It was translated by J. Devika into English under the title Hangwoman: Everyone Loves a Good Hanging (Hamish Hamilton, 2014).

Set in Bengal, it tells the story of a family of executioners with a long lineage, beginning in the fourth century BC.

Two days after Amartya's execution, his father follows Ramu da, Phani's son, back from college and hacks his limbs.

Sanjeev Kumar Mitra, a news reporter for CNC, covers the story about Jatindranath's execution.

Mitra helps Phanibhushan to try to convince government officials to give the job of the executioner to Chetna, thereby making her the first hangwoman in the country.

Later, he asks Phanibhushan for her hand in marriage which he readily agrees because Mitra is an intelligent journalist whom Phani respects.