Operation Sudarshan chakra by Prabhakar Aloka

​"Operation Sudarshan chakra" by Prabhakar Aloka -Not a page turner!

This book is published by Penguin Random House India in 2022 and has 288 pages. This is sequel to ‘Operation Haygreeva’.

At the end of previous book, the mastermind of the terrorist plot has escaped to POK. Now he is plotting an operation on a very large scale. Operation K2. K2 for Kashmir and revival of Khalistan. Head of Central Counterterrorism Command (C3), Ravi Kumar gets a tip off from agent Takshak. Mihir, Cyrus and Jose are assigned separate tasks. Mihir is exposed, his cover is blown. 

What is K2? Exactly how will it be executed? Is Mihir expelled from IB for failure? Can Cyrus get his girl back? How is Operation Sudarshan Chakra executed?

The story starts well, becomes complex, increases in complexity. You start thinking that this is going to be a complex ending, a lot of entanglement, a lot of action. But nothing of the sort happens. The climax is anti climactic. The big plot fizzles out. Author couldn’t bring it to a grand conclusion. 

For major part it is IB Vs ISI. Buy at the end IB is happy with naming the mastermind from Kerala. They kind of avoid confrontation with ISI. Why?

A few threads are left loose. Why does Rukmini become Rukhsana? What happens to the Pakistani arms dealer? What happens to Pakistani diplomat? Author doesn’t conclude them. What about Sulu from previous book?

The story is not compact. It’s scattered and not very effective. Although readers don’t lose interest, it’s not a page turner either.  A little tucking, a little sewing would have given the story a face lift. 

Some attention to details was in order in this book too. This book was published after Osama Bin Laden was killed but the book mentions that Rauf is blue eyed boy of Osama. He is also summoned by Osama. Osama is mentioned to be alive. Ravi is shown as promoted over others to head of C3 in previous book but at the end of this book he refuses to accept position of head of IB over his seniors. Why?

Story has two surprises at the end. One is about a promotion. This one is on expected lines and isn’t really a surprise. Second is about Mihir. This one is a real surprise. I didn’t see it coming. 

Operation Sudarshan Chakra is named after weapon of Vishnu that can kill all the hidden enemies precisely without a single drop of innocent blood spilled. 

Usually authors narrate the story in past tense. This story, however, is narrated in simple present tense. Something different!

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

What did I like? The seed. 

What I didn't like? The climax. 

Read if you plan to read the series, otherwise give it a miss. 

Operation Haygreeva by Prabhakar Aloka

​"Operation Haygreeva" by Prabhakar Aloka -Spy thriller!

This book is published by Penguin Random House India in 2021 and has 288 pages.  

Six bomb blasts in Mumbai locals. Another bomb blast. Responsibility taken by a new terrorist organization called Lashkar-e-Hind. Chief of IB assigns the case to Head of Central Counterterrorism Command (C3), Ravi Kumar. Ravi recruits three trainees. 

Who are the trainees? Who is Sullu? Who is the mole? What is the objective of the terrorists? What is Operation Haygreeva?

It’s a spy thriller. The story is free flowing. Ravi is tall, well built, intelligent and known for his unconventional ways. He was fast tracked as Head of C3 due to his achievements. Mihir Kaul from Delhi, is second generation spy. He is selected for his keen observation, awareness and intelligence. Cyrus Bandookwala is from Pune and is known to speak out his mind. Jose is from Kerala and is a computer Wiz kid. Sarita is IB chief and Ravi’s boss. Anil is Ravi’s senior and has a grudge against Ravi and his achievements. 

It’s a very critical Operation. The terrorists are many steps ahead. In such a situation, usually the experienced, tried and tested team should be assigned in the case. But assignment of 3 trainees in critical positions and assigning them important tasks is baffling. It’s ok for the story but won’t happen in reality. 

Ravi is shown as a smoker and smokes to clear his mind. Author even has the gall to suggest that when you are tensed, cigarette helps you feel light. No idea why the author glorifies smoking. Completely unnecessary!

There are a few open ends in the story. What happens to Anil? Who is the mole in IB? What happens to Mihir’s mom and Cyrus’ girlfriend? What happens to Tabrez, Iqbal and Rukhsana? That may be left open by design for the sequel. 

Some attention to details was in order. This book was published after Osama Bin Laden was killed but the book mentions that Bin Laden is still at large. He was at large when the book was written, but that should have been changed before publication.

