Sherlock Holmes in Japan by Vasudev Murthy

​"Sherlock Holmes in Japan" by Vasudev Murthy writing as Akira Yamashita- The lost years! 

This book is published by HarperCollins in 2014 and has 288 pages.

Everyone, including Watson, has presumed Sherlock dead. One day Watson gets a letter from Japan with a ticket and a short note from Sherlock. On the boat ride to Japan, his cabin partner is murdered. There is an attempt on Watson. Another murder.

Where will Sherlock meet Watson? What is he doing in Japan? What was he doing for last almost three years? Who is trying to stop from reaching Japan?

It’s a different kind of plot. Yakuza, Japanese equivalent of American mafia has penetrated Japanese foreign service and Sherlock is investigating. What’s different? One, there is hardly any investigation and deduction. Two, most of the story is narrated by a character after the events have happened. Three, a lot of time is spent in travel leaving less time for real detective work. 

They travel from England via Alexandria, Vladivostok,  Aden, Bombay, Calcutta, Angkor Vat, Saigon, Nagasaki, Kyoto, Tokyo. Something happens at each sojourn. Someone is on their trail, some agent of Dr. Moriarty. In Calcutta they meet Prof. Jagdish Chandra Bose. Sherlock develops interest in the Indian and Japanese music. 

This is a Sherlock Holmes novel written years after the original set of novels by Arthur Conan Doyle. This is Holmes’s adventure during ‘great hiatus’. It’s period between May 1891 and April 1894, between supposed death of Sherlock at Reichenbach Falls and his reappearance. 

Author doesn’t copy writing style of Arthur Conan Doyle but still retains similarities with it. Since the author is an Indian, a lot of story unnecessarily happens in India. It’s a slow story. Shaving a few pages off may have been good for it. 

Why did I read this book? Title, cover.

What I didn't like? Lack of detective work.

What did I like? Attention to detail. 

Sherlock Holmes fans can try it, not a must read for others. 

Rudra: The name of destroyer by Hem Raj Jat

​"Rudra: The name of destroyer" by Hem Raj Jat - Don’t bother!

This book is published by Notion Press in 2021 and has 210 pages. 

National Investigation Agency (NIA) agent Captain Shekhar has disappeared six years ago presumed dead. Officers Kevin, Nikhila, Anirudh convince Chief Dr. Kulshreshtha to launch a search mission and find Rudra. 

Who is Rudra? Is he Shekhar? Is he related to Dr. Kulshreshtha? What skills does he possess? Who does he destroy?

The story can at best be called absurd. It starts somewhat promisingly. But then it’s all a journey downhill. It’s narrated in flashback, mostly. The helicopter travels impossible distance. One man possesses power and skills so unique that he kills 40 terrorists armed with machine guns, using a spade. His memory goes and comes conveniently. No bullet touches him. His hands move faster than guns. He moves faster than guns. 

The English used in this book is bad. The grammar is bad. The construction of sentences are not in “appropriate English”. Some times there is a mix up of tense. In one sentence the place is mentioned as there, in next sentence it’s mentioned as here. 

There are continuity issues. e.g. They carried multiple missions to find him and then it says it’s her first time in the Himalayas. People from his previous life calling him Rudra instead of Shekhar. It’s torture. 

Book cover shows a blood covered, battle scarred man with matted hair, wearing Rudraksha sitting on a stone on a snow covered mountain holding something that emits smoke (chillum?). It’s good. 

Why did I read this book? Cover looked good. 

What did I like? Umm…..

What I didn't like? Almost everything. 

AVOID. 

Happy birthday by Danielle Steele

​"Happy birthday" by Danielle Steele - Feel good!

This book is published by Corgi in 2012 and has 416 pages. 

Valerie Wayett is 60. She is a wedding planner, TV Show host and a celebrity. Her daughter April is 30. She runs a restaurant. Jack Adams is a former NFL superstar and now a famous TV sportscaster. He is 50. They were all born on the same day albeit different years. Valerie and Jack dread to acknowledge their age. Mike is 34. He is a snobbish food critique. 

What happens on their birthday? Do their paths cross? How will it impact their lives?

Valerie although 60, looks at least 10 years younger thanks to her healthy lifestyle and plastic surgeon. She is refinement personified. There is no man in her life. On her sixtieth birthday a radio show host announces her true age. Valerie is distraught. Jack Adams is 50 but looks much younger and has a very active sex life with girl’s half his age or less. He is a football legend. His age is also announced on radio. He too is upset. April, Valerie’s daughter, is least bothered about her looks, despite being beautiful. She never applies makeup. There is no man in her life too. She runs a restaurant and is a workaholic. On her birthday she comes to know that she is pregnant. Result of a one night stand and birth control malfunction. She is fully busy with restaurant and can’t really afford to give time to the baby. Mike Steinmann gives April a lousy review. He is also father of April’s baby but doesn’t want any kids owing to parents who are always drunk and a brother who committed suicide. 

