The President’s shadow" by James Patterson

"The President’s shadow" by James Patterson and Richard Delalu - Modern day superhero!

This book is published by Little Brown and Co. in 2025 and has 389 pages. 

An unusual mountain slide destroys Kyoto university. A giant wave destroys Copenhagen, capital of  Denmark. A river in Cambridge starts boiling. John F Townsend President of Americas asks for LeMont  Cranston. LeMont has mind control abilities and special powers like Sadie shifting, internal speed and energy mechanisms etc. but he and the President hate each other. Presidents medical advisor Dr. Glenn Ambrose eMon's help to study outbreak of a new virus. LeMont daughter (Maddy) goes on a solo undercover mission without telling anyone.

What is the problem? Are these disasters man made? How is Maddy's case related? How come this new virus?

LeMont's team consists of Burbank, Jericho, Hawkeye, Tapper, Margo (LeMont's wife) and LeMont. Every member has his expertise but only LeMont and Margo have special powers.

Two stories run in parallel. One of LeMont and one of Maddy. Eventually they converge.

What is the meaning of Shadow in this book? Being the shadow means destroying the evil. A superhero.

Since there are superpowers, authors are confused. They can't decide if they want to make it an out and out fantasy or realistic fantasy. They end up doing neither.

One villain dies by fluke. Another one dies by fluke. LeMont survives by fluke. In the end one of the team members dies.

You don't get the satisfaction of reading a good book.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Not interesting.  

What did I like? The concept of shadow. 

AVOID.

The Ayodhya Alliance by Ashwin Sanghi

 "The Ayodhya Alliance" by Ashwin Sanghi - Tech savvy ancient India!

This book is published by Harper Fiction India in 2025 and has 530 pages.

China destroys Indian tanks at the border. India needs a steel with a strength that can withstand Chinese attack. But such a steel doesn't exist. Aaditya Pillai, an Indian businessman considered a maverick, is assigned to make the steel. His only hope is Dwaitalingam, a substance mentioned in ancient myths, that gives immense power to steel making the wilder of weapons of this steel practically invincible.

Is there something called Dwaitalingam? Can he procure it? Who's help will he need? Will there be forces that won't allow him to succeed?

Story of Dwaitalingam starts from Ramayana period and Lakshman is the first Dwatalingam Rakshasa. The author takes on a roller coaster ride of time. 2000 years ago, present day, Ramayana time, 500 years ago. The timeline change is so frequent that, if you don't read the book continuously, you tend to lose the track of time periods. I thought this was a bit too much.

This story has a strong connection between India and Korea. This connection is not recent, it's 2000 years old. The story takes us from Ayodhya to South India to Korea to Syria etc.

Dwaitalingam Rakshak, a secret society of blacksmiths who possessed knowledge not of just metal but also magnetite. Their weapons were invincible.

Somehow, it took a very long time for me to read this book. So I lost the continuity. It's not a page turner, that also contributed.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What didn't I like? Too many changes in timeline.

What did I like? The concept of Dwaitalingam.

Not a  must read.

Tipu as he really was by Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale

"Tipu as he really was" by Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale - Horrible! 

This book was published in 2018 and has 100 pages.  

Tipu Sultan is one of the most controversial characters from pre-independence India. Some hail him as a just ruler who respected all religions and fought to get rid of British, who donated to all the religious places of worship and was a model secular. Some call him an epic proselytizer, a cruel ruler and the one who directed and executed forced conversions and atrocities. So when a friend gave me this book written by a well known historian, whose life goal was to find the truth, however uncomfortable or shameful it was, I started reading it straight away.

Was Tipu a good king? Was he secular or proselytizer? Was he kind or cruel? Did he keep his promises? Did he commit atrocities on the name of religion? Was he a tyrant?

The book starts from Haider, Tipu's father, a soldier in Maysore kingdom who rose in ranks and kicked out his mentors to usurp the throne and kill the kings. Proselytizing started in Haider's reign.

Tipu continued and intensified what his father started. He forcibly converted the local populace of every other religion. This included the captured British soldiers and citizens. The scale was so large, running into several tens of thousands, that British, Marathas and Principality of Travancore had to join forces to restrict him.

