Total control by David Baldacci

"Total control" by David Baldacci. This book is published by Pan Macmillan in 2012 and has 624 pages.

Jason Archer is in mid level management of  Triton Global. Triton is in process of acquiring a technology company whose technology is second to none. His wife is external legal counsel of Triton. One day he boards a flight that meets with an accident. All dead. Arthur Liberman, head of Federal Reserve, is also on that flight. Lee Sawyer is assigned to the investigation. 

Why did Jason board that flight? Why did he lie to his wife? What did he steal? Why did Liberman keep a secret from the world? Was the plane sabotaged?

The story takes grip from the word go. The mystery of what Jason is up to. The mystery of what Liberman is up to. Sidney's sudden widow status. Air crash conspiracy. Financial markets. M&A deals. Author manages to keep the reader interested and guessing all through this. 

Two characters are central to the plot. Sydney, an intelligent lawyer who wants to become a full time mom. She is put in a situation not of her making. All odds are stacked against her. She stands to loose everything. But she is spirited and refuses to go down without a fight. FBI investigator Lee Sawyer is a decorated officer with an impeccable record of solving cases. He is married to his work and is thus divorced and estranged from his kids. He has the feel of his cases. Although all the evidence points in one direction his hunch points in another and he is not afraid of following his hunch. Basically he is a good human being. These two characters drive and balance the story. 

The mastermind behind the plot remains unknown but intelligent readers can start seeing him, first as a silhouette, that gets clearer as the story progresses. In the end that person comes out at guilty party, but there are others too. 

Narration is very good. New twists keep appearing at regular intervals, thickening the plot and keeping the reader on tenterhooks. It's a big book and it's a complicated plot. However, author keeps intriguing. He manages to keep the interest piqued. Credit to author. 

Story happens in 1995. It's the age of cutting edge technology involving Floppy disks and VCRs. Sounds obsolete today, but it was Hi Fi in those days.

This is one of the few standalone books of David Baldacci. I enjoyed it. Since there is no sequel, readers can read it without obligations. 

Why did I read this book? David Baldacci. 

What I didn't like? Umm!. 

What did I like? Plot and narration. 

A good book. Recommend reading.

Murder with Bengali characteristics by Shovon Chowdhuri

"Murder with Bengali characteristics" by Shovon Chowdhuri. This book is published by Aleph book company in 2015 and has 204 pages.

China has invaded Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Bengal. Bengal is now a protectorate of China. China has also aquired Korea and Japan. Inspector An Li has transferred from Bejing to Calcutta. There is a murder of a party worker by strangulation. Thugs are suspected. Li investigates. 

Why was Barin Mondol killed? Who killed him? What is the conspiracy? What are the Bengali characteristics?

This book is a stand alone sequel of 'The competent authority'. Nuclear war between China and India happened in that book. Kashmir is a waste land. Bengali communists invited China during that war. Thus Bengal is now a protectorate of China. 

The story takes place in Year 2035. Chinese are ruling the second class, unintelligent, poor Bengalis. It's poverty, protests, executions, arson all around. Bengalis are angry as usual. 

The story is weak. I had a feeling that actually story is secondary. The dystopian society and its functioning, or lack of it, is the real thing. Author has portrayed the society with a bit of humor and a bit of sarcasm. The category of humor is dry humor. 

Information officer's job is to prevent public from getting too much information. There is severe regulation and blockage of information. There are high tech gizmos like flying cars, personal drones, anti telepath cap, voice command computers at the disposal of Chinese in one side and jungle dwelling Maoists, poverty stricken Bengalis and profit seeking businessman on the other. 

There is a conspiracy with the Bengali characteristic. What's that? Well! What is most closely associated with Bengalis? Of Course, fish. How is it related to conspiracy and murder?

Although I liked authors take on the status after Chinese control, the story becomes secondary and thus the book does not generate interest. Eventually the reason of murder, though grave, does not impact the reader as much as it should. 

Why did I read this book? Title. Good reviews for 1st book.    

What I didn't like? Weak story. 

What did I like? Dry humor. 

Give it a miss.

The Mistress by Danielle Steel

"The Mistress" by Danielle Steel. This book was published by Random house in 2017 and has 336 pages. 

Vladimir Stanislas, a filthy rich Russian Steel Barron, lives mostly on his luxury yacht 'Princess Marina' with his mistress of seven years, Natasha Lenova. They have a symbiotic relationship. She, content with all the comfort, luxury and trophy status since she was 19. He, giving her more than her modest expectations for being there for him at all times. Vladimir has a keen eye for art and all things beautiful. Theo, a painter, is son of Lorenzo Luca, a famous painter whose art fetches astronomical price when on sale. Usually it isn't because his widow would not sell it.

Would the stories converge? Would they meet? Is Natasha happy to be a mistress? What kind of a girl is she?