There is a crisis in the lives of all four of them. The crisis brings upheaval. The references and contexts change. The priorities undergo drastic transformation. It’s epiphany. 

The story is simple, like most of DS books. You know how it will end after reading first few chapters. Although it’s a feel good story, lack of twists or surprises makes it very predictable. But it’s still enjoyable. 

The strong point of this book is the characterization. They are very well thought. Their personality traits are adorable. Readers can relate to the characters.  You can’t help loving them, especially April: the non pretentious, lovely, workaholic, girl next door. 

As April runs a restaurant, there are a lot of scenes at the restaurant. You get to know names of a lot of American and European dishes. 

Title of the book is Happy Birthday. However, apart from the fact that three characters share the birthday and the story starts with their birthday, it has nothing to do with the story. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Predictability. 

What did I like? Characterization. 

Recommend reading if you like feel good genre. 

AgniBaan: Guardians of the fire chamber by S. Venkatesh

​"AgniBaan: Guardians of the fire chamber" by S. Venkatesh - Mytho-thriller!

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

535 CE: A young guardian of the fire chamber from Egypt travels East to the land of holy rivers with Minew Satey, the Fire Arrow, to protect it from dark forces and to unite with its twin Agnibaan. 

Present day: Dhruv, an out of work Shauryas (Elite unit of Indian Army) special agent has a chance encounter with Megha, a nerdy historian. US Presidential elections are around the corner. The favorite is assassinated. A dastardly attack in Arunachal Pradesh kills 180 Indian soldiers. Australian, American and Japanese submarines are destroyed during Quad military exercise. There is an EMP attack on Delhi. 

Is China behind this? Why target India? Where is Agnibaan? Who is behind all this? Who is the head of dark order?

It’s a typical mytho-thriller where an object from past, that has immense powers, becomes the center of attraction in present times. There is a dark side, who has lot of resources, looking for it and then there are good guys, few but determined, who fight against all odds and save the world.  The object here is Agnibaan. He who controls the Agnibaan, will control the world. 

Identity of the chief of dark side is supposed to be the big secret and it’s revelation is supposed to give a jolt to the readers. However, the identity is poorly concealed here. I could identify the person by the end of the chapter in which the character is introduced.

There are loose ends too. What was the need to unite Fire Arrow with Agnibaan? Isn’t it more sensible to keep them separate and halve the risk of falling into wrong hands? Were Fire Arrow and Agnibaan in the fire chamber? What’s the outcome of American Presidential elections? Why is Agnibaan called so when there’s no baan (arrow) in it?

The climax happens in the jungles of Sunderban in Bengal. Dense jungle, heavy rains, nature’s fury, crocodile, Bengal Tigers, villains, cyclone, land-devouring sea etc. create a perfect backdrop for the action filled climax. Although long, the climax is good except the very end. You get wet, feel the attacking sea while reading. This climax is written for a movie. 

Why did I read this book? Title.

What I didn't like? The very end of climax, loose ends. 

What did I like? Rest of the climax. 

Recommend reading. 

Betrayal by Danielle Steele

​"Betrayal" by Danielle Steele -Too simple !

This book is Corgi in 2013 and has 416 pages. 

Tally Jones is a highly successful Hollywood movie director. She lives with Hunter, her boyfriend who’s a movie producer. Her long time best friend Bridgette is also her personal assistant. Her accounts are handled by her accountant Victor. There is a betrayal. No, two. Make it three. 

What are the betrayals? Who betrays Tally? How does Tally come to know? What will happen?

Tally is 39, she is beautiful but never bothers about her looks and always dresses shabbily. After two failed marriages, she now lives with Hunter, her boyfriend. Hunter is a Hollywood producer, loves Tally and is a very good cook. Max is Tally’s daughter. She is studying in New York. Brigette is Tally’s best friend and personal assistant. She looks very attractive, like a movie star, and has an active love life with a string of minor young movie stars. She is also very meticulous and protective about Tally. Victor Carson is Tally’s accountant. He has suffered from failed marriages and has an expensive, young, trophy wife. He doesn’t have money to  spend on her lifestyle but can’t leave her either. Brianna, his expensive trophy wife, half his age, is fleecing him. Jim is an FBI agent specializing in white collar crimes. 

Title of the book is Betrayal. So when the Betrayal is found and addressed the book should end. However, in this case the book continues, slows down, stretches with an objective to find love and Oscar.  But rather than ending on a high, it brings the graph down. Either that or the title should have been something else. 

Author doesn’t explain exactly how the money fraud was conducted, just that fraud happened. Is it not possible to check with the bank who withdrew the money?

