Simply lies by David Baldacci

 "Simply lies" by David Baldacci - Thriller with a difference !

This book is published by Macmillan in 2023 and has 432 pages.

Mickey Gibson, an ex cop, is now working for a company called Private Eye, mainly sleuthing online. After her divorce, she has to look after her two kids (Darby, Tommy) and work from home. One day she gets a phone call from a new lady from her office asking her to visit a property. Here, she finds a dead body of Daniel Pottinger. It turns out that the lady, who called, didn't work for her company and doesn't exist. Then starts a series of phone calls with a mysterious lady, Clarice.

Why does Clarice get Mickey involved in this? Who is Pottinger? Who killed him? Who is Clarice? What is her motive?

Clarice is a con artist and a proficient blackmailer. She is manipulative, beautiful and adept at disguise. She can weave a web of lies like no other. She is also meticulous and insecure. Mickey is sharp, relentless, patient and doesn't give up. She gets involved in the mess of Clarice against good advise of her ex-cop Dad. She has to wade through the lies to get to the bottom of the mystery. The only way to ensure the security of her family is to solve this mystery.

It's an elaborate plot with several characters and their back stories. Author uses the disguises and technology to execute the jobs effectively. The story doesn't let you get bored. Something keeps happening. Although it appears to be a run of the mill thriller, it's a thriller with a difference. There is no espionage or government agency that protagonists work for or against. There is little action. Both protagonists are females.

Character of Clarice undergoes a transformation midway into the story. This transformation appears a little abrupt. Author should have created background to ease her into the transformation. There is a death at the end and that too appears unnecessary because although brief, the dead character had a lot of potential. 

Book ends with a definite hint of a sequel. Will it come? Let's wait and watch.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? As explained above. 

What did I like? Character of Clarice, before transformation.

Recommend reading. 

I wish I could tell her by Ajay K. Pandey

 "I wish I could tell her by Ajay K. Pandey - Black is not ugly!

This book is published by Shrishti publishers and distributors in 2022 and has 208 pages.

Vasu and Radhika are best friends from their childhood. Radhika is fair, Vasu is dark. Vasu loves Radhika, but Radhika considers him to be her best friend.

Can Vasu express his love to Radhika? Can Radhika see him as her life partner? What role will Kavya, Vasu's elder sister, play? How hurtful will it be? Will there be happy ending?

Radhika is fair, beautiful, likable, compassionate. She has never discriminated towards Vasu, has always stood by his side, never demanded anything of him and has always sought him to support her. Vasu is dark, average looking, not dashing, not outspoken but has a golden heart. He can't accumulate courage to express his love and has inferiority complex due to his dark complexion. Kavya is Vasu's elder sister and his guide in his one sided love story. She too is dark and is rejected by several boys when searching a groom for her. She understands Vasu's pain and tries to help him to the best of her ability. Sanju is Radhika's friend from college. He is tall, fair, handsome and likable.

Well, it's a love story, although one sided. There are a lot of emotions. So, it goes through emotional rollercoaster. But the author has steered away from melodrama. That makes it realistic and relatable. The author also makes an appearance in the book as a character and portrays himself as a humble author. It's not a large book, so the reader remains interested.

This book addresses a very important social issue. Darkness! In India darkness is equated to ugliness and fairness to beauty. I know several dark persons who are beautiful but don't get their due because of their color. This also instills inferiority complex in dark persons. Credit to author for taking up the subject.

My favorite sentence from this book:

"Patience is not the ability to wait. It’s how you behave while you wait."

Why did I read this book? Hadn't read a love story for a while.

What did I like? Flow.

What I didn't like? Umm..... 

Recommend reading.

Murder under a red moon by Harini Nagendra

 "Murder under a red moon by Harini Nagendra - 1920s whodunit !

This book is published by Constable in 2023 and has 304 pages. 

