Camino winds by John Grisham

"Camino winds" by John Grisham - Insipid sequel!

This book is published by Hodder & Stoughton India in 2020 and has 304 pages. This is sequel of Camino Island. 

Mercer's novel has topped the charts. She is on a promotion tour and visits Camino island with her new boyfriend. She meets Bruce Cable and others. Typhoon Leo strikes Camino island. Most of the islands is evacuated but some refuse to go, including Bruce. After the storm, Nelson Kerr is found dead in his backyard, a gash on his head. It's a murder. 

Is it a murder? Who would commit a crime in the middle of the storm? Was he murdered for the latest book he was writing, the secret manuscript?

Many characters from first book are present in this book too. Mercer, the author of current chart topper who played a temporary sleuth in first book. Tom, Mercer's student and boyfriend. Bob, a convicted felon who now writes crime novels. Myra and Lee, a lesbian couple who write porn. Nelson Kerr, a thriller writer. Bruce Cable, the bookshop owner who occasionally dabbled in stolen stuff. Noel, his wife. They have an open marriage. Nick, a student working in Bruce's book shop who reads all crime novels. Jay, a poet, who's books no one reads.

Bruce tries to find clues in Nelson's manuscript. He engages a private agency and then fires them. Somehow investigation continues and crime is solved. Last book had the sizzling chemistry between Bruce and Mercer. That's missing in this book. Rather Mercer is only a minor character in this book. 

Life on Camino Island is beautiful, serene and leisurely. Mercer is now an accomplished story teller and author. Bruce and Noel convert their open marriage to closed one. The story, like the life on island, is slow. At times it gets too slow and even boring.

The story doesn't grab you by your collar, it doesn't resonate with your heart, doesn't satisfy your adrenaline rush, doesn't pique your curiosity. It's insipid!

Why would anyone name the drug Vitamin E3 when anyone connected to medical profession would know that such a vitamin doesn't exist?

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

What I didn't like? Not interesting. 

What did I like? Life on island. 

Give it a miss.

1857: Sword of Mastaan by Vineet Bajpai

"1857: Sword of Mastaan" by Vineet Bajpai - Saga continues!

This book is published by TreeShade books in 2021 and has 280 pages. This is Book 2 of Mastaan series. 

Mastaan is conflicted. He can't forgive himself for probably changing the outcome of mutiny (in Book 1) and betraying his country for his British lover. Pujari from Nili Chatri temple understands him. Mirza Ghalib reveals the story of Tipu's treasure and his terrible curse. One eyed Dervish is set to destroy Delhi. Mutineers have captured Delhi and are in control. A trio of brutal British commanders (William Hodson, Jon Nicholson, Theo Metcalfe) is descending on Delhi to crush the mutineers and sack Delhi. There are many traitors in Delhi including the figurehead Bahadur Shah Zafar. 

Did Mastaan doom the fight? Will the rift between Mastaan and Chagan heal? Who will fight the curse of one eyed Dervish? What's written in Delhi's future? Can Delhi withstand British retribution?

Delhi is under siege, British army has received huge reinforcements and unlimited ammunition. Mutineers are starving, they are running out of ammunition, several guns are silenced. Fall of Delhi is inevitable, but their indomitable spirits are still unbroken. Fay and Pat are sneaked out without knowledge of Mastaan. Betrayal is in the air. 

This book enumerates events of 1857 revolution (which author calls mutiny). They are not seamlessly interwoven in the story. So first half of the book appears like a report in some parts and story in others, but then it becomes interesting in second half. 

It appears as if there is only one good fighter in whole of India, Mastaan. Although he is the hero, it appears like hyperbole. 

Why would the one eyed dervish want Delhi destroyed? His fight was with Tipu and was cursed by McGowen. Then why punish Delhi?

Pandit Gauri Shankar Shastri is going to play a vital role in this battle, but it's for the concluding book of this trilogy titled 'Delhi'. He descends from the noble bloodline of Pujari's of Harappa. Author very smartly capitalizes on the popularity and fan following of his Harappa trilogy. Amish too has done it in the past. However, beware, this trilogy is not in the league of Harappa trilogy. 

Book ends with the death of one important character and one villain. More to come in Book 3.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Narration in first half

What did I like? Leveraging of Harappa.

