this let the Dork out by Sidin Vadukut

"Who let the Dork out?" by Sidin Vadukut - The graph comes down!

This book is published by Penguin Books in 2012 and has 260 pages. This is Book 3 of the Dork trilogy. 

Robin 'Einstein' Varghese is now Interim CEO of Ledermam India. He decides to venture in government contracts by getting involved in Allied games organized by Government of India. The games are running very very behind schedule. 

Will he get a contract? Can he make a headway? Will Einstein's "genius" work? Will he get fired or blamed or both?

The book follows the set formula where Robin lands in one trouble after another due to his ineptitude to somehow miraculously, not only, survive but also come out trumps. 

However, in this book Robin thinks more. He makes a few calculated moves. Towards end he is even decisive and manipulative. This is the difference between Robin of past and Robin of present. This is also the reason the book loses its USP. Robin becomes a normal man rather than exceptional character. As a result this book does not appeal, as much as, the previous two books. It also uses much more foul language than previous books. 

Author leaves a few things vague. Is it by design or does he give too much credit to the readers? How does Rajeev get hold of the documents? John knowing Colonel Kalbag, is too much of a coincidence. What exactly happens in marathon?

All in all, not as good as first two books. The graph comes down. 

Why did I read this book? Ravi recommended the trilogy.  

What did I like? The Tihar jail and Tihar Bala parody. 

What I didn't like? Predictably. 

Read if you have read Book 1 and 2.

One arranged murder by Chetan Bhagat

"One arranged murder by Chetan Bhagat -  Bland murder mystery!

This book is published by Westland in Sept 2020 and has 312 pages. This is sequel to 'The girl in room 105'.

Keshav and Saurabh solved their first murder in previous book. The two have fallen out and are not on speaking terms. Saurabh is in love with Prerana Malhotra and they are engaged. Prerana is fasting on Karva Chauth, even though she is not yet married to Saurabh. Saurabh reaches Malhotra residence to break Prerana's fast and discovers a death. 

Is it a murder? Who is murdered? Why? Will Saurabh and Keshav investigate? Will police cooperate? Can they solve the case?

It's a murder mystery in a joint family. Prerana lives in a huge kothi with her mom and dad on 2nd floor. Her unmarried Aditya Chachu, a failing musician, stays on 3rd floor.  Her grandmother,  Bindu bua and cousin Anjali (daughter of another bua from America) stay on 1st floor. Then there is house help Gopika and driver Anwar. Prerana's business partner is also a suspect. Add to it Saurabh and Keshav. Everyone is suspect and no one seems to be the murderer. Inspector Singh and Prerana's dad appear to be in hurry to declare it as an accident. Each has his own reason. But what is the motive for murder? Then there is second murder. 

The story is not exciting. It neither has pace nor is it interesting. Reader figuratively dozes off multiple times. There is no chase, little investigation and deduction. The story ambles on till it's concluded. Not a page Turner! Reason for murder appears like an after thought. Although there is confession at the end, the evidence is still circumstantial, not fool proof. Author has created a few red herrings too. I was able to guess the murderer as soon as the character appears in the story. 

At the end of the story, Keshav decides to quit his day job to become detective and starts preparing for IPS. So expect the series to continue. Hopefully new book will be better than this book. 

Chetan Bhagat is a celebrity and is credited for reviving reading culture in India (in general) and young generation (in particular). In this book and previous one he dabbles in murder mystery. I must say this genre is not his forte. 

This book is not in the league of Chetan Bhagat we know.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Narration. 

What did I like? Umm....

Give it a miss!

DareDreamers: A start-up of superheroes by Kartik Sharma and Ravi 'Nirmal' Sharma

"DareDreamers: A start-up of superheroes" by Kartik Sharma and Ravi 'Nirmal' Sharma -  Urban fantasy!

This book is published by Rupa publications in 2018 and has 288 pages. 

Rasiq, an IIT & IIM, is recruited in investment bank at enviable salary. He slogs like a machine and can't find enough time for his girlfriend Ruchika. Although he earns obscene salary, he is not happy. His heart is not in the job. So after a couple of years he resigns and starts a startup called Daredreamers, with a group of dreamers. What does the startup do? Emergency rescue. All kind of emergencies. 

Why does he leave his job? How does he get this startup idea? Will he succeed? Will he give up? Will they have competitors? What unconventional means will they deploy?

The idea of emergency rescue is interesting. Authors present various rescue missions ranging from failed breaks to sink hole to elephant poop. The rescue missions can make interesting thrilling scenes for a movie. The villain and his reasons for villainy are a bit lame. 

Rasiq the strategist and thinker, Natasha the daredevil, Nick the inventor, Halka the body builder, Arjun (you guessed it right) the archer & Vyom the doctor make the super heroes. They do not have super powers, just skills that they utilize with their quick thinking to rescue those in need. 

Authors spend half the book in Rasiq's life before start-up. That leaves little time for the venture and their rescue acts. The time Rasiq spends in France, though good, wasn't really necessary for the story. Another waste of page space. 

The sentence I liked most from this book is "Tomorrow will be the first day of the rest of my life." Full of positivity. One should really implement it. 

Book cover is interesting. It shows a corporate guy hanging by one hand to the landing gear of a flying chopper.

Authors are a father-son duo. A rare combination with generation gap and all that. This is their second book. 

Why did I read this book? Sub title of the book.

What I didn't like? Time before start up. 

What did I like? Idea, though impractical.

Recommend reading.