The Survivor by Kyle Mills

"The Survivor" by Kyle Mills. This book is published by Simon and Schuster in Oct 2015 and has 448 pages. This is Book 14 of Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series. This one is written by Kyle Mills after death of Vince Flynn.

Rogue CIA agent, Joe Rickman, who was killed by Rapp in previous book has set up an automated system of exposing damaging information about CIA. Pakistan's ISI chief, who is considered a weak man by all, has plans to get his hands on the files and make Pakistan first Muslim superpower of the world.

What's in the files? Who is releasing the information to the media? How damaging is it? What would be the fall out? Why ISI wants it? Will they get it? What will Rapp do?

This book takes off where the previous one ends. The story continues and gets complicated. It's a complex plot where the very existence of CIA is threatened. Author has decided to bump off the character of Stan Hurley and it is done in keeping with the story and the traits of the character. The climax is a bit fast.

A few questions seem to be left unanswered deliberately. How Rickman gets hold of information he is not privy to? What happens to Taj's laptop? What happens to encryption key?

The character of Rapp is shown to be thinking of his future, his death and looking back at the past. In short the effects of age are showing. Is this a change in character with the change of author?

It is not easy to step into the shoes of a successful writer like Vince Flynn. Kyle Mills has accomplished the task really well. Though his writing style is different than Vince, he has remained true to the general theme of the series. It looks like Kyle Mills is acquiring a reputation of taking over literary enterprise of successful writers after their death.

Read it. If you are a Mitch Rapp fan, you will not be disappointed.

Resonance by Ajay

"Resonance" by Ajay. This book is published by Westland Ltd. in 2014 and has 377 pages.

A group of corrupt officers from various Indian government agencies decides to collude with Pakistani terrorists and ISI to realize project Tupac II. Son of ex chief of ISI is in love with daughter of India's ambassador to USA.

What is the plot? What is Tupac II? What is the target? Who are the Indian traitors? Is there a mole? What would be the consequences?

It's a long & complex plot, one year in making, but the Indian intelligence agencies fail to unravel the plot almost for the entire duration. There are a number of actors like various Indian Intelligence agencies, ISI, LeT, Pakistan government, FBI, American intelligence, politicians etc.

The story revolves around hydrology, fault lines, water body movement and resonance. The plot is elaborate, consequences are devastating & impact is far reaching. Is that really possible? Hope not.

Ajay has written a good, tech intensive, apocalyptic story however his noviceness is not masked, especially in the build up of the climax and the climax. Characterization is a bit sketchy. The oneupmanship between ISI and Pakistani government is harrowing. Will the real Prime minister of Pakistan do what he does in this book? Improbable though not impossible.

Book cover is good. The intensity in the eyes of the terrorist attracts you to it.

Recommend reading.

Mumbai Avengers by S. Hussain Zaidi

"Mumbai Avengers" by S. Hussain Zaidi with Gabriel Khan. This book is published by Harper Collins publishers India in March 2015 and has 392 pages. This will soon be made into a major motion picture called 'Phantom'.

26/11 attack on Mumbai, by Pakistani terrorists, is itched deep on India's mind. Retired Lt. General Sayed Ali Waris devices a daredevil plan to eliminate four masterminds of this attack. No one from government wants to support. India is a democracy and can not act illegally. Waris puts together a team of six with tactical support of SKY (Chief of RAW).

Will this black ops team clear the bureaucratic and political hurdle? Will the team get a chance of revenge? Can India sustain pressure of world politics? Can the team enter Pakistan? Will India avenge?

The book is fast paced yet simple. The daredevil acts of Indian special agents are thrilling. Narration is dramatic. Cat and mouse game between Indian team and RAW is also thrilling. The book is written keeping in mind that it will be a motion picture soon.

Assassinations in Turkey, Sweden and Pakistan are interesting. Infiltration and exfiltration from Pakistan is also interesting. It includes disguise, deception, chases and lot of ammunition fire. I felt that the very end of book is wrapped up bit too fast.

S. Hussain Zaidi is a well known non fiction writer. This is his first first foray into fiction. Since he has written this fiction based on facts, the transition is smooth.

Any book that kindles patriotism has a good chance of being successful. If it also includes a good story, gripping narrative, daredevil thrills, secret agencies and avenging terrorists; it is a definite recipe of success.

A good thriller. Indians will love it.

Operation Fox-hunt by Siddhartha Thorat

"Operation Fox-hunt" a debut novel by Siddhartha Thorat. This book is published by Shrishti Publishers & Distributors in 2014 and has 188 pages.

ISI, Pakistani intelligence agency, plans a daredevil attack on a strategic target in India. The target is an airport and primary base for 3 squadrons of Air superiority fighter SU 30MKI & HQ of southern command of Indian army. Two teams are formed for attack lead by SSG commandos.

RAW, IB and Military Intelligence of India get the whiff of the attack. But where is it planned? What is the target? What will Pakistan gain? Can India stop the attack? The hunt begins.

