The Cuban affair by Nelson Demille

"The Cuban affair" by Nelson Demille -  Damp squib!

This  book is published by Sphere in 2017 and has 448 pages. 

Daniel McCormick (Mac), an army veteran, now lives on the island of Quay West. He owns and captains a boat for hire. One day a Cuban American approaches him for a mission in Cuba. Beautiful Sarah Ortega will be involved. 

What is the mission? Why Mac? Who is Sarah? Will he succeed? Will he survive?

It's mission to Cuba to retrieve depositor's money hidden by her banker grandfather, when he had to flee fearing Castro's ascension. It's a dream of the anti Castro Cuban immigrants. 

Mac and Sarah embark on a mission in police state. The plan is flimsy. Too many lose ends and unknowns to succeed,  but Mac accepts for money. Why? Where is his sense of reason and his sixth sense?

They start their mission,  but the mission is diverted. They semi-abort the mission and return. Why? 

The plot is weak. The story is slow. At times even boring. There is not much excitement. The tension is missing. Anticipation turns in damp squib. It took me 3 months to complete this book.

The only two points of interest in this book are  character of Sarah and the chase at high sea. The later is top class. It makes the book interesting. 

Why did I read this book?  Curiosity Abbott Cuba. 

What I didn't like?  Most of it. 

What did I like?  Chase at high sea.

Give it a miss. 

The perplexing theft of the jewel in the crown by Vaseem Khan

"The perplexing theft of the jewel in  the crown" by Vaseem Khan - Man and elephant detectives at work!  

This book is published by Hodder & Stoughton in 2016 and has 352 pages. This is Book 2 of 'Baby Ganesh detective agency' series.

Retired Inspector, and now private detective,  Chopra and his wife Poppy have gone to Prince of Wales museum to see the British crown jewels on display. The jewels are stolen. Kohinoor is gone. Inspector Chopra is drawn in. 

Who is behind the robbery? How does Chopra get involved? Does he have a nemesis? Can he crack the mystery? What role will baby Ganesh play?

As expected it's an elaborate plot with red herrings and deliberate false trails. Chopra's nemesis, Suresh Rao, has come out unscathed, from scandal in first book, due to his connections. His unerring ability to accuse and catch the wrong person helps Chopra come out victorious eventually. 

Baby Ganesh,  the one year old elephant of Chopra, is again a central character and plays an important role in the investigation. So does the orphan Irfan who the Chopra's love like theirs own son.  

The story is decent. Investigation and the culprits are on expected lines. Chopra also  acquires an associate detective. He, the associate and the elephant solve three mysteries individually. Inspector Chopra and Poppy's affection towards orphan Irfan and Ganesh shows us their tender side. Chopra's pursuit of truth, his instincts and perseverance see him through.

The book is not wow,  but enjoyable. Some things appear stretched to fit in the elephant. Can one police officer arrest a gathering of men on their property? Why delicate the elephant? These and such questions remain unanswered. 

One is eventually left with a question. Should India return Kohinoor to Britain? Kohinoor,  which was stolen from India in the first place? Author has resolved this dilemma very intelligently for the book, if not for real. 

In the review of first book I had written that author had made an error by naming the protagonist Chopra and placing him in Maharashtra (Chopra is not a Maharashtraian surname). He rectifies it in this book by informing us that his family migrated to Maharashtra 3 generations ago. 

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

What I didn't like?  Suresh Rao disappears from the story. 

What did I like?  Return of Kohinoor logic.  

Read if you like light detective stories. 

Against all odds by Daniel Steele

"Against all odds" by Daniel Steele - Story of a family.

This book is published by Macmillan in 2017 and has 400 pages. 

Kate Madison, a widow and mother of four,  owns a resale fashion store. She has raised her children single handedly. She has four children. Elder daughter Izzy is a lawyer. Julie is a fashion designer. Justin is a reporter and is gay. Freddie,  the youngest,  has a very active sex life. Her mother Louise is a very active lady nearing 80.