After reading the book, I was horrified. Firstly for the scale and severity of the atrocities and secondly because a section of politicians still tries to portray him as a good, just ruler.

Tipu made an elaborate arrangement to capture all the Christian's in his domain on the same day, move them to Seringapatanam and forcibly convert them and destroyed the churches. So this was not a spur of the moment act, it was a well thought out, immaculately planned and ruthlessly executed conversion.

Around 50,000 to 70,000 Hindus were captured from Coorg and converted forcibly. Sisters of the Raja were forcibly inducted into Tipu's harem. Several thousand Nair's faced the same fate. Their elders were hung, able bodied men and children were converted and women become the property of Tipu and his army.

Several forcibly converted Christian's returned to their original religion at the first opportunity. Hindu religion did not have the concept of conversion or re-conversion. So the forcibly converted Hindu's remained converted.

The book is disturbing. One can't imagine what the Hindu and Christians had to go through in Tipu's reign.

Author gives the facts in the form of excerpts from various sources like letters and accounts. Several of them are Tipu's own correspondence. So, the authenticity can't be challenged.

Gajanan Mehendale is a revered historian and a voice of authority in Indian history. He passed away recently.

Why I read this book? Curious title.

What did I like? Something different.  

What didn’t like? Pace is slow.

Read if you liked the review.

The shroud of Hedes by Andy McDermott

"The shroud of Hedes" by Andy McDermott - Trip to the underworld !

This book is published by Headline in 2025 and has 420 pages. This is Book 18 of Nina Wilde/ Eddy Chase series. 

Multibillionaire Loost died in previous book. He returns, claiming that he uploaded his consciousness on cloud before death. He issues billion dollar bounty on Nina's head. Condition is that she should be killed online where his adjudicator can see her die on their social media platform "Us". Nina and Eddie run. John Bryce, presumed dead, is rescued from high security MI6 prison by Loost. He has a personal grudge against the person who put him there, Eddie Chase. Nina is also researching on Shroud of Hedes at that time.

How long can Nina and Eddie run when everyone wants to kill them? Is Loost alive through his consciousness? Why is Shroud of Hedes? Where is it?

They are on the run and are being manipulated to go to Malta. Nina recognizes the trap and instead decides to find the Shroud of Hades. She thinks it's in Greece. It is said to make the wearer invisible.

The story has two parts. One is running from and confrontation with Loost and other is squirting Shroud of Hedes. Second part is typical to other books with ancient legend, secret location, boobi traps, riddles, Earth energy, Atlantian genes, and functioning weapons. The other part is a typical thriller with on the run fugitives chased by bad guys, fighting, guns etc.

This story is set in future. So Maisie is now grown up and doesn't stay with parents. She too has Atlantian genes. She is telling on Eddie.

The climax was not very exciting.

Why did I read this book? Have been reading the series.  

What didn't I like? The climax.

What did I like? Author is bold enough to set the story in future.

Not a must read.

A master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

"A master of Djinn" by P. Djèlí Clark  - Magic in the air?

This book is published by Astra Media OPC Private Ltd in 2023 and has 378 pages. This is Book1 of Dead Djinn Universe. 

It's first decade of 1900s. The times have changed. Several Djinns live with mortals and follow human rules. El Jahiz is credited with bringing magic and Djinns back into the world few years ago. Lord Worthington, founder and head of the brotherhood of El Jahiz and his 20 odd members are killed. Their flesh burned without burning their clothes or anything else by a man who claims to be the El Jahiz returned. Fatma investigates.

Has Al Jahiz really returned? How can he come back from dead? What does he want? Can Fatma unravel the mystery?

Fatma Al Sharawi works for Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities in Egypt as an investigator. She is very good at her work. Hadia, her Hijab wearing investigator is thrust upon her as her partner. She is brave and always has a cousin who is in every field. Siri or Abla is a Nubian beauty. She follows the old Egyptian religion and hence called Idolator. She worships of Godess Hathor. Fatma and Siti are very close. Then there is the son and daughter of Lord Worthington. Ahmed, worshipper of Crocodile God Sobek.

The setting is fantastical. There is a lot of magic. There are non humans like Djinns, Angels, Ghouls, Ifrits etc. In all this melee, Fatma possesses no magic. But she doesn't give up until she gets to the bottom of the mystery.

