Happiness by Danielle Steele

"Happiness" by Danielle Steele - It's a choice!

This book is published by An in 2024 and has 336 pages.

Sabrina Brooks is a psycho-thriller author of best sellers. Her works come from her horrendous marriage with a psycho husband for 5 years. Now divorced and famous, she lives with her two dogs in Berkshire, USA. One day a letter arrives informing her that her uncle (father's brother), a Viscount in England, has died leaving his property and house to her. Her uncle's attorney (Greyson) convinces her to visit before deciding to sell the property off. 

Will she like the property? Will she keep it? Will she be attracted to the handsome attorney? Is he available? Will she meet someone else?

Sabrina is very uncomfortable with the title of Lady Brooks. But in England she deciphers the distant and cold behavior of her dead father. She understands the family background. She finds the roots. Greyson is in an unhappy marriage. He promises to get out but his wife is not going to give up so easily. Sabrina also meets Caleb, a recently widowed screenwriter.

This story is very straight forward without any unexpected twist or turn. It's actually predictable. It's also relatively short. So, when it ends you don't get the satisfaction of having read a complete story. There could have been several possibilities to spice up the things, but author ignites them and delivers a simple and sweet story.

Danielle Steel stories are mostly happy ending and middle to affluent class with strong female protagonist. She doesn't write series, so each one brings something new.

My favorite sentence from this book:

Happiness is not a gift, it's a choice.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What didn't I like?  Too simplistic.

What did I like? Happy ending.

Not a must read.

The lost city of the monkey God by Douglas Preston

"The lost city of the monkey God" by Douglas Preston - True story ! 

This book is published by Head of Zeus in 2017 and has 336 pages. 

Since the days of Spanish conquistadores rumours have circulated about a lost city of immense wealth hidden deep in the Honduran interior. Indigenous tribes warn the legendary city is cursed. To enter it is a death sentence. They call it the Lost City of the Monkey God.

A mission is launched to do LiDAR surveys of potential areas. LiDAR is a technology that can see what's on the ground and below it by penetrating the dense foliage off the tree canopy. The sites (T1, T2, T3) are identified in Mosquitia, Honduras. Now it's time for a physical mission. A team of archeologists, journalists and army personnel is put together. Author is the chosen journalist.

Will there be able to land and survive in the Virgin jungle? What dangers will they face? Will they survive? Will they find the lost city of Monkey God?

It's a fascinating account with encounters with fer-de-lance (a very poisonous snake), Jaguar, sand flies, mosquitoes, insects etc.  It's the story of discovery. Story of a place not visited by any human in almost 500 years. Story of a curse.

When the Spanish conquerors landed in Americas, they brought with them their diseases. Local population had no immunity to these foreign diseases, mainly Malaria and Leash Menises. Local population died en mass and Spanish survived. Local population saw this as wrath / curse of God and abandoned cities. Up to 90% of local population died. This resulted in extermination of civilizations and races. It was the most brutal extermination of mankind, anywhere in the world.

The visiting team discovers a city. It's not established if it's the City of Monkey God, but they find a city. It's neither Mayan, nor Aztecs. It's a mysterious Pre-Colombian civilization. But the curse strikes and some team members become victims of Leash Menises.

By the end of the book, the excavation has just started. So, what is revealed there remains unknown.

It's a good account. Despite being a nonfiction, author captivates you with his account and with the possibilities. A couple of things that didn't sit well with me are:

It is not established if the city the found was indeed the Lost City of Monkey God. Then why give that name to the book?

Author has spent a lot of time in the history of the diseases and their history. Although diseases are essential to understand why the Native American civilizations became extinct, the book delves into it too much in detail. If that was shortened, it would have made the v book crisp.

Why did I read this book? Nonfiction for a change.

What did I like? The account

What didn't I like? As mentioned above.

Read it for a change.

The Bourne Sacrifice by Brian Freeman

"The Bourne Sacrifice" by Brian Freeman - No novelty!

