The Picasso kill by Suvash Dev

​"The Picasso kill" by Suvash Dev - Angad Rane starts!

This book is published by Kalamos Literary Services LLP in 2021 and has 82 pages. This is Book 1 of 'Angad Rane’ series.

A small time actress is murdered in south Mumbai. Inspector Angad Rane is on the case. The killer calls himself Picasso and leaves a sketch of dying victim near the body. Another murder, another beautiful victim.

Who is Picasso? Why does he commit murders? Can Angad crack the case? At what cost?

It’s a murder mystery, but there’s hardly any mystery. Two murders happen quickly, readers know who the murderer is, police identify him easily. With less than 100 pages worth of reading material, there’s hardly any time for buildup. The story happens easily and quickly. 

If so, is there anything worth mentioning? Yes, there is. It’s the end. The story ends with a shock for the readers. Even the police feel helpless and vulnerable when pitched with a kamikaze criminal. 

Although the story ends, the series begins. A new criminal calls Angad at the very end of epilogue. That would be Book 2.

There are some spelling mistakes in the book. Better proof reading is called for. 

Why did I read this book? Quick read.

What I didn't like? No mystery. 

What did I like? The twist. 

Partners by John Grisham

​"Partners" by John Grisham - Why?

This book is published by House and Stoughton in 2016 and has 58 pages. This is sequel of ‘The rogue lawyer’’. 

T Ray, 33-black-unemployed, works as part time drug mule in little Angola. Once, after a delivery a cop intercepts him and shoots at him. T Ray shoots back and luckily kills the cop. The gang that runs drug business engages Sebastian Rudd (The rogue lawyer fame).

Is T Ray guilty? Did the white cop try to kill black guy out of vengeance? Can Rudd defend T Ray? What’s the verdict? Who are partners?

It’s a small story and a very straight forward one. There are hardly any twists, any surprises, any complications. There are court room scenes sans drama, sans theatrics and sans excitement. 

Why would author publish this book that doesn’t serve any purpose? Unless the end of this is going to be important for the continuity of the sequel. I am not aware of any sequel. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Objective of this book.

What did I like? Umm…..

Give it a miss. 

Return of the Brahmin by Ravi Shankar Etteth

​"Return of the Brahmin" by Ravi Shankar Etteth - A sequel!

This book is published by Westland  in 2021 and has 342 pages. This is the sequel of ‘The Brahmin’

In previous book, The Brahmin, Samrat Ashoka’s spy master had left him when Ashoka decides to invade Kalinga. Ashoka has become Buddhist and has an ambitious and devious Buddhist monk in his court. Ashoka has created ‘dark hall’ in all prisons and the occupant is called Nirmukh (one real and other decoys). Khandapati is running resistance against Samrat and trying to kill Nirmukh and is also killing corrupt officials. 

Who is Khandapati? Who is Nirmukh? Will Brahmin return to Ashoka? Will Brahmin be able to nullify the threat to Magadh? Who is Pretnath? Is there something called elixir of life?

Brahmin returns. His former position is occupied by Lord Udra, a Kalingan. He finds gaps in current intelligence network and lapses in security. Nobody knows who is conspiring against who. Is Ashoka’s government penetrated? It’s a web of deceit. Everything seems lost but Brahmin perseveres. 

There are some convenient things in this book like death of an important character, ability of Khandapati to turn various individuals towards him by offering them what they seek most etc. 

The story is not as good as the first book. It’s a complex plot with many complications. Author handles it well. This book is darker than the previous one. The Brahmin is vulnerable.  He has lost his network, contacts and touch. But not all of it. Most of all he hasn’t lost his touch and determination. 

Description of Magadhan opulence is good and the language is very flowery. Ashoka’s character is darker. It’s known that once he embraced Buddhism, he was a changed man. This book, however, shows him as vein, vengeful, short tempered and violent, even after becoming Buddhist. 

There is a twist in the end. I didn’t see it coming. There is an impending twist in the last line of the book. It’s probably a preamble for another sequel. Will there be one? Will it be good? Guess we have to wait and watch. 

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

What did I like? Complex plot.

What I didn't like? Not a very gripping tale. 

Recommend reading.