Natasha's character is special. At the age of 19 and destitute, Vladimir had nursed her from near death to life and she had become his mistress willingly. She wants to believe that they love each other and she is happy. She is greatful to Vladimir for saving her life and saving her from poverty. She is drop dead gorgeous and loves art. She wants to go to university. Despite being a mistress she has not lost her innocence or judgement of right and wrong. The character is rich. Theo is also an interesting character. He is a painter like his father. Art comes before relationships. He doesn't want to get married, loves his mother and helps her run a niche and fine dining restaurant. Melisse, Lorenzo's widow, loves Gabriel but is not able to come out of mourning and declare her love. Vladimir, the ruthless businessman, who owns Natasha and showers her with gifts and surprises, is an art connoisseur and has an eye for beauty. He owns Natasha and flaunts her. He is extremely intolerant of insubordination.

The story has a flow. There are time leaps of weeks and months but are easily covered in narrative. Reader knows where the story is headed in first few pages. Thus the destination is known and readers can enjoy the journey. The journey is indeed enjoyable. 

The first question is when will Natasha realize that she lives in a Golden cage? The second is when will Theo acknowledge that he is in love? Third is how difficult the path will be? In due course all the questions are answered. 

Author has avoided dramatizing the story. She has also avoided extreme measures. It would have been tempting to use violence, guns and fights to spice up the story. But she doesn't do it. She should be appreciated for her restraint. She allows the story to take its own course. She stays true to a romantic story. Thus it becomes a light and easy book that captures your attention and does not let the reader digress.

A good story and a good change.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Vladimir's sudden decision to back out. 

What did I like? Suggestive, rather than conclusive end. 

Recommend reading.

The black widow by Daniel Silva

"The black widow" by Daniel Silva. This book is published by HarperLuxe in 2016 and has 720 pages. This is Book 16 of Gabriel Allon series. 

A conference in Paris, brainstorming about status of Jews (after a series of attacks on Jews by Muslim fundamentalists in France), is bombed. The convener bequeaths her Van Gogh painting to Gabriel, the Israeli spy who is to become the Spy Chief. French would allow the painting to leave France only if Gabriel helps track the mastermind, Saladin and the perpetrator, a Black Widow, and dismantle the terror network.

Will Gabriel agree to accept French condition and delay becoming Spy Chief? How to fight this new face of terror? What are plans of ISIS? What is the counter measure?

The new face of terror is female. European white females convert to Islam and join the cause. They are more educated than men. Since they are forbidden from taking active role, they take supportive role. They marry 'soon to be martyred'  terrorist and become 'Black Widows'. 

An elaborate plot is hatched to insert an informant into the most dreaded and vicious terrorist organization ISIS. Israel, Jordan, France team up and recruit an agent. ISIS is planning something big. No spy agency knows what? All hopes are on this agent, all eyes are on this agent. Will the agent deliver? 

Although it's a thriller with the central theme of terrorism, it's still a fresh story. There is a novelty in this agent. The training, however, is a bit hasty. Portion of Syria in ISIS control is a dystopian society. Yet fanatics are ready to die for it for the promise of heaven. Narration is good, so is the flow. 

Towards the end, attack on America begins. It appears as if we are heading for a climax but it turns out to be a counter climax. Tables are turned and that brings Gabriel into live action for the real climax and damage control. 

The end of the book drags. It's a winding end where author tries to tie all loose ends like Gabriel's Coronation, the last kill, reconciliation with ex-wife etc. However while trying to tie loose ends, the story loses  momentum. 

It's a peculiar story that does not end with the victory of god guys. Rather it ends with victory to bad guys. It's courageous of author to end the book with a defeat. So the battle is lost but war is not over. It will continue in the series. Threat of ISIS can't be ignored. 

What is the distinguishing feature of Gabriel Allon? He has grey temples, since he was young, and has greenest if green eyes. 

Why did I read this book? Title. 

What I didn't like? Winding end. 

What did I like? Concept. Author courage to portray defeat. 

Recommend reading. 

The heiress of Linn Hagh by Karen Charlton

"The heiress of Linn Hagh" by Karen Charlton. This book is published by Thomas & Mercer in 2015 and has 325 pages. This is Book 1 of Detective Lavender mysteries.   

It's year 1809. Detective Steven Lavender and Constable Woods are on an overnight journey to investigate disappearance of an Heiress, Helen Carnebie, from a room locked from inside, weeks before she comes into her inheritance. The policemen fight Highway robbers with the help of a beautiful and curvaceous Spanish gun wielding beauty and foil the attempted attack on their  horse drawn coach. 

How can someone disappear from a room closed from inside? Why does she disappear? Is she dead? Who is the Spanish beauty?

Detective Lavender is attracted towards Spanish Magdalena at first site. There is a spark. His thoughts about her are not exactly decent. But she disappears from the story after their first encounter to appear at the end of book. Her story will appear in subsequent books. 

