Did you see Melody by Sophie Hannah

"Did you see Melody" by Sophie Hannah -Great start!

This book is published by Hodder & Stoughton in 2017 and has 336 pages. 

Cara Borrows, husband Patrick, children Jess & Ollie live in Hartford, England. Sara is pregnant third time, an unplanned one. The family doesn’t want the baby but nobody asks what Sara wants. To clear her head she leaves a note for family and goes to America and stays in Swallow tail resort and spa, Arizona. A very expensive luxury resort. Here she sees a girl, Melody Chapa, who was murdered 7-8 years ago. Her parents are serving sentence for killing her. There are more sightings of Melody.

Is Melody dead or alive? Are sightings real? Where does Cara disappear? Did you see Melody? 

This book can be roughly divided into two sections. One before and one after Cara’s disappearance. First section is good. Author manages to pique the reader’s curiosity. Is it Melody? Isn’t it Melody? Is she real? Is she imaginary? This part is good. Second part is not as compactly written as first. A lot of new characters come in. The kidnapper, a TV host, her assistant, Cara’s husband, Cops. In this part author appears to be undecided if she should focus only on Melody case or also on Cara. Why doesn’t Cara run when she has a chance? As a result, second part is a bit scattered all over the place. 

Nevertheless, the book is readable and you don’t abandon it. So, the time is not wasted. 

Why did I read this book? Author

What did I like? First section.

What I didn't like? Scattered second section. 

Not a must read. 

Lethal Agent by Vince Flynn written by Kyle Mills

 "Lethal Agent" by Vince Flynn written by Kyle Mills- Flawed plot !

This book is published by Simon & Schuster in 2019 and has 384 pages. It’s Book 18 of Mitch Rapp series. 

Mitch Rapp tries to kill Mulla Halabi in Yemeni caves but he survives. Mulla realizes that small time terrorist activities are not enough, he needs to do something big to bring America, Irene Kennedy and Mitch Rapp to knees. An inexplicable decease has erupted in a remote village in Yemen. Halabi sees the opportunity. He gets unexpected help from the monstrous ambition of American Presidential hopeful Senator Barnett, Chief of Senate Intelligence Committee. An attack is imminent. 

What will Mitch do? Why is he embroiled in money laundering, corruption and what not? What is the Mexican drug connection?

This is a run of the mill thriller. The usual actions. Usual weapons and exposition. Biological threat. All the ingredients are there. 

The plot has no novelty. There was a Senator who didn’t like Irene and Mitch in previous books as well. Why does this author reuse the plot of original author? 

The biggest weak link is the plot to infiltrate the drug cartel. It’s so simplistic that it tends to be naive. Such a plot will never succeed in reality, not even close. 

In the final actions Rapp doesn’t appear to be in control of the situation. If your protagonists doesn’t control the narrative, who does?

After death of Vince Flynn, Kyle Mills has written this book to capitalize on the franchise. But he isn’t Vince Flynn. 

Why did I read this book? Mitch Rapp. 

What did I like?  Not much.

What I didn't like? Flawed plot.

Give it a miss. 

Diary of a void by Emi Yagi

 ​"Diary of a void" by Emi Yagi - Change of perspective!

This book is published by Harvill Secker in 2022 and has 224 pages. The book is translated from Japanese to English by David Boyd and Lucy North. 

Shibata, 34, is the only female working in male dominated office at the paper core manufacturer. She is relegated to menial tasks no one wants to do like coffee making, washing the cups, changing the printer cartridge, distributing sweets etc. Long hours, unimportant work and uninteresting single life leads to her declaring one day that she is pregnant, when she isn’t.

What changes after she declares her pregnancy? How long can she put up this charade?

The approach of everyone changes, one because she is pregnant, and two because she isn’t married. People start to notice her, ask about her welfare, share the menial jobs. She starts to go home early, starts to enjoy life. She starts finding little pleasures of life like shopping for vegetables, bubble bath etc. She starts eating better and more. Maternity badge on her bag gets her seat on the train. She also joins a group of expecting moms. But then lie and reality starts to merge. 

Author transforms from lore of pregnancy to real pregnancy seamlessly. At one point the reader starts to doubt if the pregnancy is real or a lie. That’s the exact state of Shibata’s mind.

The book is subtle. At times it takes you through the daily chores of an expectant mother. Pretty routine for an expectant mother but special for Shibata.

Somehow, I was reading this book for more than three months. Due to discontinuous reading, probably, I didn’t enjoy it much.

The chapters are titled as numbers of weeks of pregnancy.

There are some tongue in cheek puns like ‘cutting-edge technology’ when cutting a box open. 

This book won Dazai Osama prize for best debut work of fiction. 

Why did I read this book? Blurb.

What I didn't like? Pace. 

What did I like? Fact-fiction confluence.

Read if you like the review. 

Journey to the throne by Vani Mahesh

 ​"Journey to the throne" by Vani Mahesh - Drags!

This book is published by HarperCollins India in Oct 2022 and has 296 pages. 

