The Cuban affair by Nelson Demille

"The Cuban affair" by Nelson Demille -  Damp squib!

This  book is published by Sphere in 2017 and has 448 pages. 

Daniel McCormick (Mac), an army veteran, now lives on the island of Quay West. He owns and captains a boat for hire. One day a Cuban American approaches him for a mission in Cuba. Beautiful Sarah Ortega will be involved. 

What is the mission? Why Mac? Who is Sarah? Will he succeed? Will he survive?

It's mission to Cuba to retrieve depositor's money hidden by her banker grandfather, when he had to flee fearing Castro's ascension. It's a dream of the anti Castro Cuban immigrants. 

Mac and Sarah embark on a mission in police state. The plan is flimsy. Too many lose ends and unknowns to succeed,  but Mac accepts for money. Why? Where is his sense of reason and his sixth sense?

They start their mission,  but the mission is diverted. They semi-abort the mission and return. Why? 

The plot is weak. The story is slow. At times even boring. There is not much excitement. The tension is missing. Anticipation turns in damp squib. It took me 3 months to complete this book.

The only two points of interest in this book are  character of Sarah and the chase at high sea. The later is top class. It makes the book interesting. 

Why did I read this book?  Curiosity Abbott Cuba. 

What I didn't like?  Most of it. 

What did I like?  Chase at high sea.

Give it a miss. 

The perplexing theft of the jewel in the crown by Vaseem Khan

"The perplexing theft of the jewel in  the crown" by Vaseem Khan - Man and elephant detectives at work!  

This book is published by Hodder & Stoughton in 2016 and has 352 pages. This is Book 2 of 'Baby Ganesh detective agency' series.

Retired Inspector, and now private detective,  Chopra and his wife Poppy have gone to Prince of Wales museum to see the British crown jewels on display. The jewels are stolen. Kohinoor is gone. Inspector Chopra is drawn in. 

Who is behind the robbery? How does Chopra get involved? Does he have a nemesis? Can he crack the mystery? What role will baby Ganesh play?

As expected it's an elaborate plot with red herrings and deliberate false trails. Chopra's nemesis, Suresh Rao, has come out unscathed, from scandal in first book, due to his connections. His unerring ability to accuse and catch the wrong person helps Chopra come out victorious eventually. 

Baby Ganesh,  the one year old elephant of Chopra, is again a central character and plays an important role in the investigation. So does the orphan Irfan who the Chopra's love like theirs own son.  

The story is decent. Investigation and the culprits are on expected lines. Chopra also  acquires an associate detective. He, the associate and the elephant solve three mysteries individually. Inspector Chopra and Poppy's affection towards orphan Irfan and Ganesh shows us their tender side. Chopra's pursuit of truth, his instincts and perseverance see him through.

The book is not wow,  but enjoyable. Some things appear stretched to fit in the elephant. Can one police officer arrest a gathering of men on their property? Why delicate the elephant? These and such questions remain unanswered. 

One is eventually left with a question. Should India return Kohinoor to Britain? Kohinoor,  which was stolen from India in the first place? Author has resolved this dilemma very intelligently for the book, if not for real. 

In the review of first book I had written that author had made an error by naming the protagonist Chopra and placing him in Maharashtra (Chopra is not a Maharashtraian surname). He rectifies it in this book by informing us that his family migrated to Maharashtra 3 generations ago. 

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

What I didn't like?  Suresh Rao disappears from the story. 

What did I like?  Return of Kohinoor logic.  

Read if you like light detective stories. 

Against all odds by Daniel Steele

"Against all odds" by Daniel Steele - Story of a family.

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

Kate Madison, a widow and mother of four,  owns a resale fashion store. She has raised her children single handedly. She has four children. Elder daughter Izzy is a lawyer. Julie is a fashion designer. Justin is a reporter and is gay. Freddie,  the youngest,  has a very active sex life. Her mother Louise is a very active lady nearing 80.