The buildup is good. The pace is good. The characterization is very good. The social fabric is well defined. The only blemish might be that the identity of the perpetrator could be guessed mid way into the book. So, instead of whodunit it becomes did that character do it?

This is the first book of the series. Subsequent books are still to be published.

Why did I read this book? Wanted to explore the world of Djinns.

What did I like? The world with Djinns.

What I didn't like? Guessable perpetrator.

Recommend the series, of this book is anything to go by.

The fifth hour by Rahul Jain

"The fifth hour" by Rahul Jain - Whodunit! 

This book is published by Paper Towns Publisher in 2025 and has 224 pages. 

Rati and Ayaan come to Dzongu, Sikkim, away from their busy metro life with an intention to conceive. One morning Rati wakes up and finds that Ayaan is missing. She files a police complaint. But the resort staff says she checked-in alone. There was no one with her. No one has seen Ayaan.

Did Ayaan come to Dzongu? Does Ayaan exist? Is Rati out of her mind? Or is there another angle to it?

Rati is a curvy beauty, long hair, desirable. Rich parents but ignored childhood. She has recurring nightmares. Ayaan is handsome, well dressed and works for a startup. It's a pair made for each other. Then there is Shyam, nephew of the owner of the hotel where Rati is staying. He is a shifty character and helps is aunt run the hotel. Inspector Vipin is the investigator. He lists for Rati from the moment he sees her. Then there are other characters like the hotel owner, a guest called Shikha, two Sun inspectors etc.

Story has a flow, the book is not big, so you read it quickly. Setting off Sikkim, a state with very low crime rate, is interesting. All in all, the author has cobbled together a good story.

Author has a way with words. Even an innocuous scene is described in a very exciting way. You wonder how plainly you would have written the same scene.

The story starts with a bang, but after that it plateaus, the graph doesn't rise. It also doesn't peter out. Identity of perpetrator is not disguised well enough. Avid readers can guess it. The coincidence of Ayaan reaching the scene is a bit far fetched. Relationship between Rati and Vipin was uncalled for. Doesn't enrich the story.

Name of the book has nothing to do with the story. It could have been 4th hour or 6th hour as well, or something completely different.

Why I read this book? Came highly recommended.

What did I like? Setting.  

What didn’t like? Poorly disguised perpetrator.

Recommend reading.

The girl in the glass case by Devashish Sardana

"The girl in the glass case" by Devashish Sardana - Big twist !

This book is published by Penguin EBury Press in 2022 and has 344 pages.

Bhopal. Body of a girl dressed like Barbie doll is found in a glass case near Bhopal Gas memorial. Two more dolls turn up at the mall. ACP Simone, freshly back on duty after her suspension, investigates. Despite Simone being a loner, Superintendent Irshad thrusts DCP Zoya as her partner against her will. Irashad himself is a disturbed man because he is unable to solve the case of a serial killer called ' The Clipper' for 9 years. The Clipper kills transvestites and cuts their testicles and mails them to Irshad every quarter. Bodies are never found.

Who is The Clipper? Who is the Doll Maker? Why are they killing? Can Simone solve her case? Can Irshad get his redemption?

Simone was suspended for arresting CM's son. Simone has maintained a bald head in protest of the injustice of her suspension. She can't tolerate ineptitude and incompetence. She's short tempered and has anger issues. She isn't bothered with emotions, only facts matter. Karan, a reporter is the only one who has shown some interest in her but she always rebuffs him. Zoya is 10 years senior and a psychoanalyst. She's a divorcee and has lost custody of her son Sunny. Zoya and Simone don't like each other but are forced to work together.

Irshad has become a drunk due to the frustration of not being able to catch The Clipper. He is haunted and obsessed with the case. That's why he pressurizes Simone and Zoya to solve the case of The Doll Maker.

Readers come to know mid-way in the book that Ranveer is the clipper and Nalini is the Doll Maker. So their identities are not hidden. 

What happens next? You will have to read the book.

I was able to guess the identity of one serial killer but the second one I didn't see coming. It's a fantastic twist. Full marks to the author.

Read a book with such a twist after a very long time.

Why did I read this book? Came recommended.

What did I like? The twist.

What I didn't like? Umm....