Samudragupt rules Gupt empire. He has two sons. Ram and Chandra. Ram is lazy, fond of vices, not brave, loves good lifestyle, considers the throne his birthright. Chandra, the younger, is virtuous, brave, empathetic, hard worker. 

Who will get the throne? The eldest or the most capable? How will it play out? How will Gupt empire fare?

It’s the story of Gupt empire. Ram is the entitled but unsuitable one who gets swayed easily. Chandra is the brave, ideal son and brother, loved by all. He is so virtuous that he reminds us of Prabhu Ramchandra. He is betrothed to Dhruva but she is later married to Ram. The empire has a coterie of reliable, responsible and loyal ministers who put up with adhoc decisions of Ram in the interest of empire. But then, at one point in time, Ram takes a decision that shocks and angers everyone, without exception. Is that the inflection point?

The seed story is a known one. Author tries to elaborate it. The story lacks balance. Sometimes trivial things take a long time and page space making it slow. Sometimes the action (e.g. climax) is over very quickly. The story drags. As a result, although you don’t abandon the book, it also doesn’t interest you. 

Book cover is cartoonish and doesn’t do Justice to the story. 

My collection of good sentences:

Rama felt as lonely as the kitten that sat on the window sill purring for its mother. 

Why did I read this book? Blurb. 

What did I like? Umm…. 

What I didn't like? As mentioned above. 

Give it a miss.

City under one roof by Iris Yamashita

 "City under one roof" by Iris Yamashita -A mystery?

This book it’s published by Berkeley publishing corporation in Jan 2023 and has 304 pages. 

DavCon is a single building town of around 200 in remote Alaska. It’s accessible with one tunnel. 

Two body parts (a hand and a leg) are found in a cove. Detective Cara Kennedy reaches there to investigate and the tunnel closes due to snow. She is stuck in DavCon.

Can she solve the murder? Who is involved? Will the inhabitants cooperate? Who’s body parts are they? Why does Spence make Amy lie?

A small town where everyone knows everyone. A godforsaken place in the middle of nowhere. A place where no one wants to spend their entire life. It’s a town of mysterious people, quirky people. Everyone has secrets. No one appears to be in the clear. Even those who aren’t from the town have secrets. 

The story has assortment of characters. Detective Cara Kennedy is federal investigator. She has lost her husband and son a few years ago. She’s claustrophobic. JB is a young handsome police officer helping Cara. Lonnie is an old timer, not quite right in the head. She was institutionalized after her mother’s death. Now her Moose, Denny, is her only companion. Amy, a teenager, has found the body parts. Spence is Amy’s friend. Debra Blackman, Spence’s mom is English and history teacher. Chief Sibly is the police chief. 

It’s a slow story. Very slow. A a result I was reading this book for three months (Pun intended). Lonnie is an interesting character. She thinks of multiple words for every feeling. I liked author’s concept of showing a person who isn’t normal. 

The end of the book is unnecessarily drawn. Asa result the impact of revelation is lost. 

The story ends with an unnecessary twist of a ghost. Wasn’t really necessary. There are two loose threads pointing towards the death of Cara’s family. Probably preparation for a sequel. 

Why did I read this book? Japanese author name +American setting. 

What did I like? Lonnie as explained above. 

What I didn't like? Pace.

Not a must read.

Treacle Walker by Alan Garner

​"Treacle Walker" by Alan Garner - Abstract! 

This book is published by 4th estate in 2022 and has 152 pages. 

A man called Treacle Walker comes to Joe’s door bartering old clothes and bones for pots and donkey stones. Joe who wears an eye patch and has problem with Sun enters into the trade and strange things start happening.

Who is Joe? Who is Treacle Walker? Who is Thin Armen in the Bog?

When you read the book, the first and only thing that comes to your mind is that it’s abstract. Reality and glamour are fused. This book is written at a different level. It transcends writing styles. It fudges reality with dreams and then fudges it with fiction and other world. 

The story is open and it can be interpreted the way you want. Same thing can be interpreted differently. Things are fluid and fuzzy. 

There are only three characters, Joseph Coppock (Joe), the protagonist. Treacle Walker, the man who sets the ball rolling. Thin Armen, the spirit / God or something similar. Actually all the characters are unreal but have the characteristics and tendencies of humans. 

I encountered several English words for the first time in this book like Hurlolomperjobs, Hurlothrumbo, lomperhomock, tarradiddles, macaronics, filliloo, glamourie, flustication, clanjandering, mirligoes, whirligig, lomperwhatsits, alackaday, skrike, tussocks, carnaptious, shent. Google search for some words straight away led to the link regarding this book. 

This book was shortlisted for Booker Prize 2022.

Why I read this book? Small size. Could be read in one day. Recommended by Siddhant and Ansha.

What did I like? Concept.  

What didn’t like? Nothing really.

Recommend reading if you don’t mind the genre.

Daughter of the night by Nandini Gupta

​"Daughter of the night" by Nandini Gupta - India Pakistan story!

This book is published by Ernest publishing in 2021 and has 163 pages.  

Laila, a journalist in Lahore, lives on her own terms. She’s raised by her grandparents after her parents left her. Her boss asks her to go to India to do a story. Here she meets another journalist Rahman and a tattoo artist Gulab. 