What are their problems? Can they overcome them? How does it pain Kate? How will they survive against all odds?

The book covers romance and/or marriage of Kate as well as her offsprings. But every pairing comes with its own problems, issues and obstacles. They cause heartache,  emotional and physical distress, friction and strained relations. However, eventually they also makes them appreciate life. 

Izzy marries an estranged rich heir who has no education,  doesn't work and has no will to work, has had an altercation with law but has a very pleasant personality and easy manner. How long can it continue?

Justin is a gay. He and his partner Richard have got a baby through IVF and surrogacy. Can they cope up with the demands of the child rearing? Will it strain their relationship?

Julie is dating a perfect man. He is little too perfect. Are there hidden surprises? Will dyslexic Julie be able to live with him?

Willy is dating multiple girls. Now he is in love with a woman 10 years older who has 2 children. Will the association work?.

Kate is involved with a married man who has an 'arrangement' with his wife. What's the arrangement? Will Kate accept it? Will this relationship have a future?

The book is an easy story. It's all about relations and relationships. It takes us through the story of a family over a period of 2-3 years. It also takes us through the turmoil of the family. She has assembled an assortment of characters in this family to give us multiple side stories. 

However, death of Liam's wife appears to be too convenient. The story might have been better without the final pairing. 

Daniel Steele books, that I have read, are family stories. They deal with the issues faced by common people. Hence, the reader feels connected. There is drama and mild excitement but hardly any action. 

Why did I read this book? Last one by the author was good.  

What I didn't like? Dearth of Liam's wife.    

What did I like? Ease. 

Recommend reading if  you like the genre. 

The curse of Brahma by Jagmohan Bhanver

"The curse of Brahma" by Jagmohan Bhanver. This book is published by Rupa publications India private Ltd. in 2015 and has 378 pages. This is Book 1 of Krishna trilogy. 

Brahma cursed his favourite disciple, Amartya Kalyanesu, for no fault of his, 200 years ago, and banished him to the deepest level of hell - tamastmah prabha, never to return. Kansa is the noblest of men and loves his sister Devaki and his close friend Vasudev. The Dark Lord is rising.

Why did Brahma curse? What is the objective of Dark Lord?  Who is Bhargava? Who is the Dark Lord? What is Jarasandha's plan? What happened to Kansa?

This is the story of Krishna, alright! But the author tells it in a way it was never told before. He has used a conspiracy that involves Patal, Mrityulok and Swarg to play out the story. It would not just be the battle  between Pandav's and Kaurav's eventually. But that  id's for the sequels.

This book takes us through the story of Kansa. The noble, affable Kansa who loves his little sister Devaki, close friend Vasudev and father Ugrasen. He is also considered one of the most accomplished fighters in Bharat.

Author has used smart imagination and convincing narration to explain Kansa's behaviour,  the grand plot and the mega battle that is in the offing. Author has written the story boldly. He does not hesitate to use modern terminology and concepts to carry the story forward. Credit to author that although he uses the modern concepts, it doesn't appear out of place or like an appendage. 

Jagmohan also takes us to the nether world inhibited by Asuras, Bonara, Kalakanjas, Pisacas, Bhutas, Pretas etc. There is also a society of assassins called Zataka Upanshughataks. And then there is Bhargava.

The story ends at a point where Krishna is poised to be born. Books 2 & 3 should take the story forward to conclusion. Reader's will meet Krishna in next book.

Its a very good rendition of the known story.  It's this ability to look at the known thing from an entirely abject perspective and pen it credibly that makes an author stand out. Jagmohan Bhanver has this ability.

This book was published in 2015. Almost 3 years ago and Book 2 is still not published. I wonder what happened. I would wait for it. 

Why did I read this book?  Blurb.  

What I didn't like? Minor deficiencies (e.g. Ghora fights valiantly but his teacher Ugra is defeated easily)   

What did I like? Idea and narration.

Recommend reading. 

