Night Shift by Robin Cook

 "Night Shift" by Robin Cook - Medical thriller!

This book is published by Macmillan in 2022 and has 352 pages. This is Book 13 of Jack Stapleton & Laurie Montgomery series. 

Su Pasero, internal medicine doctor at Manhattan memorial hospital, is murdered in her car in the hospital parking. Her death is termed as heart attack and body sent for autopsy. John Stapleton (Jack) is the medical examiner. He and his wife Laurie Montgomery, who heads the office of medical examiners, know Sue well. Jack can't find the cause of death. Jack being Jack, starts to investigate. His overtures are considered nosiness by the hospital and he is kicked out. But Jack is relentless.

Who killed Sue? Why? Can Jack go to the bottom of it? Can he identify the killer? Will the killer be apprehended?

Jack is a pain in the neck for several persons, at times, including his wife. But his zeal for finding the truth doesn't let him rest and he doesn't mind putting himself in danger. Laurie has to look after a big organization. She has to handle politics, finances and run the organization. She also has to deal with Jack. Saldano is their mutual friend and detective. He keeps reminding Jack that he is a ME, not an investigator.

It's a happening story. Readers remain interested. The climax of the book could have been more exciting but isn't.

It's a good change where the protagonist is a ME and doesn't possess any super skills in investigation but is relentless. 

Although, this is 13th book of the series, it's the first one I read.

Why did I read this book? Author.

What did I like? Something different.

What I didn't like? Not so exciting climax.

Read if you plan to read the series.

Razor Sharp by Ashwin Sanghi

 "Razor Sharp" by Ashwin Sanghi - Whodunit! 

This book is published by HarperCollins India in 2024 and has 292 pages. This is a Kutta Kadam thriller. 

Kadam, a suspended DCP, has issues (after his wife left him) and is seeing a shrink. It’s not working. His support system is his daughter, Ketul and his friend who is Special Commissioner of Police. A serial killer is on the loose. Unrelated persons are murdered, hands tied, dagger in heart and grains in mouth. Kadam, although maverick, is a brilliant investigator. He is requested to assist. What's the pattern? Momuma (acronym of Mohan Mustafa Mathew) is running his own cult. Dy. Home minister has ambitions to become Home Minister but is troubled by his drug addict son. Bhau Kadam, a local gangster and politician has a grudge against Kadam.

Why grains in mouth? What is the pattern? Can Kadam crack the case? Can others tolerate him? Whodunit?

The story has pace. Kadam has to deal on multiple fronts. Investigation, Police politics, Real politics, Personal issues. Then there is the question about his past. Why does he blame himself? Why did his wife leave him? How long does he have before his heart gives up?

The key to solve the case is in finding the pattern and understanding the logic behind the murders. There are false flags and red herrings. There are dead ends. But Kadam perseveres.

The perpetrator and the reason is not entirely convincing. But even in that author has introduced a seed for a sequel. Although this book doesn't say it's first of the series, there will be a sequel.

The story happens in Mumbai, Maharashtra. So there are several small dialogues and expressions in Marathi. Marathi words used in the book are correct but not appropriate in the context. This is not how Marathi is spoken. e.g. 'changla'. The word in that context is 'thik ahe'. Use of word 'mazedar' instead of 'gammat'. 'kadhihi nako' instead of 'kadhich nahi' etc. It's spoiler. Author's lack of knowledge of the language is evident.  A little help from a Marathi speaker would have gone a long way.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Marathi. Unconvincing perpetrator.

What did I like? Keeps you interested.

Read if you plan to read the series.

The black orphan by S. Hussain Zaidi

 "The black orphan" by S. Hussain Zaidi - Good thriller!

This book is published by HarperCollins India  in 2024 and has 248 pages.

India conducted nuclear tests. This time 3 times bigger than previous one. Next day the chief nuclear scientist is found dead. DIG Ajay Rajvardhan of NIA comes to Mumbai to investigate and stands a bail hearing of one of the females he arrested earlier. She is defended by a fiery Advocate Asiya Khan. Ajay and Asiya meet a couple of times in relation to work. Sparks fly. A new all women outfit called Khwahran-e-Millat (KeM), a sisterhood, has come up in India without the intelligence agencies getting wiser. There is a plan afoot to destabilize India and lead it to eventual destruction.

Will Ajay and Asiya fall in love? Is there more than what meets the eyes about the death of nuclear scientist? What is the plan against India? Who is behind it all?

Ajay is the hero. He is young, handsome, dashing, intelligent. He also has several contacts in India and writing intelligence agencies of other countries. Asiya is intelligent and beautiful. She is passionate about injustice towards persons of her faith. She is everything a man looks for. JCP Sagar Pratap of Mumbai police starts with hostilities towards Ajay but realizes his genuineness soon and they become good friends. Mumbai Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar does not encourage inter agency rivalry and is an honest cop. Hafsa is the head of KeM and the one who runs anti India activities without being suspected.

The story is fast paced. The book is not too long, so, the story remains crisp. There is a mysterious character but author has poorly concealed the identity. It was very easy to identify the character. If it was well concealed by adding false trails and red herrings, the story would have become more exciting.

Author claims that this story is inspired by some true events like death of 9 nuclear scientists of India, India’s un-acknowledged involvement in killing of Osama Bin Laden etc.

Ajay, almost single handedly, foils the plot. A bit cinematic. Last fight is hand to hand fight, a bit dramatic.

The book ends with two twists. One is the identity of the entity behind all this and second the hint of a sequel. I will wait for the sequel.

Why did I read this book? Author. Subject.

What I didn't like? A little cinematic. 

What did I like? Plot, pace. 

Good thriller. Recommend reading.

The hidden Hindu 3 by Akshat Gupta

 "The hidden Hindu 3" by Akshat Gupta - Its not a religious book! 

This book is published by Penguin ebury press in 2023 and has 256 pages. This is Book 3 of the trilogy.

Bali and Vibhishan have decided to stay neutral. Om's past is unlocked and the immortals are shaken. LSD is pregnant with Parimal's son. Nagendra is reinvigorated. Shukracharya makes an appearance. Padmanabha Swamy temple is the final destination.

Who is LSD? Why is she having Parimal's child? What is Nagendra's plan? Who is Nagendra? What's in Om's past? Will any immortal die?

The story moves geographically from north to south. Several back stories are revealed. Om's son Prithvi is telling the story of what happened to Mrs. Batra.

The first part of this book is similar to Book 2 where one by one words are lost. Then the climax happens in Padmanabha Swamy temple. This is an out and out war. But the description of it is neither crisp nor exciting. Author has brought all the villains from time immortal for the final war and that appears a little overboard. This part should have been more exciting and entertaining.

The trilogy ends but does the story end? Not really. Author has sowed the seed for another trilogy. Hanuman is the only immortal that doesn't make entry in this trilogy. His role is probably reserved for the next trilogy.

Why did I read this book? Had read first two books.

What did I like? Seed for another trilogy.

What I didn't like? The final war. Stretched climax.

Recommend reading if you have read the first two books.