Why does she go to India? Will she like India? Who will she meet? Will it be a journey of discovery for her?

The story has several loop holes. It’s evident that this is author’s first book. Things are too simple to be true. The writing lacks finesse. Why was Laila alone, felt abandoned and unloved when she had grand parents? What was the reason for the formation of bond between Laila and Gulab? How can an orphan afford expensive horse riding lessons? Is it common to get tattoos in Pakistan? It appears as if people can go from India to Pakistan and the other way round freely. Reason for Laila’s father leaving her mother is flimsy. Why did Laila’s mother really abandon her?

This book has large font and spacious typeset. That makes reading pleasurable. Had there been normal font, this book would have been smaller. 

Author is an undergraduate student, or at least she was when the book was published. 

Why did I read this book? Blurb.

What did I like? The idea.

What I didn't like? Handling.

Give it a miss. 

Over my dead body by Jeffrey Archer

​"Over my dead body" by Jeffrey Archer -  Choir boy continues.

This book was published by HarperCollins publishers limited in 2022 and has 384 pages. This is Book 4 of William Warwick series. 

William and Beth have taken a much deserved vacation on a cruise to New York. They have taken place of art criminal Miles Faulkner and his wife Christina after Miles died of heart attack in previous book. But Miles isn’t dead. He has undergone plastic surgery and become Captain Ralph Neville and is marrying his wife second time while William is on cruise.

Will the marriage happen? Will William pursue Miles? Where is he hiding? Will William lose his job?

The Hawk has set up a task force to open cold cases where the perpetrator was known but went Scott free due to lack of evidence. Headed by William, it includes Ross Hogan, a former undercover agent, DS Paul Adegia, DS Jackie Roycraft, DC Rebecca Pancurst and Archie.

Ross has fallen for mysterious Josephine. But she isn’t what she looks. Miles Faulkner has a shrewd lawyer. William must catch Faulkner or lose his job. This is when Faulkner commits a crime, a mistake. Operation Masterpiece is set in motion. 

William is what he is called behind his back, a choir boy. Straight as a stick, idealistic, considerate, driven. Ross is the talented, multifaceted, daring cop. Miles is the villain who has taken every eventuality into consideration save one. These three characters carry the story. It’s a straight story without too many twists. Fairly predictable. Not too much action or excitement. Neither boring nor a page turner. 

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

What I didn't like? One thing that Faulkner doesn’t anticipate.

What did I like? Overall story. 

Read if  you plan to read the series. 

Race course road by Seema Goswami

​"Race course road" by Seema Goswami - Political Thriller!

This book is published by Aleph book company in 2018 and has 294 pages. 

Prime minister of India is assasinated. His elder son, Karan, is sworn in as PM. Younger son, Arjun, is possibly a drug addict and gay. Youngest daughter, Asha, (half sister of brothers) is a wild child living in London. She comes back. Elections are declared to take advantage of sympathy wave. Asha starts campaigning and becomes an instant attraction. 

Who will win the elections? What scandals will come out? Who will become PM? Who assasinated the earlier PM? What is the nexus?

The book has some interesting characters with uncanny resemblance with some real life figures. Gaurav Agnihotri, an obnoxious TV news anchor who out shouts everyone. Didi Damayanti, a dalit leader from UP who is very arrogant. Sukanya Sarkar, chief of Poribortan party from Bengal. The firebrand, unpredictable street fighter. The defense minister, an old timer who controls the party fund and always remains number two. The assassinated Prime Minister who had come to power on the promise of corruption free good governance. Then there is Karan, heir apparent but without charisma. There is Asha Devi who has flair of her father, who is a crowd puller, who is natural on stage and in front of camera but is not considered family by her step brothers. 

The book is about politics, power, politics of power and power of politics. It starts from declaration of election, candidate finalization, campaigning, scandals, results, cobbling up the majority, coalition politics and deal making. Author covers the whole process well. The story is interesting but it’s not a page turner. 

There are various instances in this book that remind us about real events that happened in Indian politics in the past. That makes it easy to connect to the story. 

My collectible sentence from the book:

The man really was irremediable.

Proof reading of the book is bad. There are several grammatical and syntax mistakes. 

The end of the book doesn’t give satisfaction of reading a complete story. It’s only a pause. The story is still to continue. Author definitely has plans for a sequel. I always believe that if the book is first of the series, it’s authors duty to inform readers beforehand, so they can make a choice to read it or not. Not doing so is a form of cheating. 

Why did I read this book? Politics.

What did I like? Interesting story. 

What I didn't like? Not declaring that it’s first of a series. 

Read if you plan to read the series. 

The greatest business decisions of all time by Verne Harnish and the editors of Fortune

​"The greatest business decisions of all time" by Verne Harnish and the editors of Fortune- A must read !

This book is published by Time Home Entertainment in 2013 and it has 208 pages. 

Authors have chosen the best decisions made in the corporate world and presented them to the readers.  It’s a fascinating book that brings the background, process and factors that influenced the decision and how the decisions shaped the future. 