The book starts with pregnant Sullu in prologue. Then Sullu disappears from the book. She reappears in epilogue giving birth to a baby boy. She must have an important role to play in the sequel. I have my guess as to who she is. Let’s wait till I read the sequel. 

Usually authors narrate the story in past tense. This story, however, is narrated in simple present tense. Something different!

So what is Haygreeva? It’s an avatar of Vishnu taken to sly a demon. It’s also name of this Operation. 

A sequel to this book titled ‘Operation Sudarshan Chakra’ is already released and is on my read list next. 

Why did I read this book? Title. Blurb. 

What did I like? Enigma of Sullu.

What I didn't like? Smoking, use of trainees.  

Read if you liked the review.

Eleventh commandment by Jeffrey Archer

​"The Eleventh commandment" by Jeffrey Archer - A good thriller!

This book is published by Pan in 2010 and has 352 pages. 

CIA Agent Connor Fitzgerald assassinates a drug cartel boss who is running for the post of President of Columbia. It’s rumored that successive Presidents of USA, including incumbent President Tom Lawrence, wanted CIA Director Helen Dexter out of her job, but no one has succeeded so far. Lawrence hatches a plot with his Chief of staff Andy Lloyd that will see ouster of Helen Dexter. Helen has her own agenda and devious plan of sending Connor to Russia to save her skin. Caught between rock and a hard place is Connor. 

Why does Helen send Connor to Russia? What is the price of returning from Russia? Who can help Connor? Will Fitzgerald violet eleventh commandment? What is eleventh commandment?

Connor is a family man. His wife, Maggie, knows he works for CIA as NOC but doesn’t know any further. Maggie is Dean of Admissions at university. She is a very balanced person. They are both dedicated to each other. Their daughter Tara is doing Ph D and has an Australian boyfriend, Stuart. Chris Jackson is former Dy Director of CIA, friend of Connor and has a score to settle with Helen. 

The story starts well. It’s interesting. There is a shock midway through the book. Connor has a lot riding on his shoulders. He has nowhere to go. Whichever side wins, Connor is going to lose. Whichever side wins, it’s bad for international politics. Snatch Operation of Connor’s family is very intelligent and good. The story reaches the peak but the final climax is not as exciting as the readers expect. 

So what is the eleventh commandment? Thou shall not get caught. But if you are, deny absolutely that you have anything to do with CIA. Don’t worry, the company will always take care of you. Except in this case the last part doesn’t come true. 

Why did I read this book? Author.

What did I like? Interesting story 

What I didn't like? Climax. 

Recommend reading. 

Ambuj by Anita Shirodkar

​"Ambuj" by Anita Shirodkar- Soft landing !

This book is published by The writer palace in 2019 and has 352 pages. This is Book 3 of “Guardians of the blue lotus” series.

Flash back: Madhumalli is born under black star. She has to fulfill her destiny. Ambujakshan has decided to conduct Mahadhipatya Kalpa.

Present times: Aryavir has returned victorious to Kamalkund. Sitanshu is on his way to fight Queen X’ia as he is the Chosen One. Chitrangada is now the regent of Mandala. A half wit beggar enters Sitanshu’s head and gives him a secret mantra. 

Why was Madhumalli not married to Ambujakshan? Will Queen X’ia use Mahavidhvamsha Astra? Can Sitanshu save the old world? Who are the five unknowns? Who is Paramangada?

This book takes the story forward. Aryavir has limited role to play. The story repeatedly delves into the past, in the times of King Ambujakshan (Aryavir’s grandfather), and tells us the story from the past that answers some of the question that remained  unanswered in previous books like Why did Chandrabha appoint Chiraksh as king instead of her own sons? Why is Queen X’ia of Ch’in determined to annihilate old world? Who is Manas? Etc.

The story is free flowing but slower and less intriguing than previous two books. New characters are introduced. Book 2 ended with a big war with X’ia of Ch’in looming large. But this war is not the real deal in this book. It’s the coming of war, can Sitanshu fulfill his destiny and the events in past that occupy major portion of the book. The war between X’ia and Sitanshu is relatively a non event. It’s disappointing. In the review of Book 2, I had mentioned that the author may need a fourth book to close the story. Well, she doesn’t require the fourth book because the war doesn’t really ‘happen’. 

