Hunt for Rama's bow by Suhail Mathur

"Hunt for Rama's bow" by Suhail Mathur - Illogical! 

This book is published by Om Books International in 2017 and has 310 pages. This is Adventure 1 of 'The Vishnu Chronicles'. 

Mohan, a final year history student and an orphan, gets mysterious letters informing that his non existent grand father is dying in Sahastapur and he should visit him before it's too late. When he reaches there, accompanied by his best friend Raj, they enter an alternate world and a sequence of events send them on a quest to the kingdom of evil king Dasavanakoka, in the realm of unknown. He collects a number of men on his way. Raj- his friend, Jayadev- Servant of his grand father and their guide, Rannvijaya- the cartographer, Pawan- a low cast Vedic scholar, Nagarjuna- a sorcerer. Back home his girlfriend Samaira, his Professor Suryamurthy, his guardian Dr. Chandra, who is researching Ram Setu, are very worried. 

What is this alternate world? Why does Mohan go there? Why does he take up the quest? How will his friends help him? Where is Rama's bow?

Villains have interesting names Drohakaal, Vinashkale, Vipareet Buddhi etc.. There is a traitor but the identity of traitor is very poorly concealed. I realised it as soon as it was (cryptically) revealed. Obviously not cryptic enough! Tasks with Jyeshtha and Tambadevi are so simple that it appears like a child's play. They end so quickly that you don't even begin to enjoy. War between Mohan and Dasavana is anti-climactic.

Bhavani talvar of Chatrapati Shivaji was the odd thing out. All other weapons were mythical. Bhavani talwar was the only historical artefact. Although the book is titled hunt for Rama's bow. The bow (Kodanda) is found half way into the book and the rest is for war with Dasavanakoka.

Whenever one writes a fiction, it's author's responsibility to provide logical justification, reason for what happens, even if it's magic. In this story author doesn't bother with such travails. He simply states what happens. As a result there are holes in the story. So many holes, that it appears like a sieve. Why did author do it? I will enumerate some examples here. Mohan starts the journey in the mythical world very easily, without questions. The team is assembled too easily, they just keep adding up within a span of less than a day. How come Mohan suddenly becomes confident and starts to dole out promises? Justification for Pawan's theft is laughable. How can Shabari's ber be bitter? How do they cross poisonous river? Why was it not possible to revive the king? The list is long....

Character of King Mukutveer appears to be inspired from a similar character in TV show Merlin. Tambadevi appears to be a pale imitation of Medusa. 

Although this Adventure 1 was published 4 years ago, there is no news of Adventure 2 (Krishna's Sudarshan chakra) yet. 

Why did I read this book? Curiosity

What I didn't like? Many things. 

What did I like? Umm.... 

AVOID.

Sea of greed by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown

"Sea of greed" by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown - Another world crisis averted!

This book is published by Michael Joseph in 2018 and has 416 pages. This is Book 16 of 'NUMA files'.

More than 50 years ago, French and Israeli scientists were working on gene sequencing on an isolated island, when one party betrays others. Present day, Alpha star platform is destroyed by fire. Kurt and Joe happen to be in the vicinity and manage to rescue the operators who are alive. It's not oil or gas that's coming out of sea bed. It's something else that reacts with water and burns. Oil reserves all over the world are suddenly depleting. Crisis is around the corner. President asks NUMA to resolve the crisis. 

What is the burning substance? Why are oil reserves depleting? Who is behind this? Can Kurt and Joe find the truth and avert the disaster?

This time it's the oil crisis. A bacteria that devours hydrocarbon and produces toxic gas. Obviously there is a consortium of oligarchs. A devious and ruthless but beautiful business woman to match wits with Kurt. A crisis that would destroy the world economy. 

Is the name Alpha star platform inspired by Piper Alpha platform and the horrific fire at the platform years ago?

The story is interesting, complete with technical and scientific details. Priya adds to the industriousness and talent of Kurt and Joe. The climax appears to be a little too quick.

Like other Cussler books, this one too, has hi tech gadgets. Here we have ultra compact battery pack, swim suit with artificial muscle, UFO shaped submarine, hydrocarbon eating bacteria, armored ship etc.

