Praying Mantis by R. V. Raman

 "Praying Mantis" by R. V. Raman - Whodunit! 

This book is published by Pushkin Press in 2023 and has 304 pages. This is Book 3 of Harith Atreya series.

Harith Atreya is a retired police investigator who does occasional private work. Javed, friend of Atreya, invites him to his hotel, a converted English structure, called Castle Dan, to look into a riddle. Five young individuals have checked-in in his hotel and although they know each other they pretend not to. The curious riddle turns into a murder investigation. The uncanny similarity of the death with another one few years ago complicates things.

Why are the five pretending not to know each other? Who is murdered? Can Atreya find the culprit? Whodunit?

There are limited characters of interest. The five individuals include Linda, friend of Javed’s daughter. Ipshita, the interior designer. Poorvi, search engine optimizer. Sarosh, the angel investor with strange mustache. Davak Strummer, a singer. In addition to them there is a couple. Kingshuk, fitness instructor & Mrinal his fiancée and a start up entrepreneur. And to round off the count there is Asma, Javed’s daughter. Mazin, Adma’s cousin and finally Javed, Atreya’s friend, retired police psychologist and owner of Castle Dan.

The story is interesting. A typical whodunit. There are several false trails and red herrings in the mix. Someone drugs Atreya. There is also the mystery of bloody hand to add to the complexity. Everyone has an opportunity. Several seem to have a motive too. Atreya has to wade through the information or the lack of it to get to the truth.

I had zeroed on two possible culprits and one of the two turned out to be the eventual killer.

The story keeps you interested and anticipation makes you read the book. All in all a good story.

Title of the book is fantastic. It fits the story perfectly.

Why did I read this book? Whodunit after a while.

What did I like? Interesting story. Title.

What I didn't like? Umm…. 

Recommend reading.

Worthy opponents by Danielle Steele

 "Worthy opponents" by Danielle Steele- A misnomer ! 

This book is published by Macmillan in 2023 and it has 298 pages. 

Spencer Brooke is the owner of a high end store selling rare fashion brands located in a run down locality. This is her grandfather’s store and it’s her life. Her love for store and insistence to continue working after the birth of the twins has cost her the marriage. Mike Weston is an investor. He runs his own fund and is extremely successful. He offers Spencer to buy controlling stake in her store. Spencer flatly refuses. It’s more than just a store for her.

Will Mike accept the rejection? Why does such a small business attract big shout like Mike? Will Spencer be compelled to sell? Who are worthy opponents?

It’s a typical Danielle Steele novel. Well to do people. Nice people. Crisis. Happy ending. Goodie goodie.

Spencer is driven. She loves the store and loves her work. She can also think out of the box. She can’t imagine selling the store. She respects Mike but can’t accept his offer. Mike is rich, intelligent, handsome and very considerate (rare to find all these in one person). He can’t make a deal without controlling stake but admires her courage.

Well, the story is interesting until the fire incident. Thereafter it becomes very predictable. At the end of the book you wonder if the title of the book is appropriate. Doesn’t look so. It’s a misnomer.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Predictability.

What did I like? Feel good. 

Recommend reading.

The Architect’s apprentice by Elif Shafak

 "The Architect’s apprentice" by Elif Shafak - Stretched end!

This book is published by Penguin Books  in 2015 and has 464 pages.

Jehan is an elephant tamer. He arrives in Turkie with a white elephant gifted by Shah of India to Sultan of Turkie. Here he is selected by Master Sinan (Chief Royal architect) as his apprentice along with three others. The story takes us from his arrival to almost end of his life.

What does he experience? How does he survive Palace politics? What secret is he hiding? What friends does he make? What enemies does he make? Will he be known for his art or for his elephant?

The story takes place in 16th century Turkie. Jehan is a child when he arrives and goes on to live beyond age of 90. But his life is full of intrigue, plots, suspense and mystery. His love for the elephant and his master is exemplary. He is a normal man, not a hero. He has friends but he is alone. He loves someone he can never marry. Despite a full life, it’s empty. Since the story happens in 16th century, the pace is slow. But author keeps readers interested.

The end, however, is stretched unnecessarily. This extension turns counterproductive and spoils the taste of novel. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Pace. Stretched end. 

What did I like? Overall story. 

Read if you don’t mind slow novel.

Gapsap (गपसप - पळसखेड परिसरातल्या अस्सल लोककथा) by Na. Dhon. Mahanor

 "Gapsap (गपसप - पळसखेड परिसरातल्या अस्सल लोककथा)" by Na. Dhon. Mahanor - Simple and sweet!

This book is published by Samakalin Prakashan. This 5th edition was published in 2018 and has 63 pages. 

This is a small collection of rural folktales from the area of Palaskhed, the place where author belongs. Folktales are spread by word of mouth rather than through written books. But this tradition is disappearing fast. This is author’s attempt to preserve the stories and making them more approachable to a larger pool of readers.

Gapsap (गपसप): This is the story of a cobbler who wouldn’t mend the broken footwear unless the owner tells a good tale (Gapsap). One day he meets a customer who teaches him lesson of his life.

Thakbaji (ठकबाजी): There are two expert cheaters. They decide to work together. But would they share the loot?

Kalkutya Gangyabhat (कळकुट्या गंग्याभट): Gangyabhat is a Brahmin. But he has a very bad habit of creating scandals out of nothing and making people fight. When he is about to die, he throws his final dice.

