The bard of blood by Bilal Siddiqui

"The bard of blood" by Bilal Siddiqui. This book is published by Penguin books and Blue salt and has 299 pages. This is Bilal's debut novel. 

Lieutenant General Sadiq Sheikh, head of MI, is killed. Kabir Anand, a professor of Literature and former spy, is called back into action to rescue Indian hostages from Mulla Omar's custody. A sinister plot is in the offing. 

Who killed Sadiq? Why? Why did Kabir become Proffessor?  Will Kabir agree? What is the big plot? Who is behind it?

Bilal has written a good story. The narration does not give away the fact that this is author's debut novel. In reality there are three stories, that are intertwined, in the book. The actions are fairly good. Plot is interesting. Traitor is well hidden. Delivery is interesting. He has also used Shekspere's quotes owing to Kabir's background. 

Author has used Baloch dissention and their antipathy towards Pakistan and India's efforts to help them and leverage it to gain help in mission inside Pakistan in the story. Whether such a thing happens in reality is anybody's guess. Mission sabotaged by a traitor in RAW, twice, gives it another dimension. Terrorist attack that has potential of wiping India off the world map crowns the plot. 

Character of Kabir Anand is interesting. He is a sleuth and Professor of Literature with specialization in Shakspere. He is a patriot and one of the best agent but was kicked out under unproven suspicion of treason. He is brought back into action because of a murder of his mentor, guide and boss. He is cold blooded and emotional at the same time. He feels that he was treated unjustly and pounces on the opportunity that may absolve him. 

There are a some naive slip ups. e.g. Why Kabir was not patted down for weapons by the Afghan guard at Taj? How come the real names of operatives are shared with people who help them on mission? Why send an untested, emotional desk jockey on a mission? Why give English code names for agents on mission to Pakistan?

Author has concluded a book with a possibility of sequel. Bilal has shown good potential and he will only get better in subsequent books. 

Read if you have time.