Tanzeem by Mukul Deva

"Tanzeem" by Mukul Deva. This book is published by HarperCollins in 2011 and has 364 pages. This is the fourth and final book of 'Lashkar' series.

Previous book ended with the death of Tanaz and then Iqbal going away to take revenge. This book starts with an anticlimax that Iqbal turns to Force 22 and decides to go to Pakistan and kill Ameer-ul-Momineem. He has no plan. Force 22 tries to discourage him to no avail. Finally Force 22 inserts him in Pakistan.

He enters the organization of Ameer-ul-Momineem and learns of a mega plot. A meeting of the Tanzeem of Amirs of six continents. Iqbal has to save the world.

What is the identity of Ameer-ul-Momineem? Can Iqbal kill Ameer-ul-Momineem? What is the objective of Tanzeem? Is ISI involved? Will Iqbal be caught? Can he get a word out to Force 22? Can he save the world?  

Mukul Deva is a master story teller. Most of the story happens deep inside Pakistan. Mukul has explained Pakistan in detail. Readers believe that this is how Pakistan must be. Iqbal's journey through terrorist organization is narrated in detail. Author has used real life incidents like terrorist attack on Indian embassy in Kabul in the story and blended it with fiction deftly.

The only complaint is that author has spent more than half of the book to come to the real plot of Tanzeem. This has left Tanzeem and the mega plot starving for page space. Moreover the end comes very fast and readers are deprived of enjoying the climax.

Although book ends implying that Iqbal dies while saving the world, author has left a small window so that there can be a sequel to this book. Readers love Iqbal, his courage, his patriotism and his adventures.

A good book. Read if you have read the first three.

Blowback by Mukul Deva

"Blowback" by Mukul Deva. The book is published by Harper Collins in 2010 and is 349 pages long. This is the third book in Lashkar series.

Last book ended with Indian Force 22 commandos escaping from Pakistan and Tanaz and injured Iqbal going towards dessert to a doctor. This book starts where the previous book left. Tanaz and Iqbal are confronted by Pakistani military and are shot. A terrorist group saves them. When they are fit again they return to India. Force 22 is happy to see them alive. Tanaz is pregnant. Force 22 trains them for an infiltration operation. Their target is Indian Mujahideen.

Can Iqbal and Tanaz infiltrate Indian Mujahideen? Can Iqbal save lives? Will his cover hold? Or will it be blown? What will be the blow back?

The story is nicely paced. The infiltration in Indian Mujahideen seemed a little too easy. Force 22 and Iqbal work very cohesively. The book shows how technology and human Intel can save lives and how a small failure can cost lives. Author also provides a comprehensive, expensive but effective solution to get rid of problem of terrorism once and for all that would not be implemented by rulers due to possible political repercussions.

Iqbal in this book is not a confused youth any more, neither is he mad because of death of his loved ones. He has firm opinions and thinks clearly. He is a true patriot. He risks his life for the country.

Mukul is a master story teller. He keeps you interested till the end. Author has ended the book at a turn that sets the tone for next book (Tanzeem) firmly, which is already published.

A good book. Recommend reading, but read the series in order.