Rangrao Patlachi Goshta (रंगराव पाटलाची गोष्ट): Rangrao Patil and his young beautiful wife (Kesar) have no offspring. Rangrao has relations with several women. Narayan, a strapping young Brahmin likes Kesar and wants her. He and domestic help of Kesar hatch a plan to unite them.

Zhoot bolne mein maja hai (झूठ बोलने में मजा है): It’s the story of the daughter of a Kunbi, who, by her intelligence and confidence convinced a king that it’s fun to lie.

Pakhranchya goshti (पाखरांच्या गोष्टी): This is a collection of very very short stories about various birds that tell you why a bat hangs upside down, why Maina’s make a lot of ruckus? Why the owl can be shoo’d off only with one curse and nothing else? Why Koyal calls kuhu kuhu etc.

It’s a very small book. The stories are also small. Sometimes there is a confusion of time period. Sometimes they don’t sound credible. But all that is bound to happen when they are passed on through word of mouth. Nevertheless, they are all interesting.

Why did I read this book? Small. Was available.

What did I like? Originality. 

What I didn't like? Only 5-6 stories.

Recommend reading. A good quick read. 

The last tale of the flower bride by Roshani Chokshi

 "The last tale of the flower bride" by Roshani Chokshi - Very good!

This book was published by Hodder & Stoughton in 2023 and has 304 pages. 

Indigo Maxwell Castenada, a heiress marries a professor, scholar of myths and one who believes in fairy tales. She has placed only one condition. He will not pry.

In any fairy tale promises are broken. That’s what makes it a tale. Will the Professor break his promise? What is the secret? Will the marriage survive? What’s a flower bride?

Well a flower bride is a fairytale bride, made of flowers. Unreal!

This book merges reality with fairytale. Magic is in the air. The house, called House of dreams, is a living breathing organism. It has feelings, it responds, it reacts, it has moods. Indigo is the enigmatic heiress. She loves tales and fables. Professor, her husband satisfies this thirst of hers. They play games based on tales. Life is good until they are called to meet Tati, her aunt, at the house where she grew up.

Here a new character is introduced. Asher. Indigo’s best friend. No one knows where she went years ago. The story becomes interesting here onwards.

One has to understand that this story is a blend of facts and fiction, reality and magic, so the mortal world logic doesn’t always apply. It’s a very different world with a lot of references to fairytales. But it’s mind blowing. The book holds you hostage till the end. 

I have read a few books of Roshini, but this was way above any of them. She should write more such books.

Why did I read this book? Interesting title.  

What I didn't like? Slow pace. 

What did I like? Imagination of author.

A must read.

The hidden Hindu by Akshat Gupta

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

This book is published by Penguin eBurry press in 2022 and has 256 pages. This is Book 1 of the trilogy.

A secret facility in Ross Island of the coast of India. There are various personalities. Shahista, a psychologist. LSD (Lisa), a hacker. Dr. Batra, the second in command. Dr. Srinivas, chief of the facility. Veerabhadra, head of security. An expert of Hindu mythology. Parimal, a stammering history professor . Om Shastri, who claims to be Sushen of Ramayana, Vidur of Mahabharata, Banda Bahadur and many more. A man who never dies.

Is it possible in this modern age? Can any one live forever? Who has captured Om Shastri? Why?

The book is interesting. Immorality always is. But how can one look the same since the time of Ramayana? Why doesn’t he age? Almost entire story happens on an island south of southern tip of India. But the story keeps you interested. 

Well, it’s a trilogy. So, not all the things are clear in this book. But we know it’s about immortality. It’s about Mritt Sanjeevani. Immortals Parshuram and Ashwathhama are introduced. Will the other immortals come in the subsequent books?

I had seen this book from afar but never tried to read thinking it’s a religious book. But it isn’t. It’s a mythological fiction.

Why did I read this book? Interesting title. 

What did I like? Build up. 

What I didn't like? Umm…. 

Recommend reading if you plan to read the series.

Matarese Countdown by Robert Ludlum

"Matarese Countdown" by Robert Ludlum - The sequel!

This book is published by Orion in 2010 and has 592 pages. This is sequel of Matarese Circle. 

25 years have passed from the heroics of Brandon, Vassily and Toni. Brandon and Toni are living on a far away island peacefully. That’s when the American intelligence picks up clues of Matarese resurrection. The only person who can counter them is Brandon. So they send their best, Cameron Price, to convince him. Brandon agrees on his own terms. They are joined by Lt. Colonel Leslie Montrose.

Can’t Brandon stop Matarese? Can Matarese be stopped? This time are they even better prepared? How will the things unfold?

In first book Brandon and Vassily were clear protagonists. This story doesn’t have a clear protagonists. Cameron and the Leslie are one team. They do the leg work. Brandon and CIA’s director of operations is another team that has to handle the command. But Brandon can’t stay out of the action.

Brandon’s character is shown as an adult child. An adamant oldie. He calls the CIA boss Squinty. Childish. It’s completely out of sync with his character in previous book. As if the two books are written by different authors. 

The Matarese is resurrected for this book. One character from previous book and one new character make the Matarese. They have a big plan to bring the world economy to its knees. But Brandon is here to foil it.

Why did I read this book? Author.

What did I like? Not uninteresting.  

What I didn't like? Brandon’s character. No clear protagonists.

Read if you  want to continue the story, otherwise give it a miss.