At Linn Hagh, he encounters a strange family of two brothers and a sister, all half siblings of the heiress. Servants, who would not speak. Gypsies who are allowed to stay on the estate by the father of the heiress. Maternal relatives of the heiress. Villagers who look at the pair of detective and constable skeptically. Village Vicar, Doctor, Inn keeper etc. 

It's a tale of a big mansion and once affluent family now constricted for resources. There is inheritance. There is a motive. There are mad person, tiff between gypsies and farmers & then there is a possible murder. Linn Hagh, a remote rural estate in north east England and Belligjam, the town, is where the story happens.

Detective Lavender has a easy task of determining how the heiress disappeared from locked room and a difficult task of finding her. The mystery of disappearance is solved easily, thus making the title a bit of misnomer. 

The story happens 200 years ago. So it was expected that the story would create 200 year old atmosphere. But despite the props like horse drawn coaches, mounted police etc. you don't get the period feel. The genre of the book is historical mystery. Does the author compete with Agatha Christie? Not really, but she appears to be from the same school. 

When I read the blurb and decided to read the book, somehow I had an impression that Detective Lavender was female. But he turned out to be a male. 

Why did I read this book? Name of detective.

What I didn't like? Atmosphere of 200 years ago is not created. 

What did I like? Methodical approach. 

Read if you have time. 

Salvation of a saint by Keigo Higashino

"Salvation of a saint" by Keigo Higashino translated from Japanese to English by Alexander O Smith. This book is published by Little, Brown book group in 2013 and has 384 pages. This is book 2 of Detective Galileo series. 

Yoshitaka Mashiba (Business man) & Ayane Mita (famous patchwork quilter) are married for one year. One day Yoshitaka informs Ayane that he wants a separation because she did not become pregnant. Ayane goes to her parent's place for the weekend and hands over her house keys to Hiromi Wakayama, her protégé. Yoshitaka dies that week end by poisoning. Hiring finds the body. Detective Kusanagi and young junior detective Kaudu Utsumi investigate under watchful eye of Police chief Mamia. 

How was Yoshitaka poisoned? How come Hiromi finds the body? What does Utsumi's female instinct say? Whodunit?

Most of the story happens in Tokyo. The detectives take help of an eccentric physics professor nick named Detective Galileo. Despite having three detectives, there is no rivalry or infighting between them, but there are difference of opinions. All of them work to solve the case. Author has not provided almost no details of the personal lives of detectives. He only talks about their work. Appreciation is due for this restraint of author. 

Although it's a murder mystery, it's neither a fast story not an action packed one. However, it still hooks-up the reader. There are only two suspects. The murderer is obvious.  However there is no proof. Most of the story is about determining how the poison entered the coffee. More than 'Whodunit', it's should be categorized as 'Howdunit'.  

When finally, the 'how' is revealed, it's fantastically improbable. The murder turns out to be a salvation. How? You have to read the book. 

Keigo Higashino is a Japanese author of mystery novels. The book cover calls him Japanese Steig Larsson. 

Why did I read this book? Keigo Higashino. 

What I didn't like? Can there be a man like the victim?

What did I like? The concept of salvation. 

Recommend reading.

Any minute now by Eric Van Lustbader

"Any minute now" by Eric Van Lustbader. This book is published by Forge books in 2016 and has 368 pages.

Red Rover is a private contractor working for CIA. They are sent on blackest of black operation to kidnap and interrogate Saudi born terrorist El Habib from Pakistan. But the operation fails. There is a traitor. One member is lost. Gregory Whitman and Felix Orteño want to capture El Habib, but NSA directs them to leave him alone. The lost member is replaced by mysterious Charlie. A group that calls itself Alchemists wants to create an ultimate warrior. 

What is Luther Saint Vincent's agenda? Who is mysterious Preach? What is the China connection? What is 'The well'? How come Whitman has a multi faceted personality?

A group of powerful individuals works out of the government channels. Whitman has quit this group long time ago. Preach thinks of him as a son for his future. 

Author has created a number of sub plots. Some of them are not even relevant to the story. What was the significance of Sidney Julie story? What was the significance of story of Luther's mother? Why was character of Lucy introduced in the story? Why crow can't see Charlie? Some parts of the stories take the book from the realm of fiction to realm of fantasy. Spirit of dead crow telling secrets to Preach, Black magic and voodoo are some examples. At one point readers can't make sense of what is happening and why. 

The story is about the creation of an ultimate warrior, a killing machine without remorse or emotions. However the sub plots divert attention from the main focus. Reader gets confused about which the main plot is. The story goes all over the place. 

As a result author had to run all over the place to converge all the threads. He could have done away with some sub plots and made the story lean and bearable. What was the significance of the title?

Why did I read this book? Eric Van Lustbader's non Jason Bourn novel. 

What I didn't like? Magic, digressions. 

What did I like? Umm!

Give it a miss.