Banter between Joe and Kurt is delightful. It appears like there is probably going to be a spark between Joe and Priya. But Priya leaves NUMA at the end of the book. It's a surprise that Rudy joins the mission. Why would head of NUMA do it and put his life in danger, moreover, Rudy was never an operations guy. He is logistical genius.  

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What did I like? Concept.

What I didn't like? Rudy on mission. 

Read if you are reading the series. 

The Sarasvati civilisation by Maj. Gen. G. D. Bakshi

"The Sarasvati civilisation" by Maj. Gen. G. D. Bakshi - Every Indian should know!

This book is published by Garuda Prakashan in 2019.

Max Muller and Mortimer Wheeler decreed that Aryans were foreigners. As per them Aryans migrated to India around 1500 BCE and they composed Rigveda in India. Aryan invasion theory and Indo-Aryan migration theories were propounded by British to mitigate British foreignness. British had a policy of creating divide based on cast, creed and religion. Denying identity of India as a nation worked for 200 years. The very idea of India was rediculed. Author counters it. 

Sacred river Sarasvati dried out around 1800 BCE. Rig Veda has several mentions of mighty Sarasvati in full flow which was around 1900 BCE. So Rigveda definitely predates 1500 BCE. Author emphatically states that theory of Aryans as outsiders was a deliberate attempt by British to justify their rule and to break Indian moral. A deliberate plan to inflict a sense of inferiority. He severely criticizes "leftist" Indian historians for following British narrative and ignoring huge and continuously mounting evidence to the contrary. Author vigorously contests and severely criticizes Tony Joseph's theory that agriculture and domestication of animals came to India from Mesopotamia 10,000 years ago. He emphasizes that Indians domesticated plants and animals indigenously.

More than 60% of sites of the so called Indus valley civilisation are located along the dried out course of the Sarasvati, not Sindhu.

Carbon dating of Rakhigiri and Bhirhana sites puts their age from 8500 to 9000 years. Remains of chariot in Baghpat are carbon dated to before purported Aryan invasion/ migration. Gene mapping does not support Aryan and Dravidian separation. On the contrary it indicates the migration of Aryans out of India, not into India. Thus Aryans didn't come from outside but were natives of India. Desiccation of Sarasvati caused migration of some eastward to the Ganga-Yamuna region and others westward to Afghanistan, Iran and Anatolia.

Sarasvati the mighty river, that was 4600 km long and 6-8 km wide (max width 20 km), is the cradle river of Indian civilisation. Yamuna and Sutlej were its tributaries. A series of tectonic events caused Sutlej to veer west and merge with Sindhu and Yamuna to veer east and merge with Ganga. This coupled with weakening of monsoons reduced Sarastvati to a string of lakes and pools. There are 75 mantras in Rigveda, 68 in Yajurveda, 2 in Samaveda eulogizing Sarasvati. In Atharvaveda she satiates and liberates souls of our ancestors. Is this progression indicative of reduction in Sarasvati's flow and thus its importance? Sarasvati remains in our collective memory for millenniums even after its desiccation? Surprising fact is that we have not deciphered the Indus language script even today. If it's deciphered, a lot of riddles will be solved. 

Harappan civilization and Rigvedic civilization were one and the same. Author highlights some things from Harappan time that continue until today like ploughing pattern, shape of ploughs, shapes of cooking pots, tandoors, shapes of boats, design of bullock cart, bangles, red in hair partition, bindis, Yoga, Meditation etc.

Entire 9th mandala of Rigveda is devoted to Soma. Author states that Amanita Muscaria mushroom (a beautiful bright red mushroom with white dots) is identified as Vedic Soma. It's a mushroom known for it's hallucinogenic and mood altering properties. 

Author approaches the subject from all angles like literary references, language, gene sequencing, archaeological evidence etc. 

As far as DNA mapping is concerned, Matrilinier DNA studies support the theory that Aryans were natives of this land and migrated outwards. Western scholars (read Harvard) support Patrilinear studies and draw an opposite conclusion. More work is called for to settle this dispute. 

