A hundred little flames by Preeti Shenoy

"A hundred little flames" by  Preeti Shenoy -  Epic love story. 

This book is published by Westland Publications Ltd in 2017 and has 360 pages. This book was recommended and gifted by Ravi.

Ayan, a management executive, clinches a deal for his firm but loses his job, immediately after, for no fault of his. Out of work, he goes to live with his Muttachan (grandfather) in rural Kerala. Here he discovers things that existed but that he was unaware of. 

Why does he lose his job? Is he happy in rural Kerala? Who becomes his friend? What are the plans of his father? What discovery does he make? What is the epic love story?

The story starts with a promise. Then it slows down and almost starts to falter. But then it starts taking grip again and then it becomes a gripping tale of true love. It's hard to put down the book from halfway mark to end. 

Highlights of the book are: Picturesque Kerala, ancestral house called Thekke Madom, quiet rural life, a sinister plot, discovery of the love story, love story turns epic. Ayan's admiration of the personality, determination and forthrightness of his Muttachan, Ayan's own friendship with Shivani, fascinating portrayal of Rohini etc. are the highlights of this Book. 

Gopal and Rohini are the protagonists of the story. Their pure love, that can't be imagined by today's generation, is shown so beautifully that the book becomes unputdownable in second half. Gopal loves Rohini. He has regrets. He loses his love, finds it again to lose it again. Will he finally find it? Rohini loves Gopal. She too goes through the same turmoil but suffers more. Ayan is in awe. He recognises the true love when he sees it. He is fascinated, respects it reverentially and wants to play a role to support. Behaviour of Shaila is not clearly understood by readers. They know, although they do not agree with, why Jairaj does what he does. Velu remains a constant presence. 

Ayan's relationship with Shivani is tested with the yardstick of the epic love. Can it stand up to the comparison or will it lose out? Is it fair?

It's a curious story where one small story leads to another and that to another. At one point reader is not sure which one is the mainstay. The book is semi interesting at this time. Then the main story arrives and it becomes very interesting. 

It's a big book, but enjoyable eventually. Book cover shows a picture showing a grandfather in an armchair taking to his grandson on the background of a house, lawn and trees. 

Why did I read this book? Ravi's gift. 

What I didn't like?  Initial part is less purposeful.   

What did I like?  Second half. 

Recommend reading if you have enough spare time and patience to sustain first half. 

The red house mystery by A. A. Milne

"The red house mystery" by A. A. Milne -  A vintage whodunit. 

This  book is published by Vintage classics in 2009 and has 224 pages. 

Anthony Gillingham is an intelligent man who changes his profession frequently and excels in all of them. He arrives at 'The red house',  owned Mark Applet, to meet his friend Bill Beverly, who is spending weekend there. Mark's long estranged brother, Robert Applet, arrives from Australia. Robert is killed in a locked room and Mark is missing. Matthew Cailey, cousin, confidant and adviser of Mark, requests Anthony to stay. Anthony finds a new profession, detective.

Where is Mark? Who locked the room? What is the red house mystery? Can Anthony become a sleuth? Whodunit?

It's a mystery of Agatha Christi genre. The story is slow, meticulous, deliberate. A large house, lot of guests, a rich man, a dead body. No one seems to be the murderer. However, Anthony plays Sherlock Holmes, not Hercule Poiroit.

Narration is good. Author manages to keep the reader engaged with a little thing here and a little thing there. The crime is not awfully complex to crack but the motive remains hidden till the very end. 

It's a classic whodunit with a difference. The differences being that the detective is not an established one and that the final revelation does not happen to a full house audience but through a letter. 

The book was first published in 1922. It does not lose its charm even after almost a century. Interestingly it's the only mystery written by the author. 

Why did I read this book? Vintage mystery for a change. 

What I didn't like? Deduction is not smooth. 

What did I like? It retains charm after a century.  

Read, if you  like mysteries. 

Palace of assassins: The rise of Ashwatthama by Aditya Iyengar

"Palace of assassins: The rise of Ashwatthama" by Aditya Iyengar - A post Mahabharata fiction.   

This book is published by Hachette India in 2016 and has 223 pages.

The great war of Kurukshetra is over. Ashwatthama wakes up in a desert, full of boils all over his body leaking blood and puss. He remembers the curse of  the cowheard. Kasturi, a war widow, looks after him. After recovery he meets a group of Kaurav soldiers who survived the war. 

Is he sated? Or does he still want revenge? Does he repent about his behaviour at the end of war? Is he still angry at Krishna?

Author has come up with an interesting idea. Would Ashwatthama want his unfulfilled revenge? Does he look at his immortality as a curse or a boon? Author must have wondered about it and decided to write a fiction. It's a good seed. 