Title of the book is Ambuj. But contrary to the first two books he is not really the hero. Ambuj was born with a Devine sign of blue lotus on his shoulder but apart from the Mahadhipatya Kalpa (for which he is criticized by all), he doesn’t do much. Then there is another Ambuj who practically does nothing. 

Author ends the book on a curious note. If she wants, she can write another trilogy as a sequel trilogy. Does she plan to do so? Who knows?

Author has created a new 'old world'. Kamalkund is the kingdom of Kamalakshi clan, who have blue lotus eyes. Indivara is the humongous blue lotus in existence for 999 years and Lord Padmaksha is believed to reside in it. All people in the Old World pray to Ishv, the formless one. The geography of old world and Ch’in is loosely based on Indian subcontinent. 

Author has given three family trees (Kamalakshis, Chandraketus and Pahadvis) and map of old world at the beginning of the book. This was a much needed accessory to correlate all the names,  their relations and the geography and movements.

Author should have given a short summary of previous two books for readers like me who have read the previous books in 2018 and this book after a gap of four years. Since summary  was not there it took time for the references of previous story to click and the details to remember. 

All in all it’s a good trilogy. It took off with Aryavir, Soared high with Sitanshu. Author manages soft landing, rather than crash landing, with Ambuj. 

Why did I read this book? First 2 books were good. 

What I didn't like? War with X’ia.  

What did I like? This book is not a disappointment. 

Recommend reading.

The influencer by Abhaidev

​"The influencer" by Abhaidev - Unrealized potential!

This book is published by The Bookpatch LLC in 2021 and has 318 pages.

Aditya is an influencer.  Influencers have the ability to make people submit to their will. Influencers can’t control mind, they can weaken a persons stand on something. Influencers work as secretaries, advisors, assistants to police, businessmen, intelligence agencies, bureaucrats and leaders. Then there is WIS, a secret society of influencers that controls all influencers. No influencer can go against WIS.

How do influencers work? Why do they work for others? How strong is WIS? Will Aditya go against WIS? Why? 

There are three main characters in the story. Aditya, youngest Level 4 influencer, who loves his wife, doesn’t really love his job. Shreya, his wife, who is devastated after learning his secret. She feels cheated but supports her husband in his endeavor. Rishabh, his mentor, guide and a father figure. 

First half of the book is for generating the background. It gives us the life story of Aditya.  It’s like a marathon. Slow and steady. However, in last 100 pages suddenly it becomes a 100m sprint. The story travels at a break neck speed. Subtitle of the book is “Speed must have a limit”, however apart from the acceleration of the story in last 100 pages, the subtitle is irrelevant.

Due to this sudden acceleration certain flaws creep in. Why there is no camera at WIS? Why WIS doesn’t use face recognition software? How come security breach is not detected? Even before acceleration in one scene Aditya shushes Shreya from speaking loudly about being an influencer and later on they talk freely about it.  

Story happens in a fictional country Scenika. The country is based on India. Scenika’s arch enemies are Swedanka and Tveveru, based on Pakistan and China. 

The story is not very interesting but you also don’t abandon the book. It just about manages to retain your interest. For such an interesting concept, the story could have been much more dramatic, but author squandered the opportunity. The potential remains unrealized fully. 

The story ends with a strong hint of a sequel. What would come next?

Why did I read this book? Blurb

What I didn't like? Obvious errors. 

What did I like? Concept. 

Read if you have a lot of time. 

Avishi: Reimagining Vishpala of the Rig Veda by Saiswaroopa Iyer

​"Avishi: Reimagining Vishpala of the Rig Veda" by Saiswaroopa Iyer - World’s first reference to prosthesis!

This book was published by Bloomsbury India in 2021 and has 394 pages.

Forrest of Naimisha, abode of Rishis who define the codes for the society. Kingdom of Vishrabhavati ruled by Khela who has usurped the throne by killing the incumbent. Ashtagani, a small settlement that has a ruling council that represents the subjects and chief Ganapati. Avishi, an orphan from Naimisha comes to Ashtagani and rises in the ranks quickly. Khela has sinister designs for Ashtagani. The stage is set. 

Why does Khela want Ashtagani? How influential are the sages of Naimisha? How high can Avishi rise? How good is the prosthetic?

Avishi is the fearless warrior. She is liked by everyone. Her mate Satya is a doctor and a non fighter. Khela is the devious villain. Shula is the senani of Ashtagani and in awe of Avishi. Gautam is a Naimisha sage and Avishi’s former mate. 