1- Bringing Steve Jobs back at Apple resulted in floundering Apple to become the most valuable company in the world. 

2- Decision by struggling online shoe retailer Zappos, in 1999, to offer free shipping and free returns showed that competitive advantage was not price but customer service and that you need to be more than a website, you need to control the entire value chain.

3- Samsung decided to send handful of brightest young employees to far-away corners of globe to immerse themselves in culture, build the network and learn the language so some day Samsung would know how to supply those markets.

4- Johnson and Johnson decided that a leader’s first responsibility was to those who use its products and services. This when the Tylenol tablets were tampered and laced with poison resulting in deaths. They pulled the product off the shelves and introduced a tamper resistant bottle, at a high cost.

5- 3M decided to spend 15% off their time on their own projects that has kept company’s innovation engine humming. 

6- Intel launched ‘Intel inside’ campaign and demonstrated that an anonymous ingredient of a larger consumer product might achieve its own identity. It prevented commoditization off computer chip.

7- GE CEO Jack Welch laid off 100,000 people and simultaneously invested in a training center GE’s corporate values and vision. This led to several GE alumnus becoming CEOs at other companies. 

8- Bill Gates started ‘Think week’ when he would retreat from the world to focus deeply on a topic crucial to Microsoft’s future. 

9- Softsoap introduced liquid hand soap to market. But to slow down P&G from launching the same, they bought entire supply of plastic pumps.  

10- Toyota struggling in American market brought quality guru W. Edward Deaming transforming Toyota, and later manufacturing and service industry, too high quality, low expenses, high productivity, high market share. 

11- Nordstrom revolutionized customer satisfaction to let customers return products- even if they didn’t buy the item at one of its stores. 

12- Tata Steel decided to drastically reduce the work force to become competitive. They brought early separation scheme by which employee will get same salary till his retirement age after being laid off. It made sense economically and it preserved the goodwill. 

13- In 1952 Boeing decided to invest more than Boeing’s net worth, on Boeing 707, transatlantic jetliner, that changed course of Boeing’s and Aviation industry’s history. 

14- Struggling IBM launched ‘Operation Bear Hug’. Meet the customers, listen to them, understand their difficulties and N feeds, address them.

15- Walmart started Saturday morning meetings to go over previous week’s numbers. They perfected the art of learning fast and acting fast. 

16- Eli Whitney decided to produce guns, when he had no experience of it. He produced tools that will fashion the work in correct proportions. He also introduced interchangeable parts. This transferred the job of gun making from skilled to unskilled workers. 

17- HP decided HP Way by instilling teamwork, trust, risk taking throughout the organization. 

18- Henry Ford decided to double wages of his workers in 1914 by sharing profits. It boosted moral, ensured retention and reduced turnover. 

There are all fascinating decisions. Each one is unique. Each one was ahead of it’s time. Each one was a trend setter followed by many later. Apple has implemented many of these ideas and the results are there to see. 

In his foreword Jim Colin’s says: The greatest decisions were people decisions. Decisions are for future, future is uncertain and the greatest hedge against uncertainty is having people who can adapt.

So true. It’s not the machines. It’s not the profits. It’s not the technology. It’s people. All these decisions were people centric. Make the people part of the process and you have better quality, better productivity and impeccable product. Intrinsic motivation always works better than extrinsic motivation

It’s a book that should be read by every student of management and leadership. It should be read by everyone else connected to corporate world. 

Why did I read this book? Interesting topic. 

What I didn't like? Sometimes the chapter summary doesn’t tell what the decision was. 

What did I like? Crisp, to the point. 

A must read. 

The understudy by BA Paris, Holly Brown, C Mackintosh and Sophie Hannah

​"The understudy" by BA Paris, Holly Brown, C Mackintosh and Sophie Hannah - A slow burn!

This book is published by Hodder paperbacks  in 2019 and has 352 pages. 

Jess, Bel, Ruby, Sadie are best friends and are studying in Orla Flynn academy of performing arts, a very competitive school. Previous year Ruby has tried to bully Jess. Ruby repented. The principal Adam Rakie has let her off easily. A new girl Imogen Curwood joins them. Weird things start to happen from the day she arrives. 

Who is behind weird things? Imogen? Ruby? Someone else? Why?

There was an issue between Jess and Ruby last year but now it’s resolved and the four girls are best friends. Mother of the four girls are also friends but not close friends. Arrival of Imogene changes the group dynamics. It creates a rift in the group. 

Elise Bond, mother of Sadie, is a scientist and has open marriage with husband Nick. Bronnie Richardson, mother of Bel, works at the academy as non teaching staff. Kendall Donovan, mother of Ruby, has relocated from America to UK for her daughter, leaving her husband behind. Caroline, mother of Jess, is a law professor and is writing her dream musical. 

When the strange incidences start to happen, the mothers try to get to the truth. But it’s not easy. One, they are all girls. Two, they are teenagers (17 year olds). Three, they are all actresses. So, it’s difficult to determine what’s true and what’s not. 