The story is interesting. The concept of Tatva, powerful gems Syamantaka & Kalakamani, after effects of immortality are very effectively used. When one reads a fiction about Ashwatthama, one expects him to be the protagonist and in charge. However, here although he is the protagonist, he doesn't seem to be in charge.  He is dragged along with Samasaptakas. Would real Ashwatthama play a second fiddle to a commoner? Will he be clueless? Can he be blackmailed?

Character of Ashwatthama appears confused. Rather than driving his own destiny, he follows others and doesn't seem to be in charge of his destiny. Character of Senapati is overdone. He knows everything. How? Can't say. Kanya is a mother before avenger. Simha is a kid in awe of Ashwatthama. 

As the book title says its the story of Ashwatthama. However, it's a story with a difference. All Mahabharata related stories happen during Mahabharata and end with the great war. This story starts after the great war. Credit to author to imagine a story, a sub plot to the epic and place it immediately after the war of Kurukhshetra. 

Immortal Ashwatthama has always fueled the imagination of various authors. There have been many fictions about Ashwatthama. This author, however, asks a pertinent question. Did Ashwatthama give up after he was condemned to immortality and leprosy? Did he try to reverse the curse?

Author has made a provision of a sequel. If a sequel comes by, we will see Ashwatthama, thousands of years later, in the city of Troy, during Trojan war, trying to find Syamantaka to regain mortality. 

Why did I read this book? Blurb. 

What I didn't like? Tepid climax. 

What did I like? Idea. 

Recommend reading. 

The Sex life of the Gods by Michael Knerr

"The Sex life of the Gods" by Michael Knerr -  Neither about sex nor about Gods.  

This book is published by CreateSpace independent publishing platform. This edition was published in 2012 and has 126 pages.

Nick Danson wakes up in woods. He has crashed an alien ship but has miraculously survived and lost his memory. He returns home to his beautiful wife, Beth, with the help of his identity documents. It's 13 months after his disappearance. In the cabin they own, he meets sexy Janet. Nolan Brice, his best friend, is suspicious of him. 

Where was Nick for 13 months? What did he do in that period? Can Nick start loving Beth all over again? Did he have an affair with Janet before his memory loss?  What was he doing in an alien ship? When the duty calls what will he choose?

The story is interesting. It's not about sex and  it's not about Gods. It's a sci-fi. Another planet in another galaxy. Aliens who are very similar to humans. Scout ships. Advanced technology. Fast space ships. Emotions. It's a heady mix. 

This book was first published in 1962. Although it may not appear cutting edge today, it must be at the time of publication. Even today it is interesting and crisp. Narration is good. The story has not lost its freshness with time.

There are a few erotic scenes to justify the title of the book, but that's it. Book covers looks like a scene from old Hollywood movie. 

Why did I read this book? Curious title.

What I didn't like? Misnomer. 

What did I like?  Crispness. 

A good  travel read. 

The whistler by John Grisham

"The whistler" by John Grisham -  Law takes its course. 

This book is published by Bidder & Stoughton in 2016 and has 352 pages. 

Hugo & Lacey are lawyers and investigators. They work for a department that investigates judicial corruption. A secretive ex lawyer files a complaint of a Mother-of-all corruption against a judge. Casino operated by native Indians (red Indians), that enjoys tax exemption, is at the center of this scandal. Stakes are very very high.

Who is the judge? What is the scandal? What is the Indian casino angle? Who is the mastermind? Can Hugo & Lacey make headway?

It's a long story and a big book. When the story starts to get interesting, one of the protagonist dies. But that is the only twist in the story. Other than this the story takes normal course, without any surprises. Readers expect surprises and twists, but they don't come. One expects the climax of any thriller to be a cliff hanger or at least thrilling. This book misses that mark. In that sense it turns out counter intuitive.

It's an interesting premise. I was not aware that there are special privileges for native Indians in America. Casinos run by them are tax exempt. You have to be at least 1/8th Indian to qualify for special allowances. 

Narration is good. It's an interesting and enjoyable journey even though there aren't many twists. It's a smooth ride and reader never loses interest. It also does not contain much legal jargon. The epilogue of this book may be one of the longest. 

The whistler statute (to bring a fraud or malpractice to the notice of authorities and collect rewards) is the reason the story happens. Hence the title. The book has unimaginative cover. It could have been better. 

Why did I read this book? John Grisham. 

What did I like?  Easy story.  

What I didn't like?  Climax not a cliff hanger. 

 Recommend reading.  

God save the Dork by Sidin Vadukut

"God save the Dork" by Sidin Vadukut - Same  formula, new problem.

This book is published by Penguin Books.  This edition was published in 2011 and has 242 pages. It's Book 2 of Dork series. This book was recommended and lent by Ravi.

Robin 'Einstein' Varghese, is on secondment to Lederman, London for Dufresne. Here he works on front loaded remuneration for Lederman CEO, Tom. Tom has a game plan where Robin is going to play a vital role.