Avishi’s prosthesis is the real reason for the story, but Avishi gets it very late in the story, just before the final duel. So the reason for writing the story actually recedes in the background. The story is very slow and not very interesting. It also lacks excitement. It took me more than 6 months to complete this book. 

It’s Vedic time period. So the characters invoke Varuna and Mitra, the prominent Gods of Rig Veda. The institution of marriage was not established at that time, so author uses the introduction of institution of marriage as the disruptive element.

There are a few hymns in Rig Veda about a Vishpala (ruler), who lost a leg in a war with Khela. She was granted a metal leg by twin deities Ashwins. This is world’s first reference to prosthesis. Author has taken these 4-5 hymns and developed a full length novel, a fiction.

Since the seed is small, it’s a Herculean task to create a full length novel out of it. Author huffs and puffs to do so. Ashok Banker has written a master piece based on a hymn in Rig Veda (Ten Kings or Dasha Rajna). This book pales in comparison to Ten Kings. 

This book has been optioned for film or digital adaptation. 

Why did I read this book? Blurb 

What I didn't like? Slowness, lack of excitement. 

What did I like? The concept.  

Give it a miss

Operation dragonfire by Siddhartha Thorat

​"Operation dragonfire" by Siddhartha Thorat - It’s the Tibet border!

This book is published by Shrishti publishers and distributors in 2022 and has 212 pages. This is Book 3 of Sanjay Khanna series. 

A deep cover Indian asset working in China occupied Tibet sends a message that he is exfiltrating in emergency. Head of special operations division  (TSD) to  of RAW, Sanjay Khanna, and his team enter Chinese territory and exfil the agent. This agent has information about a new weapon being deployed by Chinese that can tilt the power balance in Chinese favor and inflict multiple casualties on Indians. Sanjay has to find what it is and determine counter measures. 

What is the weapon? What is the Baluchi connection? Who is agent Puma? How can the weapon be neutralized? Will this alter the facts on ground at Tibetan border?

The exfil operation is exciting and interesting but it takes up lot of pages. Then comes the snatching of the Chinese scientist. This part is also exciting but it too takes a lot of pages. That leaves only 30 pages for the main story of taming the dragon. I thought that the third section of book is wrapped up quickly.  Nevertheless, it’s an interesting book and you don’t put it down easily. 

Sanjay Khanna is more decisive in this book than the previous. He is also now married. Here he depends on Baluchi separatists for support. Col. Buguti is the Baluchi freedom fighter but what happens to him at the end remains a mystery. Author has a habit of leaving loose ends. Aanya is Indian RAW operative stationed in Dubai and May have a role to play in the sequels.  

Prologue happens in Pakistan occupied Baluchistan. First and third part of the story happens in China occupied Tibet and second part in Dubai. 

The stationery used for this book is good. The font is also good. This makes the experience of reading pleasurable. However, the discordant note is proof reading. There are spelling mistakes, wrong words (parameter instead of perimeter, read instead of ready etc.). Sanjay’s unit is called TSU in previous book and TSD in this book. Book says Pakistani embassy is in Dubai, actually it’s a consulate, embassy is in Abu Dhabi. Why would one employ a novice on a critical mission that will determine the future of the group? Isn’t it sensible that you test the novice in less important missions to test his competence and mettle before assigning critical mission to him? The sub-editor is found napping multiple times. My objection on author’s previous two book remains in this book too. Too many characters, including the protagonist, are shown smoking. Why does author promote smoking when it has hardly any relevance to the story?

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Errors as mentioned above. 

What did I like? Overall effect. 

Recommend reading.

Operation hellfire by Siddhartha Thorat

​"Operation hellfire" by Siddhartha Thorat - Arch enemy Pakistan!

This book is published by Shrishti publishers and distributors in 2020 and has 192 pages. 

Farrukh (Nom de guerre Shahrukh Khan) is an ex-ISI officer and Pakistani LET terrorist. He as well as Pakistani establishment is miffed about the current strong Prime Minister of India who has taken a stand that there will be no dialogue with Pakistan and his treatment of Pakistan as nothing more than an irritant. Farrukh comes up with an operation in India that will make 26/11 look minor. Farrukh is told that ISI has selected Major Mansour Khan to lead it with Captain Ansar Babar as his deputy and Farrukh’s role is of logistics and procuring equipment that can’t be traced back to Pakistanis. 