Author calls for a multi disciplinary seminar - a Copenhagen style convention - on Indology.

At the end he wishes that the river linking project can enable Sarasvati to flow again. With many archeological sites along the course, Sarasvati pilgrimage tourism can flourish. He also calls for private sector participation in this project. 

Author has around 10 to 15 points and he keeps repeating them again and again. This repetition is annoying and turns counter productive because it appears like a rhetoric. 

This book does not provide too many references of research done by others by section, clause etc. in great detail. The references are limited to author and year of publication. So it can be inferred that author has made a deliberate attempt to not make it a research work and to retain genre of popular non fiction to make it appealing to masses. 

Book cover is good. It shows Indian subcontinent without international borders and course of mighty Vedic Sarasvati river. 

Vineet Bajpai has used this very theory of Aryans being natives and not outsiders for his famous fiction Harappa trilogy.

Why did I read this book? Subject

What I didn't like? Repetitions. 

What did I like? Information.

Everyone should read at least the first chapter, if not all the book. 

Line of control by Mainak Dhar

"Line of control" by Mainak Dhar - India-Pak war!

This book is published by Vitasta Publishing Pvt Ltd in 2010 and has 322 pages. 

Saudi royal house is overthrown by radical mulla Abu Sayed who has declared himself Emir of the entire Muslim world. A devious plot by Pakistan PM, Illahi Khan, under guidance of Abu Sayed has brought India and Pakistan on the brink of war. India-Pak war always has religious and nuclear connotations. India hasn't been able to know the entire Pakistani plot. Indian PM Vivek Khosla activates deep asset Patriot. War begins.

What will happen in war? Who wins? Are nuclear weapons used? What is Pakistan's plot? Will it lead to WW III?

India and Pakistan war is a juicy plot. But it can go out of hand very easily. Author has a firm grip on the plot and is always in control. This war is fought on multiple fronts. So author has to jump from one sub story to another. But he does that seamlessly and retains the attention of audience effortlessly. 

The story is rich with characters. Vivek Khosla, India's business minded PM. Sen, Randhawa and Raman, the three service chiefs of air force, army and navy. Gireesh Joshi, the NSA. Pooja, the beautiful reporter. Rahul, her cameraman. Colonel Dev Chauhan, a tank squadron leader with a blot on his name. Nishant Singh, best Indian fighter pilot. Nitin Goel, his navigator and weapon's officer. On Pakistani side we have Illahi, fanatic Pakistani PM. Air Marshall Ashfaque Karim, who disagrees with PM Illahi, but can't dare to oppose him. Shamsher, army chief. Shoaib, Navy chief Ashfaq, ISI Chief. Arif, a mid level air force officer and Karim's friend. Abdul, Emir's emissary. Each character plays a vital role in the story.

Being a war story it has exciting battles. Dog fight of fighter jets in the air, Submarine wars, Tank battles, Hand to hand combat, air cover to ground troops etc. It's difficult to describe war in written words but author does exceedingly well. Readers live the war. 

The war is supplemented by war machines. Aircrafts like AWACS. Fighter planes like Mirage, Mig 23, Mig 27, Mig 29, Su 30, F15, F16 etc. Tanks like T90, Arjun, Type 59, T80 etc. Choppers like Cobra. Submarines like Type 209, Kilo, Agosta etc.

Author demonstrates his knowledge and study of the terrain, war machinery, war tactics and geopolitics. His grip on the essential elements is commendable. 

Identity of Patriot is not concealed very well. I was able to recognize the identity as soon as the character was introduced. The identity is revealed formally in the last line of the book. Some more effort was needed to bury it deeper. A couple of red herrings or decoys would have made the anticipation more exciting.

How does it all end? Well you will have to read the book. 

Why did I read this book? Author. Title. 

What I didn't like? Poorly concealed identity of Patriot. 

What did I like? Everything else.

It's a page turner. Must read!

Nobody likes an outsider by Fawaz Jaleel

"Nobody likes an outsider" by Fawaz Jaleel - Whodunnit!

This book is published by Kalamos Literary Services LLP in 2021 and has 212 pages. This is Yohan Tytler Mystery # 1. This is author's debut novel.