To add to the mix, every mother has a secret of her own. The group dynamics of girls and mothers is complex. Everyone has a secret. Everyone hides something from others. No body is fully transparent. The question is, whose secret is relevant to the mystery? The story is slow. It’s not ‘happening’. But it manages to keep the readers interested. It’s a slow burn!

This is an interesting book because it’s authored by four authors. The story is narrated by four mothers and each author writes for one of them. Clair Macintosh writes as Elise. Holly Brown writes as Kendall. Sophie Hannah writes as Caroline. BA Paris writes as Bronnie.

The book ends, not the story. There will definitely be a sequel. Authors have not only dropped a hint about it, they have almost indirectly confirmed it by watering the seed of next story.

This book is called Season 1 and the book is divided into episodes, not chapters. Another strong hint of sequel or even a series. 

Addition to the collection of my interesting sentences:

“It’s good when your kids shit all over you, it means you have a strong bond.”

Why did I read this book? Concept of four authors. 

What I didn't like? Pace. Stretched end. 

What did I like? Intrigue. 

Recommend reading.

The 6:20 man by David Baldacci

​“The 6:20 man" by David Baldacci- Weak seed! 

This book is published by Macmillan in 2022 and has 432 pages.

Travis Devine, ex military and special forces, leaves military, does his MBA and is now working as financial analyst in a firm. He takes 6:20 train to work every day. On the train he sees a palace and in it, over a period, he sees a beautiful woman sometimes skinny dipping sometimes wearing various dresses, a bandaged man, owner of his firm etc. A mysterious message tells him that Sarah Huges, who worked in the same firm is dead. A mysterious person tries to intimidate and recruit Divine. Another murder. Two more. 

Why did Devine leave army? Why does he choose a career in the world of finance, that he doesn’t like? What does he see on 6:20 train? Who is the mysterious man? Why is Devine the targeted one and the chosen one? Whodunit?

Devine shares a house with three others. Each has his/her own room. Will Valentine-a Russian white hatter, Helen Spears-the about to be lawyer and Jill Tapshaw who runs a dating website. Emerson Campbell, a former two star general recruits him. Brad Cowl, Uber successful business tycoon who created everything from nothing, is the owner of the firm he works for. Then there is the mysterious beautiful lady Michelle Montgomery. She’s girlfriend of Brad Cowl. Travis Devine has rebelled against family and joined army. But then exited army to join financial world that he hates. He is well built, handsome, compassionate, supreme fighter. Well almost all the virtues. The character is likable.

The story has a good build up. Apparently random things come together. There is a background story of Devine. A conspiracy is afoot. Needle of doubt traverses almost all characters at some point in time. Almost, not all. Author also manages to hide the identity of the perpetrator. The least doubted theory applies. But the revelation is a bit anti climactic. Book ends with a strong hint of sequel because the murder mystery is solved but not the conspiracy. 

Lack of security cameras at one of the premier financial firms and lack of basic security is perplexing and unconvincing. One person achieves what all government agencies couldn’t. Unbelievable!

Exit of the villain is very abrupt. It’s as if the author suddenly got bored with the character and decided to toss him out of the window and started looking for a better villain, probably for next book. 

Why did I read this book? Author.

What I didn't like? Weak seed. Story is based on something Devine sees when the train stops at the signal for few seconds. 

What did I like? Character of Devine and Michelle.  

OK to read. 

The loyal friend by A. A. Choudhury

​"The loyal friend" by A. A. Choudhury - Good one!

This book is published by Hera in 2022 and has 341 pages. 

Jade, the fitness instructor is missing. Natalie, narrator of the story is the only one who’s worried. Police start the investigation. Secrets tumble out. 

Who has the secret? What are the secrets? Are they relevant to the disappearance? What happened to Jade? Who’s the loyal friend?

Jade is 30 and works as fitness instructor. She’s beautiful, humble, friendly, encouraging. From being a PT teacher, she has changed career and become fitness instructor. Natalie, the librarian, has grown up in foster care, a difficult childhood subject to abuse. She’s lost the only person close to her, her brother Jack, at 12. Since then she is taking therapy. Grace and her husband Jim blame each other for the reason their sons are not with them. Jim is an academic and is writing a book. Suzanne is rich and has drinking issues. There is no love between her and her husband Lance any more. They have three grown up children. DI Bailey and DS Khan are the investigators. However most of the investigation is done by DI Bailey. 

Jade has a secret that she wants to protect. Grace also has as secret or two that she has kept from everyone. Suzanne also has a secret that she has revealed to one person. Natalie also has a dangerous secret. All the ladies have their own secret. The question is who’s secret is relevant to the disappearance of Jade?

It’s a slow story. But it still retains your interest because author keeps revealing new facts, little twists and turns all along. This story passes the test of not letting readers guess the mystery. Although, I could guess who, I couldn’t guess why? That comes as a surprise. That’s when little crumbs of clues scattered all over the book fall in place and the Penny drops. To top it up, author gives another shock after the mystery is revealed. This is a new kind of strategy. You close the book with the satisfaction of having read a good mystery. 

