I too had a love story by Ravinder Singh

"I too had a love story"  debut novel by Ravinder Singh. This book is based on true story of authors life. The book is 213 pages long.

This is the love story of Ravin (narrated in first person) & Khushi. They meet online on a matrimonial website. Start talking to each other on phone as they stay in different cities. Strike a friendship, fall in love and decide to get married; without meeting even once in person.

Then they meet. There nervousness, anxiety, eagerness and even stupidity. There expectations and reassurances. Their  desperation when Ravin has to go out of the country. All the silly things the love struck couple does. All the minor things that suddenly become so important. The lies to others in order to be in each others company for a few minutes. The changes in them. All these things are captured very honestly and effectively without making them too complicated.

Then comes a major twist that shakes you completely. Reader starts thinking why did this happen? They don't deserve it. It's unfair.

Ravinder has kept it simple and straight. He has avoided the temptation to make it dramatic or melodramatic. That's why it connects as a true story. Author's narration is simple and realistic. Romantic moments are presented beautifully. The story loses the flow a little bit after the twist, but recovers later.

You like the book. You feel joy and sorrow with the characters. You connect with them. But you do not become a character in the story while reading. I agree with Mr. Narayanmurthy that it's a simple book. We should expect more from Ravinder Singh after this.

A very good book, though not a fabulous one. Recommend reading.

The case of the man who died laughing by Tarquin Hall

"The case of the man who died laughing" by Tarquin Hall. This is the second book of Vish Puri mysteries and is 320 pages long.

Dr. Jha, an ex professor and a well known personality, also called 'Guru buster', who has exposed a number of gurus and God men as frauds; is killed while laughing with his 'laughing club' mates. The killer is none other than 20 ft tall goddess Kali floating in air and the murder weapon, a sword, turns to dust after the killing. Dr. Jha was trying to expose a politically connected guru Maharaj Swami.

Vish Puri is called by Inspector in charge for investigating the murder in an unofficial capacity. Puri is convinced that illusion, rather than divine intervention, was used for the murder. But he is short of evidence. His assistants facecream and tubelight are pressed into service. Facecream, a beautiful young woman and reformed Maoist from Nepal, goes undercover.

There are two more murders. A conspiracy comes to light. What is it? Who is the murderer? Can Vish Puri live up to his reputation and solve the case? Will the political interference stop him? Is Maharaj Swami a fake?

The story has  steady pace. Vish Puri's characteristics have  similarities to Hercule Poirot. Again the author, who is not an Indian, has demonstrated his power of observation while creating an Indian set up by using details of everyday life, Indian English and attitude towards everything. In this book he has gone to the extent of describing god bharai (गोद भराई) ceremony in detail.

A parallel investigation by Vish Puri's mummyji appears in this story as well. I am not sure why author choose to add a side story that has no relevance to main story. The side story dilutes the main story.  More page space should have been given to the character of Maharaj Swami. Otherwise the story is OK.

The character of Dr. Jha seems to be based on real life figure of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar of Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (अंधश्रद्धा निर्मूलन समिती). This book was, however, written before the real murder of Dr. Dabholkar.

It's a decent book. Read for fun if you have time.