What new blunders does Robin make? Can he come out of them? What is Tom plotting? Will Robin be fired? What has London in store for the Dork?

Adventures, or rather misadventures, of Robin 'Einstein' Varghese continue. He over rates himself, commits blunders, causes havoc, creates chaos but somehow manages to extricate himself from the situation at the end and returns victorious with  the help of pure luck.

The story keeps you interested. Robin makes  one goof-up after another but somehow survives to live another day. Although this book is not as hilarious as the first one, it's not bad. 

The set up of story in this book is different, context is different, situations are different.  However, the formula of this book remains the same as previous one. Either the author is short on imagination or he doesn't want to change the winning formula. 

Book ends with Robin returning to India to start a new inning. Gouri, after seduction, is now a love-hate object for Robin. She will play a bigger role in the next book. 

Story of first book happened in India. Story of this book happens in England. Third book will again happen in India. 

Why did I read this book? Book 1 was good. 

What I didn't like? Excessive use of F**** word. 

What did I like?  Winning formula.   

If you have read first book, read this. Otherwise read the first book. 

The Moores are missing by James Patterson et.al.

"The Moores are missing" by James Patterson et.al. - Thriller stories

This book is published by RH UK  This edition was published in 2017 and has 496 pages. It's a collection of stories by James Patterson  shorted by other authors. 

'Moore's are missing'

It's a story about a perfect family, the Moore's. Moore's go missing. Roy, a family friend takes help of a beautiful mobile repair technician to track them. Can he find them?  Why did they disappear?

The story builds up well, but when you expect a satisfactory conclusion, it ends abruptly and unsatisfactorily.

'Housewife'

It is the story of Maggie,  an ex Chief of Detectives who retried to take care of her toddler twins. Her husband is also a detective.There is a triple murder in town. Although Maggie is now a housewife, can she keep the detective out of her? Is the suspect a person she least expects?

The story is nicely paced. The criminal is evident but there is a twist. Author does not give any reason for the behavior of Maggie's husband. 

'Absolute zero'

Thurston, an Australian ex special ops. guy, is now working in a pub when he fights with a gang of ruffians to save his colleague. A disaster strikes. Thurston is arrested on charges of murder. How will Thurston respond?

This is run of the mill thriller, but interesting. Episode in Iceland appears to be unnecessary. Climax on top of frozen lake is good. 

Moore's are missing starts with promise but can't live up to it. Other two stories are good. Maggie's irresistible attraction towards investigation and a retired special ops guy coming out of cold is good seed. 

Although the book is titled after first story, it's not the longest story. Last one is. It was good to read thriller short stories once in a while. The build-up, execution and climax is fast and dies not test your patience.

Why did I read this book? Book of stories instead of novel. 

What I didn't like? Stories are a bit simplistic.

What did I like? Thriller stories, a good change.

Read it for a change. 

The Odessa file by Frederick Forsyth

"The Odessa file" by Frederick Forsyth - Almost good.

This book is published by RH UK in 2011 and has 448  pages.

Peter Miller is a freelance reporter in Hamburg, Germany. One day he comes across the suicide of a Jew. The diary of this Jew introduces him first hand to the horrors of concentration camp. He vowes to track down Captain Eduard Rochmann, in charge of that concentration camp and man responsible for 80000 deaths. Tanks, guns and weaponry is being sold by Germany to Israel under pressure from JF Kennedy. Odessa (Acronym for a secret organization of former SS men, who want to restore the Nazi glory) is supplying German scientists to Egypt. 

Where does Miller's search lead him? Is Rochmann alive? What is Odessa plotting? Why does Egypt need scientists?

The story is set in year 1963. It starts with the assassination of John F. Kennedy.  It takes us from Hamburg to various German cities, UK and Austria. Miller is determined to look Rochmann in face. Others are perplexed as to why a German hates a former SS officer so much.

The story has a strong undercurrent. It's the undercurrent of violence. The story of atrocities, German hate of Jews, considering them below insects is appalling. 

It's not a fast paced story. However, it keeps the reader engaged. The story has a number of unexpected turns. When you think that Miller is working towards a plan, he decides to do something different. When he confronts the antagonist, his behaviour is not along the expected lines. The end is not what one expects. 

The description of the atrocities on Jews and their murders in concentration camps by Nazis makes ones mind numb. To know that most of the Nazi SS top brass escaped the prosecution by either leaving the country or by changing identities is shocking. It is also shocking to know that the German populace was not very keen on investigating crimes and pursuing the criminals. 

It's an interesting book. But somehow,  with the build up I was expecting more from the book. 

Why did I read this book? Frederick Forsyth. 

What I didn't like? Conclusion.  

What did I like?  Undercurrent.

Recommend reading.