"Bharat: The man who built a nation by Dr. Vineet Aggarwal

"Bharat: The man who built a nation" by Dr. Vineet Aggarwal - Not enough Bharat!  

This book is published by Penguin books in 2017 and has 248 pages.

The story starts from Dushyant meeting Shakuntala, their marriage,  birth of Sarvadaman, arrival of mother and baby to Hastinapur, Sarvadaman's growth,  love,  coronation, becoming Bharat, conquering world and performing various Yadnyas.

Why did Dushyant refuse to recognize Shakuntala? How was Bharat as a person?  Who was his paramour? What role did Vishwamitra play?

Bharat was son of Dushyant - Shakuntala and grand son of Vishwamitra. He was also cousin of Parshuram. Bharat was the king who ruled entire India of that time. In today's times it includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan (entire Indian subcontinent) as well as Afghanistan, Bactria, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Persia. India got it's name Bhaarat or Bhaarat varsha after him. 

Author has done away with the prevalent version of Dushyant forgetting about Shakuntala due to curse and instead has given a logical reasoning, probably inspired by Gandhiji, that Dushyant repented enjoying pleasures with Shakuntala & not being present when his father died; hence decided to forget her.

However I felt that author has over emphasized the story of Dushyant - Shakuntala and has spent too many pages on it. Almost half of book is over by the time Bharat is born. Thus, the hero is left with less mileage. To compound to it author also adds story of Raja Harishchandra in the book. It  should have been covered in a couple of pages due to its relevance to the main story. Later author has spent a lot of pages on Bharat's childhood and up to his coronation. It leaves very less page space for the victories of Bharat and reunification of Nabhi-varsha (As Bhaarat was then called) under his leadership.

His good deeds, decisions for the welfare of his subjects, the changes he brought and the United identity that he gave to this nation are almost overlooked. 

Thus, this book lacks balance and focus. Probably author wanted to cover everything but ended up being all over the place. 

If one asks oneself 'Did Bharat (after who the country is named) lived before Ram or after?' Intuitive answer would be, after. But actually he lived before Ram.

This book is not as good as author's first two books.

Why did I read this book? Story of Bharat.

What I didn't like?  Lack of focus on Bharat. 

What did I like? Narration. 

Read if you have spare time. 

The kafir project by Lee Burvine

"The kafir project" by Lee Burvine - Time travel? No! 

This book is published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform in 2016 and has 362 pages.

Eccentric and brilliant scientist Fisher, who is believed to have died previous day, asks science communicator, Gavin Reese, to meet him. Fisher is killed during the meeting. Gavin becomes the next target. He gets help of a beautiful special agent and her friend. Two assassins are on his trail. 

What was Fisher working on? Who killed him? Why did he contact Gavin? What's in the research that someone wants to bury it?

The book starts with a bang. Meeting between Reese and presumably dead Fisher. Murder of Fisher. He wanted to tell something to Reese but couldn't. Reese's escape. 

It's a sci-fi. The idea is that a technology is developed for time viewing, not Time travel. The question is how to use the technology? For the good of people? Countering the bad elements? Undermining a religion? Making the technology open? Keeping it ultra secret?

The idea is to challenge the historicity of a particular religion with the help of time viewing and bending space- time. The  objective is to obtain the old Syriac Arabic Lectionary of one religion to undermine the fundamental beliefs of another religion. It is based on a controversy / conspiracy in past. However, does it stop there? If one religion can be undermined, so can the other. In fact all the Abrahamic religions are threatened in this book. Weather it is correct or not and whether the veracity or lack of it makes any difference to the belief of common man is another matter. 

The story is fast paced and does not have any slack. Reese, Dany and Morgan are stalked by not one but two assassins. So it's a roller coaster ride all along. Something is happening all the time and the protagonists survive by virtue of quick thinking, intelligence and luck. 

However, with the pace and build up I expected the climax to be a crescendo. That does not happen. Action towards the end is good. But when the action is over, the revelation is tepid. 