What is the plan? What is the weapon? What is the target? Can Sanjay stop it?

A lucky break and a surveillance footage hacked from Pakistani CCTVs alerts RAW. Head of special operations cell (TSU) of RAW, Sanjay Khanna, from previous book (Operation Fox Hunt), is assigned to find out what the weapon will be, how will it come to India, where the attack will be and then neutralize it.

Sanjay is a veteran and hero, but author doesn’t show any evidence of his superior intellect. He acts like any other ordinary officer and relies on input from other agency to act. When he meets Nikita, he transforms into puppy. Looks like author wanted to give the character human touch, but fails. Lt. Colonel Nikita Singla is the weapons expert who helps identify the weapon. Sushant is Sanjay’s second in command. Two characters (Farrukh and Sushant) appear to be important but quietly fade out. Farrukh disappears after procuring weapon, no trace of what happens to him. Sushant quietly fades out in the action packed end. 

A major portion of story happens in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The weapon lands in India in last 50 pages and then the story accelerates till the climax. The climax has a touch of reality to it, not a Rambo style end. 

The stationery used for this book is good. The font is also good. This makes the experience of reading pleasurable. However, the discordant note is proof reading. There are spelling mistakes, wrong words (bought instead of brought, parameter instead of perimeter etc.).  There are some obvious errors like Sanjay calling Secretary-R when mobile towers are switched off, telephone lines are cut and jammers are installed. The sub-editor is found napping multiple times. My objection on author’s previous book remains in this book too. Too many characters, including the protagonist, are shown smoking. Why does author promote smoking when it has hardly any relevance to the story?

I am planning to read next book in the series that is published this year. Will see if the loose ends of this book were left intentionally for the next book. 

Why did I read this book? Author’s first book was good. 

What I didn't like? Errors as mentioned above. 

What did I like? Overall effect.

Recommend reading. 

Unseen battle behind Ukraine Russia war by Dr. Rahul Yadav

​"Unseen battle behind Ukraine Russia war" by Dr. Rahul Yadav - A worthy read!

This book was published by Evincepub publishing  in 2022 and has 73 pages. 

War is a multilayered, multifactorial complex event. It defies prediction. It needs understanding. Author states that this small book has been written to shift our focus from tanks and missiles to human factor. 

Author approaches the subject in a comprehensive but precise way. He sees the war as a culmination of historical events and collective memory combined with economic and geopolitical factors. He covers trade, history, religion, intelligence, water and minerals; factors leading to the war. 

There is an ancient trade route from Gulf of Finland to Constantinople. Whoever controlled the choke points on this route controlled it. This includes two lakes, seven rivers, three land routes. Rus king Oleg attacked Kiev in 882 AD and captured it to keep this trade route under control. The word Ukraine means frontier. Historically  Russians don’t recognize Ukraine as independent country. 

What are the new strategic choke points? It’s Dollar and Arms for America. Oil & gas and Arms for Russia, Devaluation and Debt trap for China. Global emphasis on green energy and countries like India aiming to become self reliant (aatmanirbhar Bharat) for defense equipment needs means Russia is losing both choke points. Electric vehicles require Lithium batteries. Ukraine has worlds largest Lithium deposits in Central Ukraine and Mariupol. Russia has captured Mariupol. Russia has also destroyed Ukrainian defense industry that was directly competing with Russian defense industry. 

In 2019, Ukraine declared creation of independent Church of Ukraine. Earlier Ukraine was under Russian church for 335 years. It's also a war of Catholic / Protestant west Vs Orthodox east.

Ukrainian nationalists supported Germany in WW I.

After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, Ukraine cut their water. Ukraine lost all sympathy from Crimea with that. Fearing close down of coal mines, if Ukraine joined EU, separatist movements started in the Mining area of Donbas. Residents of Donbas have divided loyalties. 

It’s a small book but author does well in covering all aspects. The English has areas of improvement but one can ignore that for the content. Eventually every war is for the economic power and this one isn’t an exception. Author has provided illustrative maps to explain his point. 

Author ends the book on an optimistic note by suggesting that Russia joins EU, thus making NATO irrelevant, creating a unified world currency and hoping for a clean, green, equitable world. 