If you like thrillers or psycho thrillers, this book is for you. A must read.

Before the coffee gets cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

"Before the coffee gets cold" by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - Time travel! 

This book is published by Picador in 2023 and has 224 pages.

There is a cafe in Tokyo. Cafe Funiculi Funicula. There is an urban legend that this cafe allows you to go in the past. Fumiko wants to go back one week to meet her lover who broke off in the same cafe and went to America.

Is it really possible to go back in past? Can we change the present? What happens?

There are few characters in this book. Nagare is the owner of the cafe. A huge man and chef. Kei is his wife. She has a heart condition but is full of life. Kazu is an employee and owner's cousin. She is the one who sends the customers to past. Hirai is a customer and owner of a bar. Kohtake and Fusagi are a couple. Regular customers. Fusagi has Alzheimer's.

There are several rules for going to past. The most important being that you must come to the present before the Coffee gets cold. Short time indeed.

The little Japanese literature that I have read makes me think that Japanese fiction is little more abstract than English fiction.

The book explores various human emotions. The breakup, The repentance, The love, The anxiety. Each character has a story, and each has a motive to go in the past. But will they? Can they?

The idea of time travel is always fascinating. But when it comes with so many rigid rules, does it remain fascinating?

You will have to read the book to know. Sequels of this book are also published.

Why did I read this book? Came highly recommended.

What did I like? The concept.

What didn't I like? Uneven flow. Slow story.

Recommend reading.

Amal unbound by Aisha Saeed

"Amal unbound" by Aisha Saeed -  Zameendari!

This book is published by Nancy Paulson Books in 2020 and has 240 pages. 

Amal is a 12 year old girl, oldest of four daughters, lives in a small village in Punjab, Pakistan. She is intelligent, voracious reader and goes to school. One day she talks back to a man. The consequences are unimaginable.

Who is the man? Why does Amal talk back? What are the consequences? Can Amal get back to normal life?

Amal is a lovable character. She is good natured, intelligent, thoughtful, considerate. There is the atrocities of Zameendar and servant politics.

The story gradually builds up. Then comes the twist. You can't not feel sorry for Amal. The punishment she gets is way above her perceived impertinence. Then she sees a possible opportunity. Until this point the curve of the story is gradual and good. From this point onwards the story ends very fast. A little more efforts on this section would have made the book better.

If the Khan family dynamics was elaborated a bit, it would have been interesting. The character of Khansaab makes only a guest appearance.

All in all, a light quick read.

Why did I read this book? Pakistani author.

What didn't I like? As written in the review.

What did I like? The end is too fast.

Give it a try.

Happiness by Danielle Steele

"Happiness" by Danielle Steele - It's a choice!

This book is published by An in 2024 and has 336 pages.

Sabrina Brooks is a psycho-thriller author of best sellers. Her works come from her horrendous marriage with a psycho husband for 5 years. Now divorced and famous, she lives with her two dogs in Berkshire, USA. One day a letter arrives informing her that her uncle (father's brother), a Viscount in England, has died leaving his property and house to her. Her uncle's attorney (Greyson) convinces her to visit before deciding to sell the property off. 

Will she like the property? Will she keep it? Will she be attracted to the handsome attorney? Is he available? Will she meet someone else?

Sabrina is very uncomfortable with the title of Lady Brooks. But in England she deciphers the distant and cold behavior of her dead father. She understands the family background. She finds the roots. Greyson is in an unhappy marriage. He promises to get out but his wife is not going to give up so easily. Sabrina also meets Caleb, a recently widowed screenwriter.

This story is very straight forward without any unexpected twist or turn. It's actually predictable. It's also relatively short. So, when it ends you don't get the satisfaction of having read a complete story. There could have been several possibilities to spice up the things, but author ignites them and delivers a simple and sweet story.

Danielle Steel stories are mostly happy ending and middle to affluent class with strong female protagonist. She doesn't write series, so each one brings something new.

My favorite sentence from this book:

Happiness is not a gift, it's a choice.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What didn't I like?  Too simplistic.

What did I like? Happy ending.

Not a must read.

The lost city of the monkey God by Douglas Preston

"The lost city of the monkey God" by Douglas Preston - True story ! 

This book is published by Head of Zeus in 2017 and has 336 pages. 