This book is published by Head of Zeus in 2022 and has 385 pages. This is Book 17 of Jason Bourne series.

A German lady is killed in a park. Another lady approaches Abbey Laurent claiming that the lady is not who she is told to be. Abbey investigates and lands in trouble that practically ends her journalistic career. Bourne, who has left Treadstone, has a lead in his mission of finding Lennon. But he needs help and has to partner with Treadstone. An organization called Pyramid is playing behind the scenes influencing policy, government and intelligence.

Will Abbey and Bourne meet again? Will they remain together? Who runs Pyramid? How deep is the rot?

Bourne and Abbey are on the run. They are hunted but need information to become hunters. Their personal relationship is tested. Abbey crosses an invisible threshold. Will she be the same again?

It's a typical thriller. A wealthy individual with the dream of world dominion. An organization that controls the world. Deo roots. A hired assassin. Bourne standing between Pyramid and absolute control.

You can easily imagine how it ends. 

This book doesn't bring anything new to the table. So, although it's not boring, there's nothing special to write about.

Why did I read this book? I am reading the series.

What didn't I like? Lack of novelty.

What did I like? Umm....

Give it a miss.

Soul of the sword by Julie Kagawa

 "Soul of the sword" by Julie Kagawa - What happens next?

This book is published by HQ Young Adult in 2019 and has 384 pages. This is Book 2 of Shadow of the Fox series.

Book 1 ended with Hakai Mono possessing Tatsumi's soul and body. Umeko decides to save Tatsumi at any cost. Lady Hancho, the head of Shadow Clan and Umeko reach an agreement that Umeko will save Tatsumi and Lady Hancho will not order killing of Tatsumi. Umeko and her companions; Taio Daisuke, Rekha-the shrine maiden, Master Giro, Okame-the Ronin March towards the Steel feather temple. So does Hakai Mono in Kage Tatsumi's body. He has formed alliance with Genno, master of demons, the blood mage. Steel feather temple is guarded by Tengu-the crow Yokai. Dragon's scroll is the ultimate prize. Now everyone knows that Umeko is a half Kitsune. Only way to fight Hakai Mono is to use Kitsunetzu ki.

Which of the companions of Umeko die? Does Tatsumi hate Umeko? Is there a sliver of love between them? Can she force Hakai Mono back into Kami Gorushi? What is Lord Segetsu supported by Taka the Okai and Suki the ghost trying to achieve?

The journey continues. The part in Hakame castle is a bit boring. I would have preferred if the battle inside Tatsumi's soul was made more interesting.

The book ends little unexpectedly. You expect the end of the story but the story has a twist towards the end and would be completed in Book 3. Umeko is becoming stranger and takes on Hakai Mono but the battle remains incomplete. She has a new kind of challenge in next book.

Off the book was a little shorter, it would have become more interesting.

Why did I read this book? First book was good. 

What I didn't like? Place of story in some places.

What did I like? Cleaver use of Fox Magic.

Read only if you will read the series.

The Bourne Treachery by Brian Freeman

"The Bourne Treachery" by Brian Freeman - The saga continues!

This book is published by Bloomsbury publishing in 2022 and has 432 pages. This is Book 16 of Jason Bourne series. 

Three years ago Bourne and Nova have tried to exfiltrate a Russian spy but the Russians manage to kill Jim in a boat explosion. Nova, Bourn's partner and lover, has died after that. Lennon is an assassin and master of disguise and is working for Russia. Clark Cafferty of USA and Gennady Sorokin of Russia are going to have a clandestine meeting in London. Tati, a Russian scientist, is invited for a seminar in London. Bourne and back from dead Nova are assigned to foil Lennon's attempt in the life of Cafferty.

How come Nova is alive? Will there be amorous relationship again? Why is Tati invited? What is the objective of the secret meeting? Will Bourne and Lenin meet?