There is wealth of knowledge in this small book. It’s a quick read but worth the time spent. Reader doesn’t feel the book to be too small or too long. It’s just right. Author must have displayed a lot of restraint to not increase the number of pages. 

Why did I read this book? Subject. 

What did I like? Information. 

What I didn't like? English. 

A must read. 

The New Delhi conspiracy by Meenakshi Lekhi

​"The New Delhi conspiracy" by Meenakshi Lekhi with Krishna Kumar- Politician’s fiction!

This book is published by HarperCollins India in 2019 and has 304 pages. 

Fynn Jansen, a Dutch scientist in the field of AI is killed by a sniper in Hong Kong. His colleague Samar approaches Indian MP Vedika Khanna from Hong Kong to reveal a secret. He is killed just before the meeting. Before dying he manages to tell Vedika that there is a conspiracy to kill PM Raghav Mohan. Prof. Bakshi, a pseudo secular, liberal intellectual is devising a plan to defeat PM Raghav Mohan and his party . A billionaire businessman runs NGOs in India, but he has his own agenda. A robot (Lakshmi) who has a mind will be given Indian citizenship. 

Who is hatching the conspiracy? How will it be achieved? What’s the Hong Kong connection? Who is behind the conspiracy? What is Bakshi’s lieology? Does the robot really have a mind? We know AI, what is BI?

This book exposes the elite liberal facade. To create narratives that legitimize the ruling class and curry favor in return is their modus operandi. This particular community is called Lutyens’ elite. These liberals are financed by multiple overt and covert NGOs run by a billionaire philanthropist with ulterior motive of ejecting Raghav Mohan from power.  The book introduces us to Political Lieology, an art of shouting lies loudly and repeatedly, propagating narrative that suits you, ignoring achievements of the opponents etc.  The idea is to peddle the lies with such frequency and vehemence that it renders the truth irrelevant. 

Characters in this book have obvious resemblance to real life politicians. Raghav Mohan is the PM with no family legacy. Nation comes first for him. He is very popular and is referred as RaMo. Opposition can’t defeat him politically. Akshat Mahnayak is the leader of opposition. He likes good life style and isn’t really interested in politics. He is PM in waiting for a very long time owing to the family legacy. He sometimes appears stupid. Samarendar Singh is Home Minister. He is strong and a patriot. I suppose you guessed them. Vedika Khanna is a fire brand MP from ruling party. Her character appears to be based on the author herself. 

It appears as if the author was unable to determine if she wants to write a political thriller or a historical fiction. She tries to excel in both and manages neither. Either she should have written about the Buddhist history and the cryptic clues or she should have written about the political assassination plot.  The readers end up dissatisfied. To add to it, the story doesn’t have a good pace. 

This is author’s debut novel. She has done a good job for a first timer. However she still lacks some attention to detail. Why would an MP employ a reporter and a hacker rather than entrusting the job to security agencies who are better equipped? Why would MP be involved in the investigation? Why would one leave cryptic clues when simple message would have sufficed? Green Dolma is erroneously referred as White Tara and White Dolma is erroneously referred as Green Tara. Etc. I believe, with time the edges would be rounded off. 

Why did I read this book? Curiosity of how a politician writes fiction. 

What did I like? Buddhist history. 

What I didn't like? As mentioned above. 

Not a must read. 

The magicians of Mazda by Ashwin Sanghi

​"The magicians of Mazda" by Ashwin Sanghi -  History overpowers story!

This book is published by HarperCollins India in 2022 and has 492 pages.

Jamshed Dastoor (Jim), is a Parsi scientist settled in America. He has discovered Hamzaa Dura, a miracle drug. A pharmacy giant wants to get hold of the research. Iranian regime is after Athravan star. Soroushpur, leader of the handful Zorashtrians surviving in Iran, is fighting for the survival of his faith and he too is after Athravan star. Jim is kidnapped by Iranians. His wife (Linda) and partner (Dan) take a bold decision. 

What is Hamzaa Dura? Does the Athravan star exist? Why are Iranians after a drug rather than weapons? What does Linda do? Can American security agencies help Jim, having no presence in Iran?