It's a classic case of Science Vs Religion, or rather, science to invalidate religion. But is it that simple? Is it possible to rewrite religious history and challenge faith of billions. Is it possible to prove certain things of a religion because eventually religion is a set of beliefs. One  simply believes in them  that's why it's called FAITH. 

Lee Burvine is author's anonymous pen name. Like J. K. Rowling a.k.a. Robert Galbraith, we may come to know the real name of this author sometime in future. This is author's debut novel. 

Why did I read this book?  Good rating by Goodreads and Audible. 

What I didn't like? Tepid revelation.   

What did I like?  Plot and delivery.

Recommend reading.

Aflatoon (अफलातून) by Prof. Vikram Apte.

"Aflatoon (अफलातून)" a Marathi book by Prof. Vikram Apte. This book is published by Vidyavaibhav Prakashan in 2017 and has 153 pages.

This book was inaugurated by Prof. Milind Joshi on 30th June 2017 in Phaltan. I attended this function. This book is collection of 15 word sketches of peculiar personalities. Author informs readers in his introductory remark that some of them are real, some part real and some imaginary. 

Subrao (सुबराव) is a person with contradictory personality traits. 

Hareram (हरेराम) is a principled doctor who views his profession as help to humanity but he is also outspoken. 

Gajanan Charantirthakar (गजानन चरणतीर्थकर) is a shy boy who becomes a well known kirtankar (कीर्तनकार).

Iravati mawshi (ईरावीत मावशी) is the only survivor of her family who is a trove of knowledge, is always happy and is fond of giving unsolicited advise.

Zopalkaka (झोपाळकाका) has a very good constitution, is good looking but is extremely lazy and miser. He spends all his time on a swing (झोपाळा), hence the name. 

Damle doctor (दामले डाॅक्टर) is a collection of incidences about whimsical Dr. Damle. It's not really a story. 

Aflatoon (अफलातून) is a pet name given by author to a quirky person he met and then befriended.  His quirkiness doesn't end with death. 

Gangatai (गंगाताई) is a child widow,  staying at her brother's house and managing all affairs while helping others. 

Shamu (शामू) is a harmless man, with limited intelligence and without education or job. He lived all his life without doing anything and causing no trouble. 

Pintya (पिंट्या) was a very naughty boy who is also helpful. What a contradiction?

Yamnajji (यमनाज्जी) is an elderly lady who  lost her family to plague in her early youth. She is outspoken and does not change even when it  turns counter productive. 

Hector ajoba (हेक्टर अजोबा) is a elderly Greek man,  married to an English woman and settled in South Africa, living a retired life as care taker of a society. 

Prashant Mistry (प्रशांत मिस्त्री) is a uneducated farmer in Andaman with a transparent personality and clear thoughts. Author met him just for a couple of hours but he created a permanent impression. 

Zelya (झेल्या) is the story of a beggar who has thought about the future of his family wisely. 

Shewantabai (शेवंताबाई) is a quarrelsome woman in the village who has a number of virtues but is unpopular due to this one vice. 

I thought that  stories Gangatai & Yamnajji, both child widows and Shamu & Zelya, both mendicants, should have had more space between them. They came too close to each other. 

This book is a collection of personalities.  They are common people with special characters that you find in your life. But one needs special observation skills to identify the uniqueness and prowess to put them in words. Author provides a physical description of  every character including  body structure, skin colour,  age,  clothing, style etc. While reading it the picture of the character is automatically drawn in the minds eye. 

The book is written in rich colloquial Marathi. But it is easy to understand. Since it talks about the every day events, one can relate with the events and characters easily. That is the success of the book. 

The book cover shows a fluttering butterfly and a sparrow. It hardly has any connection with the content. Back cover of this book  is unconventional. It does not have blurb, instead it provides information about author on back cover. 

Why did I read this book? The author.  

What I didn't like?  Some stories appear curtailed.   

What did I like?  Observation. 

Disclosure: The author is my father.

Hence I would refrain from making a recommendation.