Read of you plan to read the series. 

Mirabai the Twice-lived by Cat Rambo

"Mirabai the Twice-lived" by Cat Rambo -  A secondary world fantasy?

This e-book is published in 2015 and has 18 pages. It's a single short story. It's Book 2 of 'Women of Zalanthas' series. 

Note: This story has no relation to Saint Mirabai.

Mirabai is a witch. She becomes Shakra at a very young age. She woos Kal, marries him and has children. One day, at the age of 60, she casts a spell that goes wrong and her age is reversed to four and half. Her husband remains old aged. 

What does she do? Can she stay with her old husband? Can she reverse the spell? What happens when she becomes 15 again?

Like the first story, this story is also set in undefined time and location, an alternative world with exotic names for people, positions and places.

The story is curious. Reversal of age is an interesting concept. The impact of it on their relationship should have been more elaborate, but the book length is too short. 

There is a mention of Allanak and silver rings. These things connect this book to Book 1 Aquila's ring. However those are only mentioned and they don't play a part in the story. Maybe in Book 3?

Why did I read this book? Quick read.  

What I didn't like? Length.

What did I like? Idea.

Read of you don't mind quirky tales. 

King and Maxwell by David Baldacci

"King and Maxwell" by David Baldacci - Another adventure for POTUS!

This book is published by Pan Macmillan in 2014 and has 624 pages. This is Book 6 of 'Shane King' series.

Sam Wingo is on a mission in middle east. The mission goes wrong, he loses the cargo but he escapes. He is declared KIA (Killed in action). His son receives an email from him after he was declared dead. The son hires Shane King and Michelle Maxwell to investigate.

As King and Maxwell start investigating, they ruffle feathers of certain governmental agencies. The agencies warn them to stay away, create obstacles and are detained by Homeland Security. They are even attacked by gunmen. But King and Maxwell persevere. That associates them with POTUS. It's followed by kidnapping. 

It's a maze that King and Maxwell have to navigate. They have to coalesce tiny fragments of information and make sense out of them. The odds are stacked against King and Maxwell but they eventually succeed. 

There are two interesting characters, apart from King and Maxwell. One is Diana, Shane's ex-wife. Her presence is a help for the case and subtle threat to Michelle. She and Shane are going to same hospital for rehab at the end of story. So expect author to exploit this angle in next book. Another is Edgar, brilliant analyst, the one who solves King and Maxwell's hacking problems. He is humourless and takes an action at the end of book that leaves King and Maxwell perplexed. Expect author to lean on this in next book too.

Story is decent. Plot is interesting. Execution is good and interest is maintained. Story is fluid but tends to stagnate occasionally.

Shane and Michelle talk about Shane's ex-wife as if she never met her, never knew of her. But in previous book Michelle knew about her and probably even met her. 

Why did I read this book? Author

What I didn't like? Curtis Brown angle is semi- convincing. 

What did I like? Edgar.

Read if you have read the series and liked it.

Marauder by Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison

"Marauder" by Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison - Destination Australia!

This book was published by GP Putnam's Sons in 2020 and has 384 pages. This is Book 15 of 'Oregon files'.

April, Step daughter of a Chinese billionaire, and Angus, her husband, are tasked with a plot that will give China a clout over Australia. But the plot will be violent and lives will be lost. Newly built Oregon (after the old Oregon was sunk in previous book) is pressed into action before the outfitting of weapons is complete. The villains have a paralyzing agent. 

What is the plot? Can Oregon fight without all its weapons? What kind of paralyzing agent is it? Is there an antidote? What is at stake? Can Oregon and its crew led by Chairman Juan Cabrillo the day?

For those who don't know: Oregon, a spy ship disguised as tramp steamer, and it's occupants led by Chairman Juan Cabrillo are The Corporation. The Corporation takes secret assignments, mainly for CIA and friendly countries, and carries out the assignments with a combination of deception, technology, courage, planning and creativity.

The plot here is interesting. With a nerve gas that seemingly doesn't have an antidote, the discovery of a Roman ship in Australia before common era, China's ambition to rule the world possibly coming to fruition and other countries being none the wiser; the only obstacle and adversary is Oregon.