It's a political murder mystery. Although it's a fiction, as per author, the story draws inspiration from lot of real events.

Ashraf Zain, most promising young politician of India, is killed in an accident. He doesn't subscribe to religion and cast based vote bank politics. He was one honest politician that India wants. Piyali Sharma, Ashraf's PA commits suicide. Sr. Inspector Yohan Tytler of CBI, gets this as his first case as lead investigator. Yohan and his team of sub inspectors Sukumar & Ila Qureshi head to Begusarai, Bihar.

Was it an accident or murder? Is one of two main political parties involved? How will Yohan handle his first case as lead? What kind of pressures will he be subjected to? Whodunnit?

Yohan is a young dashing Sr. Inspector from a business family who has chosen this career over family business. Sukumar is analytical and his specialty is data gathering and deciphering. Ila is a child of single mother who had to struggle to continue her education and work for CBI. Director Verma is under pressure from various forces but trusts Yohan and his team. 

The story has all the right ingredients. There are false clues, there are red herrings, the perpetrator is not the suspect (the least suspected theory), there is investigation and deduction. Author's motive for murder is unexpected but true. So it becomes a decent murder mystery. The one thing that story lacks is drama. In a murder mystery readers should sit on the edge of the chair with anticipation. There should be twists and surprises. That is missing in this story. 

A number of questions go unanswered. How does Maulavi achieve soft baritone by reciting azan, when azan is always sung by Muezzin, not Maulavi. Why Piyali didn't call her father or someone else? How does the antagonist know about the swiss knife? Why Priyanshu and Chirag were not killed?

The book ends with the solving of this case. Expect Book # 2 soon. There is a preamble to second book at the end of this book. There is also a hint of possible romance in Yohan's life. 

All in all,  it's a good book, but not as good as the Goodreads and Amazon ratings suggest. 

Why did I read this book? High Goodreads and Amazon ratings. 

What I didn't like? Not enough drama. 

What did I like? Identity of perpetrator and motive is concealed well.

Read of you are a whodunit fan.

Gold diggers by Sanjena Sathian

"Gold diggers" by Sanjena Sathian - It's different!

This book was published by HarperCollins India in 2021 and has 352 pages. This is Sanjena's debut novel. 

Neil Narayan is friends with Anita Dayal and is close to her mother Anjali Dayal (Joshi), who runs a catering business for Indian community in America. One day Neil stumbles on a secret of Anita and Anjali and becomes a party to it.

What is the secret? Why does Neil become a party to it? What's in it for him? Who is the gold digger?

This is a novel of and about Indian Americans from the perspective of a second generation Indian American boy. On one hand Indian Americans try to retain their Indian identity and culture and on other hand they try to assimilate into American lifestyle. Point to be noted is that this is true even for second generation Americans. It's a constant comparison between what their parents strive and where they are. It's identity crisis. Are they Americans or are they Indians? Are they different? Are they always outsiders? What are they after?

Chemically, Gold is a noble metal. Financially, Gold is precious metal. Aesthetically, Gold is beautiful metal. However, in this book Gold signifies ambitions and aspirations of the owner and maker. When it is brewed, the ingestor inherits the ambitions of the owner & the maker. It's an interesting angle. With this concept, the story gains an altogether different perspective. Alchemy has enticed many for generations. This book is another foray into it.

Who is ambitious in America? Who is intelligent in America? Who works very hard to achieve their dreams? Who uses pure gold in America? Of course the Indian Americans. 

Then, there is a side story of a Hindu gold digger who came to America from Bombay and achieved some success. He was the only one of his kind, an aberration. He wanted to succeed but the whites castigated him as thief.

Neil, Anita and Anjali's story is a curious story. It keeps the reader interested. Then there is a time leap when Neel and Anita move away, until they meet again after 10 years. The story then takes absurd turn with weed, heist and what not. It appears as if the story is caught by an eddy and is carried to unintended destination. However author manages to pull it back to sense towards the end. 

Some aspects of this story are plain and simple, some aspects are mystic, some aspects are meta physical. So it's a mix of all with gold at the heart of it. 