The story is narrated in first person by four ladies; Natalie, Grace, Suzanne and Jade. So author puts forth different point of views. Each trying to establish her innocence and casting doubts on others. 

A. A. Chaudhuri is British author with Indian ancestry. She was a solicitor before she became full time writer. 

Why did I read this book? Gooodreads stars. 

What did I like? The mystery. 

What I didn't like? Was final twists necessary?

Recommend reading. 

Bone Rattle by Marc Cameron

​"Bone Rattle" by Marc Cameron - In the mines!

This book is published by Canelo action in 2022 and has 368 pages. This is Book 3 of Arliss Cutter series. 

Arliss and Lola are assigned duty to protect the jury, if they are sequestered, in case of trial of a pair of notorious gangsters. Arliss decides to take his Sister-in-law, Mim and his twin nephews there for a vacation. An unsavory wealthy person is making a road to his gold mine. While excavating they discover an ancient burial site and a bone rattle. But this evidence is suppressed.

Arliss is the good guy, dependable, likable, unsmiling, one who can’t stand injustice. Lola is his assistant who relies on him. There is the native reporter who has gone to hell and returned.  Harold Grimsson is the rich guy and villain. Dollarhyde is his soft spoken guy who handles Grimsson’s illegal side. 

A pattern has emerged from first three books of the series. Arliss goes somewhere. There he has to get involved in an unrelated case. For the main portion, he is separated from Lola. He gets assistance of a single lady, local to the town he is in. He protects her. There is no romantic involvement. 

Name of the story is bone rattle. There is a bone rattle in the story. But the relevance ends there. Then why the name? A more appropriate name would have been ‘Missing in the mine’. 

Author starts the story of Arliss’ niece and drugs. There is another thread of murders of girls. There is a thread of Hernandez brothers. Author leaves them  as loose threads. Probably he will pick them up in next book. 

My collectible sentence from this book:

The horrific music coming out of her earphones was like brain matter melting out. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Pace and coincidence. 

What did I like? Life in Alaska. 

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

Caught by Harlan Coben

​"Caught" by Harlan Coben -  Interesting end!

This book is published by Orion in 2011 and has 400 pages. 

TV reporter Wendy Times runs a TV show that operates sting against pedophiles. Her sting against Dan Mercer results in his arrest and the judge throwing out the evidence. Dan calls Wendy and says he was framed. Father of a boy that was previously sexually assaulted kills Dan but since there is no body, no weapon and there is alibi, he is released. Evidence emerges linking Dan with a missing girl. Everyone is convinced Dan is guilty. Dan’s ex-wife is sure he is innocent. Wendy is undecided. 

Was Dan Mercer a pedophile? Didn’t he kill the girl? Did Wendy destroy an innocent man? Is there more to it than what meets the eye?

It’s an open and shut case for police, community and media. Dan is guilty. Good riddance! But the incorrigible reporter in Wendy thinks that something doesn’t add up. She doesn’t give up. She perseveres. She digs deep into his background to his Princeton years. 

Wendy is the main character. A widow and mother of a teenager. On one side she can’t forgive the drunk driver who killed her husband. On the other she dreads that may be Dan was innocent. If he was, who will forgive her? Her father-in-law is a biker. In his flashy lifestyle he gives her good support and advise. Win is her Uber rich friend who appears when she needs him and then disappears from the story. Dan is an orphan, Princeton graduate, works for destitute and orphan children and is basically a loner. Sheriff and Investigator duo are investigating cases of Dan and missing girl. Jenna is Dan’s ex wife, now married to a surgeon. She is still a very good friend of Dan. Dan is godfather of her daughter. When everyone declares him guilty, she’s the only one who comes out in his support. 

Although it’s not a page turner, it’s a good story. There is good flow to it. Enough to keep you interested all the time. Identity of the culprits is cleverly masked by the author, so when it’s revealed it becomes a mini Eureka moment.

The end of story is interesting. It’s different. Not like any run of the mill whodunit?

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Umm... 

What did I like? Makes identity, the end.

Recommend reading. 

I owe you one by Sophie Kinsella

​"I owe you one" by Sophie Kinsella - Fairy tale?

This book is published by Black Swan in 2019 and has 432 pages. 

Fixy Fa runs a family shop with her mother. She is smitten with her brother’s friend Ryan, since she was teenager, who never reciprocated and eventually left for USA to make a career in Hollywood and is now returning to England. One day in a restaurant she ends up drenched while saving the laptop of a fellow patron. This handsome and rich looking guy literally gives her an IOU note scribbled on a coffee sleeve.

Will Ryan and Fixy be together? Will the rich guy respect his IOU? What will the IOU lead to? Will there be a fairy tale end?

Fixy is a capable girl but isn’t confident at all. She is understanding and compassionate but can’t stand up for herself. Nobody takes her seriously. As a result she doesn’t get what she deserves. She’s also has OCD.  She doesn’t like things that are not perfect. Ryan is smoking hot and self centered. He isn’t bad but can’t think beyond himself. He’s overconfident, all bluster and no substance. Jake, Fixy’s brother, keeps coming up with harebrained schemes. He always belittles Fixy and has grandiose ideas. Nicole, her sister, is lost in herself, doesn’t contribute in house or shop work. Sebastian Marlowe is the owner of investment firm. He is fair, confident, good looking and taken. He’s the IOU guy. 

