No man's land by David Baldacci

"No man's land" by David Baldacci - Another super soldier thriller. 

This book is published by  Pan Macmillan UK in 2017 and has 624 pages. This is book 4 of John Puller series. 

Case of John Puller's mother, who went missing when he was eight, was never solved. His father is now suffering from dementia. Their old neighbour sends a letter from her death bed accusing his father of murdering his mother. The case is opened. Puller starts investigating privately. Veronica Knox joins him. Paul Rogers is released from jail. He is incredibly strong for his age. He wants to kill the woman who 'changed' him.

Why did the neighbour accuse? What does the investigation lead to? Who can he trust? Who is Rogers after? Why?

 As soon as Puller starts to make headway, investigation is called off and he is ordered to go to Germany. An unexpected help arrives. He smells a cover up. He is all alone. Can he solve the case? Can he find what happend to his mother?

The story is interesting. Puller is one of the best Chief Weren't Officer (Investigator) for military CID. When he starts investigating, he starts peeling off the layers to unearth new truth. 

The story is decently paced and interesting enough to maintain reader's interest. One thing leads to another and the story goes through a sequence of events. Character of Claire Jericho is mysterious. Puller is living on the edge. It's a story that has mystery, sinister plans, espionage and deception in addition to super soldier who does not know fear.

The questions that beg answers are: Why did Puller Senior return early? How come the sickness frequency of Paul increase upon his release? Where does Veronica really work?

I read two books by two bestselling authors, published in 2017, about creating a super soldier. Is it a coincidence or is it a new trend?

Why did I read this book? David Baldacci. 

What I didn't like?  Loose ends. 

What did I like? 30 year old case. 

Read if you have time.  

Where the rainbow ends by Anurag Anand

"Where the rainbow ends" by Anurag Anand -  Is there a pot of gold?

This book is published by Shrishti publishers in 2013 and has 206 pages. 

Rahul is a divorced professional who lost all his material wealth to his wife in order to retain custody of his daughter, Myra. Avantika, an air hostess, becomes close to Rahul and Myra. One day she vanishes. 

What's the name of their relation? Who is Avantika? Why does she vanish? Who is behind it? Where the rainbow ends, is there a pot of gold?

It's a story of Rahul. His relation with Avantika has no name. His search for her, when she goes missing, is the main story. His past life, his first love, marriage to Shalini, birth of Myra and divorce come to the readers in flash back. 

For most part it's a sedentary story. It ambles along the route keeping the readers mildly interested. Just enough interested to not allow them to abandon. Then comes a twist, an unexpected twist. And then there comes another one. With the two twists the story suddenly becomes interesting. The book ends on a higher note.

I would have liked if both the twists were delivered together in the letter. That would have augmented the intensity and shock value. The story could have been a bit more interesting. 

However, I was not convinced by the reason for Avantika going down the path that she did. In perspective it looks unconvincing. Author has spent way too much time on the flash back.

This book was on my reading list for a long time. I purchased it 2-3 years ago and carried it with me on my travels as standby. But I never came to read it, for no apparent reason. This time I decided to prioritise it and thus read it. 

Why did I read this book? Was on wait list for too long. 

What I didn't like? Avantika's earlier decision.

What did I like? Twist.

Not a must read. 

Puppeteers of Palem by Sharath Komarraju

"Puppeteers of Palem" by  Sharath Komarraju - A noir. 

This book is published by Westland in 2014 and has 312 pages.

A SOS letter from Thatha, who used to tell them stories in their childhood, brings Arvind, Chanti, Ramana, Chotu and Sarayu to Palem (Village of Rudrakshapalem). Something is not right. The village appears dead. People sleep at least 14 hours per day. SHE has returned!

But how is it possible? How can SHE return? How can an entire village go waste? What's happening?

The story is noir, very noir. There is paranormal presence. There are deaths, many deaths.  It's all gloomy. It's mysterious. Concept of being able to give dreams and being able to control ones dreams is interesting.