Since the days of Spanish conquistadores rumours have circulated about a lost city of immense wealth hidden deep in the Honduran interior. Indigenous tribes warn the legendary city is cursed. To enter it is a death sentence. They call it the Lost City of the Monkey God.

A mission is launched to do LiDAR surveys of potential areas. LiDAR is a technology that can see what's on the ground and below it by penetrating the dense foliage off the tree canopy. The sites (T1, T2, T3) are identified in Mosquitia, Honduras. Now it's time for a physical mission. A team of archeologists, journalists and army personnel is put together. Author is the chosen journalist.

Will there be able to land and survive in the Virgin jungle? What dangers will they face? Will they survive? Will they find the lost city of Monkey God?

It's a fascinating account with encounters with fer-de-lance (a very poisonous snake), Jaguar, sand flies, mosquitoes, insects etc.  It's the story of discovery. Story of a place not visited by any human in almost 500 years. Story of a curse.

When the Spanish conquerors landed in Americas, they brought with them their diseases. Local population had no immunity to these foreign diseases, mainly Malaria and Leash Menises. Local population died en mass and Spanish survived. Local population saw this as wrath / curse of God and abandoned cities. Up to 90% of local population died. This resulted in extermination of civilizations and races. It was the most brutal extermination of mankind, anywhere in the world.

The visiting team discovers a city. It's not established if it's the City of Monkey God, but they find a city. It's neither Mayan, nor Aztecs. It's a mysterious Pre-Colombian civilization. But the curse strikes and some team members become victims of Leash Menises.

By the end of the book, the excavation has just started. So, what is revealed there remains unknown.

It's a good account. Despite being a nonfiction, author captivates you with his account and with the possibilities. A couple of things that didn't sit well with me are:

It is not established if the city the found was indeed the Lost City of Monkey God. Then why give that name to the book?

Author has spent a lot of time in the history of the diseases and their history. Although diseases are essential to understand why the Native American civilizations became extinct, the book delves into it too much in detail. If that was shortened, it would have made the v book crisp.

Why did I read this book? Nonfiction for a change.

What did I like? The account

What didn't I like? As mentioned above.

Read it for a change.

The Bourne Sacrifice by Brian Freeman

"The Bourne Sacrifice" by Brian Freeman - No novelty!

This book is published by Head of Zeus in 2022 and has 385 pages. This is Book 17 of Jason Bourne series.

A German lady is killed in a park. Another lady approaches Abbey Laurent claiming that the lady is not who she is told to be. Abbey investigates and lands in trouble that practically ends her journalistic career. Bourne, who has left Treadstone, has a lead in his mission of finding Lennon. But he needs help and has to partner with Treadstone. An organization called Pyramid is playing behind the scenes influencing policy, government and intelligence.

Will Abbey and Bourne meet again? Will they remain together? Who runs Pyramid? How deep is the rot?

Bourne and Abbey are on the run. They are hunted but need information to become hunters. Their personal relationship is tested. Abbey crosses an invisible threshold. Will she be the same again?

It's a typical thriller. A wealthy individual with the dream of world dominion. An organization that controls the world. Deo roots. A hired assassin. Bourne standing between Pyramid and absolute control.

You can easily imagine how it ends. 

This book doesn't bring anything new to the table. So, although it's not boring, there's nothing special to write about.

Why did I read this book? I am reading the series.

What didn't I like? Lack of novelty.

What did I like? Umm....

Give it a miss.

Soul of the sword by Julie Kagawa

 "Soul of the sword" by Julie Kagawa - What happens next?

This book is published by HQ Young Adult in 2019 and has 384 pages. This is Book 2 of Shadow of the Fox series.

Book 1 ended with Hakai Mono possessing Tatsumi's soul and body. Umeko decides to save Tatsumi at any cost. Lady Hancho, the head of Shadow Clan and Umeko reach an agreement that Umeko will save Tatsumi and Lady Hancho will not order killing of Tatsumi. Umeko and her companions; Taio Daisuke, Rekha-the shrine maiden, Master Giro, Okame-the Ronin March towards the Steel feather temple. So does Hakai Mono in Kage Tatsumi's body. He has formed alliance with Genno, master of demons, the blood mage. Steel feather temple is guarded by Tengu-the crow Yokai. Dragon's scroll is the ultimate prize. Now everyone knows that Umeko is a half Kitsune. Only way to fight Hakai Mono is to use Kitsunetzu ki.