It’s 1920. Kaveri Murthy, 19, is married to Ramu, a doctor. She lives with her husband and mother-in-law, Bhargavi in Bangalore. Kaveri is also first female Detective of India and 2nd Indian woman to get driving license in Bangalore. There is a murder and murderer tries to implicate Kaveri in it. Anandi is beaten badly by her husband. A train has derailed. Scourge of Drugs has made an entry into Bangalore.

Who is murdered? Why? Why try to implicate Kaveri?  Whodunit?

Kaveri is 19 years old and intelligent. She is determined and impressionable at the same time. She has solved one major murder and several small crimes.  She has her fan following and friend circle. Her relationship with her mother-in-law is not ideal, but not hostile either. She has full support of her husband in her endeavors. Bhargavi is apprehensive of her daughter-in-law doing man's work. However she is also secretly proud of her work as detective. Shanti Sharma is Bhargavi's beautiful cousin. She married Mr. Sharma 2 years ago. Mr. Sharma is an industrialist and has daughter Chitra of Kaveri's age. She is engaged to Kumar, an employee of Mr. Sharma. Shanti, Chitra and Bhargavi are devotees of Swami Vaninanda. 

On the night of Lunar eclipse, night of the blood moon, a murder happens. Kaveri's locket with magnifying glass, a present from her husband, is found at the murder scene. Thankfully, vigilant inspector, who Kaveri has collaborated with previously, sees through the ploy. Now it becomes personal for Kaveri. She has to reach to the bottom of this conspiracy.

Although the story happens in 1920, the set up is much more modern. In those days nobody ventured out after 9pm, let alone women. There are several things that do not match with the time period like hugging your wife in the open, being friends with reformed prostitute, women going out with another man at night etc. A little more research of the times would have been useful.

Since the story is set in 1920s, its pace is slow. However, readers remain interested. Author has done poor job of concealing the identity of the perpetrator. As soon as the character is introduced, you know this is the villain. So the excitement of revelation is lost.

Why did I read this book? Curiosity about female detective in 1920s.

What did I like? Freedom that Kaveri gets.

What I didn't like? Poorly concealed identity of perpetrator.

Recommend reading.

Dirty laundry by Disha Bose

"Dirty laundry” by Disha Bose - Small town complexities!

This book is published by Viking in 2023 and has 320 pages. 

In a village in Ireland Ireland live three families. Kira is a social media influencer and her family. Lauren, a home maker and her family. Mishti, a demure Indian immigrant and her family. There is a murder.

Is it a murder? Who is murdered? Why? What are the dynamics? Who is the killer?

Kira has two perfect kids (Bella and Finn). The Village looks up at her. Even her husband Jerry Dumpfy is not aware of the kind of income she generates from social media. Kira doesn't like her husband. It's a marriage of convenience for her. They have two children, Bella and Finn. Kira is someone who everyone likes. Lauren had married a bookshop owner Shane in the city. Soon after the bookshop closed and she had to move back to the village in her ancestral home. She has three lively and unruly kids. She is surviving on the inheritance and is short on money. Mishti is a home maker and has a daughter Maya. Her husband Parth Ghosh is Professor of Psychiatry. Lauren and Kira don't see eye to eye. Kira and Mishti are close friends. Mishti can't stand for herself in front of her husband.

Since there was a murder in first chapter of the book, I thought it's a whodunit. But it isn't. After the murder, author delves into the back stories of the three protagonists and their husbands. As the story unfolds author peels layers upon layers. There are several dynamics. Between Kira and Lauren, Kira and Mishti, Mishti and Lauren, each with husbands. With the society, with children, with social media etc.

So it becomes a story of complex relationships, rather than a mystery. In a small town, so many things can happen.

It's a good story, but on a slower side. You have to be patient. The characters come out very different than what they appear initially.

Why did I read this book? Irish story by Indian author.

What did I like? The complexity. 

What I didn't like? Pace.  

Not a must read.

The Bourne evolution by Brian Freeman

"The Bourne evolution" by Brian Freeman - Bourne continues! 

This book is published by Head of Zeus in 2021 and has 416 pages. This is Book 12 of the Bourne series. 