Return of Ryan was expected to cause much consternation, even upheaval in Fixy’s life. But that doesn’t pan out on expected lines. While reading aboutFixy, you remember someone you know who always thinks of others, works very hard to make others happy but in the processes does injustice to himself / herself and is taken for granted.

The biggest question this book asks is: Is love transactional or is doing things for each other part of love?

The characters appear extreme and unreal. Fixy can’t see what’s evident but she can be excused as she’s in love. Ryan is the big mouth. All talk and no substance. How long can it last? Jake’s ideas are grandiose, impractical. He isn’t connected to reality. Nicole lives in kind of dream. Totally disconnected from reality, as if she’s high. So much so that she can’t even operate a coffee machine at home. Uncle Ned suggests things that won’t work. He too is far from reality. He likes to play the man of the house. Seb is all measured, logical and likable but transforms in an instant and runs back to Brainy. Thus although it’s a good story the characters appear to be from a fairy tale rather than real life. The end is predictable. 

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

What I didn't like? Fairytale characterization. 

What did I like? Overall feel good effect. 

Recommend reading.

State of terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny

​"State of terror" by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny - Unusual protagonist! 

This book is published by Macmillan in 2021 and has 512 pages. 

Surprisingly, Newly elected President Douglas Williams offers the position of Secretary of State to Ellen Adams, his most vocal and vicious adversary. Even more surprisingly, she accepts. Sounds familiar? A coded message reveals three Bomb blasts, yet to happen. The atomic devices have reached America and the only person who can make a headway is Ellen. Name of a notorious Pakistani scientist and black marketer pops up.

Who is behind the threat? Where will Ellen have to go to get to the bottom of it? Can Ellen save America and possibly the world?

The characters are interesting. President Douglas Williams offers the position to Ellen to make her fail in international politics and to make sure that she doesn’t head the news organization that has been very critical of him. Ellen surprisingly accepts the position. She is determined to demonstrate her capabilities. Her character is obviously based on Hillary. Elizabeth Jameson, or Betsy, is Ellen‘s childhood friend and now a counselor. She is a true friend, and always thinks for the good of her friend Ellen. This character is based on author’s real life best friend Betsy. Barbara Stenhauser is President’s Chief of Staff, and Charles Boynton is Ellens chief of staff. Anahita Dahir is an analysts at Pakistan desk who receives the message. She has an affair with a journalist Gil Bahar, who happens to be connected. 

The story has only one hero, that’s Ellen. She travels from one place to another, one country to another, without sleep, without rest until she unravels the plot and saves the situation. in the process she manages to get information and cooperation from unlikely sources. She demonstrates courage, intelligence, wit and she isn’t afraid to fail. 

The story is interesting. It’s an unusual protagonist. Usually Secretary of State doesn’t do field work. There are operatives for that. Here she does all of it. So she is the strategist, enforcer and operator at the same time. There are many parallels with Hillary. 

It’s a good read for a change. 

Why did I read this book? Curiosity about thriller by Hillary. 

What I didn't like? The revelation at the end.

What did I like? Unusualness of the story. 

Recommend reading. 

Stone Cross by Marc Cameron

​"Stone Cross" by Marc Cameron - Cold!

This book was published by Pinnacle in 2020 and has 400 pages. This is Book 2 of Arliss Cutter series. 

Sarah, recently married to David, lives in Alaska on Chagan lodge with her husband with no habitation for miles. One day the couple is kidnapped. Judge Markum is to go to Stone Cross for hearing, but someone has sent him a threatening letter. Supervisory Deputy Arliss Cutter and Lola Tieriki are assigned to accompany the reluctant judge.

Will the judge be harmed? Who has kidnapped the couple? Why? Can Arliss Cutter help?

Arliss Cutter series is set in Dark, cold, desolate wilderness of Alaska. Arliss is a US Marshall who gets a transfer to Alaska to help his recently widowed sister-in-law, Mim, and her three children. Arliss loves Mim, has always loved her, but his big brother swooped in and married her years ago. In the mean time Arliss has had four marriages. 7 years old Twin nephews of Arliss are adorable. His relationship with them is also special. 

At Stone Cross, they meet various people. There’s a lady who has grudge against the judge. There is a school headmistress, a Clinquet (Tlingit), woman who has suffered a lot but stands tall. Her daughter, a typical teenager. A wife beater. A convicted felon. Although Arliss is a US Marshall, not investigator, he ends up investigating as there aren’t many law enforcement personnel in remote Alaska. 

Alaska means snow and cold. So there is the paraphernalia of sledges, dogs, snow bikes, hypothermia, Caribou etc.

Note about the story, well there isn’t a story as such. That is the weakest link. So the story ambles along and keeps you just about interested. You don’t read late into night. 

In the first book Lola was divorced. I thought it has some significance. But doesn’t look like. Then why divorce her?

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

What I didn't like? Story or the lack of it. 

