Baramulla bomber by Clark Prasad

"Baramulla bomber" by Clark Prasad - Almost good.

This book is published by Niyogi books in 2013 and has 315 pages. This is Book 1 of Svastik trilogy. 

World believes that China and Pakistan have tested a secret weapon in Shaksgam valley. 

The weapon has it's origin in Vedas and Bible. It's an ancient weapon. Both deny. India, China, Pakistan and Sweden are all interested in Mansur Haider, a Kashmiri cricketer. His girlfriend is Ahana Yajurvedi. 

What happened in Shaksgam valley? What is the weapon? Who is Mansur? What is the league of guardian's? Who is Baramulla bomber?

The story has a flow. A number of things are unclear during the course of the story but most of them are sorted out by the end.  Some like 'How did The defence minister die?' remain unexplained. Probably we will have to wait for sequel. The build-up is very good, climax is almost good but the end is tepid. One expects some thing even more climactic, but it turns out to be ordinary.

Characterization is interesting. Mansur, the cricketer. His Haider family has some secret but it will be revealed in Book 3. Ahana Yajurvedi, a girl who is envied in corporate world, a mountaineer, a paratrooper, a beauty. In short she has everything. Agastya Rathore (impressive name), home minister of India, the master mover whose family has ancient links. Adolf, the Swedish intelligence officer. Samir, whose true leanings remain unknown for most part of the book. Carina, head of Swedish intelligence and classmate of Agastya. They are supported by other characters.

At the beginning of each chapter the place where it happens is shown with a cross-hair on the world map. Simple ingenuity! Creative.

Oppenheimer's famous words after the first nuclear explosion have become a inspiration for a number of fictions. This novel falls in this category. 

Book name and cover may lead the readers to believe that this book is about terrorism in Kashmir, but it isn't, although Kashmir issue is on the backdrop. Let me tell you a secret. Baramulla bomber has nothing to do with fidayeen attack. Book cover is interesting. 

Clark Prasad, alter ego of Suraj Prasad, an unknown author has written a good book. He has a style of his own. This being a trilogy, second book is expected soon.

Why did I read this book?  Blurb, cover.

What I didn't like? The end. 

What did I like? Story. 

A good debut. Recommend reading.