Bourne has left Treadstone after Nova's death and is working for his friend who works for the Tech Cabal. A US Senator is murdered with bullet through throat. It's Bourne's style. The gun is found in his hotel room with line of sight to the Senator in really. The Senator was against a secret organization called Medusa. Bourne is declared a rogue agent and accused, a marked man. The Feds and Medusa are both hunting for him. He approaches Abbey Laurent.

Who killed the Senator? Why is Bourne framed? Who is behind this? What is the objective of Medusa? Where does the Tech Cabal stand? 

It's a fight between two powerful and influential organizations, Medusa and Tech Cabal, and Bourne is caught in between. But this is not by chance. Someone has gone to a length to frame him. But Bourne being Bourne manages to wade through the murky affair to finally get to the bottom of it.

The story is decently interesting. No bullet can touch Bourne. No organization can hill him. No country can catch him.

Why did I read this book? Have been reading the series.  

What I didn't like? Some outlandish ideas.

What did I like? It's not boring.

Read if you plan to continue reading the series.

Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove by Rati Mehrotra

 "Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove" by Rati Mehrotra - A fantasy !

This book is published by Wednesday books  in 2022 and has 352 pages. 

Hemlata, Queen of Chandel has saved Katyani, orphan daughter of their vassal king using forbidden magic that formed a blood bond between them dignified by a tattooed butterfly on Katya's neck. Now Katya is second in command of Royal guards. She is tasked to escort Crown Prince Ayan and Prince Bhirav to Gurukul of Acharya Mahaveer to Nandovan. The three teenagers go to Gurukul of Acharya Mahaveer to learn statecraft, ethics and monster banishing. Here Katya meets Daksh, son of Acharya. They are summoned back to Ajaygadh when a tragedy strikes and Katya is held responsible.

How can Katya absolve herself? What is her real identity?  Who is the kingpin of the conspiracy? Can there be any spark between her and Daksh?

It's a story of deceit, duplicity and betrayal. Every time Katya is at the receiving end? Her bondage enslaves her. Everything she believes turns out to be a lie. But she doesn't give up. She fights back till she reaches to the root of everything and then tries to right the wrong.

It's a very graphic story. It feels like this story can be made into a good movie. I even started casting while reading the book. So, Alia Bhat will play Katya. Hritik will play Daksh. Irfan Khan will play Acharya. Ranbeer Kapoor or Shahid Kapoor will play Bhairav. Vikrant Massey will play Ayan. Shweta Tiwari will play Hemlata. The list goes on....

The story happens in ancient India where the pace of life was slow, but the pace of story isn't. At times it drags (in tunnel) but recovers soon after. There are several non human beings like Vetal, Pret, Yatu, Pishacch etc. There is magic, boons and curses. This makes the story exotic. The book also has a good book cover

Why did I read this book? Goodreads ratings. 

What I didn't like? Story drags.

What did I like? Character of Katya. Chemistry between her and Daksh.

Recommend reading.

Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan

 "Midnight at Malabar House" by Vaseem Khan - Whodunit? 

This book is published by Hodder paperbacks in 2021 and has 336 pages. This is Book 1 of The Malabar House Series.

It's 1949 Bombay. Newly independent India is coming to terms of self rule. The British don't rule anymore but all of them are not gone. Persis Wadia is India's first female Inspector. On the New Year's eve, she gets a call reporting murder of prominent English diplomat Sir James Herriot, who was on a classified assignment for the Government of India. Victim's trousers and murder weapon are missing and safe is empty.

Who killed Harriot? Why? Where is the missing trouser? Where is the murder weapon? Can Persis solve the case?

Madan Lal is the servant of Harriet who makes the call to police. There is a driver and a house manager. Harry was having a party at his home when he was murdered. Several prominent who's who were present. Anyone can be the murderer. Madan Lal also invited a Britisher Archie Blackfinch, a criminologist, to assist in the investigation.

Persis works at Malabar House Police Station. All the policemen posted at Malabar House are considered misfits within police force because of some past mistakes or because they wrong footed someone influential. Fault of Persis is that she's the only female Police Inspector. Her investigation leads to confession, but she is not convinced. She defies the orders of her superiors and pursues the investigation jeopardizing her career.