Jamshed (Jim) is a rebellious Parsi, who declines to inherit business empire and becomes scientist. Due to this rebellious streak he inherits an earthen box with some kind of powder in it and a verbal incantation. The box has been passed to the most rebellious child of the family for many generations. Linda is a child of American Christian father and Indonesian Hindu mother. She is a historian and is a scholar of Zorashtrian history. She also loves her husband and would go to any lengths for his safety. Although her character is knowledgeable one, she knows pretty much everything about anything. Soroushpur is leader of around 25000 surviving Zorashtrians in Iran. He wants to recover what belongs to the land. Abbasi is an Israeli spy in Iran. Dan is Jim’s partner. He helps Linda for a reason. Entry of Baba Malik makes the end too easy. His character doesn’t appear seamlessly woven in the story. 

It’s a plot with international implications. America, Iran, Israel, India and China are all involved. India wants Jim’s safety. Everyone wants Hamzaa Dura. Hamzaa Dura, the cure of all cures that will enable defective cells to heal themselves. 

This book introduces us to the Parsi history. Although Parsi community is an integral part of Indian multi religious heritage, there are so many things that we don’t know. Things like Atash Behram, Iranshah, faravahar, Udvada, extent of Zorashtrian empire, their persecution, their survival and even their origin. 

This is a fiction based on Parsi history. I believe that such fictions should be written. They help create awareness and interest in the history. This story has its roots in the history. Readers get a history lesson and history augments the story. This book has a lot of history. Too much of history that actually overpowers the story.

Author puts forth a theory that stumps the readers. He says that Zaratrushta was born in Kashmir and was a Vedic scholar who migrated west from Saraswati and formed a new religion. Zorashtrianizm is the first monotheist religion that predates Abrahamic religions. So actually Parsis returned to the land of their origin when they came to India. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? History overpowers story. 

What did I like? History. Theory. 

Read if you want to know about Parsi history.  

The Crocodile Hunter by Gerald Seymour

​"The Crocodile Hunter" by Gerald Seymour - Uneventful!

This book is published by Hodder Paperbacks in 2021 and has 368 pages. 

Jonas Merrick works in Thames house for MI5. He is an analyst. He’s an aloof, non pretentious, slightly rude, not very social, brilliant old timer. Nobody likes him but his insights are valued by his boss. He is tasked with tracking the British youth returning from Syria after losing the jihadi battle. Cammy Al Britani (Cameron Jilkes) is returning from Syria. Camy helps and leads a group of Iranian Christian immigrants to cross the channel from France to England in monster of a weather and has then disappeared.

Will Jonas be on Camy’s trail? What are Camy’s intentions? Can Jonas stop him? What about the Crocodile Hunter?

The issue of Christian white youth from England radicalized and sent to fight in Syria is serious. They are angry at something. Very angry. Each angry for a different reason. They are misfits. This anger is translated into rebelliousness and decision to fight, irrespective of the cause. The extremists harness the anger and give it a direction, albeit a wrong one. What is it that brainwashes the youth (be they of any religion) to take such drastic steps? Camy’s brothers in war under black flag are Mickey, Stan, Dwain, Peter, Thomas & Ulrica. All of them from countries like Germany, Canada, South Africa, England etc. 

It’s said that this new face of terror, white, born and brought up in western countries, extremely difficult to identify because they blend so well locally, is the new challenge for security agencies.

Character of Jonas is interesting. He does his job. Doesn’t mind if others take credit for his work. Doesn’t care for niceties. He is considered dinosaur in the service, even obnoxious. He is frowned upon. But he is brilliant. He perseveres. He tracks down his prey single mindedly. He is an enigma. He shuns computers and relies on his card index system. This time he is out in the field, not his area of expertise. But he is their best chance. 

Can he enter Camy’s mind and foresee his moves? Sadie is Camy’s mother, somehow making the ends meet. Will she meet Camy? How will the reception be?

So where is the crocodile? Well, it’s an analogy. Crocodile lies still like a wooden log in still water with only its nostrils and eyes visible, waiting for the prey. It’s very difficult to spot. Only a skillful crocodile hunter can spot the eyes and nostrils. 

Readers can guess how the book ends when they have read the first few chapters. It’s not ‘what’ but ‘how’ that keeps the readers going. The book finally ends expectedly. No surprise there!

Like Seymour books, this one also has a slow pace. Readers need extra patience to read his books. Although the stories are kind of interesting, they are slow. Here too, the story ambles along but just about manages to retain reader’s  interest. 

Why did I read this book? It was on hand.  

What did I like? Character of Jonas. 

What I didn't like? Pace. Lack of action. 

Read if you have a lot of time and patience.