Sniper by Shashi Warrior

"Sniper" by Shashi Warrior. This book is published by Penguin Books in 2008 and has 421 pages. 

Colonel Eswaran is a paratrooper, a sniper and a leader adored by all his subordinates. Gil, an Afghan sniper who's brother was killed by Eswaran, is looking for a revenge. Grey man abducts Eswaran's 19 year old daughter, rapes her, tortures her and murders her. Eswaran tries to investigate and fails.

Will he pursue? Will he get some clues? Who is grey man? Is there more to it? Will the sniper succeed? What will Eswaran do?

What are the qualities of a sniper? Patience, stillness, accuracy, quick thinking and aim. Eswaran has all these qualities. His subordinates are ready to give their lives for him but his marriage has failed. He feels helpless to give justice to his daughter. 

The book starts in Nagaland where Eswaran and the Afghan are pitted against each other in the battle of wits. Then Priya, his daughter, dies and the story returns to Kerala for good. Rest of the story takes place in the towns, plantations and forests of Kerala.

Narration is good enough to keep you interested. Reader expects battle of snipers as the main theme, but it takes back seat and search for Priya's murderer becomes main theme. Then the sniper returns in the end for the climax. Thus the book title seems to be a misnomer. 

Character of Eswaran, Kalpana, Grey man, Appu are rich, however Appu suddenly drops out unannounced from story. Some questions remain. Why Grey man is called Grey man? Why does he get Mustapha killed? Why does he trust Afghan suddenly while Afghan does not even know his name?

Although it's a good book, it's not exactly what the title suggests. 

Read if you have time.