There are technological marvels like Rail gun, Missile killer laser gun, Plasma defense system, plasma canon, tilt rotor chopper etc. Then there are intelligent ideas to take down the enemy with minimum manpower and seemingly impossible ideas that succeed with immaculate execution. There is also great comradery, love and revenge to spice the things up. In short all ingredients are in place, so the recipe is savory.

Clive Cussler is a master story teller. He has good attention to detail, knowledge of advance technology and excellent grip on naval history. His books are hence enjoyable. This one is no exception. I especially like the 'Oregon files' series. 

I doubt if a rogue wave is possible near barrier reef. But I am not an expert. 

This book was published in 2020. Clive Cussler died the same year. So probably this is his last book of the series. The series may continue but there won't be Cussler. RIP Clive Cussler. 

Why did I read this book? Author and Series. 

What I didn't like? Rogue wave. 

What did I like? Everything else. 

Recommend reading. 

Zero hour by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown

"Zero hour" by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown - Unlimited energy!

This book was published by Penguin in 2014 and has 432 pages. This is Book 11 of 'NUMA files'.

A secret lab. Zero point energy. Unlimited! A whacko scientist. Nicola Tesla. A traitor. A threat. Russians in the mix. Kurt and Joe. Zero Hour approaching! Australia under threat. 

What is Tartarus? What is Zero point energy? How does Kurt and NUMA get involved? What's the threat? Who's behind it? Who's after it? Who's the traitor? What's zero hour?

Zero point energy - Drawing energy from background fields which are all around us. It's practically unlimited energy but it isn't easy to control.

Author has used interesting locations. A secret lab in one of the world's deepest lake (1000 feet deep) in an abandoned copper mine, full of toxic water, is where the story starts. A desolate glacier volcano island at the bottom of the world is where the climax happens.

There are some interesting characters. Maximilian Thero, a brilliant and whacko nuclear scientist, out to punish the world. His scientist son and voice of reason. A former student who breaks away with her mentor. A Russian assassin who is determined to wipe out his only professional failure. Kurt and Joe keep poking their noses in matters that don't concern them.

Although VP James Sandecker, Dirk Pitt, Paul and Gamy Trout also play part in the story, Trouts are marginalized in this book. Dirk plays a bigger role than usual.

There is a surprise at the end. There is the traitor in Villain's lair. Who's it? I did not see it coming. It's a good surprise. 

All in all, a typical Kurt Austin book. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What did I like? Villain's lairs. 

What I didn't like? The ease of capture of Russian ship. Final detonation. 

Read if you are reading the series. 

Devil's gate by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown

"Devil's gate" by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown - A Cussler thriller!

This book is published by Penguin in 2013 and has 496 pages. This is Book 9 of 'NUMA files'. 

Pirates use a strange weapon to down a freighter. Near Portugal, Kurt Austin and Joe Zhawala discover a natural rock formation on sea bottom, with strong but shifting magnetic field. It's named Devil's gate. An African Dictator, Gemma, is trying to perfect a WMD. Add to it a plane lost at sea in 1945 carrying a Russian defector and two trunks.

What was in those trunks? What WMD is Gemma developing? Why attack the freighter? What's in the natural rock formation, The Devil's gate?

 

Here the WMD is remote electromagnetic weapon. A weapon that can take out all electrical and instrumentation systems. The weapon requires super conductors. Devil's gate provides a natural super conductor that doesn't need super cooling. Or does it? The stage is set, the fight is on. Washington is under threat. 

The story has all the ingredients. Fight and rescue on a burning ship. A WMD. A crazy African dictator. A scientific discovery. Humanoid robot that can go to water depths human can't. Daring fight scenes. Plane landing in football field during ongoing match. Underwater facility. Battles of wits and tactics. A beautiful damsel in distress. A noble hero. All these ingredients ensure that the book is not disliked. Add to it Clive Cussler's gripping narration and you have a good thriller. 

We may see the beautiful Russian scientist, Katarina, in future book of the series. This story tests Kurt and Joe's friendship. It also revives an old rivalry. 

It's a Cussler thriller. The prologue happens only 50-60 years ago. Epilogue is a bit stretched. How America doesn't find out about Gemma's plans?

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Epilogue. 

What did I like? Concept of Devil's gate. 

Read if you are reading the series.