Persis is not an ideal heroin. She has her flaws and has made her mistakes. Her biggest struggle has been to defy the expectations of society and be herself. Most of the society doesn't take the female police officer seriously. Times are turbulent. India is still coming to terms with independence. Persis has to Overcome several odds to get to the root of the mystery.

Although the time period (1949-50) is just after independence, the society is depicted to be more liberal than what we have heard of. Was it literary liberty? Author's lack of local knowledge is apparent. A character named Birla (A typical Rajasthani name) is shown as native of Rural Maharashtra. Why name a character George Fernandes?

Although the story ends, the series has just started. There is a hint of romance at the end. Wait for next book.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Lack of attention to detail as written above.

What did I like? Character of Persis. Flow.

Recommend reading if you plan to read the series.

Night Shift by Robin Cook

 "Night Shift" by Robin Cook - Medical thriller! 

This book is published by Macmillan in 2022 and has 352 pages. This is Book 13 of Jack Stapleton & Laurie Montgomery series. 

Su Pasero, internal medicine doctor at Manhattan memorial hospital, is murdered in her car in the hospital parking. Her death is termed as heart attack and body sent for autopsy. John Stapleton (Jack) is the medical examiner. He and his wife Laurie Montgomery, who heads the office of medical examiners, know Sue well. Jack can't find the cause of death. Jack being Jack, starts to investigate. His overtures are considered nosiness by the hospital and he is kicked out. But Jack is relentless.

Who killed Sue? Why? Can Jack go to the bottom of it? Can he identify the killer? Will the killer be apprehended?

Jack is a pain in the neck for several persons, at times, including his wife. But his zeal for finding the truth doesn't let him rest and he doesn't mind putting himself in danger. Laurie has to look after a big organization. She has to handle politics, finances and run the organization. She also has to deal with Jack. Saldano is their mutual friend and detective. He keeps reminding Jack that he is a ME, not an investigator.

It's a happening story. Readers remain interested. The climax of the book could have been more exciting but isn't.

It's a good change where the protagonist is a ME and doesn't possess any super skills in investigation but is relentless. 

Although, this is 13th book of the series, it's the first one I read.

Why did I read this book? Author.

What did I like? Something different.

What I didn't like? Not so exciting climax.

Read if you plan to read the series.

Razor Sharp by Ashwin Sanghi

 "Razor Sharp" by Ashwin Sanghi - Whodunit! 

This book is published by HarperCollins India in 2024 and has 292 pages. This is a Kutta Kadam thriller. 

Kadam, a suspended DCP, has issues (after his wife left him) and is seeing a shrink. It’s not working. His support system is his daughter, Ketul and his friend who is Special Commissioner of Police. A serial killer is on the loose. Unrelated persons are murdered, hands tied, dagger in heart and grains in mouth. Kadam, although maverick, is a brilliant investigator. He is requested to assist. What's the pattern? Momuma (acronym of Mohan Mustafa Mathew) is running his own cult. Dy. Home minister has ambitions to become Home Minister but is troubled by his drug addict son. Bhau Kadam, a local gangster and politician has a grudge against Kadam.

Why grains in mouth? What is the pattern? Can Kadam crack the case? Can others tolerate him? Whodunit?

The story has pace. Kadam has to deal on multiple fronts. Investigation, Police politics, Real politics, Personal issues. Then there is the question about his past. Why does he blame himself? Why did his wife leave him? How long does he have before his heart gives up?

The key to solve the case is in finding the pattern and understanding the logic behind the murders. There are false flags and red herrings. There are dead ends. But Kadam perseveres.

The perpetrator and the reason is not entirely convincing. But even in that author has introduced a seed for a sequel. Although this book doesn't say it's first of the series, there will be a sequel.