Which of the companions of Umeko die? Does Tatsumi hate Umeko? Is there a sliver of love between them? Can she force Hakai Mono back into Kami Gorushi? What is Lord Segetsu supported by Taka the Okai and Suki the ghost trying to achieve?

The journey continues. The part in Hakame castle is a bit boring. I would have preferred if the battle inside Tatsumi's soul was made more interesting.

The book ends little unexpectedly. You expect the end of the story but the story has a twist towards the end and would be completed in Book 3. Umeko is becoming stranger and takes on Hakai Mono but the battle remains incomplete. She has a new kind of challenge in next book.

Off the book was a little shorter, it would have become more interesting.

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

What I didn't like? Place of story in some places.

What did I like? Cleaver use of Fox Magic.

Read only if you will read the series.

The Bourne Treachery by Brian Freeman

"The Bourne Treachery" by Brian Freeman - The saga continues!

This book is published by Bloomsbury publishing in 2022 and has 432 pages. This is Book 16 of Jason Bourne series. 

Three years ago Bourne and Nova have tried to exfiltrate a Russian spy but the Russians manage to kill Jim in a boat explosion. Nova, Bourn's partner and lover, has died after that. Lennon is an assassin and master of disguise and is working for Russia. Clark Cafferty of USA and Gennady Sorokin of Russia are going to have a clandestine meeting in London. Tati, a Russian scientist, is invited for a seminar in London. Bourne and back from dead Nova are assigned to foil Lennon's attempt in the life of Cafferty.

How come Nova is alive? Will there be amorous relationship again? Why is Tati invited? What is the objective of the secret meeting? Will Bourne and Lenin meet?

Initial part of the story concentrates on Bourne and Nova and later the attention shifts to Tati. Lennon taunts Bourne that they knew each other before Bourne lost his memory. So Bourne had to find Lennon but not kill him. 

The story is semi complicated. The plot is there, but last part of the book is all about Bourne and Lennon. Nova's actions don't appear consistent with her character. Bourne appears to like Nova s as well as Abbey.

The book ends with a revelation. But Bourne can't say if it's true or a lie.

Why did I read this book? Have been reading the series.

What did I like? Enigma of Lennon .

What I didn't like? Beatles songs.

Read only if you plan to read the series.

Rasputin's shadow by Raymond Khoury

"Rasputin's shadow" by Raymond Khoury - Historical fiction!

This book is published by Orion in 2015 and has 480 pages. This is Book 4 of Templar book series.

A Russian Embassy staff dies by jumping out of the balcony of an apartment owned by a Russian immigrant (Leo Sakharov) in America. The immigrant and his American wife go missing. FBI agent Shane Reilly investigates. There is a connection to the infamous Russian mystic and the adviser to Tsar and Tsarina, Rasputin.

Why is everyone looking for the immigrant Russian school teacher? What does he have? What is the connection to Rasputin? Can Shane solve the mystery?

What appears to be a case of missing school teacher and mystery of death of a Russian embassy staff becomes a full blown crisis. The body count starts increasing at an alarming rate. A Russian special forces operative (Koshe) is on the loose in America. Everyone is after the invention that can change the world. The invention is potent and can be a boon or bane depending on the user.

The story toggles between present time and the time of Rasputin. It uses the mystery surrounding Rasputin, one of the most controversial personalities in Russia. The invention is Perl and can do great damage to the enemies of its possessor.

Character of Sakhalov is interesting. He wants to live a decent life but can't quell his scientific curiosity. Reilly, the hero of first three books, is you against all odds. At the same time he is also trying to find out who from CIA tried to brainwash his 4 year old son. So on one side he is duty bound and on another side he has a personal score to settle.

Book ends with solution to one of these two problems and leaves the readers excited about what's going to happen in book 5 because of what he discovered at the end of book 4.

Why did I read this book? Good series so far. 

What I didn't like? Can a single man outsmart alphabet soup agencies?

What did I like? The  invention.

Read, if you plan to read the series. 

The mistress of Bhatia house by Sujata Massey

 "The mistress of Bhatia house" by Sujata Massey - Misnomer!