Neil meets Ramesh Uncle, a retired professor from Calcutta. Ramesh uncle appears to be an important and mysterious character, but he suddenly disappears from the story to come back only at the end. 

It's a first person account of a male character written by a female author. The story is narrated by Neil Narayan.

This novel falls in the genre of 'Magical realism'. Its being adapted into a TV series by Kaling International. 

Why did I read this book? Interesting title. 

What did I like? The fresh take. 

What I didn't like? Dip after time leap. 

Read if you liked the review.

Haveli by Zeenat Mahal

"Haveli" by Zeenat Mahal - Quick read!

This book is published by Indiareads Incorporated in 2013 and has 90 pages. It's a novella. 

Chandani, granddaughter of widow of Nawab of Jalalabad (Begum) is in love with a person 20 years older. Begum still lives in world of Nawabs. An England educated handsome, sexy, alpha male (Taimur) is introduced to Chandani. Taimur and Chandani can't see eye to eye. Enter her absent father.

Who is Chandani in love with? Is it love? Can she and Taimur ever become friends? What's the real motive of her father's return? How will Chandani cope up to the upheaval?

Chandani and Taimur call each other Satan and Medusa. They can't stand each other and don't miss an opportunity to trade insults. These sparks between the two are adorable and enjoyable. She calls him by a variety of names, all characters from English movies or fairytales. I liked this idea. It's a novelty. 

Character of Chandani is a curious case study. She is beautiful, confident, well read, pampered. However her behaviour after father's entry, her denial to see reason, her hurting the ones close to her goes against the character. Suddenly she appears shallow, naive and becomes a little girl lost in the world of adults, although she is almost 21. These characteristics are incongruous with her character until then.

 Its like a Hindi movie plot. It has hate, love, conspiracy, emotional scenes and happy ending. The end comes little abruptly. Her father and Faisal suddenly disappear. Her mother's will suddenly appears. But all in all you enjoy. 

Why is the book titled Haveli? Because she's rich, she's had a sheltered life, she's a brat, wealth hasn't gone to her head? Only author can answer that. 

From the political and Bollywood references one can infer that the story happens in Pakistan of late sixties, early seventies. It appears a little bold for the time period, although for today's reader it's nothing. 

There are a lot of similarities about these Pakistani characters and Indians. Big family, a matriarch, pampered daughter, love for food and parties, big family etc. 

Why did I read this book? Curiosity about Pakistan and Pakistani author. 

What I didn't like? Loose threads.

What did I like? Sparks between Chandani and Taimur.

Recommend reading. 

Karachi Halwa by Prabhu Dayal

"Karachi Halwa" by Prabhu Dayal -  Reminiscing Pakistan!

This book is published by Zorba Books in 2015 and has 205 pages.

Author was posted to Indian consulate in Karachi during reign of Zia. This book is about author's memories and observations of his Karachi days. Karachi was Pakistan's capital till 1957, it was then shifted to Rawalpindi and then to Islamabad. 

Zia is described as wily and deceitful person with steely determination and ruthlessness. He calls Zia and Musharraf highly ambitious, scheming and unscrupulous. His theory is that Zulfilar Ali Butto's nationalization of Nawaz Sharif's steel mill was the reason Sharif came into politics. The rest is history.  

Zia won over Morarji Desai (who had a pathological hatred for RAW and who denied refueling permission to Israeli aircraft that was going to attack Pakistani nuclear facility, Kahuta) completely by his guile. No wonder he was conferred Pakistan's highest civilian award.

Madarasas received state sponsorship for first time under Zia. By censoring film industry he did irreparable damage. Pakistan's existence is tied to its Kashmir policy. He enumerates how India accorded MFN status to Pakistan and how Pakistan neither reciprocated not cooperated, on the contrary created obstacles for import of Indian goods and artists.

Author is very critical of American policy of providing aid to Pakistan, knowing that Pakistan is developing nuclear weapons. He squarely blames Pakistan for fanning, aiding and abetting the Kalistani terrorists.

Great Pakistani poets Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Ahmad Faraz went into self exile rather than living under martial law. Author fondly remembers poetry and music concerts he attended in Pakistan. He laments that discontinuing teaching Urdu in India was a mistake. 