The story happens in Mumbai, Maharashtra. So there are several small dialogues and expressions in Marathi. Marathi words used in the book are correct but not appropriate in the context. This is not how Marathi is spoken. e.g. 'changla'. The word in that context is 'thik ahe'. Use of word 'mazedar' instead of 'gammat'. 'kadhihi nako' instead of 'kadhich nahi' etc. It's spoiler. Author's lack of knowledge of the language is evident.  A little help from a Marathi speaker would have gone a long way.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Marathi. Unconvincing perpetrator.

What did I like? Keeps you interested.

Read if you plan to read the series.

The black orphan by S. Hussain Zaidi

 "The black orphan" by S. Hussain Zaidi - Good thriller!

This book is published by HarperCollins India  in 2024 and has 248 pages.

India conducted nuclear tests. This time 3 times bigger than previous one. Next day the chief nuclear scientist is found dead. DIG Ajay Rajvardhan of NIA comes to Mumbai to investigate and stands a bail hearing of one of the females he arrested earlier. She is defended by a fiery Advocate Asiya Khan. Ajay and Asiya meet a couple of times in relation to work. Sparks fly. A new all women outfit called Khwahran-e-Millat (KeM), a sisterhood, has come up in India without the intelligence agencies getting wiser. There is a plan afoot to destabilize India and lead it to eventual destruction.

Will Ajay and Asiya fall in love? Is there more than what meets the eyes about the death of nuclear scientist? What is the plan against India? Who is behind it all?

Ajay is the hero. He is young, handsome, dashing, intelligent. He also has several contacts in India and writing intelligence agencies of other countries. Asiya is intelligent and beautiful. She is passionate about injustice towards persons of her faith. She is everything a man looks for. JCP Sagar Pratap of Mumbai police starts with hostilities towards Ajay but realizes his genuineness soon and they become good friends. Mumbai Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar does not encourage inter agency rivalry and is an honest cop. Hafsa is the head of KeM and the one who runs anti India activities without being suspected.

The story is fast paced. The book is not too long, so, the story remains crisp. There is a mysterious character but author has poorly concealed the identity. It was very easy to identify the character. If it was well concealed by adding false trails and red herrings, the story would have become more exciting.

Author claims that this story is inspired by some true events like death of 9 nuclear scientists of India, India’s un-acknowledged involvement in killing of Osama Bin Laden etc.

Ajay, almost single handedly, foils the plot. A bit cinematic. Last fight is hand to hand fight, a bit dramatic.

The book ends with two twists. One is the identity of the entity behind all this and second the hint of a sequel. I will wait for the sequel.

Why did I read this book? Author. Subject.

What I didn't like? A little cinematic. 

What did I like? Plot, pace. 

Good thriller. Recommend reading.

The hidden Hindu 3 by Akshat Gupta

 "The hidden Hindu 3" by Akshat Gupta - Its not a religious book! 

This book is published by Penguin ebury press in 2023 and has 256 pages. This is Book 3 of the trilogy.

Bali and Vibhishan have decided to stay neutral. Om's past is unlocked and the immortals are shaken. LSD is pregnant with Parimal's son. Nagendra is reinvigorated. Shukracharya makes an appearance. Padmanabha Swamy temple is the final destination.

Who is LSD? Why is she having Parimal's child? What is Nagendra's plan? Who is Nagendra? What's in Om's past? Will any immortal die?

The story moves geographically from north to south. Several back stories are revealed. Om's son Prithvi is telling the story of what happened to Mrs. Batra.

The first part of this book is similar to Book 2 where one by one words are lost. Then the climax happens in Padmanabha Swamy temple. This is an out and out war. But the description of it is neither crisp nor exciting. Author has brought all the villains from time immortal for the final war and that appears a little overboard. This part should have been more exciting and entertaining.

The trilogy ends but does the story end? Not really. Author has sowed the seed for another trilogy. Hanuman is the only immortal that doesn't make entry in this trilogy. His role is probably reserved for the next trilogy.

Why did I read this book? Had read first two books.

What did I like? Seed for another trilogy.

What I didn't like? The final war. Stretched climax.

Recommend reading if you have read the first two books.