This book is published by Penguin in 2023 and has 432 pages. This is second book of Praveen Mystry series.

Gulnaz, Praveen's childhood friend and now sister-in-law has delivered a baby girl, but the arrival has created a rift in their relation. Uma, daughter-in-law of Sir Dwarkanath Bhatia, is collecting donations for a ladies hospital and Dr. Miriam Penkar has scripted to be the Chief Physician. Sunanda, the ayah in Bhatia house is arrested for allegedly attempting abortion. Colin Sandringham is working on updating the maps of Bombay Presidency and Princely States. There is a murder.

Why is Sunanda arrested? Did she attempt abortion? Why are certain Britishers against Praveen? Who is murdered? Whodunit?

The story starts with the hospital, then moves on to Sunanda's arrest and stays there for a long time. Then suddenly it moves to the Nawab of Varunpur and his Australian wife. Then a crime is committed. Then there is the incident of an Englishman grabbing Praveen's bottom. 

In short, the story has no flow. Things appear to be happening randomly. I continued reading the book assuming that although it looked chaotic, probably it will all come together nicely at the end. Alas! It was not to be. The end is even more chaotic and very abrupt. It's also unconvincing.

Author probably wants Praveen to experience motherhood without having her own child, so the character of Gulnaz becomes paranoid and the responsibility of little Khushi comes to Praveen. Again unconvincing.

Even the title is a misnomer. The mistress of Bhatia house is neither a heroine nor a villain and she doesn't even have a significant role.

Why did I read this book? It was available.

What I didn't like? Story. 

What did I like? Umm... 

Give it a miss.

Clive Cussler Fire strike by Mike Maden

"Clive Cussler Fire strike" by Mike Maden - Oregon under attack!

This book is published by Penguin in 2023 and has 528 pages. This is Book 17 of Oregon files series.

A French mercenary commander has set up a base in Eritrea. Dr. Hightower supplies him genetically modified convicts, the super soldiers. Dr. Elizabeth Huxley's friend is murdered along with a native tribe called Poison Arrow deep in Amazon rain forest. Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia dies in a flying accident, in front of his father. The corporation is assigned a case to find missing brother of former Mossad operative Saray Masala. Someone steals 2 hypersonic Brahmos missiles from India. This missile is the only kind in the world, extremely hard to detect and counter.

Are these five stories connected? What is the common thread? How is corporation involved? Will the Oregon be exposed? Can it survive?

Juan Cabrrillo, a former CIA operative, runs a ship called Oregon. Outwardly it's a tramp steamer - a rust bucket, but belowdecks it's a state of the art espionage vessel with submarines, tilt roter aircraft, moon pool, advance weaponry and highly skilled operatives. The corporation is Oregon based organization mostly working for CIA.

This time Juan Cabrrillo and his team are up against enemy that is superior biologically and equal technologically. It's going to test their endurance and limits. Several of the Oregon staff on combat duty are injured. There is an attack on vulnerable Oregon.

This story is complex and layered but it all comes together. However, the post climax part where the plot is unraveled is covered very briefly.

After the death of original author Clive Cussler, looks like Mike Madden has taken over this series. He has retained the basic style and added his own variations.

There is a James Bond style adventure at the start of the book. But this adventure has nothing to do with the story. Unnecessary!

Why did I read this book? I have read the series.

What did I like? Morris gets his due.

What I didn't like? The Saudi plot is not elaborate enough.

Read if you are reading the series.

Clive Cussler's The Heist by Jack Du Brul

Clive Cussler's "The Heist" by Jack Du Brul - Will dollar survive?

This book is published by Putnam Pub Group in 2025 and it has 449 pages. This is Book 14 of Isaac Bell series.

Issac Bell, Chief Investigator of Van Dorn Detective Agency is traveling on a yacht with his banker father, other influential bankers and President of USA. The occasion is the imminent centralization of banks and launch of new dollar bills. An aeroplane attacks them by dropping couple of bombs, but Bell uses the machine gun onboard and saves the situation. The wreckage of the plane has newly printed 100 dollar bills. He is then summoned to investigate a murder that he proves to be a suicide and Jackson Pickett, the husband of victim, innocent. Someone tries to murder him by locking him in a room in a ship and then sinking the ship. There is a brilliant heist of almost 1 billion dollars at the Bureau of Printing and Engraving.