Story takes place in three time periods. 1984 the story of past, 2001 when the story happened and 2002 the post event diary entries of a journalist, Sonali.

The paranormal entity, it's destruction, it's resurrection, it's influence, its impact and it's relation, real relation to the past is the core of the story.  Who are the puppeteers of Palem?

The story is a bit sluggish. At times readers start to lose interest. For a long time one doesn't understand exactly what's happening. Who is behind it?

If you don't like the genre this book is not for you. Even If you like the genre it may not appeal to you.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? No shock. 

What did I like?  Idea of giving dreams.

 Give it a miss. 

Typhoon fury by Clive Cussler

"Typhoon fury" by Clive Cussler & Boyd Morrison -  A thrilling thriller. 

This book is published by G. P. Putnam's Sons in 2017 and has 448 pages. This is Book 13 of Oregon files.

'The Corporation' is contacted by Beth Anderson, who is an expert art evaluator, to recover stolen paintings. One thing leads to another and they are pitted against a communist leader from Philippines who had an army of super soldiers. 

How did they become super soldiers? What is their ultimate goal? What do they have at their disposal? Can The Corporation fight the super soldiers?

For the uninitiated, The Corporation is a company based on a ship called Oregon. Oregon looks like a dilapidated tramp steamer but in-reality is a state of the art and weaponized fast ship powered by magnetic hydrodynamic engines. They take assignments mainly from CIA but also from others when the assignment does not conflict with American interests. They use technology, deception and dare devilry to get the job done and are led by Chairman Juan Cabrillo.

The story starts in Thailand and happens mostly in Philippines. The drug that turns normal human into Superhuman is called Typhoon. It gives them super strength and extraordinary healing power. They just don't die easily. 

The story is fast. Something is happening all the time. Juan Cabrillo and his team suffer initial setbacks but using the hi-tech gadgets coupled with their grit and determination manage to overcome the odds again. 

The story had several tantalizing action sequences. Landing on to of a running train. Gin fight in the train. Avoiding the drone in hot pursuit of submarine. Saving a ferry with 1200 people on board from going down. Literally riding through the eye of the storm. Flying chopper inside a huge carve. Etc. Each adrenaline pumping action sequence is a cliff hanger and ideal for making a movie. First action sequence also forms the cover off the book. 

Mike Trono was killed in previous book. This book finds a replacement for him. There is also hint of another love interest for Juan.

The title of this Book is ideal one. The drug that creates superhuman is called Typhoon. The climax happens in the eye of real Typhoon Hidalgo.

It's an enjoyable experience. 

Why did I read this book? Clive Cussler.

What I didn't like? Umm...

What did I like? Action sequences, Ideas. 

A very good thriller. Recommend reading. 

Operation Deep Strike by Rahul Badami

"Operation Deep Strike" by Rahul Badami - Thriller all the way. 

This book is Self Published by the author in 2017 and has 289 pages. 

Inamdar, new nationalist Prime Minister of India, authorizes a covert strike, a black op, on the south coast of Pakistan. Target Babur 3 missiles. Strike team of four is led by Arman Ahmed and consists of Baldev, Roshan and Hitesh. The operation soon goes haywire and leads the team deep. Four terrorist groups have come together to launch an attack bigger than 9/11.

Why target Babur 3? Why does the operation go haywire? Are they captured? Will they succeed? What are terrorists hatching?

There are four main Characters, the strike team. Arman the leader, Baldev his trusted  lieutenant, Roshan who comes highly recommended but does nor enjoy Arman's trust thanks to his past actions and Hitesh, the techie.

The team is patriotic, brave and wants to succeed at all costs. They don't care for their lives for the success of mission. However, sometimes they appear foolhardy and land in the trap laid for them to escape eventually. They are entrapped not once, not twice but thrice. And this is the best team!

