His work eventually led him into the role of schools’ inspector, travelling across the country to support and evaluate schools. After decades in education, Chauhan turned his attention to a long-held ambition: writing.

Introducing DI Rohan Sharma

Chauhan is best known for his Inspector Sharma Thrillers, a series of crime novels set in Leicester. His lead character, DI Rohan Sharma, is no larger-than-life superhero detective. Instead, he is an ordinary, complex man navigating the challenges of crime, justice and family life in a city that reflects modern Britain. Through Sharma, Chauhan explores both the darkness of crime and the richness of Leicester’s cultural landscape.

Books and Stories

So far, Chauhan has released three novels in the series:

• The Dance of Death (2022):  A tense serial-killer thriller that introduced readers to DI Sharma.

• Shattered Dreams (2023): A gritty urban mystery set against Leicester’s everyday backdrop.

• The Right Time to Die (2024): A high-stakes terrorism thriller that keeps readers turning the pages.

Each book has been warmly received, with readers praising both the pace of the stories and the fresh perspective of Sharma as a South Asian detective.

What Inspired Him to Write

For Chauhan, writing was more than just a career change. It was an opportunity to bring diversity to crime fiction, a genre often dominated by familiar archetypes. Inspired by his own experiences growing up in Leicester and his desire to see characters that reflect the city’s multicultural identity, Chauhan created DI Sharma to represent the kind of detective not usually seen in British thrillers: ordinary, relatable, and rooted in a modern, diverse city.

A Voice for Leicester

Today, C. V. Chauhan continues to write about his home city, contributing not only to the world of crime fiction but also to Leicester’s growing literary scene. He is a member of Leicester Writers’ Club and talks regularly at national conferences, His books are both thrilling page turners and reflections of a community rarely captured in mainstream detective novels.

For readers who enjoy crime stories with real depth and a strong sense of place, Chauhan’s work offers exactly that, gritty mysteries that feel at once familiar and refreshingly new.

Speaking about his inspiration, Chauhan explained:

“I have always loved reading crime fiction but I didn’t see many characters like me and my city represented in the genre. I decided to put that right! The history, cultures and diversity of Leicester are important to me and form the backdrop to all my writing. I hope my books entertain and inform people of all ages and backgrounds.”

Chauhan continues to live in the area, and has more writing projects planned for the future. If you wish to meet him, he will be appearing at The Leicester Writers’ Fair which will be held at the Central Library on 1 November 2025. He also has a website: cvchauhan.com, which has a contact email address, or please follow him on Facebook and Instagram. He always loves to hear from readers. For information, all his books are available through Amazon.

Connect with Chauhan online 

cvchauhan.com

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