Why was there an attempt of life of Bell? Who tried to kill the President? How was the heist carried out? Can Bell solve the mystery?

It's a very trickery situation. If the news gets out that the federal reserve was robbed, dollar will lose its credibility and the American banking system will collapse. If the theft is not solved, someone flush with money may try to flood the markets with stolen money and dollar will be devalued as soon as it's launched. Even if the perpetrator is found he/she can't be charged publicly. What a dilemma? Michaelene Riordan, an Irish assassin, is the point man for this operation. But who is he working for?

Like previous Bell novels, this one also has railways as primary means of transport and there is a rail chase. There is also a boat chase. Bell, the brilliant investigator, uses all his deductive powers and intellect to solve the case but the perpetrator is going to walk free despite all his efforts. Can he let that happen?

The story is good. Despite it happening more than a century ago, the story isn't slow. This one, however, is a little short on adrenaline, as compared to others.

Jack Du Brul used to cowrite this series with Clive Cussler. After Cusdler's death, Jack has continued the series in same vein. 

Why did I read this book? Have been reading the series.

What I didn't like? Umm.....

What did I like? The boat chase.

Read if you are reading the series.

Spider by Azma Dar

"Spider" by Azma Dar - Wasted potential!

This book is published by Datura books in 2023 and has 336 pages. 

Book starts with the death of Tarek.  Sophie's Husband. They are British-Pakistani's living in England. But Tarek is not her first husband, neither is her second. He's third. After Tarek's death the flash back starts.

Why did Sophie marry thrice? Are her two previous husbands (Aamir and Faraz) alive or dead? What are her ambitions?

The book starts interestingly. Author peels the layers of the story one by one. Reader's expectations are heightened. How will the story end? What will Sophie do? Can she overcome the odds? 

Unfortunately, author fails to maintain the tempo. When the book is about 80% complete, the story fizzles out. The story dies a sudden death. A lot of potential goes waste. The character of Sophie goes from victim to vindictive to plain stupid.

Why did I read this book? Book by Pakistani British author.

What did I like? Initial story. 

What I didn't like? The end and later part of the story.

AVOID.

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

"Shadow of the Fox" by Julie Kagawa - Japanese fantasy !

This book is published by HQ Young Adult in 2018 and has 464 pages. This is Book 1 of the series.

Umeko, a Kitsune or Fox girl, half human and half fox, lives with the monks of Silent winds temple on a mountain. Lady Satomi, concubine of the king, is a blood witch. She has summoned Yaburama anOni and 4th General from Gikoku, the horned demon and his army of Amanjaku, little demons to retrieve the dragon scroll. Chief of The shadow clan, Lady Hancho, orders the assassin of the clan Shinobi Kage Tatsumi to retrieve the first part of Dragon scroll from Silent wind temple. Tatsumi wields the sword called Kamigorushi, the Godslayer. It has the spirit of demon Hakaimono. A series of events sends Umeko and Tatsumi on a journey together as reluctant accomplices.

Why was Umeko abandoned at the temple after birth? Why Tatsume, the loner, is accompanying her? Where is the other temple? Will the dragon rise?

They encounter Jurogumo the spider, Kamaitachi the magical Wezels, Wind witch Kazekira, Kibasama a demon bear, Gaki - spirits of greedy humans, who are punished and are always hungry, Omukade a giant man eating centipede. 

On the way they are joined by Okame the Ronin, Onino Mikoto the demon Prince or Taio Daisuke, ghost of the daughter of the flute maker. They need to find Master Isao of Harare shrine to find another temple.

Dragon, god of tides and harbinger of change rises every 1000 years. It has Fushino Tama, the jwel of immortality. Everyone is after it and Umeko is the last hope to safeguard it.

The characters are rich. There is Lot of variety. Magic makes it exot sub plots but the journey is kind of predictable.

Book 2 of the series titled 'Soul of the sword' and Book 3 titled 'Night of the dragon' are already published.

Why did I read this book? Wanted to read N Japanese fantasy.

What did I like? Rich characterization.  

What I didn't like? Predictability.

Read if you want to continue the story.