Babur 3 missiles can be launched from a submarine. If Pakistan deploys them, it becomes a tangible threat for India as the submarine can even go to the east coast and launch them.  Mission is to install a kill switch on Babur 3, rendering them useless against India without Pakistani's getting any wiser.

The book contains a number of ISRO and DRDO inventions. Vidhwansak (Sanskrit:"The Destroyer") is an Indian multi-caliber anti-materiel rifle (AMR), Ghatak UCAV - the unmanned combat Ariel vehicle or Drone, Video communication device in a magazine, A bug sized silent drone for snooping, Cartosat satellite watching the operation & Live Satcom link with Home base. These make the story exotic. 

Mission in Pakistan is the story of this Book. Generally in such books there is background, there is preparation for mission and then the mission is one part of the book. But here entrie book is mission. So the Acton and climax continues throughout the book. The real climax is a moment of apocalypse. If successful, it would change the history and geography of the world. 

Mission into Pakistan is a tantalizing proposition. When it also contains good story, right amount of tension, high octane action, drama and is garnished with intelligence talk;  the book is bound to be a success.

The flaws in this Book are:

1. Although they have operational names, some times they use real names on phone or Satcom. Even if it is s secured line, only code names should be used. 

2. Indian spies traverse entire Pakistan, terrorists hatch an elaborate plot, missile base is attacked, missiles are launched but there are no swift counter measures by Pakistanis, they don't even know about many of the events. Pakistani government comes out as buffoon. It's a bit too easy for Indians in Pakistan

3. Unanswered questions like: Why they did not ditch the vehicle? Why did they not sense the trap?

Action sequence of Air drop on a submarine in a raging storm is very good. It is also depicted on the book cover. The book cover is good and apt for the story. 

I did not know about the 1946 naval uprising that proved to be the final nail in the coffin of British empire. 

A map of operation would have been helpful. I had to consult the Google maps frequently to understand the lay of the land.

Book ends with the start of a sequel. A mission in China. I would wait in anticipation of the next book. 

Why did I read this book? Mission in Pakistan.

What I didn't like? The flaws. 

What did I like? Intensity of the plot & DRDO gizmos. 

A good debut and very good thriller. Recommend reading.

Homi Bhabha: The father of India's atomic energy program by Alhad Apte

"Homi Bhabha: The father of India's atomic energy program" by Alhad Apte - An easy read for students.

This ebook is published by Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan as study material for their National Talent Search Exam in 2017 and has 84 pages. 

This book introduces us to Dr. Homi  Bhabha, father of India's nuclear program. Homi Bhabha was a multi faceted personality. He was a physicist, mathematician and engineer. He was a sketch artist. He would have become an accomplished painter if he had not become physicist. He used to design stage for plays and he was also good at architecture. He had good knowledge of western classical music and liked Indian classical music as well.

His work as individual scientist, visionary, patriot and driving force behind India's nuclear and space research is unparalleled. Unfortunately Indian kids know more about western scientists than such Indian greats. This book is an attempt to right this wrong. 

Bhabha was interested in' atom for peace' i.e. peaceful use of nuclear energy for electricity production and medical treatments. 

Nuclear program designed by Bhabha had following guiding principles:

1. Development of Thorium based technology. 

2. Adoring closed fuel cycle. 

3. Development of own human resources for becoming seek reliant. 

The book starts with quotes from Dr. Bhabha's letter to his father insisting that he wants to do Physics and not Engineering. The book provides some insights into his vision like: No energy is costlier than 'no energy'. Don't build institutions and look for people, rather chose the person and build institute around him. 

It's amazing to read the latitude of work Bhabha has done and the legacy he has left behind. He has left an indelible mark on the scene of science. C. V. Raman aptly called him 'Modern equivalent of Leonardo da Vinci.

Although it's a moot point, one does not help but imagine where India would have been, scientifically, had he not met untimely accidental death. 

This Book contains old photographs of Bhabha and institutions he left behind. It gives a different quality to the book. Rather than a dry book, it becomes a souvenir. While reading, I had an impression that author was nostalgic while writing this book. The sketches drawn by him, included in the ebook, are of professional quality and amazing.