Initial part of the story concentrates on Bourne and Nova and later the attention shifts to Tati. Lennon taunts Bourne that they knew each other before Bourne lost his memory. So Bourne had to find Lennon but not kill him. 

The story is semi complicated. The plot is there, but last part of the book is all about Bourne and Lennon. Nova's actions don't appear consistent with her character. Bourne appears to like Nova s as well as Abbey.

The book ends with a revelation. But Bourne can't say if it's true or a lie.

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

What did I like? Enigma of Lennon .

What I didn't like? Beatles songs.

Read only if you plan to read the series.

Rasputin's shadow by Raymond Khoury

"Rasputin's shadow" by Raymond Khoury - Historical fiction!

This book is published by Orion in 2015 and has 480 pages. This is Book 4 of Templar book series.

A Russian Embassy staff dies by jumping out of the balcony of an apartment owned by a Russian immigrant (Leo Sakharov) in America. The immigrant and his American wife go missing. FBI agent Shane Reilly investigates. There is a connection to the infamous Russian mystic and the adviser to Tsar and Tsarina, Rasputin.

Why is everyone looking for the immigrant Russian school teacher? What does he have? What is the connection to Rasputin? Can Shane solve the mystery?

What appears to be a case of missing school teacher and mystery of death of a Russian embassy staff becomes a full blown crisis. The body count starts increasing at an alarming rate. A Russian special forces operative (Koshe) is on the loose in America. Everyone is after the invention that can change the world. The invention is potent and can be a boon or bane depending on the user.

The story toggles between present time and the time of Rasputin. It uses the mystery surrounding Rasputin, one of the most controversial personalities in Russia. The invention is Perl and can do great damage to the enemies of its possessor.

Character of Sakhalov is interesting. He wants to live a decent life but can't quell his scientific curiosity. Reilly, the hero of first three books, is you against all odds. At the same time he is also trying to find out who from CIA tried to brainwash his 4 year old son. So on one side he is duty bound and on another side he has a personal score to settle.

Book ends with solution to one of these two problems and leaves the readers excited about what's going to happen in book 5 because of what he discovered at the end of book 4.

Why did I read this book? Good series so far. 

What I didn't like? Can a single man outsmart alphabet soup agencies?

What did I like? The  invention.

Read, if you plan to read the series. 

The mistress of Bhatia house by Sujata Massey

 "The mistress of Bhatia house" by Sujata Massey - Misnomer!

This book is published by Penguin in 2023 and has 432 pages. This is second book of Praveen Mystry series.

Gulnaz, Praveen's childhood friend and now sister-in-law has delivered a baby girl, but the arrival has created a rift in their relation. Uma, daughter-in-law of Sir Dwarkanath Bhatia, is collecting donations for a ladies hospital and Dr. Miriam Penkar has scripted to be the Chief Physician. Sunanda, the ayah in Bhatia house is arrested for allegedly attempting abortion. Colin Sandringham is working on updating the maps of Bombay Presidency and Princely States. There is a murder.

Why is Sunanda arrested? Did she attempt abortion? Why are certain Britishers against Praveen? Who is murdered? Whodunit?

The story starts with the hospital, then moves on to Sunanda's arrest and stays there for a long time. Then suddenly it moves to the Nawab of Varunpur and his Australian wife. Then a crime is committed. Then there is the incident of an Englishman grabbing Praveen's bottom. 

In short, the story has no flow. Things appear to be happening randomly. I continued reading the book assuming that although it looked chaotic, probably it will all come together nicely at the end. Alas! It was not to be. The end is even more chaotic and very abrupt. It's also unconvincing.

Author probably wants Praveen to experience motherhood without having her own child, so the character of Gulnaz becomes paranoid and the responsibility of little Khushi comes to Praveen. Again unconvincing.

Even the title is a misnomer. The mistress of Bhatia house is neither a heroine nor a villain and she doesn't even have a significant role.

Why did I read this book? It was available.

What I didn't like? Story. 

What did I like? Umm... 

Give it a miss.