Maut by Behram Ardeshir

"Maut" by Behram Ardeshir.

Maut is the  deadliest assassin in the world. He is an Indian. He could have become anything he wanted, a doctor, an engineer, a manager, an athlete. But fate has chosen this destiny for him.

Maut is tasked to kill a Russian mobster in Cyprus. He succeeds, encounters Groznetsky who is in charge of mobster's security. Both Maut and Groznetski escape Cyprus without killing each other.

Maut who is a ruthless assassin and cold blooded murderer, had started to show feelings. He had started to help people in distress. Deputy director of Indian intelligence bureau, who is trying to find Maut, is perplexed. Is he a good guy or a bad guy?

This is when he meets Charmaine, his love since his adolescence, who is now married. A number of events take place that put Charmaine in harms way and Maut has to fight the fight of his life to save her. What is the fight? Why Charmaine, who had married an accountant, is in danger? What does Maut do? Can he win? Can he save her? Will he get her?

Behram has created India's answer to Robin Hood, Jason Bourne and Mitch Rapp put together. He has succeeded in creating an interesting character who is supremely fit, trained in every martial art, can kill easily with bare hands, is master of disguise and speaks about 12 languages.

Although he describes Maut's fights in detail, readers fail to understand how exactly did he kill the guy. Characters are neatly developed although the reader wonders why the characters can not see what the reader can. There are also a few loop holes and incongruities that could have been avoided with better proof reading.

The author has  provided certain information in two or three chapters again and again, unnecessarily, as if they are different stories. This indicates lack of confidence in readers and becomes an irritation for the readers.

The book is titled 'Maut - The birth of death' and the last chapter explains how Maut became an assassin. Probably Behram wants to create a series and this is the first book. We can expect more from him.

A decent book. Recommend reading for a change.