The biggest flaw of the story is that it’s super predictable. Smart readers can see who betrays who. All three betrayals are easily seen before they are revealed. It’s also easy to guess who finds love with who. There are simply no surprises or twists in the tale. 

Danielle Steele plots are always simple. This, however, is too simple and straight forward. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What did I like? Simplicity. 

What I didn't like? Predictability. Length. 

Not a must read. 

The Hunt by Sourabh Mukherjee

​"The Hunt" by Sourabh Mukherjee - Quick!

This e-book is published by Shrishti publishers and distributors in 2018 and has 11 pages. This is a book in ‘It’s all about love’ series. 

A plainclothes policeman is standing on the road, watching a bank, waiting for Dibakar Roy. He wants to kill him. 

Why does the policeman want to kill a retired man? Will he really kill him? Who is the retired guy?

It’s an interesting style of narration. The policeman remembers events from his past. Author narrates the past and present to us. But the boundaries are not clear, they are blurred. Just like the mental condition of the policeman. This style is a novelty and that’s why it’s interesting. 

It’s a very small short story published as an ebook. 

Why did I read this book? Size. 

What did I like? Crispness. 

What I didn't like? Umm…

Good as a very quick read. 

The rogue spy by Kartika Sharma

​"The rogue spy" by Kartika Sharma - Unrealistic! 

This book is published by Kalamos Literary Services in 2022 and has 280 pages. This is ebook 1 of the series. 

Well the title tells you it’s a spy. It also tells you it’s a rogue spy. What it doesn’t say is that it’s a rouge female spy. She is Adhira Shekhawat. Ex military intelligence. Court marshaled. Dishonorable discharge. She heads the band of five international rogue spies. Adhira is the point of the rouge spies. She is master of disguises, beautiful, deadly at weapons and deadlier without them, doesn’t care for rules. She is hired by Rudhir Rajput, head of RAW on behalf of Government of India. They are also ex lovers. Someone has invented XRS, the deadliest radioactive weapon and it’s used against India. 

Why did Adhira and Rudhir breakup? Why does Rudhir hire Adhira? What is XRS? Can they unearth the plot? Will they come close again?

It’s a band of rogue spies, each one is the best one in his/her field. It includes: Patricia Myeres, a Canadian mafia heiress. She is in charge of logistics. Ava Paradis, a French. She is the best hacker in the world. Samuel Guttman, a weapons expert from Belgium. Frank Ivanek, a Slovak. He is the best analyst you can get. Then there’s Adhira, the leader. 

I know it’s a spy story and such a story will have seemingly impossible things, but this one breaks all boundaries. Either that or the author has created a fantasy in her zeal to create a fantastic story. Either way it appears artificial and hollow. Things like Ava hacking anything in minutes, Pakistani terrorists creating a parallel world in Iran, Adheera’s escape etc all look unreal. These are international hardened spies but loss of one team member devastates them and makes them lose hope like school kids. 

Rudhir is chief of RAW, in his forties. One would expect a person rising to such a position at young age to be an accomplished operator. But here he is shown almost like an idiot. He is surprised with technology, he is horrified with rule breaking, he is stunned by revelations. Very disparaging for a spy. The RAW chief goes to Islamabad on rescue mission. Naive. It gives an impression that Indian intelligence is full of buffoons. 

In short, it’s an attempt that doesn’t succeed. The story is artificial, unconvincing and unreal. And it’s not the end. A sequel or a series is in the offing. 

Why did I read this book? Interesting title. 

What I didn't like? Impossible things.

What did I like? Umm….

AVOID. 

Open Carry by Marc Cameron

​"Open Carry" by Marc Cameron - Lazy pace! 

This book is published by Pinnacle in 2020 and has 416 pages. This is Book 1 of 'Arliss Cutter series'. 

Arliss Cutter, 4 times divorced Afghan veteran and now US Marshal, takes up assignment in Alaska to take care of his widowed sister-in-law and her three children. He is an expert tracker and has elevated senses. Carmen Delgado is shooting a show in Alaska. Most wanted Drug Cartel boss Camacho is making a trip to Alaska, with his bodyguard Garza, for fishing in a mine he owns. Four people disappear. Cutter and his assistant Lola Fontaine investigate on the remote Prince of Wales island. 

The story is slow. Until the underwater climax it ambles along lazily but just about retains the reader. Life on remote sparsely populated island is slow.

Cutter is always ready for a fight. He is observant, has good senses and secretly likes his sister-in-law. Lola Fontain is divorcing a suspicious husband. January Cross, owner of boat ‘Tide Dancer’ studies whales. Carmen Delgado is shooting a TV show called Fish wives. The show has disturbed the island but has also brought business to it. 

Although the story concludes, it’s the start of Arliss Cutter series. Hopefully next book will be more exciting. 

Why did I read this book? Author

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

What did I like? Unique characters. 

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