Author narrates a few Pakistani jokes about Zia, army and bureaucracy. The jokes not only bring smile to readers face but also give a profound insight about how Pakistanis had a low opinion about them. Each chapter of the book  starts with a cartoon and a one liner to accompany it.

Author justifies withdrawing our troops back to LOC after 1971 war with a laughable argument that Pakistan would have still created trouble in J&K. Very unconvincing. 

Although this book paints a bleak picture of Pakistan as failed state beyond repair, author ends the book with a hopeful epilogue. He recommends non-first use of nuclear weapons treaty. He also supports converting LOC to international border and ends the book on a hopeful note. 

As a common Hindustani, there is a curiosity about Pakistan and about our similarities and differences with them. This book provides good insights without becoming sour. It's a wonder how the two counties that became independent simultaneously charted such diverse paths economically, socially and religiously. 

The book isn't too lengthy. Author has succinctly captured the essence of Pakistan during his time. It's a take in lighter vein, so the book, despite being non-fiction, becomes enjoyable. 

Why did I read this book? Curiosity. 

What I didn't like? Justification of going back to LOC in 1971.

What did I like? The book, in general. 

Recommend reading.

Karaluvian Fale by Cat Rambo

"Karaluvian Fale" by Cat Rambo -  Fantasy series concludes!

This e-book has 31 pages. It's a single short story. It's Book 3 of 'Women of Zalanthas' series. 

Karaluvian Fale (Kara) is from House of Fale. Financial situation of the house is precarious. Her brother has gambled away everything. 

Lakesander Oash of rival House of Oash doesn't spare an opportunity to show Kara down. Gracchus Kasix, a noble, has shown interest in her indirectly. He requests Kara to assist him organize a festival. 

Will Kara agree? Is Kara the chirpy lady he thinks she is? Can Kara improve her financial situation? Can she escape Lakesander?

Like the first two books, this too is a small book. The tale has to be thus rushed and a lot of things have to be inferred. Author simply doesn't have time and space to create background. 

The story happens in Allanak, a land with red sand and with two moons, set in undefined time and location, an alternative world with exotic names for people, positions and places. This gives a feel of fantasy land and mystic atmosphere.

The plot is simple. It's about Kara and her intelligence. Will she be able to keep the appearances or will she be destroyed and shamed? The book ends but the story doesn't end. The challenge is not over. However, there is no 4th book in this series. 

Why did I read this book? Quick read. Have read the first two. 

What I didn't like? Length. 

What did I like? The end.

Read of you don't mind quirky tales.

Sweet sweet revenge Ltd. by Jonas Jonasson

"Sweet sweet revenge Ltd." by Jonas Jonasson - Author is back!

This book is published by HarperVia in 2021 and has 336 pages. 

Victor Svensson works as a manager of art gallery. He is a fraud. He has an illegitimate son (Kevin) from a black prostitute. After her death, he pays for son's sustenance and when he turns 18 takes him to Massai savanna in Kenya and leaves him there to die. Victor marries daughter of art gallery owner and after the owner dies, takes all the property and divorces his wife. In Kenya, Kevin doesn't die and is adopted by a Maasai warrior cum medicine man. Years later, Kevin runs away from Africa and reaches Sweden. His adopted father, who knows nothing about the ways of modern world, follows him from the Savannah. 

Why does Victor leave Kevin to die? Why does Kevin run away from Africa? Who does he meet in Sweden? What's about Irma Stern paintings? What is Sweet sweet revenge Ltd.?

An African, untouched by modern things, is a fountain of humor. Add to it situational comedy. Add to it a crazy and absurd plot. Add to it author's dry humor & black humor and you have a very good recipe. This heady mixture creates a lot of hilarious situations. It's author's USP. While reading the book you smile many times. Sometimes you even laugh out loud. That counts for something!

The story develops nicely, you expect more.  Then there is a death. From this point on the author suddenly loses interest in elevating the graph and starts to wind down. The story basically fizzles out after that. As if that wasn't enough, author drags the end so much that it leaves a bad after taste. Much of last few pages could have been deleted straightaway. It would have improved the book. 