This is a good thriller. Attack by Pakistani's on Indian territory and chase by Indian intelligence agencies is sure to entice the readers. Since it is also narrated in an interesting fashion without over dramatizing, you have a good book. Story is woven neatly around the central theme. Characterisation is apt. Author has been able to entice the audience.

Author had provided detailed information about various army and special forces units, their background and history. A lot of research must have gone into writing the book. Amount of support Pakistanis get in India is simultaneously unbelievable and saddening.

Why the attack team does not consider using sea route is inexplicable. Another thing that I did not like is that all the army, special services and bureaucrats are shown smoking. There are more than 20 smoking scenes. There are editorial mistakes in the book like mis-spelling. This could have and should have been avoided.

I purchased this book on impulse hoping that it would prove readable. It proved to be a good impulsive decision.

It's a  good book. Recommend reading.

When the snow melts by Vinod Joseph

"When the snow melts" debut novel of Vinod Joseph. This book is published by Amaryllis in 2012 and has 202 pages.

Ritwik Kumar, a son Maharashtrian father and Punjabi mother is an Indian spy. He is ex RAW and is currently working with IAG (Intelligence assessment group), a multinational anti terrorism organization based in London. He developes a drinking and gambling problem. He becomes irregular in office, sinks further in his problems and steals money from his office funds. The situation is so desperate that he is forced to defect to pro Al Qaeda section of ISI (Inter service intelligence of Pakistan) in London.

This is a big catch for ISI, or is it? What secrets will he spill? Will he embrace the terrorist ideology? Will he convert? What is the big game? Is there an angle of love?

This is a thriller alright but it's not an action thriller. It's a psychological thriller. The story is full of plots and counterplots, twists and turns, ups and downs, loyalties and deception; all with little to no action.

Various elements of ISI have conflicting objectives. Even individual participants have varying motives. Some are driven by money, some by power, some by religion, some by ideology and some by love for country.

Vinod's narration is systematic and entertaining. Although it's about India, Pakistan and America in the context of war on terror, entire story takes place in England. World of ruthless supremacy comes to the fore.

I would have preferred a more entertaining end to the book. Epilogue was almost unnecessary. I think we can expect more good work from Vinod in future.

Although it's not a wow book, you don't get bored and enjoy reading. I read it in one day.

The shadow throne by Aroon Raman

"The Shadow Throne", debut novel by Aroon Raman. 

There is a sinister plot, code named Shadow Throne, to assemble nuclear war heads in Afganistan and launch them using Ghauri missiles from Pakistan, destination India.

A journalist, an Inspector and a History professor with support of a bureaucrat must stop the world from nuclear WW III. Story takes place mainly in India & Afganistan.

Who is behind the plot? ISI, RAW, Taliban, Shia Hazaras, Kushans (8 feet tall giants of indo-greek origin) who are believed to be extinct? Can this madness be stopped? What is the damage? What are the repercussions?

The story seems somewhat far fetched (but thats what thrillers are supposed to be, isn't it?). The pace is not even, bit jerky at times. However the seed is good & narrative is fine. Climax is abrupt. Current political situation in India is used as apt backdrop. Considering that this is the debut novel of the author we can expect more good novels from Aroon in future. 

A new age has dawned where english fictions of Indian writers are being widely accepted. This story provides a fresh perspective & a different landscape if you read too many western novels. One should read such novels to support Indian writers.

The Karachi deception by Shatrujeet Nath

"The Karachi deception" , a debut novel by Shatrujeet Nath.

Indian army has an ultra secret special ops group called 'Unit Kilo'. They undertake a commando mission (Project Abhimanyu) to assassinate Irshad Dilawar (An Indian living in Pakistan and wanted for a number of terrorist activities; definitely based on Daud Ibrahim) in Karachi deep inside Pakistan. Another group has already made an attempt on Dilawar and failed, but they too have not given up. However Project Abhimanyu is compromised and ISI knows everything about Indian commando mission. Indian commandos and this unknown group converge in Karachi to kill Dilawar.

Will 'Unit Kilo' deliver? Is there a traitor within Indian intelligence organization? Is Dilawar killed? Is there another international conspiracy? How will it end?

This is an intriguing story where you can not make out a friend from a foe, where hunters become hunted and killers become protectors. There are double agents. Friends of India inside Pakistan and vice versa. Although the book is short on action, it is compensated by the story and narrative. Writer manages to keep you interested till the end. There are two major twists to the story to rekindle the interest.

I purchased this book on impulse, without knowing the author and without having any feedback about the book. This was a big risk of disappointment. But the book has come out very well. It doesn't appear to be a debut novel. Shatrujeet's writing is of professional quality. Indian writers are often found short when they discribe a portion of story in other country, Shatrujeet is at ease in Indian as well as foreign setup. He describes Pakistan as if he has lived there.

The only thing that I found odd was that the characters use their names and details of their locations while talking on phones. In the business of spying this is always avoided in enemy territory in order to avoid detection of SIGINT and code names or aliases are used.

Shatrujeet's writing style is factual, riveting and non melodramatic. I liked the writing style and his way of story telling. The book keeps you interested and on the edge of you chair till end.

A very good read. Recommend reading. Looking forward to Shatrujeet's next book.