What did I like? Characters of Arliss and Lola

Give it a miss.

Critical thinking by Simon Bradley and Nicole Price

​"Critical thinking" by Simon Bradley and Nicole Price - Its a start!

This book is published by Createspace Independent Publishers in 2016 and has 106 pages.

This book is divided into 15 chapters and covers the aspects of critical thinking. 

1- Understanding critical thinking

A critical thinker has a great body of knowledge to tap into as well as the competence to analyze issues and make sense of the information. 

2- Historical details of critical thinking

While analyzing any idea Socrates traced out complete implications and traced the actions accompanying them. Socratic questioning thereby becomes the basis for critical thinking. Plato and Aristotle underlined the fact that everything suffered from their external manifestation. St. Thomas Aquinas, Sir Francis Bacon and Descartes are also mentioned. However middle eastern, Indian and Chinese are conspicuously absent. 

3- Thinkers who fashioned critical thinking

Sir Thomas Moore, Niccolo Machiavelli, Robert Boyle, Isaac Newton, Comte, Summer, Darwin etc. made checks& balances, inquisitive reasoning, positivism, criticism, sociology part of critical thinking. 

4- Skills and procedure

To develop correct stance towards situations, you need to think critically and act decisively. Use Socratic questioning in professional environment. 

5- Inductive and deductive reasoning

Clarity of thought, Fair-mindedness, Intellectual courage, Confidence, Insight, Integrity, Curiosity, Intellectual humility, Perseverance and Independence are attitudes important to critical thinking. 

6- Reasons to adopt critical thinking

Critical thinking improves standards, incorporates professional experience, is useful in knowledge based society, makes you a better orator, develops your personality. Foremost quality of critical thinker is the ability to discard conventional thought patterns and re-examine logical reasoning of evidence of new knowledge. 

7- Difference between reading and thinking

The critical reader does not jump to conclusions. He or she is willing to take notes and analyze the text in an unprejudiced way. Critical thinking will work only when you have adequate exposure to events of life. 

8- How critical thinking solves problems

Identify the problem, analyze the problem, come up with plausible solutions, pick the best option and take action. 

9- Get logical thinking

Importance and use of conditional statement, converse statement, inverse statement, contrapositive statement, necessary and sufficient conditions. 

10- Improve your decision making skills

Try something you never thought you would do, it activates brains. Write down Pros and Cons. 

11- How to make better decisions

Look for cost benefit, narrow options, Evaluate significance, stop sweating the small stuff, research, obtain well informed opinions. 

12- Strategies to help improve critical thinking

Making conscious effort to focus on the challenge, learn to ask critical questions, logical thinking, analyze, interpret matters in depth, learn to synthesize, break down complex questions, keep learning, be open, respect other people’s ideas, evaluate possible repercussions, collaborate, observe.

13- Group decision making skills

Conflict management, plan ahead, take charge, never dwell in mistakes.

14- Applying questions in critical thinking

Ask questions that enhance your knowledge, comprehension of situation, enable you to analyze and evaluate facts, help synthesizing. 

15- Exercising the brain

Make exercise fun, exercise the mind, ask why, laugh, eat omega 3, remember, cut out fat, puzzles, Mozart effect, improve existing skills, watch your drinking, play, sleep, concentrate, make love, cycles of consciousness, learn something new, write to be read, aromatherapy, drugs, brain trust.

This book has the theory for critical thinking but lacks practical examples. It would have been nice if the author demonstrated with examples how critical thinking lead to a better and winning decision, using either examples from corporate world or history. That way the book would have become more enjoyable and acceptable. 

This book sets course for critical thinking. It’s only the beginning of a long road. Each one has to make the journey on his/her own because every person and the situations are unique. 

Why did I read this book? Topic

What did I like? Topic.  

What I didn't like? Lack of practical examples. Mainly western oriented. 

Read if the topic interests you.

Shanta: The story of Rama’s sister by Anand Neelakantan

​"Shanta: The story of Rama’s sister" by Anand Neelakantan - The unknown!

This e-book is published by Westland in 2017 and has 33 pages. 

Shanta, daughter of Dasharath and Kausalya, is an unloved child. Shanta craves for their love, appreciation and recognition. But the parents are obsessed with the son that they don’t have. The much needed heir to the throne. Only Manthara and Kaikeyi love her. 

Will Shanta get her parents love? What sacrifice will she have to do? Will she be recognized?

A Princess who is forced to become a seductress. A daughter who has no rights but is expected to perform her duty and supreme sacrifices. Unreciprocated love of a daughter. The only ones who love her for what she is are her step mother Kaikeyi and her maid Manthara. Both livid at the treatment meted to her. 

It’s an interesting angle. Author’s imagination deserves applause. That is a compliment! I know of many who haven’t ever heard of Shanta, Ram’s elder sister, forget knowing her story, brief as it is. Author has brought his version of her story to us. It’s a very small story published as an ebook. It deserved to be at least a novella. 

Why did I read this book? Curiosity about author’s take on Shanta. 

What did I like? Author’s angle. 

What I didn't like? Length. 

A must read.