What are their problems? Can they overcome them? How does it pain Kate? How will they survive against all odds?

The book covers romance and/or marriage of Kate as well as her offsprings. But every pairing comes with its own problems, issues and obstacles. They cause heartache,  emotional and physical distress, friction and strained relations. However, eventually they also makes them appreciate life. 

Izzy marries an estranged rich heir who has no education,  doesn't work and has no will to work, has had an altercation with law but has a very pleasant personality and easy manner. How long can it continue?

Justin is a gay. He and his partner Richard have got a baby through IVF and surrogacy. Can they cope up with the demands of the child rearing? Will it strain their relationship?

Julie is dating a perfect man. He is little too perfect. Are there hidden surprises? Will dyslexic Julie be able to live with him?

Willy is dating multiple girls. Now he is in love with a woman 10 years older who has 2 children. Will the association work?.

Kate is involved with a married man who has an 'arrangement' with his wife. What's the arrangement? Will Kate accept it? Will this relationship have a future?

The book is an easy story. It's all about relations and relationships. It takes us through the story of a family over a period of 2-3 years. It also takes us through the turmoil of the family. She has assembled an assortment of characters in this family to give us multiple side stories. 

However, death of Liam's wife appears to be too convenient. The story might have been better without the final pairing. 

Daniel Steele books, that I have read, are family stories. They deal with the issues faced by common people. Hence, the reader feels connected. There is drama and mild excitement but hardly any action. 

Why did I read this book? Last one by the author was good.  

What I didn't like? Dearth of Liam's wife.    

What did I like? Ease. 

Recommend reading if  you like the genre. 

The curse of Brahma by Jagmohan Bhanver

"The curse of Brahma" by Jagmohan Bhanver. This book is published by Rupa publications India private Ltd. in 2015 and has 378 pages. This is Book 1 of Krishna trilogy. 

Brahma cursed his favourite disciple, Amartya Kalyanesu, for no fault of his, 200 years ago, and banished him to the deepest level of hell - tamastmah prabha, never to return. Kansa is the noblest of men and loves his sister Devaki and his close friend Vasudev. The Dark Lord is rising.

Why did Brahma curse? What is the objective of Dark Lord?  Who is Bhargava? Who is the Dark Lord? What is Jarasandha's plan? What happened to Kansa?

This is the story of Krishna, alright! But the author tells it in a way it was never told before. He has used a conspiracy that involves Patal, Mrityulok and Swarg to play out the story. It would not just be the battle  between Pandav's and Kaurav's eventually. But that  id's for the sequels.

This book takes us through the story of Kansa. The noble, affable Kansa who loves his little sister Devaki, close friend Vasudev and father Ugrasen. He is also considered one of the most accomplished fighters in Bharat.

Author has used smart imagination and convincing narration to explain Kansa's behaviour,  the grand plot and the mega battle that is in the offing. Author has written the story boldly. He does not hesitate to use modern terminology and concepts to carry the story forward. Credit to author that although he uses the modern concepts, it doesn't appear out of place or like an appendage. 

Jagmohan also takes us to the nether world inhibited by Asuras, Bonara, Kalakanjas, Pisacas, Bhutas, Pretas etc. There is also a society of assassins called Zataka Upanshughataks. And then there is Bhargava.

The story ends at a point where Krishna is poised to be born. Books 2 & 3 should take the story forward to conclusion. Reader's will meet Krishna in next book.

Its a very good rendition of the known story.  It's this ability to look at the known thing from an entirely abject perspective and pen it credibly that makes an author stand out. Jagmohan Bhanver has this ability.

This book was published in 2015. Almost 3 years ago and Book 2 is still not published. I wonder what happened. I would wait for it. 

Why did I read this book?  Blurb.  

What I didn't like? Minor deficiencies (e.g. Ghora fights valiantly but his teacher Ugra is defeated easily)   

What did I like? Idea and narration.

Recommend reading.