It's not easy to synthesize the personality in 84 pages. Author has done a good job of trying to cover all the important aspects in this small ebook. Intent of publishing this ebook is very important. 

Although this book introduces us to Bhabha, the personality. There is nothing about Bhabha, the person. His personal life, his family etc. are missing from the book. 

Author is an outstanding scientist and retired as Head of Computer division of BARC and then served as Chief of NTRO.

Why did I read this book? Bhabha and the author. 

What I didn't like? Some repetition.  

What did I like? The personality.

Read if you liked this review. 

Disclosure: I am closely related to the author. 

The Rooster bar by John Grisham

"The Rooster bar" by John Grisham -  why Rooster bar?

This  book is published by Bidder sand Stoughton in 2017 and has 384 pages. 

Marc, Todd, Gordy and Zola are law students,  at Foggy Bottoms, in their final semester. Bipolar Gordy is working on a conspiracy theory about law schools. He commits suicide. Marc, Todd and Zola decide to 'Go legal'.

What influences their decision? Is Gordy's theory correct? What's Rooster bar?

The book addresses the issue of easy student loans leading to mediocre students being admitted to substandard institutes and half of them not able to pass the bar exam; leading to individuals with no future and about 200,000$ debt that they can't repay. 

The book also talks about unauthorized law practitioners practicing law blatantly and no one getting wiser. I remembered a TV show called 'Suits' that handles same issue but at a higher profile.

The Story is ok. Misadventures of law students lead to disgruntled clients, mockery of justice, exposè of legal system cracks, law suits and absconding students. To add to it there is a story of a legal scam that does not necessarily break many rules, makes a lot of money and destroys young lawyers. Senegalese angle appears like an unnecessary attachment.

The bar from which they operate is called Rooster bar. Hence the title of this Book. It could have been Piegon bar, Rock bar, Pink bar any other name and it would make no difference to the story.

Why can't they wait for six more months to 'Go legal'? What happens to the guy who misses statuary limit? Some such questions go unanswered. 

Why did I read this book? John Grisham. 

What I didn't like? Title. Could have been anything. 

What did I like? Concept of student loan scam. 

Not a must read.  

Fairytale by Danielle Steel

"Fairytale" by Danielle Steel - A modern fairytale. 

This book is published by Pan Macmillan UK in  2017 and has 400 pages.

Christophe & Joy Lammenais run a renowned winery in Napa valley. Their daughter Camille, grows up learning wine making as well as managing the business. Their family friends are Sam & Barbara Marshall, who run the largest winery in Napa valley and their son Philip. Upon Joy's death Christophe marries Countess Maxine. But she is not what she seems. 

Who is she? What is her objective? Can Camille defend herself? Will it end like a fairy-tale?

Well, as the title suggests, it's a fairy-tale. Rather a modern retelling of fairy-tale. Fairy-tale of Cinderella.

Story of Cinderella is modernized and situated in Napa valley. There is kind father, wicked step mother, instead of step sisters here there are step brothers, there is a fairy godmother too, to top it up there are glass sandals and finally there is a prince in shining armor. 

However, in order to fit the fable in modern settings, author had to make some compromises in the story. The glass sandals look like an appendage, climax is clumsy, Camille's father is little too blind to wicked mother's pace of changes and Camille's marginalization, why Camille does not take help of police early is incomprehensible.

Colour combination of book cover is not good. Yellow letters on white background are hardly legible.

Despite all it's flaws, it's a easy story and a known story. You do not get bored. Although you know the ending you enjoy the journey. There is no foul language and no inappropriateness. It's a straight forward family story.

It also has an element of nostalgia associated with it. So it's an enjoyable experience. 

Why did I read this book? Decent flow.

What I didn't like? The flaws. 

What did I like? Background of wine making.

Read if you liked fairytales in your childhood.