Malayalam novel Bhaskara Menon by Appan Thampuran. Generally regarded as the first detective novel of the language, Bhaskara Menon begins in the typical style with the narration of the discovery of a murder. Pulingottu Kittunni Menon, a landlord known for his kindness, is poisoned to death. Bhaskara Menon, a Malayalee version of Sherlock Holmes, is the police officer coming to look at the case and he uses scientific methods of investigation. The story progresses with a touch of adventure, with the police officer being attacked by the murderer's helper, missing for a short period, then coming back with the resolution of the case, etc.