Concept of Sweet sweet revenge Ltd. is novel but it comes with inherent limitations. Author realizes it and winds it down before the book ends.

This book is better than author's previous book, but not in the league of "100 year old man...."

Like all Jonas Jonasson books, this book cover too has single prominent colour and shows a walking person. Another USP?

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What did I like? Irish angle. Humor. 

What I didn't like? Dragged end.

Recommend reading.

Palm beach murders by James Patterson - 3 in 1

"Palm beach murders" by James Patterson - 3 in 1!

This book is published by Grand central publishing in 2021 and had 384 pages. 

This book is a collection of three thrillers. 

Let's play make believe. 

Christie Moore, a beautiful lady undergoing divorce, meets Warren Hawking, also a divorcee and an architect, and they hit off. Warren executes crazy stuff for fun like Dine-n-Dash, Pharmaceutically induced orgie, Trespassing, Thievery etc.

How far will he go? Will Christie be in trouble? Who is murdered?

Nooners

Tim McGhee is an ex marine and now senior ad agency executive. He is loved by all and is about to hop jobs. Then there is a murder at his ad agency. Then there are two more.

Who is murdered? Are the murders connected? Who is the murderer?

Stingrays

Matthew Quinn assembles his team (Stingrays) of Jenna (an actress), Kate (ex army), Theo (an ex grifter) and Otto to investigate disappearance of beautiful and lovely Page Rairson and either find her or her body. There are many suspects; a trust fund kid, a captain of a yacht, a life guard, victim's twin friends and a cop.

Who engages Stingrays? Is Page dead? Can the Stingrays solve the case?

First story is interesting and has surprise element. Second story is very predictable. It was so predictable that I was hoping against hope that I would get a surprise. It never came. Third story has a mild surprise at the end. 

First two stories are narrated in first person singular. Third story is narrated in first person singular when it comes to the team. Only Matthew's portion is delivered in third person. 

Since this book had three distinct stories, each story can be read with interval in between. The stories are ok, you don't dislike them. 

Why did I read this book? It was available.

What did I like? First story.

What I didn't like? Second story.

Ok to read while travelling. 

Escape to nowhere by Amar Bhushan

"Escape to nowhere" by Amar Bhushan - Uninteresting spy thriller!

This book is published by Konark Publishers Pvt. Ltd. in 2019 and has 336 pages. This book is being made into a Netflix movie. 

Ravi Mohan, an intelligence officer and senior analyst of Agency (read RAW), comes under suspicion for espionage. He invites officers not belonging to his division, talks to them on matters not related to him, fishing for information and takes them to expensive restaurants. Jeevanathan, Security Head of Agency, assigns the surveillance to KM Kamat, head of CEU. An elaborate surveillance is mounted but ....

Can they establish that Ravi is a traitor? Can they find Ravi's handler? Can they apprehend Ravi?

As is the case for any intelligence operation, or any operation for that matter, a lot of time is spent doing mundane things. Here author has avoided dramatization or making things spicy. Thus the story becomes very slow,  even less interesting and sounds like a report. It doesn't generate interest, doesn't excite you and at the end doesn't give you the satisfaction of accomplishment. 

How come so many persons not related to his assigned desk brief Ravi Mohan about sensitive matters? This guy regularly sleeps in office during office hours, spends a lot of time chatting with people not directly related to his work. It appears that RAW operates like any other government organization and lacks professionalism. A supposedly master spy agency works like a bureaucratic organization. 

It's said that this novel is loosely based on 2004 scandal involving RAW joint secretary Rabinder Singh. So it's possible to identify some real life characters based on their position, with Google's help. 

The chapters are, rather unimaginably, titled Day1, Day2 etc.. The story happens in about 3 months.

I started to read this book after reading a news report that Vishal Bharadwaj will be directing a Netflix film based on this book starring Tabu. After Redding the book, I wonder what role Tabu will play? There is no strong female character in the book!

Why did I read this book? It's being made into Netflix film. 

What I didn't like? Lack of thrill. 

What did I like? Peek into working of RAW. 

Not a must read.