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.

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.